Powerful, deep bass ; Unusually good ruggedisation for its size ; Airy and clear imaging

Quite heavy to use as an everyday portable speaker ; Expensive, particularly this Wi-Fi version ; Bullish appearance won’t suit some rooms

JBL reaches into new territory with one of its top speaker designs, making this roving party machine comfortable to settle down into the average living room. Does it belong there? That’s up for debate, but it can certainly deliver the home hi-fi goods.

Deep low-bass reach ; Balanced sound for a bass-driven speaker ; High maximum volume

Much heavier than JBL?s step-down Xtreme 3 ; Bullish design may not sit well with the price for some ; Limited EQ control

The big kahuna among JBL speakers, the Boombox 3 Wi-Fi has superior sub-bass power and, new for this model, true multi-room audio thanks to that built-in Wi-Fi. Its combo of audio power and poise is compelling, but it’s also the least approachable...

But if you’re looking for a straightforward Bluetooth speaker with excellent sound, the Boombox 3 will keep the party going.