Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore. It ranks #6 of 75 boombox speakers by sound quality at $230; the Aiwa Exos-9 ranks #8 and costs $250, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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 ranks 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.
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) | - |
| Output 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 |
| Aux Latency | - | 17ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| Max Volume | - | 110dB |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 2 Included |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
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Prices on this page were last checked September 9, 2026 at 6:54 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.
Cons: Bass is limited by its 44Hz specification. There is no companion app. Discontinued.
Full Aiwa Exos-9 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 200W |
| 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
- 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.
Cons: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification.
Full JBL Partybox Encore review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| 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 Earfun Uboom X
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- See all 48 comparisons