JBL Vs Bose Speakers – Which is better?

When it comes to audio equipment, JBL and Bose stand out as the leading and most preferred brands in the acoustic market, creating a dilemma for most people on which brand to purchase. These renowned brands manufacture high-quality audio products, ranging from speakers, sound systems to headphones. However, discerning these two brands’ differences is essential to make an informed buying decision.

In this article, we will delve into various aspects, including their product offerings, history, sound quality, and overall reputation, to provide a comprehensive comparison between these two brands and thereby help you to decide which brand suits you perfectly for your requirement & preferences.

About Bose

Bose was often considered a revolutionary appliance line of modern times. Amar Bose founded this company in 1964 with an ambitious mission of offering an amphitheater-like experience inside a small room. Bose wanted to create a sound system with multiple speakers at once to create the effect of a concert hall.

Amar Bose denoted his company to MIT or Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and MIT till now operates it.

Bose audio systems, especially speakers, usually depend on the innovative mechanism called “Listener’s perception”. The engineers from Bose try to use the psychoacoustic principle to find the preferred audio settings of listeners. With this, the rear speakers offer intricate music which is pleasant to the ears.

About JBL

JBL or James Bullough Lansing started the path-breaking company nearly seven decades ago with a line of radios and drivers. The brand is operated and controlled by Harman International Industries, a sister organization of the Korean appliance giant Samsung Electronics.

The main cause for the popularity of JBL was its line of profitable and affordable music gadgets. The company gradually expanded with new audio devices and modern electronic appliances.

At present, the headphones and speakers of JBL are extremely popular among smartphone users and young users. JBL Consumer Division usually does these two lines of products. JBL also has a dedicated professionals section that exclusively produces music equipment for DJs and bands.

On top of that, JBL engineers received multiple awards in 2012 for their latest audio systems in Motion Picture Academy uses.

Bose Vs JBL Bluetooth Speaker: Key Features Comparison

Here is a comparison concerning the key features-

Bose Vs JBL Bluetooth Speaker Model by Model Comparison

Both JBL and Bose have their exclusive line of Bluetooth speakers. Bose and JBL are renowned brands that offer a wide range of award-winning Bluetooth speakers, which are suitable for both personal and outdoor use. These portable speakers provide extended usage without the worry of running out of charge. However, there may be better approaches than comparing random models for savvy buyers. Instead, smart consumers often set a price range and select two models from each brand for a detailed comparison.

When comparing Bose and JBL speakers, several key factors should be considered to determine the ideal choice in the Bose vs. JBL duel:

Portability and Size: Opt for a speaker that is compact, portable, user-friendly, easy to carry, and requires minimal maintenance.

Battery Life: Compare the battery life of each model. Speakers with longer-lasting batteries that offer consistent performance are preferable to enjoy prolonged outdoor music experiences.

Sound Quality: The primary criterion for selecting either Bose or JBL speakers is exceptional audio quality. Look for speakers that deliver clear, immersive sound with rich bass and dual audio capabilities for an enhanced and fulfilling music experience.

To assist with your decision-making process, here are a few notable Bose and JBL models that fall within the same price range for comparison.

1. Bose SoundLink Revolve Vs JBL Go3

Now, we are going to compare the SoundLink Revolve from Bose and Go3 model from JBL. 

• Battery Life – Bose Soundlink has an impressive battery life of 12 hours of playtime. On the other hand, the JBL GO 3 has six to seven hours.
• Portability and Waterproofing – These models have portable designs and are easy to carry. The JBL GO 3 has an IPX7 rating for waterproofing and an IP67 rating for dust proofing. While SoundLink only comes with a waterproof IP rating of IPX4.
• Sound Quality – Both of these offer high-quality sound. But, the JBL GO 3 works better with Android devices. On the other hand, the Sound Link is more suitable for IOS devices.
• Smart Features – The SoundLink from Bose comes with additional features like Google Assistant support, Siri compatibility, and better phone call pick-ups. While JBL Go3 won’t have these voice assistant features.

