JBL's second-generation Boombox 2 doesn't really look different from the original. And on the outside, JBL didn't change much. However, what's interesting about the Boombox 2 is that is has a smaller 10,000-mAh battery than the original, which had a 20,000-mAh battery. But it's more energy-efficient, with a new Bluetooth 5.1 chipset. And yet the speaker weighs about a pound and a half more, which means the added weight went into other components besides the battery.
The big difference in the sound between the Boombox 2, which is fully waterproof (IPX 7), and the original is the bass. It goes deeper and has more punch to it. While the power rating is a little higher for the Boombox 2, its top volume is about the same as the original. It sounds fuller and more dynamic at its top volume and has no indoor or outdoor mode like the original. You can link up wirelessly to the latest JBL Bluetooth speakers, but sadly, you can't link to the original Boombox.
Like the UE Hyperboom, this has USB out port that allows you to charge external devices like your phone, and there's also an analog audio input if you want to go wired and connect a device without using Bluetooth (the Hyperboom adds an optical digital input).
For outdoor use, I like the design of the Boombox 2 better than UE Hyperboom. It's easier to carry around and just looks more like an outdoor speaker. However, while they both play loud and deliver plenty of bass, the Hyperboom sounds more natural and has a bigger soundstage with better overall clarity and smoother sound.
