Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential, since the Aiwa Exos-9 is no longer sold new. The JBL is a great sounding party speaker with somewhat boosted bass, but its battery only lasts 6 hours at medium volume. The Exos-9 still sounds great even against today’s models, yet its features are lacking and it is generally not recommended anymore. The Aiwa Exos-9 is discontinued; its replacement is the Aiwa Exos-10.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential, since the Aiwa Exos-9 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential is rated at IPX4 (splashing), well ahead of the Aiwa Exos-9 at no water resistance.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Aiwa Exos-9 | JBL Partybox Encore Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 Discontinued | $299.95 |
| Ranked | #9 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #8 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (5-band graphic EQ + 4 presets) | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 15.2 lbs (6.9 kg) | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes (with adapter) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 200W | 100W RMS |
| Dimensions | 19.4” x 7.5” x 11.7” (492.8 x 190.5 x 297.2 mm) | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” dual voice coil woofer + 2x 3” midwoofers + 2x 1” silk dome tweeters | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.1 |
| Aux Latency | - | 17ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Strap | - | No |
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