Significant downgrade in JBL Boombox 4's design and configuration

Boombox 4 is expected to be available in September 2025, which is next month. There are few videos that you can find online, like unboxing the JBL Boombox 4 (BB4). I am very curious about the new BB4, and this is because there are significant changes to the coming new model. So, on the new Boombox 4, the design has changed noticeably and even more changes in the driver radiator configuration compared to Boombox 3 (BB3). So, let's check their differences in design, configuration and technical specs.

What's the vibe I'm getting

Wow, did you see the changes in design ..? Most noticeable right away is probably the handle design. The previous Boombox 3 had a full metal handle with orange accented handle-grip on the bottom side of the handle. The old handle was sleek and premium looking. While the BB3's handle design was elegant looking, like a runway model’s silhouette, but on the contrary, the BB4's handle look thicker kinda like a rugged muscle car. So, even though there's resemblance of iconic JBL design, the handle design is significantly different in them.

Differences in their design

The obvious difference is in their handle design, but besides that the bottom of the speaker has a total makeover. There is new feet design on the Boombox 4 along with a replaceable battery compartment. This bottom design is very similar with the JBL Xtreme 4, check out my Xtreme 4 vs Xtreme 3 comparison. The passive radiators also have a new cool bold look like the Xtreme 4. So overall, the sides and the body are tweaked slightly, but they share the same JBL-DNA. The button placements are modified as you get new Auracast technology with the Boombox 4.

So, do I like the new design more ..? Nope, I definitely liked the old Boombox 3's structure more because it looked more premium, sleek, elegant and precise. It looked like there is more precision and perfection. But with the new Boombox 4's design, I definitely like it but not as much as the BB3. Also, I don't think the new BB4 design is bad. However, I like the new passive radiator look more than the old radiator. The Boombox 4's passive radiators are more cool, bold and beefy looking vs old Boombox 3's more professional looking radiators. I definitely appreciate trying a different approach but the old design was more premium with metal structure.

Downgrade in the Configuration

The old Boombox 3 have something special that no other previous Boombox had. Even compared to Boombox type speaker from other brands, the Boombox 3's 3-way driver design was truly innovative and special. The 3-way configuration means that you have a big subwoofer to handle the bass, 2 woofers to handle mids and 2 tweeters to handle highs. Total 3 types of drivers doing 3 types of work - a proper 3-way system. But now with the Boombox 4, the innovation has gone backwards. The new BB4 has 2-woofer 2-tweeter setup like the other budget speakers.

So, for this 2-way configuration, the woofers handle both lows and mids, which is 2 types of work for a single driver. Previously, on the Boombox 3 each driver type was doing only 1 type of work. So, the old setup was more thoughtful, premium and effective. However, the new Boombox 4 has 3 passive radiators, 2 on the sides and one on the back vs Boombox 3's only 2 side radiators. Both old and new ones have stereo configuration though, which is good. I think the BB3's driver setup was a little complex and there were more thoughts went into designing vs the new BB4 is very simple. Even though the old design was more premium and thoughtful, that doesn't mean the new one will sound less appealing. JBL uses quality drivers for quality sound.

Difference in specification - got lights

The new JBL Boombox 4 has 2 x 123 mm woofer and 2 x 20 mm tweeter along with 2 circular and 1 racetrack passive radiator. JBL Boombox 3 has 1 x 189 mm subwoofer, 2 x 81 mm woofer, 2 x 20 mm tweeter and 2 circular passive radiators. The Boombox 4 has a RMS power rating of 210 watts on AC power and 200 watts on battery. Boombox 3 has a rating of 180 watts on AC and 136 watts on battery. So in terms of RMS, BB4's 210 vs BB3's 180 watts of power, which gives the Boombox 4 an additional 30 watts. We should expect a bit more deep bass and loudness from the coming BB4.

New Boombox 4 has a frequency response range from 37 Hz to 20 KHz vs the Boombox 3's 40 Hz to 20 KHz range. JBL's frequency response specs seem pretty honest and accurate like +/- 3 dB. That means you will be able to feel bass around 40 Hz. For the battery, the new BB4 has a much higher capacity battery, which is excellent. So, Boombox 4 has a 99.02 Wh battery pack vs Boombox 3's 69.7 Wh battery. Expect the BB4 to last around 4 more hours at a perceived similar average loudness. And exciting enough, now first time ever for a Boombox, the Boombox 4's passive radiators have subtle LED light show.

About the new features

With the new light show for the radiators, the new Boombox 4 also has Auracast support. So, other new Auracast speakers from JBL can play together with the BB4. But the old BB3 can't be connected with new BB4 as the old one doesn't have Auracast. New BB4 has Bluetooth 5.4 vs BB3's BT 5.3 version. IP68 for the new one vs IP67 for the old. You will get 28 hours of playtime on average volume and additional 6 hours with playtime boost feature.

Boombox 4 has some fancy features too. It has JBL Pro sound with AI Sound Boost feature. This AI implementation offers real-time audio optimization that helps to make the sound more controlled and dynamic. The new speaker offers powerbank feature and lossless audio through the type-c port. A replaceable battery design, rugged build and recyclable cardboard mold packaging are also noteworthy. The JBL portable app will probably have a 7-band custom eq like the other new JBL speakers.

My final thoughts - price

This article is not for assessing the sound quality but knowing about the changes, features, what to expect and what I think about them. I forgot to mention that it has indoor mode for deep bass where the passive radiator glow orange and the outdoor mode for powerful dynamic bass where the passive rads glow white. By the way, the lights for the passive radiators change their intensity based on the beats and music, but the color probably cannot be customized.

So, the price will be around $550, which is very expensive. But the BB4 is a big powerful speaker with impactful bass. If it delivers an improved sound with louder and deeper bass along with the improved battery, the BB4 can be worth buying. The BB3 is already a good speaker, you should upgrade only if you have deep pockets. Check out the official specs sheet and webpage for the JBL Boombox 4 speaker. Also, if you're interested check the Boombox 3 too.

Also, please check out the JBL Flip 7 vs JBL Flip 6 story for highlights.
IF you're interested in portable small speakers, check my Soundcore Motion 300 vs Bose Soundlink Flex article. Both speakers did well in a head-to-head comparison.