Short answer: the JBL Partybox 100 ranks #6 of 44 party speakers at $449.99; the Sony SRS-XP500 ranks #14 at $449.99. Close enough in price that the ranking gap is the deciding factor.
On the JBL Partybox 100 side: Quite neutral sound, pretty deep bass. The catch: A slight peak in the upper mids.
The case for the Sony SRS-XP500: 20W 3-way speaker system with dual passive radiators, well-balanced sound (clear highs, detailed mids, punchy bass). Set against that: Not as loud and bass not as deep as a Partybox 100 or 110.
One note: the JBL Partybox 100 is discontinued, but it still ranks #6 of 44 party speakers, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the JBL Partybox 100 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Sony SRS-XP500 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 100 | Sony SRS-XP500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 Discontinued | $449.99 |
| Ranked | #6 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #14 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Charging Time | 6.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Dimensions | 11.34" x 21.69" x 11.42" (288 x 551 x 290 mm) | 10.83" x 22.52" x 11.61" (275 x 572 x 295 mm) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Partyconnect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially | Partially |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 21.4 lbs / 9.7 kg | 24.7 lbs / 11.2 kg |
| Output Power | 160W | - |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25" (133mm) woofers + 2x 2.25" (57mm) tweeters | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 50mm tweeters |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox 100: $449.99 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Quite neutral sound, pretty deep bass.
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 Stormbox Blast which is way smaller with better sound quality. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal. Discontinued.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Charging Time | 6.5 hours |
| Dimensions | 11.34" x 21.69" x 11.42" (288 x 551 x 290 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| 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 |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 160W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 21.4 lbs / 9.7 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- KULAS TECH SHOW: JBL Partybox 310, 100, on the Go Sound comparison
- DLX Willington: 🥰🙄SONY SRS XP500 vs JBL Partybox 100 Sound battle with sound sample love and hate this
- HQ AUDIO Exchange: Bose S1 Pro vs. JBL PartyBox 100 Bass Sound Test 😱💥🔥
- DLX Willington: JBL Partybox 100 vs UE Hyperboom SoundBattle Does Size Matter🤔
- Stereo Specs: 🔥JBL PARTYBOX 100 vs PANASONIC SC TMAX10🔥BIG BASS Sound🔊Best 2021 Deep Sound Speakers👑USA
- DLX Willington: 🤣JBL Partybox 100 vs Sony GTK XB60 Sound Battle You Asked For It
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Partybox 100
- Vua2hand: Solo Braven XXL/2 vs JBL Partybox 100 Sound test l Braven hay Jbl ?!!
- Buy Used
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 130
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 310
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 110
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- JBL Partybox 100 vs Electro-Voice Everse 12
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 300
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- Links
Sony SRS-XP500: $449.99 Amazon
Pros: 20W 3-way speaker system with dual passive radiators, well-balanced sound (clear highs, detailed mids, punchy bass). 20-hour battery life, immersive room-filling sound. Party Connect feature links multiple compatible Sony speakers. USB charging port for device charging on-the-go. Built-in handle and IPX4 water resistance. Microphone input and karaoke support.
Cons: Not as loud and bass not as deep as a Partybox 100 or 110
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Dimensions | 10.83" x 22.52" x 11.61" (275 x 572 x 295 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 50mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partyconnect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 24.7 lbs / 11.2 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- 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.