Does it really matter which brand you choose for your portable speakers, your soundbars, or your surround sound system? After all, they all do the same thing, right? Believe it or not, the choice between two audio brands can be far more significant than you might think. Looking at JBL vs. Bose only confirms this. The two audio brands have been around since the mid-20th century, but they couldn’t be more different. So how do the two compare?
JBL and Bose both manufacture surround sound speakers. Both brands have their own wireless Bluetooth speakers and earbuds for sale. Plus, they have both been competing against each other for nearly 60 years now. But what is it that truly sets JBL and Bose apart? Let’s take a closer look at the key differences between the two below.
JBL vs. Bose: Side by Side Comparison
| JBL | Bose | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1946 | 1964 |
| Founder | James Bullough Lansing | Amar Bose |
| Key Figures | Dinesh Paliwal (CEO, President) | Lila Snyder (CEO) Jim Scammon (President, COO) Bob Maresca (Chairman) |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California | Framingham, Massachusetts |
| Parent | Harman International Industries | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Products | Amplifiers, loudspeakers, headphones | Audio equipment |
JBL vs. Bose: What’s the Difference?
Despite the fact that both brands occupy space in the high-end audio product industry, JBL and Bose have a series of key differences that set them apart from each other. You wouldn’t be wrong for assuming the two achieve essentially the same functions. After all, how different could two speaker brands truly be? But it’s worth pointing out that JBL and Bose are quite different in spite of their similar offerings. Just how different, though? Let’s take a look.
Target Audience
Over the decades, JBL and Bose have differed tremendously in terms of their target audience. Overall, JBL has been known to focus more on professional equipment, while Bose has focused on in-home equipment. JBL has enjoyed the attention received from professionals since its inception, while Bose has never been about that specific target audience. Founder Amar Bose was always more concerned with delivering a quality in-home stereo system.
Product Lineup
Both JBL and Bose have Bluetooth speakers, television soundbars, and headphones on the market. JBL has long been the standard brand for concert venues, recording studios, movie theaters, and the like. Bose has a stake in the game with these professional outlets, to be sure, but the majority of their products are decidedly not for audio engineers or music industry pros. This gives you a good idea of where their respective product lineups are at.
Outstanding Sound
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar With Dolby Atmos Plus Alexa
$799.00
- Dolby Atmos soundbar
- A.I. dialogue mode
- Voice control with Dolby Atmos
- Plug and Play
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Audio Quality
Bose has long been known as the brand that refuses to disclose specific numbers and figures concerning the quality of its audio. The company insists that these objective stats and specs simply can’t do justice to the actual sound and feel of a good Bose surround sound system. Unlike Bose, JBL is not at all secretive with its audio specs. Look at any one JBL speaker or product on their retail site, and you’ll find detailed figures pertaining to frequency response, sensitivity, and more.
Pricing
Perhaps one of the most important criteria in the JBL vs. Bose debate is price. As far as sound systems are concerned, Bose offers a pair of Bose Surround Speakers 700 for $599. JBL, on the other hand, offers a similar product — the Studio 580 — for a price of $299 for just one speaker. The brands’ respective Bluetooth speaker prices tell a similar story. Bose’s SoundLink Flex typically goes for $149, while JBL’s Charge 5 usually goes for $179.
Competing with Apple
Given the popularity of Apple AirPods, it’s no surprise JBL and Bose have wireless earbuds of their own. The most affordable pair from Bose — the Bose Sport Earbuds — go for $279, while the most affordable pair from JBL — the JBL Vibe 200TWS — go for as little as $30. This is a clear advantage for JBL. It seems neither brand wants to give the other guy any sort of leg up with their pricing, which makes this the most competitive distinguishing factor of all.
5 Must-Know Facts About JBL and Bose
- Bose founder Amar Bose gave his former employer MIT a majority stake in Bose in 2011, making them the de facto owner of the company in the wake of Amar’s death in 2013.
- JBL’s parent company Harman International Industries is a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.
- Bose was the first company to commercialize a hi-fi sound system.
- Woodstock 1969 utilized JBL speakers for some of the most iconic performances of all time.
- JBL was once the speaker of choice for Ford’s luxury vehicles, while Bose was used in Nissan’s.