In short, if you want a machine that offers longer playtime with better sound quality, you can easily go for Bose SoundLink, and it is better than JBL GO 3. But, JBL GO 3 is ideal for those who want a dust-proof and waterproof machine.

2. Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II Vs JBL Xtreme 2

Though most features in both these Bluetooth speakers are similar, here is a comparison that help you to decide properly on which one suits you the best. 

• Battery Life – Bose SoundLink Revolve+II has an impressive battery life of 17 hours. On the other hand, the JBL Xtreme 2 offers a decent playtime of 15 hours on a single charge.
• Sound Quality – Both offer louder sound outputs with clear bass effects and rich sound.
• Waterproofing – Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II has a waterproof rating of IP55. On the contrary, JBL Xtreme 2 has an IPX7 rating.
• Smart Features – As we already mentioned, Bose speakers support Google Assistant, and Siri, while JBL won’t support voice assistant features. Yet they both have dedicated modes like stereo pair mode and party mode with simultaneous connectivity to 2 different devices.

So, you can choose any of these models, and they are equal in most aspects.

3. Bose SoundLink Color II and JBL Charge 4

Let’s compare other similar models of Bose and JBL Bluetooth speakers – Bose SoundLink Color II and JBL Charge 4. 

• Battery Life – Bose SoundLink Color II offers only 8 hours, while the JBL Charge 4 offers a playtime of 20 hours straight.
• Waterproofing and Design – Like many other Bose devices, it also comes with IPX4 Rating. On the other hand, the JBL Charge 4 has an IPX7 rating for waterproofing. In the design case, both are basic models that give off some classic vibe and are ideal for any occasion. But, in the design case, the JBL Charge 4 somehow manages to impress with its 14 different color variations, while Bose only offers 4 color options, and does not have any LED battery life indicator.
• Sound Quality – JBL Charge 4 is a winner in this sector due to its powerful bass and louder sound effects, and its deep boom effect offers excellent music without any distortion. On the other hand, while the Bose SoundLink Color II has good sound quality, yet you will find noticeable sound distortion at higher volumes. Also, in JBL Charge 4, the sounds get a little rough at 70% volume. But, for Bose speakers, the sound distortions often start at only 50% levels.

So, in short, JBL Charge 4 is a better choice in all aspects.

Other Product Comparisons Include…

Here are some other product comparisons of Bose and JBL…

• Bose QuietComfort 35 II Vs JBL Everest Elite 750NC –  Bose Winner (in terms of Noise-cancelation).
• Bose Soudlink Flex Vs JBL Flip 6 –  Bose Winner
• JBL Xtreme Vs Bose Soundlink 3 Bluetooth Speakers – JBL Xtreme
• Bose Soundlink III Vs JBL Xtreme – JBL for outdoor usage & Bose Soundlink for indoor usage
• JBL Eon One Vs Bose L1 Compact – JBL for outdoor usage & Bose for indoor usage.
• JBL Flip 5 Vs Bose Soundlink Color 2 – JBL Flip 5

Comparison: Bose Vs JBL

Both Bose and JBL have a series of key differences in their products that set them apart from each other. So, it’s worth pointing out that Bose and JBL products function differently despite similar offerings.

JBL offers various specifications like decent ANC, good audio quality, punchy sound, classic design, reasonable price tag, and long battery life. While, on the other hand, the Bose offers various features that are not available on the JBL – excellent noise canceling, voice assistants, mute function, lightweight, and a huge range of customizable options and accessories.

Finally, JBL is better than Bose in some ways, and Bose is better than JBL in other ways. Here we are going to compare some similar models of JBL and Bose and let you know which is best in the comparison to help you pick the right option that suits your listening preferences and requirements.

1. Sound Quality

Both Bose and JBL Bluetooth speakers are stereo speakers. Moreover, the models also use passive radiators instead of voice coils.

