DAP for Bluetooth on JBL Boombox 4

[Petkatalbc]

Hi everyone,

I currently have a JBL Boombox 4 and I'm looking to upgrade my portable music player. At the moment, I'm using a Sony NW-A35, which has served me well, but I'm thinking it's time for something newer with better performance and features.

My main use case is listening to music through the Boombox 4 via Bluetooth, so I'm interested in finding a player that offers the best possible wireless audio quality, stable connectivity, and good codec support. I listen to a mix of FLAC files, high-resolution audio, and streaming services.

I'm considering options from Sony, FiiO, Shanling, HiBy, and other brands, but I'm open to any recommendations.

For those who use Bluetooth speakers like the JBL Boombox 4, what player would you recommend upgrading to from the Sony A35? Is there a particular model that delivers noticeably better sound quality over Bluetooth? Are advanced codecs such as LDAC worth prioritizing, or would another feature make a bigger difference?

I'd love to hear about your experiences and what you think is the best player to pair with the Boombox 4 for Bluetooth listening.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

 

[RandomEar]

Welcome to ASR! According to what I could find, the Boombox 4 does not support LDAC, but SBC and AAC. So lossless playback won't be possible via Bluetooth - but that's pretty much irrelevant anyway. It's a small box with speakers in it, you will be hard pressed to differentiate lossless from lossy codecs in an actual HiFi setup. In a portable boombox, it's irrelevant because the box itself is the limiting factor for sound quality. In consequence, that won't be a factor forcing you to upgrade the DAP.

When it comes to other possible annoyances such as a sluggish UI or degraded battery life, it may be an idea to simply switch to a newer NW-A45 if you are happy with your current Sony. I can't comment on any of the DAPs you listed (or the NW-A45), since I never used them. So for any further info about specific devices, you'll need to rely on the experience of other member and/or use the search function.

 

[AndyRoo]

I have a Hidizs DAP and used to use a Surfans dap.

But these days, I use an Android phone that supports micro-sd cards with a good player (Neutron/USB Audio Player) for Bluetooth output to a speaker. The Samsung Galaxy A16 is ideal for that purpose.

The audio limitation is always the speaker - but as @RandomEar says above, you won’t really notice it.

Using the A16 allows adding a usb DAC for good headphone output. No need to go expensive - the Hidizs SD2 sounds as good as anything else I’ve tried, as long as it’s used with easy to drive IEMs/cans then it really is all you need.

 

[Petkatalbc]

I have a Hidizs DAP and used to use a Surfans dap.

But these days, I use an Android phone that supports micro-sd cards with a good player (Neutron/USB Audio Player) for Bluetooth output to a speaker. The Samsung Galaxy A16 is ideal for that purpose.

The audio limitation is always the speaker - but as @RandomEar says above, you won’t really notice it.

Using the A16 allows adding a usb DAC for good headphone output. No need to go expensive - the Hidizs SD2 sounds as good as anything else I’ve tried, as long as it’s used with easy to drive IEMs/cans then it really is all you need.

Thank you for your reply.

I am planning to use this only Outdoor, on beach, in parks and so on. my Sony bluetooth is lacking quite a lot.


I noticed that JBL BOOMBOX 4 can run loosless via USB C cable

and Fiio m21 can run loosless via USB C cable

I can get a nice USB-C cable and use it with the cable. But for outside, I dont think will matter.

On top of that space on A35 is not that great, Fioo supports until 2TB.

 

[Petkatalbc]

Hi everyone,

I currently have a JBL Boombox 4 and I'm looking to upgrade my portable music player. At the moment, I'm using a Sony NW-A35, which has served me well, but I'm thinking it's time for something newer with better performance and features.

My main use case is listening to music through the Boombox 4 via Bluetooth, so I'm interested in finding a player that offers the best possible wireless audio quality, stable connectivity, and good codec support. I listen to a mix of FLAC files, high-resolution audio, and streaming services.

I'm considering options from Sony, FiiO, Shanling, HiBy, and other brands, but I'm open to any recommendations.

For those who use Bluetooth speakers like the JBL Boombox 4, what player would you recommend upgrading to from the Sony A35? Is there a particular model that delivers noticeably better sound quality over Bluetooth? Are advanced codecs such as LDAC worth prioritizing, or would another feature make a bigger difference?

I'd love to hear about your experiences and what you think is the best player to pair with the Boombox 4 for Bluetooth listening.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Thank you very much for your reply.

 

[VintageFlanker]

I am planning to use this only Outdoor, on beach, in parks and so on.

So you absolutely shouldn't care about "lossless".

First, the Boombox is, physically, absolutely not capable of reproducing "High Res" content, not to mention in outdoor conditions where no one would be able to notice a difference.

Regular AAC out of any phone will do just fine, as this speaker is designed to work with, it's not an audiophile system.

 

[Redacted]

I do hope you use IEMs when in parks and on the beach. Nobody else wants to hear your boombox!

 

[Petkatalbc]

I do hope you use IEMs when in parks and on the beach. Nobody else wants to hear your boombox!

Thank you for the reply, but I didn't ask for that. And I follow normal human guidelines; it looks like you do not like enjoying yourself outside!

 

[Redacted]

Thank you for the reply, but I didn't ask for that. And I follow normal human guidelines; it looks like you do not like enjoying yourself outside!

I'm out on the beach all the time, down here in Cornwall. IEMs work for me.

 

[OldTimer]

As long as you can use HiBy Link app in your phone connect to the future DAP, you are good to go. I've been using Cayin DAP for over 10 years. I can browse/play/stop songs using HiBy Link app on my iPhone . Nothing broken from the same device.

 

[Petkatalbc]

I end up buying Hiby R6iii second hand - cheap - £250 - will put 1TB card - load it with my old music and that's it. Maybe will buy good Headphones to use with it sometimes.

 

[OldTimer]

I end up buying Hiby R6iii second hand - cheap - £250 - will put 1TB card - load it with my old music and that's it. Maybe will buy good Headphones to use with it sometimes.

Smart choice. You can use the DAP using USB C cable to the Boombox. Then control the DAP remotely from far away using Hiby Link app on your phone.

 

[Petkatalbc]

Smart choice. You can use the DAP using USB C cable to the Boombox. Then control the DAP remotely from far away using Hiby Link app on your phone.

This sounds like a good plan, already ordered very good USB-c to USB-c cable

 

[Ruediger]

This sounds like a good plan, already ordered very good USB-c to USB-c cable

I often experienced that DAP with wireless have a rather poor reception. Mobiles are much better.