Gadget

Boomboxes were once called angular portable audio centers that were used to listen to music in any conditions. Today, for this, there is a much more effective and functional portable acoustics.

Which boombox is better to buy

Portable acoustics are rarely aimed at maximum sound quality — modern models lean primarily on volume and low frequencies. But individual boomboxes use different technologies and support the latest wireless transmission codecs to ensure the best sound quality.

The main differences between portable acoustics are connection methods (wired or wireless) and battery life — from 8 to 24 hours. For advanced and, accordingly, more expensive models, the standard functionality is expanded due to additional features:

• microphone support,
• the ability to combine several columns into one system,
• backlight, etc.

Since boomboxes are most often used outdoors, it is best to look for models that are water or at least splash resistant. IPX5 and above is considered optimal for portable devices operating outdoors.

The best portable acoustics up to 2 kg

This section contains the most compact and lightweight boomboxes, with which you can safely walk on foot.

Marshall Stockwell II

Marshall is first and foremost a fashion company that creates stylish and recognizable devices. Fortunately, this approach does not affect the musical quality of its products. Stockwell II is one of the smallest speakers in this collection.

Strict angles, branded grille, white Marshall logo and regulators on the top edge — everything is in place. A large, comfortable handle makes it easy to carry acoustics. The speaker is connected to devices via a wire via a 3.5 mm plug or via Bluetooth.

Traditional design — traditional and sound. Stockwell II sounds as “rocky” as possible, and both low and high frequencies can be adjusted right on the speaker. The middle of the range is beautiful, detailed. On a single charge, the acoustics work for about a day.

Advantages:

• Stylish corporate design;
• Excellent sound;
• Good volume;
• Light weight and dimensions;
• Outstanding autonomy.

Flaws:

Stockwell II is a very compact speaker, but its capabilities are really impressive. Here you can find excellent Marshall signature sound, excellent autonomy, and controls for adjusting the sound of bass and treble.

Sony SRS-XB41

The top model in the SRS Extra Bass line is exactly in the spirit of the old boomboxes, because in addition to excellent bass sound and a convenient form for carrying, it also offers pleasant lighting effects under the grill that protects the speakers. Acoustics reproduces frequencies from 20 to 20,000 Hz.

Bluetooth 4.2 is used for connection, and NFC can be used to speed up its setup. The PartyChain function is also supported here, which allows you to combine 10 columns into one system at once.

The column is protected according to the IP67 standard, that is, it is not afraid of water and dust. On the top edge there are buttons to control the music.

In sound, the main emphasis is on the bass. The volume is very high. But mids and highs sound just fine, but no more. The LiveSOUND function makes listening to tracks more comfortable outdoors.

Advantages:

• Nice design;
• Excellent body materials and build quality;
• Decent sound with a large margin of volume;
• Good autonomy — up to a day of work from a single charge.

Flaws:

• High price;
• There is no charge indicator.

An excellent replacement for the popular JBL Flip and Charge with stylish lighting effects, sound enhancements and full protection against moisture and dust, lovers of outdoor activities with loud music will love it.

Sven PS-460

A small and extremely budget portable speaker from Sven is made in a cylindrical shape with a monolithic carrying handle. Ahead there is a display for displaying basic information, and on the top there are control buttons.

Case materials are cheap, but the price tag is appropriate. Alas, the use of plastic affects the sound quality.

The bass is there, and the volume is quite high, but in general, the frequencies do not sound particularly detailed. The column reproduces the range from 100 to 20,000 Hz and has a power of 18 watts. It supports 3.5mm jack connection and Bluetooth wireless connection.

Advantages:

• Easy-to-carry form;
• Normal volume margin;
• 3.5mm jack and Bluetooth connection;
• Good autonomy;
• Affordable price.

Flaws:

• Cheap case materials;
• Average sound quality.

Like all Sven products, the PS-460 is a compromise. It is not very powerful, and the plastic does not allow it to sound like competitors can. But if you need a device «to play», then at this price it is better not to find it.

The best boomboxes up to 4 kg

Units of this weight still sound good and don’t offer other functional compromises, but they also don’t make it uncomfortable to carry around for long periods of time.

LG XBOOM PK7

The PK7 is the top model in the XBOOM portable speaker line. LG primarily focuses on sound quality, which provides Meridian technology and support for the aptX HD codec for wireless transmission.

Although most boomboxes accentuate bass, the PK7 has two tweeters, which allows you to listen to tracks of a wide variety of genres in lossless quality. There is also the ability to customize the sound through the functions of Clear Vocal and Enhanced Bass.

The column is protected from moisture according to the IPX5 standard, that is, it is not afraid of rain and splashes. On the case there is a convenient carrying handle, and the speakers are decorated with LEDs.

You can connect two devices at the same time. There are several buttons on the top cover for easy track management. From a single charge, the column works up to a day.

Advantages:

• Support for aptX and SBC codecs;
• Balanced sound for different genres of music;
• Moisture protection;
• Comfortable handles;
• Control elements on the case;
• Adequate price.

Flaws:

• Boring color.

