Short answer: these solve different problems at the same price. The Boombox 4 ranks #20 of 53 boombox speakers, the Partybox Stage 320 ranks #3 of 53 party speakers, and both currently cost $549.95. The real decision is portability versus party features, not sound quality.
The Boombox 4 is built to be carried, the Stage 320 is built to be wheeled. At 13.2 lbs (6 kg) against 36.4 lbs (16.5 kg), the weight gap alone rules out cross-shopping for most buyers. The Boombox 4 also carries an IP68 rating for full submersion, while the Stage 320 is only IPX4 splash-resistant, and the Boombox 4’s 28-hour battery beats the Stage 320’s 18 hours. If you need something you can throw in a backpack or a boat, the Stage 320 is not built for that.
The Stage 320 is built for hosting, not hauling. It adds a handle and wheels for moving it around a venue, a microphone input with karaoke echo, a guitar input, and customizable lighting, none of which the Boombox 4 offers. Our notes flag the Stage 320 as slightly sibilant in the treble at full blast, but it also keeps more bass than the older 310 at high volume.
The Boombox 4 has its own tradeoffs. Reviewers note it is pretty overpriced for the category and, out of the box, sounds worse than the Boombox 3 it replaced; the 7-band EQ helps close that gap if you’re willing to tune it yourself. It also drops the aux input that older boomboxes had, relying on Bluetooth or USB-C instead.
Buy the JBL Boombox 4 if you want a true portable speaker with full waterproofing and the longer battery life, and you’re not planning to host with it.
Buy the JBL Partybox Stage 320 if you want karaoke and guitar inputs, wheels for moving it around, and don’t mind that it’s not meant to leave the yard.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 4 | JBL Partybox Stage 320 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $569.95 |
| Ranked | #20 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #3 of 53 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes (5 band) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (5.98 kg) | 36.4 lbs (16.5 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 210W AC / 200W battery | 240W |
| Dimensions | 20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm) | 26.3”H x 13.2”W x 15.2”D (669 x 335 x 385 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 2x 6.5” woofers, 2x 25mm tweeters |
| Strap | No | No |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Wheels | - | Yes |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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