Short answer: the Partybox Encore 2, and it’s dramatically cheaper. It ranks #4 of 71 boombox speakers at $330; the Boombox 4 ranks #17 at $549.95, $220 more for a much weaker placement.
Our own cons entry for the Boombox 4 is unusually candid. Pretty overpriced for the category, and out of the box it sounds worse than the Boombox 3 it replaced, mostly saved by having 7 EQ bands instead of 3 for better tuning. It also drops the aux input entirely.
The Encore 2 improved on its own predecessor in ways that actually show up in the ranking. Better off-axis performance from dome tweeters, less rolled-off highs, deeper bass, and better battery life than the first Encore, plus two included wireless microphones.
Buy the Partybox Encore 2. It costs less, ranks higher, and doesn’t need EQ correction just to beat its own predecessor.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 4 | JBL Partybox Encore 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $330 |
| Ranked | #17 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #4 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms | - |
| Max Volume | 115dB | 110dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 5.98 kg | 14.1 lbs / 6.4 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Audio | Yes | - |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Output Power | 210W AC / 200W battery | 100W RMS |
| Dimensions | 51cm x 26cm x 21cm | 12.58" x 13.33" x 10.35" (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 2 Included |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.4 |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Boombox 4: $549.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Pretty insane output capability for the size.
Cons: Pretty overpriced for the category. Better than the Boombox 3 mostly because there are more 7 EQ bands instead of just 3 and it can be better tuned. Try Oluv’s EQ for it. Out of the box sounds worse than the Boombox 3. No Aux input.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 51cm x 26cm x 21cm |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 115dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Output Power | 210W AC / 200W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Audio | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 5.98 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - old one sounding better? 🤔
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Earfun UBoom X - sound test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - any improvement?
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Partybox Encore 2 - outdoor loudness & basstest
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 - finally a real BOOMbox from JBL 👏
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 HUMILIATES Brane X?! Ultimate Bass Battle!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 Compared to Boombox 3 & 3 WiFi – Worth the Upgrade?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 distortion fest bonanza! how bad can it be lol 🤣
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot Ze21!!!
- Techder Audios: JBL Boombox 4 VS Zealot ZE21 BATTLE OF THE BOOMBOXES!
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!!
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S95!!!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
JBL Partybox Encore 2: $330 Samsclub
Pros: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. A little less rolled off in the highs than the first Encore. Goes slightly deeper than the old Encore. Includes 2 wireless microphones. Better battery life than the first Encore.
Cons: Missing a little bit of upper bass.
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 12.58" x 13.33" x 10.35" (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs / 6.4 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!
- M1M Tech Channel: Partybox Killer? 2x Earfun UBoom X stärker als JBL Encore 2 ?
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Partybox ENCORE 2👌FULL TEST🆚 JBL Partybox ENCORE 1
- Mateusz Cholewa: Jbl Partybox Encore 2 📦UNBOXING. Short TEST AUDIO z ENCORE 1👌
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Encore 2 Partybox Deep Bass 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi 🎶
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 WiFi - Sound Test - Wide vs Narrow Soundstage!
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade
- Head-to-Head 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.