Short answer: the Mackie ShowBox. It ranks #9 of 16 battery-powered PA speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $699.99; the JBL Eon One Compact ranks #15, rated 2.9/5, at $699. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
Why pick the JBL Eon One Compact: Professional 4-channel mixer with XLR/TRS preamps, phantom power for condenser mics. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Mackie ShowBox. The catch: Quite distorted at full volume.
The Mackie ShowBox is the better-sounding option. Six channel mixer with effects, looper, tuner and snapshots on a breakaway controller that clips to a mic stand. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Eon One Compact lacks. The tradeoff: Sounds somewhat bass heavy and dull with EQ flat, so it needs treble added for music.
Buy the Mackie ShowBox. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $0.99 with the JBL Eon One Compact does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
About the ratings: the Mackie ShowBox’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.2 to 3.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Eon One Compact | Mackie ShowBox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.00 | $699.99 |
| Ranked | #15 of 16 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers | #9 of 16 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers Estimated |
| Passive | No | No |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Dimensions | 11.5” x 10” x 15.7” (291.1 x 255 x 399 mm) | 11.8” x 19.7” x 9.8” (300 x 500 x 249 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” tweeter | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| EQ | No | Yes (3-band per channel) |
| Frequency Response | 37.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 48Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 6.3mm Hi-Z instrument, 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth | 2x XLR/TRS combo mic, 4x 6.3mm instrument/line, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth, USB-C audio interface; XLR mix out, FX send/return, headphone out |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | - |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA | Battery-powered 2-way active PA with breakaway mixer |
| Amplifier Power | 150W | 400W peak |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene | - |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount | 36mm pole mount |
| Coverage | 100° H x 50° V | 90° x 60° |
| Maximum SPL | 112dB | 122dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | 4-channel digital mixer with EQ and effects | 6-channel mixer with effects, looper, tuner, feedback eliminator, snapshots |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | Yes | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Bose S1 Pro+ vs Mackie ShowBox
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- Bose S1 Pro+ vs JBL Eon One Compact
- Teufel Rockster Air vs JBL Eon One Compact
- Soundboks 3 vs JBL Eon One Compact
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
JBL Eon One Compact: $699.00 Amazon $699.00 eBay
Pros: Professional 4-channel mixer with XLR/TRS preamps, phantom power for condenser mics. 112dB SPL, lightweight 17.6 lbs with swappable 12-hour battery. 8-inch woofer extends to 37.5Hz. Versatile positioning (upright PA or floor monitor). Large clear controls. Ducking feature auto-lowers music when speech detected. Handles DJ sets, vocals, guitar, corporate talks, and Bluetooth streaming. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage.
Cons: Quite distorted at full volume. Treble is quite rolled off, not much clarity. Not stereo.
Full JBL Eon One Compact review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 150W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Coverage | 100° H x 50° V |
| DSP | 4-channel digital mixer with EQ and effects |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.5” x 10” x 15.7” (291.1 x 255 x 399 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 37.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 6.3mm Hi-Z instrument, 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 112dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Passive | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JPW Pro: EV Everse 8 vs JBL EON One Compact Review
- Precision Drive Audio: Music test for BOSE S1 PRO& PD K8 & JBL EON ONE COMPACT
- Precision Drive Audio: Bose S1 pro VS PD K8 VS JBL EON ONE COMPACT
- W. Weiss: Part 3 Shootout MACKIE THUMP GO vs BOSE S1 PRO vs JBL EON ONE COMPACT Max Volume Demo A New Winner!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Soundboks 3
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Teufel Rockster Air
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Soundboks 4
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Mackie Thump Go
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Bose S1 Pro
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Bose S1 Pro+
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Teufel Rockster Air 2
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Teufel Rockster Neo
- See all 39 comparisons
Mackie ShowBox: $699.99 Estimated Amazon $699.99 eBay
Pros: Six channel mixer with effects, looper, tuner and snapshots on a breakaway controller that clips to a mic stand. 400W with an 8 inch woofer and compression driver reaches 122dB peak, louder than the Bose S1 Pro+. Up to 12 hours from a removable battery. USB-C audio interface and SD card recording built in. Good feedback resistance for vocals and acoustic guitar.
Cons: Sounds somewhat bass heavy and dull with EQ flat, so it needs treble added for music. Narrower 90 by 60 degree dispersion than the Bose S1 Pro+. Heavier at 9.5 kg. Not stereo and has no water resistance. Effects sound basic to some reviewers.
Full Mackie ShowBox review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 400W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA with breakaway mixer |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| DSP | 6-channel mixer with effects, looper, tuner, feedback eliminator, snapshots |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 19.7” x 9.8” (300 x 500 x 249 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| EQ | Yes (3-band per channel) |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo mic, 4x 6.3mm instrument/line, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth, USB-C audio interface; XLR mix out, FX send/return, headphone out |
| Maximum SPL | 122dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Passive | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Rigging | 36mm pole mount |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Scott Uhl: BATTERY-POWERED Speaker w/ BREAKAWAY MIXER - Mackie Showbox
- Aaron Strawn: Have You Seen A Speaker Do This? Mackie ShowBOX Review
- Emily McVicker: My Review of Mackie Showbox Battery Powered PA System
- Kettner Creative: Mackie Showbox is the BEST All-In-One Speaker!
- Landon Bailey: Gig Ready for Every Musician - the Mackie SHOWBOX (it’s Great!)
- Compariffy : ⭐ MACKIE SHOWBOX VS BOSE S1 PRO ⭐ | COMPARISON
- Sound On Sound: Mackie ShowBox
- Head-to-Head Comparisons