Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the JBL Partybox 100 is the better pick: it ranks #8 of 46 party speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5), against #42 (rated 2.3/5) for the Sony GTK-XB90. If you want one new, the JBL Partybox Club 120 replaces the JBL Partybox 100 and is rated 4.5/5 at $349.95.
The JBL Partybox 100 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. Quite neutral sound, pretty deep bass. Its bass reaches about 41Hz before falling 10dB, against 50Hz for the Sony GTK-XB90. At 21.4 lbs (9.7 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Sony GTK-XB90 at 30.9 lbs (14 kg). The catch: A slight peak in the upper mids.
The Sony GTK-XB90 is the longer-running pick. Deep punchy EXTRA BASS technology for party use. It is rated for 16 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Partybox 100. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Partybox 100 lacks. It links with other speakers (Partychain up to 100 speakers), which the JBL Partybox 100 cannot. The tradeoff: Bass is muddy and not deep, weird midrange peak, rolled off treble and overall strange tuning.
Buy the JBL Partybox 100 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL Partybox Club 120, which replaces the JBL Partybox 100.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 100 | Sony GTK-XB90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 Discontinued | $429 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #8 of 46 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 46 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | - |
| Charging Time | 6.5 hours | - |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 21.7” x 11.4” (288 x 551 x 290 mm) | 13.2” x 26.4” x 13.2” (336 x 670 x 335 mm) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | Yes (USB-A, 2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 21.4 lbs (9.7 kg) | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 160W | - |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” (133mm) woofers + 2x 2.25” (57mm) tweeters | 12cm drivers + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Partybox 100 compares with other leading options:
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs JBL Partybox 100
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 310
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 100
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 Partybox 100: $499.99 Discontinued Amazon $499.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox Club 120, ranked higher, rated 4.5/5, released Apr 2024. See every JBL PartyBox generation.
Pros: Quite neutral sound, pretty deep bass. Measured bass extension of 41Hz (-10dB).
Cons: A slight peak in the upper mids. Slight TWS issue where the 2nd is slightly delayed. Just as loud and slightly deeper bass than a Tribit Stormbox Blast which is way smaller with better sound quality. Discontinued.
Full JBL Partybox 100 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Charging Time | 6.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 21.7” x 11.4” (288 x 551 x 290 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” (133mm) woofers + 2x 2.25” (57mm) tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 21.4 lbs (9.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Partybox 100 More from Oluv’Sone →
- DLX Willington: 🥰🙄SONY SRS XP500 vs JBL Partybox 100 Sound battle with sound sample love and hate this More from DLXWillington →
- DLX Willington: JBL Partybox 100 vs UE Hyperboom SoundBattle Does Size Matter🤔
- DLX Willington: 🤣JBL Partybox 100 vs Sony GTK XB60 Sound Battle You Asked For It
- KULAS TECH SHOW: JBL Partybox 310, 100, on the Go Sound comparison More from KULASTECHSHOW20 →
- HQ AUDIO Exchange: Bose S1 Pro vs. JBL PartyBox 100 Bass Sound Test 😱💥🔥
- Stereo Specs: 🔥JBL PARTYBOX 100 vs PANASONIC SC TMAX10🔥BIG BASS Sound🔊Best 2021 Deep Sound Speakers👑USA
- Vua2hand: Solo Braven XXL/2 vs JBL Partybox 100 Sound test l Braven hay Jbl ?!!
- flmclau: Zealot S98 vs Jbl Partybox100 outdoors flat mode and bass sound test
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 130
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 110
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 300
- JBL Partybox 100 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- JBL Partybox 100 vs Sony ULT Tower 5
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 310
- JBL Partybox 100 vs Zealot PT21
- See all 46 comparisons
Sony GTK-XB90: $429 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony SRS-XP700, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Apr 2021 (also discontinued). See every Sony GTK, XP and XV generation.
Same family: the Sony GTK-XB60 (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 2.1/5).
Pros: Deep punchy EXTRA BASS technology for party use. 3x 2.36” tweeters + 2x 7.09” woofers, built-in LED lights sync with beat. 16 hours battery claimed (9 hours real-world at moderate volume with lights). Built-in handle, portable one-box design. Fiestable plugin controls party settings and DJ effects. Three-device simultaneous Bluetooth pairing. Measured bass extension of ~50Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is muddy and not deep, weird midrange peak, rolled off treble and overall strange tuning. Discontinued.
Full Sony GTK-XB90 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.2” x 26.4” x 13.2” (336 x 670 x 335 mm) |
| Drivers | 12cm drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 30.9 lbs (14 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