Not all subs are created equal, and two of the biggest names in the business are JBL and Bose.
Both models have features of high quality, audio of high quality, and are durable; but, if you choose one over the other, you will lose out on some of the features that are offered by the other.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how these brands compare, and help you decide which is right for you. So without further ado, let’s get started!
JBL vs Bose Subwoofer: Comparison and Contrast Table
| Parameters of Comparison | JBL subwoofers | Bose subwoofers |
| Popularity | 1927 was the year when JBL had its start. At this time, it has garnered a lot of attention in the acoustic sector. Their sound systems are used by DJs, as well as in recording studios and performance theatres. | Bose first appeared on the market in 1964 and is now more well-known among audiophiles. They have developed an expertise in the production of surround sound systems that are tailored to the preferences of the listener. |
| Design | The JBL subwoofers are larger and heavier than their competitors. The majority of them have a semi-cylindrical shape. | Subwoofers made by Bose are svelte, space-saving, and very portable. They have the form of buckets and have handles that make them simple to carry. |
| Durability | Feature an IPX7 certification, which indicates that it is dust resistant and waterproof. Can continue to function normally when being immersed in water for a half-hour. | They are resistant to bumps, but they are not waterproof. They are instead protected from the elements. |
| Audio Quality | Pop music may be played on JBL speakers because of their strong bass. Both have high-quality audio and employ passive radiators to produce sound. | The audio that Bose produces is quite clear, and the company employs transducers; as a result, it is great for voice-concentrated music. Their primary concentration is on “what it is that listeners desire to hear.” |
| Battery Life | JBL subwoofers are equipped with a battery that has a runtime of up to 24 hours and can be completely recharged in 6.5 hours. | The battery has a run time of up to 12 hours and requires a complete charge of 4 hours. |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth version 4.2, an auxiliary port, and two USB ports are all included. The vast majority of JBL subwoofers do not have WiFi connectivity. | Bluetooth 4.2, compatibility for WiFi, and one USB connection are all included. Include support for Apple Airplay for iOS devices. |
| Controls | There are a number of controls on the control panel of the subwoofer. Most lack app support and voice control features. Voice alert for informing the user of the state of the battery and the Bluetooth connection. | Control panel located on board, voice recognition software such as Google and Siri, and the Bose Music app. Voice prompt exactly like JBL. |
| Summary | Favorable because it has a deep bass and is an excellent choice for a wide audience. A suitable companion for outdoor activities, trips to the beach, and parties at the pool | Highly recommended because of its space-saving design, low weight, and mobility. More appropriate for audiophiles who are not particularly fond of bass. |
About Bose and JBL Subwoofers
JBL
James Bullough Lansing is credited with coming up with the idea for the company that bears his initials, JBL. The firm’s founder began making radio drivers more than seven decades ago, when the company was just getting its start.
After some time, the business expanded to include the provision of audio equipment for a variety of uses. JBL is a brand of audio equipment that is manufactured by Harman International Industries, a division of Samsung Electronics.
The JBL Consumer division is responsible for the production of the headphones as well as the subwoofers. They also operate a department known as the Professional division, which develops products for use in recording studios and by DJs. The Bose and JBL brands are difficult to compare due to the existence of these two sectors.
The fact that JBL collaborates with a large number of industry experts is one of the factors that contributes to the company’s widespread acclaim. The audio systems that JHBL engineers create are used by the Motion Picture Academy, and in 2012, they won multiple honors for their work in this area.
Bose
In 1964, Amar Bose laid the groundwork for what would become Bose. When Bose was first conceived, the plan was to develop audio equipment that could be linked to a number of different subwoofers. They intended to give the impression that there was a hall in the home, even if it was rather little.
The feeling of being in a music hall is not difficult to achieve when many subwoofers are installed in the walls on all sides of the listener.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) now owns Bose, and the majority of the profits from the firm are donated to other research endeavors. MIT received the corporation as a gift from Amar Bose.
These days, Bose designs its audio systems with the “listeners’ perception” in mind. Because the manufacturer does not mention the majority of the product’s characteristics on the packaging, the wattage of Bose subwoofers will remain a mystery to you forever.
Instead of concentrating on wattage, voltage, and a great number of other technical aspects, Bose prioritizes the production of subwoofers that leave an impression on the listeners’ hearing.
The business uses a methodology that they term “psychoacoustic principles,” in which they investigate what kind of sounds people anticipate receiving from various types of audio equipment. They then integrate it into their subwoofers, which results in an astounding sonic output from the subwoofers.
The following is a side-by-side comparison of the subwoofers produced by the two different brands.
JBL S2-1224 Subwoofer Overview
This JBL subwoofer is best described as a hard-hitting loud 12″ sub that is also inexpensive. This is the best way to describe it. It is rated at 275 Watts RMS when connected to an ohm load of 4 and 582 Watts RMS when connected to an ohm load of 2, and boy, does this sub deliver.
Do you like listening to music that has low tones? If so, this subwoofer is the one for you since it has a frequency range that goes as low as 20 Hz. It’s true that a lot of other brands can’t even go to 30 Hz, but this JBL can get to 20 Hz.
I put this sub up against Pioneer and Kicker, and it came out on top in each of those competitions. The fact that the bass is so strong that it can be felt in the chest makes it an ideal component of the music.
It is also better than a Kicker and a Pioneer, and I don’t mean that in the sense that it is more expensive; rather, I mean that it is louder and harsher than those other brands.
However, I’ve had the situation where there was a burnt smell during the breaking-in phase, but after that everything was OK. After that, there was no scent.
