Boomboxes used to be one of the coolest things to have in the 90s. Surprisingly, they aren’t dead and buried just yet.
The market is now filled with modern versions of what boomboxes used to be. But are they just as cool to have now?
To find out, we’ve decided to review one of the most popular boomboxes: the JBL Boombox.
But before that, here’s a preview of our top recommendations:
JBL Boombox – Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
The JBL Boombox offers thunderous bass. The Bluetooth speaker is loud, portable, and waterproof.
Alternate 1
Sony Portable Bluetooth Digital Turner
This product is a great CD boombox. It’s lightweight and comes with a bunch of useful features.
Alternate 2
Panasonic RX-D55GC-K Boombox
This one’s ideal for those who need a cassette boombox. It has a classic design and is easy to use.
Quick Summary of the Main Product
The JBL Boombox is equipped with all of the latest features to make it a modern piece of technology. At the same time, it offers somewhat of a nostalgic experience that old-fashioned individuals may be looking for. The speaker also comes with an AC power adapter and cable.
In our opinion, the Boombox is best used around large groups due to its powerful audio. So it’s ideal for those who need something for a party.
That said, it’s still portable enough to take outside. This is great for someone who needs a speaker to travel with or simply carry around.
The Boombox is quite expensive though, so you may need to look elsewhere if you’re looking for an entry-level product.
Features and Benefits
Sound Quality
As soon as we turned the Boombox up, we were shocked by its intensity.
The bass response is incredibly powerful. So much so that you can literally feel the rhythm. And if you change it to outdoor mode, the bass goes even deeper.
JBL also balanced the tones out. So the audio doesn’t distort at higher volumes and the delivery of vocals is clear.
Design
The speaker’s sleek, tube design isn’t anything new; you’d assume JBL manufactured it even if there wasn’t a logo on the front.
We liked that it has a large, built-in handle, which makes it easier to lug the speaker around. And in case you wanted to rest it on your shoulders, it also comes with a rubber pad.
The unit is pretty well-built as well. It’s appropriately constructed to the IPX7 standard.
Battery Life
Another good thing about the Boombox is that it comes with a massive battery.
It offers a playtime of up to 24 hours, so it’s pretty likely the battery of your phone will run out first.
Fortunately, that wouldn’t be a problem either as the Boombox can also charge other devices.
Pros and Cons
- Super loud audio and powerful bass allows for superb entertainment
- Solid construction and waterproof, which is ideal for the pool
- Long battery life
- USB ports allow it to be used as a power bank
- Relatively portable
- Volume control is convenient as the buttons are easy to access
- Strong Bluetooth connectivity
- Comes with AC adapter, so no add-ons needed
- Pretty expensive
- Heavy to carry around
- The sound lacks accuracy due to the heavy bass
Social Proof
We browsed the internet to see what the customers thought about the Boombox.
It has an overwhelmingly positive rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Amazon; 90% of customers gave it 5 stars.
Most customers were really impressed by its benefits outdoors
More Recommendations!
#1: Alternative with CD Player - Sony ZS-RS60BT Review
If you’re looking for a boombox that can play CDs, this Sony boombox may be your safest bet.
We really liked its “mega bass” sound feature. This enhances low-end sounds, which really improves the overall music experience.
And despite its large speakers, we found the boombox to be impressively lightweight as well.
Features of Sony ZS-RS60BT
- Battery life: Up to 26 hours
- Voltage: 120 VAC
- Bluetooth connectivity
- FM/AM radio
- CD playback
- USB playback
- Good sound quality; ideal for medium-sized rooms or the car
- Long battery life
- Compact design
- Relatively low price
- USB playback offers versatility
- Stable Bluetooth connection
- No rechargeable battery
- Not suitable for the outdoors or large rooms
Alternative with CD Player
The alternative with CD player is the Sony ZS-RS60BT due to its powerful sound and perfect size.
#2: Alternative with Cassette Recorder - Panasonic RX-D55GC-K Review
Lots of people also have cassettes lying around. If you’re one of those, this Panasonic boombox may be a suitable alternative.
This boombox truly offers the nostalgic experience some of you may be after. It has more of a conventional look but its speakers still perform really well. We found the audio to be relatively powerful, which didn’t distort at higher volumes.
It also comes with a remote control which makes the device easier to use.
Features of Panasonic RX-D55GC-K
- Voltage: 220-240 V
- Cassette playback
- CD playback
- AM/FM radio
- USB playback
- Aux input for MP3 device
- Classic design
- Good sound quality
- Fairly affordable
- Solution to many types of media
- USB playback offers versatility
- Easy volume control with full-size remote control
- No rechargeable battery
- Somewhat heavy
Alternative with Cassette Recorder
The alternative with cassette recorder is the Panasonic RX-D55GC-K due to its versatility and traditional design.
Guide to Buy
Type of Boombox
Boomboxes have certainly evolved. While all of them are capable of reproducing sound, they don’t come with the same features.
Most of them can be categorized into three main categories: the traditional cassette and CD, the docking station, and the modern wireless boomboxes.
You need to make sure the boombox system you’re buying is offering a genuine, portable solution to the type of media you want to play.
Battery Life
You also need to remember that not all boomboxes come with rechargeable batteries, unlike modern Bluetooth speakers.
So if you’re going for an older model, you need to make sure it offers a long battery life.
Boomboxes that annoyingly run out of battery every few hours can end up being useless, especially in the outdoors.
Water-resistance
Nearly all modern boomboxes are water-resistant and splashproof.
Hence, you won’t have to worry about playing music by the poolside or leaving them out in the rain.
So if you plan to use a boombox system in the outdoors, investing in a water-resistant boombox definitely isn’t a bad idea.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can saltwater damage a boombox?
Yes. All waterproof boomboxes can resist splashes of saltwater, but continuous immersion can definitely end up damaging them.
Is the JBL Boombox louder when plugged in?
Yes. This is because the output power increases when it is plugged in.
How many watts is the JBL Boombox?
The JBL Boombox can reach a total power of 60 watts.