While Bose speakers offer great sound at the low range, their sounds become visibly distorted at a volume of 70% or higher. Bose speakers are ideal for those who love to hear soft pop or country music or soft music, and Bose speakers offer crisp music with close detail to the instrumentals and musical qualities.

Due to the presence of transducers in Bose Bluetooth speakers, you can use your perception to create a customized audio experience for your preference.

On the other hand, JBL is ideal for hip-hop. Rock and pop music lovers. JBL speakers come with subwoofers, and the bass effect is better than Bose speakers. On top of that, the JBL speakers are also larger than Bose speakers, and their radiators have higher vibration levels to emit better and deeper bass tones.

Even during high volume, the sound distortion remains minimal in any JBL speaker. So, it becomes your ideal choice if you love that “Boom effect” while listening to some hip-hop or rock, or pop song.

2. Design & Portability

When it comes to design, both JBL and Bose have crafted a selection of exceptional models. These Bluetooth devices are compact and lightweight, ensuring effortless portability for users.

JBL Bluetooth speakers often have a rectangular or bar-shaped design, and most of these feature waterproof capabilities with at least of IPX6 rating. Also, some models are equipped with protective covers to safeguard the speaker from any potential damage. Some JBL speakers even incorporate LED lights, providing visual effects besides sound/audio to enhance the overall experience.

On the other hand, Bose Bluetooth speakers typically showcase round or oval shapes, in which most of these models have sleek and minimalist designs.

Both JBL and Bose offer a variety of color options for their models, allowing users to select their preferred aesthetic.

Both companies prioritize the release of portable Bluetooth speakers, which are designed with handles and straps, ensuring ease of transportation. Furthermore, the models are engineered with a sturdy grip to prevent accidental drops and potential damage.

3. Battery Life

The battery life of JBL speakers is quite impressive. For example, the JBL Charge 4 has an amazing battery life of 20 hours. Also, most of the models come with a playtime of at least eight hours. Alternatively, Bose speakers offer an average battery life of 10 hours, and some models can also have 12 to 15 hours of playtime.

But, what makes JBL a better choice is its battery performance. Many users have experienced that Bose speakers start to get battery drained too often after one or two years of purchase. While JBL speakers usually offer constant battery performance for a long time.

On top of that, most JBL speakers come with LED battery indicators to help you remain updated about the battery life. Bose models also have better software capabilities.

4. Connectivity

Connectivity is available in different ways for both Bose and JBL, yet the performance is more or less the same. While Bose offers voice-controlling features and other smart features like multi-device connection, Mostly, JBL doesn’t have voice control through Siri and Google Assistant.

Both companies offer Bluetooth version 4.2 (or higher) for seamless connectivity. It also helps to maintain the sound quality without damaging the quality of compressed music files. For instance, JBL provides a Bluetooth range of 30 feet or higher for efficient wireless working. While Bose speakers are great for their Wi-Fi connection. Most Bose speakers come with an Airplay connection or another mode of wireless connection, which Apple device users can use to play music from their devices.

JBL speakers also offer other connectivity besides Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It provides an auxiliary input that you can use to play music through a USB flash drive. Both Bose and JBL speakers support voice commands through Google Assistant and Siri. But, Bose speakers are better at picking up calls than the JBL devices.

On top of that, Bse speakers come with the Bose Music App. You can use this app to equalize and fine-tune the sound to enhance the listening experience. You can also play music from Online radio, Spotify, etc. Users can also solve problems like Bluetooth connection delays and other issues with this app.

In case of alerts, Both Bose and JBL Bluetooth speakers use voice alerts to notify you about low battery and available Bluetooth connections.

5. Waterproof Feature

Both Bose and JBL offer waterproof ratings. But, in the case of Bose, the average rating is only IPX4. Hence, you can only keep these models in water for 30 minutes. On the other hand, JBL offers higher waterproof ratings of IPX7 or at least IPX5. Hence, these models are better at withstanding water-related damage. On top of that, a few JBL speakers also come with dust-proof ratings.