There have been a few installations of this sub at some of the homes in the neighbourhood. The new sound system has all of the owners expressing that they are pleased with it beyond measure.
Bose Bass Module 700 Overview
The Module 700 is a more powerful subwoofer thanks to its upgraded functionality, superior design (with a glass top), and high quality bass. Module 700 also boasts a more attractive look.
The Bose Bass Module 700 is a subwoofer that packs a lot of power and can also be used in conjunction with the Bose soundbar 300, 500, 700, or 900. When compared to the Bose Bass Module 500, it is much larger in size and weighs close to 30 pounds, therefore it is also fairly substantial.
The 700 has an elegant design and a top made of tempered glass of the highest possible quality.
In addition to that, it has an integrated power supply, and the voltage is set to a nominal 120 volts. The driver is almost twice as large as the one found in the Bass Module 500, which results in a more rumbling bass experience.
The module supports both Dolby Digital and DTS content, as well as wireless connections, and it can link to other devices wirelessly.
JBL S2-1224 Vs Bose Bass Module 700
Comparing the features and specs of finest models of these two brands:
1- The Design
The size of a Bose subwoofer is more manageable, so it won’t take up as much room in your home. The Bose Bass Module 700 has the same boxy appearance as its predecessor due to its dimensions of 11.6 inches by 11.6 inches by 12.9 inches. Although it is somewhat larger than the JBL, it does not need an excessive amount of storage space.
Because Module 700 has a somewhat more diminutive base, the subwoofer gives the impression that it is suspended in the air. A good, thick, and very high-quality finish is provided by the tempered glass top of the Bose Bass Module 700, which is both stylish and modern.
The rear of this subwoofer has both a 3.5mm jack and a service port, and it weighs a total of 30 pounds.
JBL, on the other hand, is resistant to dust and water, making it an even more tough choice for an outdoor excursion. The appearance of JBL subwoofers is somewhat less specific and more broad. You can purchase JBLs in a variety of skins to complement a wide variety of decors; some of them have quite bright colors.
In contrast to the Bose, which may have a set cable, the JBL comes with a cable that can be detached, giving you the option to swap it out with another wire if necessary.
2- Sound Quality
Both Bose and JBL are recognized for producing high-quality sound products. If you are an audiophile, you will adore what each of the subwoofers has to offer; nevertheless, the quality of the sound they produce varies depending on the kind of music being played. The two of them are equipped with stereo subwoofers.
JBL offers a subwoofer that provides the kind of deep bass that is necessary for listening to hip hop and pop music. If you like bass, you may get one of them.
On the other hand, in order to provide the highest possible sound quality, Bose makes use of transducers and takes into account the listener’s perspective. When you want to hear the instruments as well as the vocals in a piece of music, Bose provides audio that is clear and detailed.
Both of the subwoofers provide excellent sound quality, regardless of the volume level they are used at. You are free to choose one that best suits your requirements for listening.
In place of a magnet and a voice coil, both companies make use of a passive radiator as their only available option. The enormous size of the JBL subwoofers contributes to the improved vibrations produced by the passive radiator, which results in deeper bass tones.
3- Bass
Because many of their subwoofers are constructed with several drivers, JBL subwoofers are exceptional when it comes to the bass they produce. For instance, the JBL S2-1224 has a bass driver that is only devoted to producing bass.
On the other hand, Bose creates the highest quality audio possible by using transducers and taking into account the listener’s perception. This is based on research and technology developed at MIT.
The intention is to provide audio that is transparent and uncolored, and that the vast majority of listeners will like.
In point of fact, none of the subwoofers falls short when it comes to the bass. JBL, on the other hand, is the superior choice if you want your audio to have a significant impact in lower frequency ranges. The reason behind this is because the bass radiators found in JBL speakers are both bigger and more powerful.
4- Features
Both of the subwoofers have a high level of sophistication. Not only do the subwoofers offer a wide variety of useful convenience features, but they also generate music of an impressively high quality.
There are two buttons on the Bose Bass Module 700. One for the configuration that, when pressed, provides a simple means of connecting the device in question to the soundbar. And the button to turn off the microphone, which turns the voice assistant feature off.
The Bose Bass Module 700 is available in both black and arctic white, and it is intended to be used in conjunction with the Bose Soundbar 700 in white.
Voice prompts are available with both brands. You will get voice messages from the voice prompts that will warn you when the battery on the device is going low and tell you of any open Bluetooth connections.
FAQs
How Is JBL Better Than Bose?
In comparison to Bose, JBL is superior in terms of power output, battery life, and the degree to which several of its subwoofers are impervious to dust and moisture. Many JBL subwoofers are equipped with a cord that can be removed, making them more portable.
How Is Bose Better Than JBL?
In comparison to JBL, Bose offers more advanced capabilities, like voice assistants, the Bose app, a mute mode, and compatibility for WiFi networks. They also tend to be lighter in weight.
Final Words
In general, both subwoofers are excellent, each in its own unique way.
Subwoofers manufactured by JBL may be found everywhere, from outdoor excursions in the mountains to musical performances in other countries. They provide a rich bass, making them an excellent choice for a more extensive audience.
In addition to being suited for use in home cinemas, they are also appropriate for use during outdoor picnic events. On the other hand, Bose has a more compact size and design than other brands.
However, the volume does not increase much, and they do not have any genuine bass. On the other hand, when comparing Bose and JBL in terms of characteristics related to modern technology, control, and connection, Bose comes out on top.
You should have a fairly good understanding of the specifications of each of the subwoofers at this point. Whether you choose with Bose or JBL is completely up to you and your preferences.
