Were you on the hunt for a terrific party speaker, and came across these classy models from two well-known companies — JBL PartyBox 1000 and Soundboks 3? And now you’re wondering which one has better sound quality and bass depth? Which one would be a better fit for your outdoor parties?
You’ll find all the answers in this article. Here, I’ll pit these high-class against one another in every way imaginable to help you identify the best match for yourself. So bear with me as I walk you through my extensive comparison of the JBL PartyBox 1000 and Soundboks 3.
What comes in the box?
JBL PartyBox 1000
- The speaker itself
- AC power cord (plug varies by region)
- An air gesture wristband
- Safety sheet
- A warranty card (one year)
- A quick-start guide
Soundboks 3
- A Soundboks (gen 3)
- A Soundboks battery
- Charger
- A starter manual
- A two-year (+1 when you register your speaker) warranty card
What Makes JBL PartyBox 1000 Better than Soundboks (Gen. 3)?
- The sound is clearer and louder
- It has a significantly higher power output (1100 watts compared to Soundboks 3’s 3 x 72 watts RMS)
- It offers you a DJ pad to play your own music at parties
- It has concealed wheels and a handle to easily move around
- It features full-panel dynamic lights to astound your party crowds
- You can charge other devices from the USB port
Why is Soundboks 3 Better than JBL PartyBox 1000?
- It has a more advanced Bluetooth version (5.0 vs 4.2) resulting in better transfer rates
- It has better durability and water resistance (IP65 vs IPX4)
- It is battery-powered, lasts up to 44 hours
- It is lightweight (16.6 vs 34.7 kg) and more portable
- It offers a longer warranty time (2 or 3 years vs 1 year)
- The TeamUp feature allows you to connect up to 5 speakers
JBL PartyBox 1000 vs Soundboks 3 Quick Comparision
| Features | JBL PartyBox 1000 | Soundboks 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Frequency | 20000 Hz | 20000 Hz |
| Minimum Frequency | 30 Hz | 40 Hz |
| Output power | 1100 watts | 216 watts |
| Charging time | Not available | 5 hours |
| Playtime | Plug-in power | 40 hours |
| Replaceable battery | No | Yes |
| Powerbank | Yes | No |
| 3.5 mm audio jack | Yes | Yes |
| USB ports | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Partymode feature | Yes | Yes |
| App compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 34.7 kg | 16.6 kg |
| Water-resistant | No | Yes |
| Certification | IPX4 | IP65 |
| Mic and instrument input | Yes | Yes |
| Lightshow | Yes | No |
JBL PartyBox 1000 vs Soundboks 3: How Does the Sound Compare?
The first thing that comes to mind when buying a new speaker is the sound quality. How well does it sound? Does it have the kick to rock my party? Does it have enough bass?
To find all the answers, I tested out both these speakers for days, and here’s what I think.
Both speakers have an extremely loud sound — it’s like sitting in the front at a concert. Despite their loudness, both speakers retain audio quality even when the volume is set all the way up.
Are you a bass lover? Well, with the JBL PartyBox 1000, you get a Bass boost feature with two levels of added thump. Pressing the Bass boost button once will give mild jitters at the low beats. Press it twice and you’ll experience a super heavy dose of bass that’ll lift your soul (a little exaggeration).
However, the Soundboks 3 doesn’t have as immersive bass and when I ramped it to full volume, it couldn’t maintain the sound quality.
Are you a party freak? If yes, then the JBL PartyBox 1000 has a unique feature for you – the smart DJ pad. Press it, and it will fill up those awkward pauses when you’re scrolling (or fighting with your friend) for the next song. With smart DJ enabled, there’d be no dead air anymore!
Considering the sound clarity, bass depth, and my own experience. In terms of sound, I’ll go with the JBL PartyBox 1000.
Which One Has a More Iconic Build: JBL PartyBox 1000 or Soundboks 3?
Both these speakers have killer designs that are ideal for all kinds of parties. The JBL PartyBox 1000 measures 43.3 inches tall, 15.6 inches wide, and 15.3 inches deep and weighs around 34.7 kg. Contrarily, the Soundboks 3 is only 26.2 inches tall, 12.6 inches wide, 18 inches deep, and weighs only 16.6 kg.
The JBL Partybox 1000 does weigh twice as heavy as Soundboks 3, but it has concealed wheels and an ergonomic handle to move it around.
Do you like bright sparkling colors writhing along the beats? Well, the PartyBox 1000 has a whole front panel loaded with dynamic lights. And if you’re not in the mood, you can also turn off the lights.
As for Soundboks 3, it doesn’t offer such thrilling features but it does have a swappable steel grille. You can paint the grille according to your liking and make your speaker stand out.
Regarding design, the JBL PartyBox steals the shows but if portability is your concern, then Soundboks 3 would be the right choice.
How Do They Compare in Durability and Water Resistance?
Both speakers are made of durable material that can sustain any accidental drops. But what about water resistance?
Well, the Soundboks 3 is completely resistant to dust and able to hold off water to some extent (water projected from a nozzle) with an IP65 rating.
However, the JBL Partybox 1000 falls short when it comes to water resistance. With an IPX4 rating, it has no dustproofing and can’t bear more than a water splash, let alone waterproofing. So if you’re a pool party lover, JBL Partybox 1000 might not be the best option.
For me, the Soundboks Gen. 3 is the clear winner in the durability battle.
Which One has Better Connectivity features?
Now let’s find out which speaker offers you extra connectivity features. First, we’ll talk about JBL PartyBox 1000.
The JBL Partybox has Bluetooth 4.2 but the Soundboks 3 features 5.0 Bluetooth making the connection more stable.
If you often have indoor parties and wondering if you could pair up two speakers and double up the fun. That’s possible! You can wirelessly pair the two PartyBox speakers using TWS (true wireless stereo) feature, as long as they’re within 33 feet of each other.
Similarly in Soundboks 3, you’ll see an orange Teamup button that allows you to pair up to 5 Soundboks at a time. Up for a rocking party? The TeamUp feature will vibe it up!
The most admirable feature of Soundboks 3 is the SOUNDBOKS app. You can control everything from this app. It provides you access to preset sound profiles like Bass+, power, and indoor, each with different sound levels.
As far as connectivity is concerned, both speakers provide almost the same value but the Soundboks 3 has a slight edge because it is specifically designed for parties.
Parting Words: Which One Should You Go For?
Now that you know all of the major differences between the two speakers, I hope you’ve decided which one is better for you.
I understand if you’re having a hard time because both speakers have the same price — 1000$. If I had to choose one with better value, I’d go for Soundboks 3. But you might have a different opinion as I don’t know what you need in a speaker. However, I can still help you out with your decision. You can ask anything about the speakers in the comments, and we’ll discuss it. Till then, signing off!
FAQs
There is no problem in using your Soundboks 3 while charging. You can simultaneously play and charge your battery. However, to avoid damaging the battery, it is recommended to keep the speaker volume at or below half level, indicated by five illuminated lights.
The JBL PartyBox 1000 has a maximum output power of 1100 watts while the Soundboks can only supply 3 x 72 watts RMS. This is why the former has better audio quality.
I’m Shaun Conroy, an audiophile & founder of HiFi Audios. Holding a Bachelor’s in Sound Engineering, I bring deep expertise in audio devices and offer insights & recommendations to fellow enthusiasts.