The PK7 may not look impressive, but in addition to the traditional feature set, it offers the highest quality sound for any genre.

Marshall Kilburn II

The Kilburn II has a leather design with a signature grille all over the front and a white company logo. There is also a large sturdy carrying handle.

On the top edge are volume, bass and treble controls. There you can also see the column charge level and connect the source via a 3.5 mm jack.

Acoustics supports wireless connection via Bluetooth 5.0. The model is protected from moisture according to the IPX2 standard, that is, it is not afraid of splashes, but it may not survive the rain.

The sound of the speaker is balanced due to one woofer cone and two stereo speakers. The acoustics play loudly and do not wheeze, even if it is unscrewed to the maximum. On a single charge, the device works for about 15 hours.

Advantages:

• Cool corporate design;
• High sound quality;
• loud;
• Good autonomy;
• Volume and sound controls on the speaker.

Flaws:

• The price is high;
• Basic waterproofing only

A quality and very stylish product from Marshall will last a good 15 hours away from the outlet.

Harman/Kardon Onyx Studio 5

The Onyx Studio by Harman/Kardon is truly unique in terms of design. First of all, attention is drawn to the shape: the column is round and flat, with a small hole protruding from the handle. There is a stand underneath.

Onyx Studio is charged only from a proprietary device, and it does not have a headphone jack at all — only a wireless connection.

Under the handle are several controls, almost invisible. The speaker sounds good — regardless of the volume and musical genre. Two speakers are responsible for the sound: one tweeter and one woofer. The bass is excellent.

Advantages:

• Unique design;
• Cool materials and good assembly;
• Convenient and inconspicuous controls;
• Excellent bass and sufficient volume margin;
• The ability to combine multiple devices into a system.

Flaws:

• No 3.5mm jack;
• Mediocre autonomy;
• High price.

This is a portable acoustic that feels best indoors. It is cut down in functionality, not very autonomous, and also expensive — but with a completely inimitable design.

Sven PS-485

Lurid, but made in the style of «those» boomboxes, this portable speaker is more like a tape recorder. It has a rough design with LED effects on the speakers, a ton of ports and controls on the top edge, including a microphone jack.

The speaker sounds exactly in line with its price: loud, deep, but without unnecessary details. You can use a strap for carrying. The device weighs 2.5 kg.

Advantages:

• Various connectors for connecting external devices;
• Microphone supported;
• Light music;
• Light weight;
• Affordable cost.

Flaws:

• Medium quality sound;
• Not the best body materials.

A portable speaker for those who understand what a device at this price can do. She can create a sound background, but you should not count on high-quality playback of your favorite tracks.

The best boomboxes over 4kg

Yes, these devices can hardly be called portable, but they provide the highest quality and loudest sound.

Reloop Grove Blaster BT

This portable speaker is suitable for both listening to high-quality music and creating a bass background while relaxing with a company.

All controls are located on one side, there is a handle for easy carrying. You can combine a pair of Grove Blaster BT speakers into one network at once. Each battery will last up to 10 hours.

Advantages:

• Excellent sound quality — with stereo and bass;
• Wired and wireless connection;
• Good autonomy;
• Convenient controls.

Flaws:

A stylish device, unlike many analogues, also offers high-quality sound.

JBL PartyBox 100

The column is as large as possible, at which it can still be considered portable. «Sotka» is the youngest model in the PartyBox line, which also has acoustics 200, 300 and 1000 with more impressive dimensions and power.

The «baby» weighs 10 kg and has a pair of handles for more convenient transportation. To connect, you can use both the Bluetooth wireless interface and the USB or 3.5 mm headphone jacks.

Two 5.25-inch woofers and two 2.25-inch tweeters are responsible for the sound in the boombox. The total power is 160 watts.

True Wireless Stereo is supported to connect two PartyBox speakers at the same time. The BassBoost button is responsible for the maximum bass, which is enough here even without it.

Advantages:

• Quality sound;
• Good volume and rich bass;
• Light effects;
• Carrying handles;
• Various interfaces for connection;
• Excellent build.

Flaws:

• High price;
• Big weight.

The heavy and expensive JBL speaker offers the maximum of what portable acoustics are capable of.

JBL Boombox

A column called Boombox just couldn’t be missing from this list. Let it not repeat the appearance of rectangular tape recorders of the last century, but it stands out from other devices of the same brand. JBL offers a uniquely modern solution with a stylish, minimalist and highly recognizable design.

The column has a comfortable handle and boasts an IPX7 water resistance rating, that is, it can be safely immersed under water (albeit for a short time).

Thanks to the large body, it was possible to place a capacious battery inside, providing 24 hours of continuous operation.

The sound, traditionally for JBL, focuses on the bass. There is no point in listening to tracks in high quality, but when used outdoors, acoustics have almost no competitors. And with JBL Connect+, you can combine multiple speakers into a single system.

Advantages:

• Plays loudly;
• Convenient handle;
• JBL signature design, plus decent build quality and materials;
• Days of autonomous work;
• Maximum water protection.

Flaws:

• Price;
• Not perfect sound.

Expensive and good-sounding acoustics in the air are suitable for outings in nature in any weather.