Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore. It ranks #6 of 70 boombox speakers at $230; the Aiwa Exos-9 ranks #8 and costs $250, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Aiwa Exos-9 side: Still a great sounding speaker even against today’s models. The catch: Features are lacking, generally not recommended anymore, not sold new anymore.
The case for the JBL Partybox Encore: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker. The tradeoff: Only 10 hours of battery at medium volume.
One note: the Aiwa Exos-9 is discontinued, but it still ranks #8 of 70 boombox speakers, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Aiwa Exos-9 if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the JBL Partybox Encore if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Aiwa Exos-9 | JBL Partybox Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 Discontinued | $230 |
| Ranked | #8 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #6 of 70 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 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 | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 15.2 lbs / 6.9 kg | 13.9 lbs / 6.3 kg |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes (with adapter) | - |
| Output Power | 200W | 100W RMS |
| Dimensions | 19.4" x 7.5" x 11.7" | 10.87" x 12.87" x 11.54" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" dual voice coil woofer + 2x 3" midwoofers + 2x 1" silk dome tweeters | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 17ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| Max Volume | - | 110dB |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 2 Included |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
The Two Speakers In Full
Aiwa Exos-9: $250 Discontinued
Pros: Still a great sounding speaker even against today’s models.
Cons: Features are lacking, generally not recommended anymore, not sold new anymore. No water rating. Discontinued.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 19.4" x 7.5" x 11.7" |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.5" dual voice coil woofer + 2x 3" midwoofers + 2x 1" silk dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (5-band graphic EQ + 4 presets) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (with adapter) |
| Output Power | 200W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 15.2 lbs / 6.9 kg |
- Buy Used
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
JBL Partybox Encore: $230 Walmart
Pros: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker. 2 included wireless microphones.
Cons: Only 10 hours of battery at medium volume. Poor water rating.
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 10.87" x 12.87" x 11.54" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs / 6.3 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical!
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: outdoors
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: indoors
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade
- Alan Ross Reviews: This changed my opinion on JBL speakers!
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample.
- True Techy: BOSE S1 Pro vs JBLPartybox ENCORE This Comparison SHOCKED me!!!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT Boombox vs. JBL Partybox Encore Party Speaker.🛜 How Low Can You Go?😲
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tronsmart Halo 200 vs JBL Partybox Encore 🔊 Sound Check & Wireless Microphone test 🔋 Battery Powered
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: ONN Large Party Speaker Gen 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore 🛻 Tailgater Special 🔋 Battery Powered
- Dominik Reviews: Soundcore Rave 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore - Quick Sound Test! 🤗
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun Uboom X
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Zealot ZE41
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Skullcandy Barrel
- See all 10 comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.