The SOUNDBOKS 4 is the brand's flagship battery-powered party speaker, aimed at buyers who want a large, portable speaker for parties and karaoke. It replaces the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) as the full-size option that's larger and more powerful than the smaller SOUNDBOKS Mix. Unlike many party-focused alternatives, it doesn't offer physical playback controls.
Our Verdict
The SOUNDBOKS 4 is decent for music. Its somewhat V-shaped sound means kick drums and basslines have plenty of punch and boom, though it doesn't reproduce much deep low-bass rumble. Voices and lead instruments stay fairly clear, and the elevated treble ensures percussion sounds have plenty of detail but can also make cymbals sound a little sharp. You can adjust the sound using the app's presets and 7-band graphic EQ. This speaker gets exceptionally loud without much compression at max volume. That said, you'll want to listen from in front of the speaker for the most consistent sound, and it downmixes stereo content to mono.
Gets exceptionally loud.
Long 32.5-hour battery life and a removable battery.
Graphic EQ and presets let you customize the sound.
Limited low-bass rumble.
Audio sounds noticeably different from the sides and behind.
Downmixes stereo content to mono.
The SOUNDBOKS Gen 4 is mediocre for videos and movies. The relatively balanced mid-range means voices generally sound accurate, and its boosted bass gives effects like explosions plenty of punch, though there's limited low-bass rumble on offer here. It gets exceptionally loud and stays clean when pushed hard. However, it downmixes stereo content to mono, so wide movie soundtracks don't feel very immersive, and you'll want to sit in front of it since the sound changes noticeably if you're off to the sides. Bluetooth latency is relatively low on iOS and Android, so you shouldn't run into many lip-sync issues, though this varies depending on your device and app.
Gets exceptionally loud.
Long 32.5-hour battery life and a removable battery.
Graphic EQ and presets let you customize the sound.
Limited low-bass rumble.
Audio sounds noticeably different from the sides and behind.
Downmixes stereo content to mono.
The SOUNDBOKS Gen 4 speaker is okay for podcasts. Voices sound fairly clear, and the speaker gets exceptionally loud, so you'll be able to hear your favorite hosts clearly, even from the other side of a large space like a garage. That said, the sound is less consistent as you move off to the sides of the speaker, so it's best to stay in front of the drivers. It's also exceptionally bulky and heavy, making it cumbersome to carry around despite the handles on both sides. It also doesn't support multi-device pairing, so you can only keep one Bluetooth source connected at a time.
Gets exceptionally loud.
Long 32.5-hour battery life and a removable battery.
Graphic EQ and presets let you customize the sound.
Limited low-bass rumble.
Audio sounds noticeably different from the sides and behind.
Downmixes stereo content to mono.
The SOUNDBOKS 4 isn't suitable for voice assistant use as it has no built-in microphone.
The SOUNDBOKS 4 is decent for outdoor use. Its reinforced cabinet, steel handles, silicone corner bumpers, and protection against dust and water jets make it well-suited to outdoor parties, though it shouldn't be submerged in liquid. Its battery lasted over 30 hours in our testing, and it gets exceptionally loud. That said, this is a very large and heavy speaker, so you won't want to carry it far. Its poor directivity also means people standing off to the sides hear a noticeably different sound than those directly in front. However, that also helps you point the sound where you want it to go.
Gets exceptionally loud.
Long 32.5-hour battery life and a removable battery.
Graphic EQ and presets let you customize the sound.
Rugged build with protection against dust and water jets.
Limited low-bass rumble.
Audio sounds noticeably different from the sides and behind.
Downmixes stereo content to mono.
Very large and heavy.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The SOUNDBOKS 4 comes in two colors: 'Black' and 'Metallic Grey.' We bought and tested a 'Black' variant and took a photo of our unit's label.
If you encounter another variant, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update the review.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The SOUNDBOKS 4 is a slight improvement on the older SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), but both speakers follow much the same formula. The main advantage of the 4 is more comprehensive protection against dust and water. The main downside is that SOUNDBOKS no longer includes a charger. If you're looking for something more portable from the brand, the SOUNDBOKS Mix is worth considering, though it can't match the 4 for loudness or battery life. Outside the brand, the JBL PartyBox 330 is similar in size to the SOUNDBOKS but has wheels, which can make it easier to transport. The JBL also offers stereo playback with downmixing to mono, playback controls, and Bluetooth multipoint. But the SOUNDBOKS gets louder and has a longer-lasting battery.
Check out our recommendations for the best speakers for parties, the best speakers for karaoke, and the loudest Bluetooth speakers.
The SOUNDBOKS Mix is much more portable and versatile than the SOUNDBOKS 4, making it a better choice for most people. The 4 is the better dedicated party speaker, though. Both speakers offer a removable battery, in-app EQ, and wireless speaker linking. But the larger 4 offers higher maximum volume, a much longer battery life, and two XLR/TRS inputs for microphones or instruments. Still, both speakers downmix stereo content to mono and have pretty narrow directivity. A major plus for the Mix is that it supports Bluetooth multipoint, making it the more convenient everyday Bluetooth speaker.
The SOUNDBOKS 4 sticks closely to the formula established by the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), but is a slight improvement. They're similarly large and heavy, with side handles and protective corner bumpers. And both come with removable batteries, wireless speaker linking, and XLR connections for microphones or instruments. The newer model has protection against dust and water jets, whereas the Gen. 3's enclosure itself isn't rated for dust or water protection, though its internal electronics are coated. It's also easier to remove the grille on the 4 because it has a snap-on design instead of the Gen. 3's Allen-key setup. One notable downgrade is that the Gen. 3 includes its charger, while you'll need to supply or buy one separately for the SOUNDBOKS 4.
The JBL PartyBox 720 is, in most respects, a better party speaker than the SOUNDBOKS 4. The JBL puts out deeper bass, plays back stereo content without downmixing to mono, and has on-unit playback controls. It also has RGB lighting, which can add fun visuals to your next event, and Bluetooth multipoint. The SOUNDBOKS is much lighter, making it less cumbersome for event use, though it lacks the JBL's wheels. It also offers balanced XLR/TRS combo input jacks.
The JBL PartyBox 330 and SOUNDBOKS 4 are both party speakers that weigh about the same, but they have different strengths. The JBL is easier to move across level ground thanks to its wheels and telescoping handle. It also offers deeper bass, stereo playback, onboard playback controls, and Bluetooth multipoint. On the other hand, the SOUNDBOKS gets noticeably louder, and its battery lasts considerably longer. Its combo XLR/TRS inputs make it better suited to use with a wider variety of microphones and instruments, too.
Test Results
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