Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore, at $230 against the Aiwa Exos-9’s $250. It is a great sounding party speaker with somewhat boosted bass, though it manages only 10 hours of battery at medium volume. The Exos-9 still sounds great against today’s models but is no longer sold new, lacks features, and is generally not recommended anymore.
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 no longer sold new, but at #8 of 75 boombox speakers by sound quality it still outranks most current models, so used is worth considering.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Aiwa Exos-9 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Partybox Encore at IPX4 (splashing) against the Aiwa Exos-9, which has no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Aiwa Exos-9 | JBL Partybox Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 Discontinued | $230 |
| Ranked | #8 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #6 of 75 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 | 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) | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| 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 20mm tweeters |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| 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) |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 2 Included |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox Encore:
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- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Aiwa Exos-9: $250 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Aiwa Exos-9 uses 6.5” dual voice coil woofer + 2x 3” midwoofers + 2x 1” silk dome tweeters. Its 6.9 kg, claimed 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 44Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 44Hz specification. There is no companion app. Discontinued.
Full Aiwa Exos-9 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.4" x 7.5" x 11.7" (492.8 x 190.5 x 297.2 mm) |
| 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) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 15.2 lbs (6.9 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Partybox Encore: $230 Walmart eBay
Pros: JBL Partybox Encore uses 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters. Its 6.3 kg, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 110dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 38Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification.
Full JBL Partybox Encore review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical! More from alanrossreviews →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: outdoors More from Oluv’Sone →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: indoors
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade More from M1MTechChannel →
- Alan Ross Reviews: This changed my opinion on JBL speakers!
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample. More from DLXWillington →
- 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?😲 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- 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! 🤗 More from Dominik Reviews →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
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