JBL vs. Bose: Product Lines Compared
The broad comparisons above do a fine job of establishing some general differences between JBL vs. Bose. That said, it’s worth diving deeper into their specific product lines to see some more precise comparisons. Here’s how the two audio brands stack up against each other in terms of Bluetooth speakers, soundbars, and headphones.
JBL vs. Bose Bluetooth Speakers
Monstrous Bass
$499.95
- 24 hours of playtime
- IP67 dust and waterproof
- 3-way speakers
- Features PartyBoost, which lets you pair PartyBoost-compatible speakers
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JBL and Bose Bluetooth speakers both deliver some truly impressive audio. However, Bose leans more towards a robust and bass-heavy sound profile, suiting those who enjoy deep beats. JBL, on the other hand, offers a more balanced and nuanced sound. JBL Bluetooth speakers often feature rugged designs, making them suitable for outdoor use over Bose designs.
JBL vs. Bose Speakers and Soundbars
Bring the Audio to Life
$399.00
- Small design
- Full immersive surround sound
- Easy setup
- Wireless range of 30 feet
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JBL and Bose are also fierce competitors in the realm of soundbars. JBL speakers often emphasize powerful and dynamic sound, excelling in midrange frequencies especially. Bose is better known for its detailed audio and spatial sound technology with deep bass above all else. JBL soundbars are popular for their nondescript look, while Bose soundbars put greater focus on sleek designs.
JBL vs. Bose Headphones
Best On-Ear Headphones
JBL Tune 510BT: Wireless On-Ear Headphones with Purebass Sound
$39.95
- Siri or Hey Google compatible
- Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 streaming
- Quick battery recharge
- JBL Pure Bass sound
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The JBL vs. Bose debate also manifests itself in the headphone market. Both brand names offer distinct audio experiences with their headphones. Bose’s often feature punchy bass and vibrant sound profiles, ideal for bass enthusiasts and those favoring energetic tunes. JBL headphones, on the other hand, focus on delivering balanced and rich audio, prioritizing clarity over all else.
JBL vs. Bose: Which One Is Better?
| Pros of JBL | Cons of JBL |
|---|---|
| Open and forthright about their speakers’ audio specs | If not bought on sale, JBL speakers can be far more expensive than Bose |
| Predates Bose by about 20 years, making them more innovative | JBL’s noise-canceling technology falls short of Bose’s |
| The JBL brand is generally trusted by more professionals than Bose | With their emphasis on professional usage, JBL speakers are a little more complicated to set up |
| Pros of Bose | Cons of Bose |
|---|---|
| Bose prioritizes innovation over profits, as evidenced by high-end yet affordable products | Bose refuses to reveal numbers and figures pertaining to audio quality, which is concerning |
| Compared to the suggested price of some JBL products, Bose is often the cheaper option | Bose is a litigious company, often seen relentlessly suing competitors |
| Bose specializes in top-of-the-line in-home surround sound systems | Bose speakers can fall short of JBL speakers’ sound quality |
JBL vs. Bose: Which One Should You Use?
So: in the JBL vs. Bose showdown, we know that JBL is a much higher-end option than Bose. Conversely, we know that Bose is often the more affordable choice. We also know Bose is quite secretive with their specs, while JBL clearly has nothing to hide. Plus, it’s clear both brands have just about every kind of audio product imaginable within their respective catalogs. With all of this in mind, it’s still a close call. Ultimately, though, the winner has to be JBL.
Bose has been around for decades and remains the best-selling audio brand on the planet. There’s no way around this fact. However, being the best seller doesn’t directly translate to being the best. JBL deserves that distinction for its superior audio quality, more illustrious history in the industry, and the number of products that are cheaper than the Bose alternative. Bose is still a very good, very dependable brand, but if you want the best — no matter the cost — then you have to consider JBL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bose offer Bluetooth speakers?
Yes, Bose has many Bluetooth speakers as well as wireless headphones and earbuds in their catalog.
Who owns JBL?
JBL is owned by Harman International Industries (which, in turn, is owned by Samsung Electronics).
Does JBL have Bluetooth speakers?
JBL has many Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and earbuds in addition to traditional wired speakers and sound systems.
Who came first, JBL or Bose?
JBL pre-dates Bose by almost two decades. The former was founded in 1946 while the latter emerged in 1964.
Did the Bose 901 get discontinued?
Yes, the ever-popular Bose 901 was discontinued in 2016.
