JBL’s Boombox series is beloved for its powerful stereo sound and easy-to-carry design. It is influenced by classic boombox speakers of the 1980s and 90s, but with a modern twist. Although JBL has yet to make any official announcements about the Boombox 4, we believe its announcement isn’t too far away. Keep reading to understand why we think this, what features it’s likely to have, and if it’s going to be worth upgrading to from the Boombox 3.
Table of Contents
- Release Date
- Specs & Features
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Boombox 4
- Should you upgrade from the Boombox 3?
- Frequently asked questions
Disclaimer
This article highlights rumors and expectations around the release of the JBL Boombox 4. This is early information, most of it unconfirmed. This page will be updated as new information is released.
Why The JBL Boombox 4 Release Date Is Likely To Be Announced Soon
JBL doesn’t have a strict release schedule, but new releases tend to be spaced out in periods of 2 to 3 years, with some exceptions. Once a speaker is over two years old, a new release announcement tends to be imminent, and with the JBL Boombox 4, we are due for a new release:
- Boombox 1 (Release Date: Q3 2017)
- Boombox 2 (Release Date: Q2 2020)
- Boombox 3 (Release Date: Q3 2022)
As you can see, the Boombox 4 already has the longest gap in release time out of all previous iterations, especially when one considers that the release typically comes 3 to 6 months after the initial release announcement.
This is in line with recent release trends from JBL, though, as the newly released JBL Flip 7 had an unprecedented 3.5-year gap from its predecessor.
JBL Boombox 4 Specs (Rumored)
To understand what specifications the Boombox 4 is likely to have, we just need to consider the direction recent JBL speakers have gone in. Since 2024, JBL has focused strongly on improving the dynamic range and efficiency of its speakers, as well as moving them across to the new Auracast pairing technology. We’ve also seen continued improvements to battery life and water-resistance in recent years, and expect this will carry over to the Boombox 4.
| Power Output: | 160W (200W Peak) |
| Water-Resistance: | IP68 |
| Battery Life: | Up to 24 Hours |
| Bluetooth: | 5.4 |
| Multi-Speaker Pairing: | Yes (Auracast) |
| Wi-Fi: | Optional variant |
| Companion App: | Yes (JBL Portable) |
More Power Seems Inevitable
With each update to the Boombox series, it’s gotten a boost in power output, and this is likely to continue with the release of the Boombox 4. This is further supported by the fact that recent releases like the Xtreme 4, Flip 7, and Charge 6 also all got boosts to their output, albeit in some cases, marginal.
It’s reasonable to expect the Boombox 4 to have an output of 160 – 180 watts with a peak output of 200 to 220 watts.
Battery Life Is Likely To Remain Unchanged
As Bluetooth evolves to become more efficient, battery life improves. However, the Boombox has historically had the same battery performance with every iteration. From the Boombox 1 to the Boombox 3, all releases have kept the same 24-hour playtime.
Instead of increasing playtime, JBL seems more focused on using the extra juice to increase the power output. So instead of getting longer playtime, you get more power while retaining the same long-lasting battery.
There is a chance that the playtime sees a bit of a boost, though, given that playtime has been improving on JBL’s smaller speakers in recent years. If that happens, a playtime of between 26 and 30 hours seems most likely.
Group & TWS Pairing
The JBL Boombox 4 has historically always supported multi-speaker pairing. The Boombox 1 used Connect+, while the Boombox 2 and 3 used PartyBoost. In 2024, JBL discontinued the PartyBoost feature and replaced it with Auracast, a more modern, universal pairing technology.
It is guaranteed that the Boombox 4 will adopt Auracast, replacing PartyBoost and bringing with it some significant benefits. Auracast support means owners of the speaker will be able to pair it with other JBL Auracast speakers. Group pairing will likely support the following speakers, all of which now use Auracast:
- Xtreme 4
- Clip 5
- Go 4
- Flip 7
- Charge 6
- PartyBox Club 120
- PartyBox Stage 320
- PartyBox 520
- PartyBox Ultimate
In addition to general group pairing, the Boombox 4 will likely support a TWS connection with an additional Boombox 4. But it is unlikely to support pairing with the previous generation.
Improved Sound Quality With Better Dynamic Range
JBL’s recent releases have been focused strongly on creating more balanced audio, with dynamic range also being an area where they are giving a lot of attention.
Dynamic range is a bit of a fancy term, but it just relates to how much detail the speaker has. It makes songs sound more nuanced, letting you hear minute details like a subtle hi-hat behind a pounding 808 bass, or allowing one to pick up on subtle changes in chords deeper in the mix.
It seems very likely that the Boombox 4 will also get these improvements, but it’s also quite possible that we see some added bass depth, something that the new PartyBox releases have been getting. While this doesn’t necessarily mean stronger bass, it does equate to deeper lows.
An Upgrade To IP68 Water-Resistance
After years of IPX7 and IP67 being the standard for water-resistance, we’ve now seen JBL adopt the next generation of weather protection, IP68/IPX8. So far, it’s just the JBL Flip 7 and Charge 6 that have it, but it seems highly likely the new Boombox 4 will also feature an IP68 weather-resistance rating.
Unsure what these numbers mean? We’ve got a guide that explains that. But in short, IPX7/IP67 speakers are rated to survive submergence in water up to 30 minutes at under 1 meter. IPX8/IP68 goes one step further and lets the manufacturer state a custom exposure time, meaning IPX8 or IP68 speakers can be submerged in water for more than 30 minutes in up to 1 meter of water.
Connectivity / Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi connectivity isn’t foreign to the Boombox series. The Boombox 3 was available in an alternate Wi-Fi-compatible version for an additional premium. So are we likely to get Wi-Fi with the Boombox 4?
Given the price hike that would be required on the base model to have Wi-Fi included, we don’t anticipate Wi-Fi compatibility in the standard Boombox 4 model, however, it is possible that JBL will do similar to what they did with the Boombox 3 and have it as an optional variant.
Will The Boombox 4 Have AI Features?
The new PartyBox 520 has a feature called AI Sound Boost, a relatively new innovation by JBL. This helps to ensure the speaker sounds its best depending on its environment.
Will the Boombox 4 also add this feature? I wouldn’t count on it, but it’s a possibility.
Differences Between The JBL Boombox 3 vs Boombox 4
So, how will Boombox 4 compare with its predecessor? The table below gives an overview of these two speakers, taking into account that the Boombox 4 specs are assumptions based on recent releases.
Will It Be Worth Upgrading From The Boombox 3?
The only way to really tell is to wait until the Boombox 4 is released and see how it performs in the real world. However, here’s what we, as professionals in the Bluetooth speaker industry, believe…
The Upgrade To The Boombox 4 Isn’t Necessary For Most
The Boombox 3 is still a very capable speaker, even years later. It’s not showing its age much, and still has most of the benefits of modern releases. If you’re happy with the way your Boombox 3 sounds, you don’t need to rush off to buy the Boombox 4. Once released, give it some time and wait to see the customer reviews, which will help you decide.
If You Own Another JBL Speaker With Auracast, The Upgrade Has More Value
Since the JBL Boombox 4 will feature Auracast pairing, those who already have another Auracast speaker from JBL will have the benefit of being able to pair their Boombox 4 to it. It’s one of the strongest reasons for Boombox 3 owners to upgrade.