6. Product Lineup

JBL and Bose have respective offerings in different ways. Over these decades, Bose has focused more on in-home equipment, while JBL focuses on professional equipment. Simply, JBL is used for recording studios, concert venues, movie theaters, or any professional purposes. Bose designs and manufacture audio equipment for general purpose, where most of its users are not music industry pros. Yet it is not that JBL products aren’t for casual listeners or Bose products aren’t for audio engineers. Bose is the first company that commercializes a Hi-Fi sound system.

However, there is a distinct difference in terms of the audience they target. From the beginning, JBL has received attention from the professions, whereas Bose concerns more about delivering high-quality in-home stereo systems.

7. Audio Quality

Differentiating the audio quality between these brands is always controversial, even for the most experienced audiophiles. We all know that Bose refuses to disclose the figures and numbers regarding audio quality, as they insist that these specifications aren’t necessary to the actual sound and feel of their surround sound system. Alternatively, JBL discloses its audio specifications, including sensitivity, frequency response, nominal impedance, enclosure type, etc.

8. Price

Price is the essential criterion for most people in differentiating and selecting products, including this audio equipment. However, it depends on the type of product you are looking for. For instance, if you are concerned more about sound systems, then Bose Surround Speakers 700 are available for $599, and a similar product from JBL – JBL Studio 580 comes for $299. While concerning the Bluetooth speaker, both JBL’s Charge 5 and Bose’s SoundLink Flex are available for $149.

The cost of affordable Bose Sport Wireless Earbuds will be around $149, while the affordable JBL Live 300TWS will be around $39.99. Coming to the affordable soundbar, both Bose and JBL offer a base model for $199. So, in most cases, the JBL is a bit less pricey compared to its competitor Bose brand.

So, if you are tight on budget, you can choose JBL speakers, which offer excellent sound quality, louder & deeper bass effects, and consistent performance, making them the best Value for Money products. On the contrary, Bose models are slightly more expensive than JBL speakers. But the sound quality is ideal for instrumental and classical music.

JBL Vs Bose – Which One is Better?

When it comes to comparison of the brands, one should know completely about them. Here are some benefits and downsides of both Bose and JBL that help you in choosing the product from the right band.

1. JBL

It is invented 20 years before Bose, making their products more innovative with open and direct specifications of their audio speakers. It is mostly trusted by professionals and is quite affordable, especially when on sale. However, compared to Bose, some of the JBL speakers fall short on noise-canceling technology, are a bit complicated to set up, and little more expensive.

2. Bose

Bose values more for innovation rather than profits, manufacturing high-end or top-of-the-line in-home surround sound systems. This makes it remain the best-selling audio brand in the acoustic market. However, Bose refuses to reveal the specifications relating to audio quality. Compared to JBL, Bose speakers are a bit more expensive and fall short of sound quality in some of its models.

The choice between JBL and Bose speakers ultimately comes down to personal preferences. JBL speakers provide extended battery life and powerful bass effects. Also, JBL Bluetooth speakers are pocket-friendly, making them a practical choice for many users.

On the other hand, Bose speakers are designed to deliver an intricate, refined, and immersive music experience that allows its users to listen to details in instrumentals and vocals. Additionally, most Bose speakers are equipped with advanced features like support for voice assistants, dedicated apps, and streaming capabilities. It’s worth noting, however, that these speakers are more on the expensive side.

Ultimately, both JBL speakers and Bose speakers are decent choices, in which you can choose either one, as per your listening preference and requirement. 

Conclusion

Bose and JBL are both well-known brands of Bluetooth speakers, and these are decent with multiple models, price ranges, and different features. Here, our expert panel has discussed the technical and audio aspects of Bose and JBL speakers to provide you with a comparable and unbiased view. You can use it as a guide to purchasing your dream speaker.

Don’t forget to share your queries regarding the comparison or selection of the speakers of these brands (JBL Vs Bose). We will resolve your queries and help you to purchase the best option, as per your requirement.