I had the chance to try out the very latest speaker from JBL. This is the JBL Boombox 4. Having had this big beast in my hands for a while, I have a lot to tell you about it. So, I’m going to give you my full test.

Before we start, let’s talk price. We need to be clear. This speaker costs $499 (€499). This is, of course, a significant price tag. Now that’s settled, let’s get to the heart of the matter.

A Massive Design Built for Adventure

I’ll start with the design and finish. You need to understand one thing. We are looking at JBL’s XXL design. This is clearly the brand’s largest portable format.

The speaker stays true to the range’s visual signature. It looks like other models, such as the latest Charge. It has a cylindrical shape. It’s muscular and truly imposing. Additionally, a robust fabric covers the entire surface. You just need to see it in my hands. You immediately understand its size.

Fortunately, its sound is as powerful as it is big. I’ll talk more about that later.

Furthermore, JBL has considered the environment. The speaker incorporates recycled plastic. It is available in three colors. I have the “camo” version. There is also a black version. That’s the color I prefer. Finally, a blue version is available.

Ergonomics Designed for the Outdoors

I immediately notice the handle. It’s made of plastic. It blends very well into the overall design. This is a very positive point. Indeed, a metal handle could have heated up. I imagine the speaker in the sun by a pool. Or even next to a barbecue. The metal would have become scorching. Here, the plastic doesn’t heat up. It thus remains in harmony with the speaker.

Next, let’s talk dimensions. They are 50.6 by 26.3 by 21.3 cm. The speaker weighs 5.89 kg. I must admit something. I thought it was much heavier. When picking it up, I had that impression.

On the sides, we see the passive radiators. This is a JBL signature. They now have lights. These light up in white or orange. Their role is to indicate which Bass Boost mode is active.

Let’s look at the top of the speaker. We find the classic buttons. There’s the power button. There’s the Bluetooth button. We also find the Auracast button. This is a new feature. It’s used to connect multiple speakers. Finally, we have the button to activate the Bass Boost modes.

IP68 Certification: Ready for Anything

At the back, I find a small cover. It is very well sealed. Inside, I see a USB-C port. It’s used to charge a phone. Yes, the Boombox 4 doubles as a power bank. We also find the AC inlet to recharge it.

Just below, there is another access point. This is for changing the battery. This is very useful if it stops working one day.

Finally, this is a JBL product. The speaker is made for the outdoors. It is therefore IP68 certified. This means it is submersible in water. It is also completely dust-resistant. It’s robust. In short, it’s ready for anything.

Battery Life That Exceeds Promises

For a portable speaker, two things are vital. There’s the sound. And there’s the battery life. I’ll start with the battery life of this Boombox 4.

JBL announces up to 28 hours of listening time. This is, obviously, at a reasonable volume. In addition, there is a “Playtime Boost” mode. You activate it in the app. It allows you to extend this battery life even further.

The battery capacity is 89 Wh. This is a much larger capacity than the Boombox 3. As for a full recharge, it’s quite fast. It takes between 2.5 and 3 hours.

As I said, you can change the battery. This is a real plus for durability. And it also serves as an external battery for your devices.

My Test in Real-World Conditions

So, what’s it really like? I was very surprised. My tests are well above JBL’s figures. This is rare enough to be pointed out. Usually, a manufacturer always overstates.

I listened to music at a high volume level. I used it at 50%, 70%, and even higher. I even used it to power weekends. The battery life is truly excellent.

I can tell you clearly. It easily lasts 30 hours. It even lasts much longer. Especially if you use it at a lower volume.

So, if you’re asking the question. “Can I power my cousin’s birthday party from noon until the next morning?” The answer is a big yes.

Connectivity: Auracast and Multipoint Included

Now, I want to talk about two features. They are extremely interesting on this speaker.

The first is Auracast. What is it? It’s the new Bluetooth standard. It allows you to connect an unlimited number of speakers. These speakers must be compatible. This creates a much wider soundstage.

The strong point is that it’s not limited to JBL. You can connect other speakers. If they have this technology, it works. I find that super cool.

Besides that, we also have Bluetooth multipoint. This is more classic. You can connect to multiple devices at the same time. It’s perfect for switching phones easily.

The JBL Portable App: Simple and Effective

Before tackling the sound, let’s talk about the app. It’s called “JBL Portable.” The connection is very easy. If you are connected via Bluetooth, the app detects the speaker. It’s simple and fast.

When you open the app, you see the equalizer. There are several modes. There’s the “JBL Signature Sound.” Frankly, this is the sound I use all the time. You also have “Chill,” “Energetic,” and “Vocal” modes.

Of course, a “Custom” mode is present. You can manage the equalizer. You can optimize it according to your own tastes.

Below that, I find the “Bass Boost” mode. We’ve been talking about it from the beginning. You can activate it here. You have the choice between “Deep” and “Punchy.” I’ll come back to that right after.

Here, you also manage the Bass Boost lighting. These are the small lights on the sides. They don’t do much. They are just there to tell you which mode you are in.

We also find the famous “Playtime Boost.” When you click it, it grays out the other options. But you get more battery life.

Finally, you can create a stereo group. You can connect it with other speakers. I tested it with a small JBL Grip. It’s good for distributing the sound in a room.

Sound Quality: 210W of Pure Pleasure

Now, let’s talk about the sound. I know this is what interests you the most.

First, the speaker embeds a technology. It’s the AI Sound Boost. This is a processor. It analyzes the music in real-time. It optimizes the sound.

Thanks to this, the speaker can play louder. It also has much less distortion. This is true even at full volume.

Next, we finally get to it. The two Bass Boost modes. The first is “Deep Bass.” This is for deep bass. It’s my favorite mode. It’s the one I use the most. It is ideal for a rich and full sound. It’s perfect for hip-hop or electronic music.

The second mode is “Punchy Bass.” This provides percussive bass. This mode offers drier bass. It’s more energetic. It is suitable for rock or pop music.

Audio Specs: What’s Inside?

The technical sheet for this speaker is dense. There is a lot to say.

Inside, we find two woofers. These are the bass drivers. They measure 12.3 cm. They are 65W each. We also have two tweeters. These are the treble drivers. They are 2 cm. They are 40W each. In addition, the speaker has three passive radiators. They are there to reinforce the bass.

The total power is 210W RMS. Be careful. This is when it is plugged into the wall. On battery, the power is 200W RMS. Honestly, the difference is minimal.

The frequency range is very wide. It extends from 37 Hz to 20 kHz. This allows it to reproduce very deep bass.

My Verdict: A Massive and Controlled Sound

So, what do I really think of this sound? The sound is full. It is massive. Above all, it is very controlled. The clarity is impressive. It remains clear even at very high volumes.

You can turn the speaker all the way up. The sound will stay the same. The quality does not degrade. This is quite rare on speakers these days. Often, the sound is pushed to the max. You then lose quality.

Here, that’s not the case. Or at least, it’s much less noticeable. The sound is never shrill. It’s not aggressive to the ear, even at full volume.

The bass is very deep. You can feel them physically. They remain controlled on every music style. This is the sound you imagine from JBL. It is very well represented here.

Of course, the $499 (€499) price is an investment. It’s a lot of money. But if you are looking for power. If you want to host real parties. If you want a speaker that lasts. Then yes, this Boombox 4 is worth it. For me, it’s a complete success.