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Sonos, Marshall, and Soundcore outperform JBL across home, portable, and party categories.
Buyers now prioritize clarity, balance, and long-term listening comfort over loud bass.
App-based EQ, Wi-Fi streaming, and adaptive tuning now matter more than raw volume, where JBL falls behind competitors.
JBL has dominated the Bluetooth speaker market for years, becoming the default choice for most buyers. The brand built its reputation on loud output, bass-forward tuning, and durable designs that worked well for outdoor use and casual listening. However, this segment has become more competitive over time, and JBL is losing its former market advantages, jeopardizing its success.
JBL’s signature sound design, which aims for maximum impact, fails to appeal to all listeners according to their specific needs. Multiple competing brands currently provide speakers that better match today’s music listening habits of consumers.
The speakers below address recurring criticisms of JBL products, including aggressive bass tuning, limited smart integration, and pricing that increasingly relies on brand recall rather than clear performance advantages.
Also Read: Best Bookshelf Speakers on Amazon for Clear Sound and Deep Bass
Sonos Era 100 offers indoor listening and prioritizes sound balance and audio clarity over loud output. The system produces stereo sound, which enables listeners to hear different audio elements while maintaining clear vocal performance throughout various music styles and providing bass sounds that do not overpower the overall sound mix.
Wi-Fi streaming enables users to experience better sound quality because it delivers superior audio performance compared to Bluetooth streaming. The Era 100 delivers superior performance for extended home listening sessions because it maintains better sound control than JBL smart speakers.
Best for: Indoor use and smart speaker buyers
Price: Rs. 22,999
Portable speakers often struggle to balance loudness and control, but the Sonos Move 2 manages this balance more effectively than most. Instead of pushing bass to extremes, it maintains clarity even at higher volumes, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Automatic tuning adjusts sound based on placement, while Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a 24-hour battery allow it to function as a single-speaker solution across settings. It costs more than JBL’s portable options, but the sound quality reflects that premium.
Best for: Users who want a single speaker for home and travel
Price: Rs. 44,999
Marshall Emberton III stands out visually, but its sound profile is equally distinctive. Rather than emphasizing bass, it focuses on mids and clarity, which helps across rock, pop, and acoustic tracks. The 360-degree sound spread works well in small rooms and informal gatherings.
Battery life extends beyond 30 hours, and IP67 protection makes it suitable for outdoor use. For listeners who value design but do not want sound quality to take a back seat, Emberton III presents a credible JBL alternative.
Best for: Design-focused buyers with balanced listening needs
Price: Rs. 17,999
While Marshall Emberton II belongs to an earlier generation, it is still a favorite among listeners for its lower price. The system produces steady sound output, including clear singing, and provides better audio separation than most JBL speakers at the same price.
For buyers upgrading from entry-level models, it offers a noticeable improvement without moving into premium pricing territory.
Best for: Affordable upgrades from basic speakers
Price: Rs. 14,999
Soundcore Motion X600 demonstrates how mid-range products have reached their current competitive state. The system provides 50W of output, along with spatial audio and wireless playback, which allow it to deliver audio depth and detail that JBL fails to achieve at this price point.
The adjustable EQ system gives users sound control by allowing them to create custom audio profiles instead of using a preexisting sound setting. The X600 delivers exceptional value to users who want to maximize their performance for every rupee spent.
Best for: Sound quality at mid-range pricing
Price: Rs. 18,999
Soundcore Rave Neo 2 provides better value for money. The product delivers superior performance through its high output, deep bass, water-resistant design, and integrated lighting system, while maintaining a lower cost than competing products.
The product provides all necessary features for outdoor events and informal gatherings while maintaining lower costs than brand-name products require.
Best for: Loud, outdoor, group listening
Price: Rs. 12,999
JBL maintains its market presence through established brand recognition, yet contemporary standards require more than brand awareness to establish product excellence. The current market places Sonos as the top choice in sound quality and smart technology integration.
Marshall Design Studio, on the other hand, creates products that achieve optimal musical performance through its innovative design concepts. Lastly, Soundcore delivers products of superior quality at lower costs.
Buyers prefer Bluetooth speakers that have improved sound quality and are available at a lower price point. Sonos, Marshall Design Studio, and Soundcore are the top alternatives that outshine JBL in performance.
1. Is JBL still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, JBL remains reliable, but competitors now offer better sound balance, smarter features, and stronger value across similar or lower price segments.
2. Which brand sounds better than JBL for indoor listening?
Sonos generally sounds better indoors due to balanced tuning, clearer vocals, Wi-Fi streaming support, and sound profiles designed for long listening sessions.
3. Are Marshall speakers better than JBL for music quality?
Marshall speakers prioritise mids and clarity over heavy bass, making them better for detailed music listening, especially rock, acoustic, and vocal-focused tracks.
4. Which JBL alternative offers the best value for money?
Soundcore offers the best value, delivering higher power, cleaner sound, app-based EQ, and premium features at prices that JBL often relies on branding to justify.
5. Which speaker should I choose for parties instead of JBL?
For parties, Soundcore Rave Neo 2 offers louder output, deeper bass, waterproofing, and lighting at a lower cost than comparable JBL party speakers.
