Short answer: the JBL Partybox 130. It ranks #5 of 44 party speakers at $449.95; the Mackie Thump Go ranks #20 and costs $449.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the JBL Partybox 130 side: Handle and wheels are convenient. The catch: Boomier and less clear than the Partybox 120. High price.
The case for the Mackie Thump Go: 8-inch custom high-output woofer + 1-inch compression driver delivers powerful audio with incredible dynamic range. The tradeoff: Not quite as good sounding as a Everse 8 or S1 Pro.
Buy the JBL Partybox 130 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Mackie Thump Go if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 130 | Mackie Thump Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.95 | $449.99 |
| Ranked | #5 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #20 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | - |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 2x 5.2" woofers, 2x 1" tweeters | 8" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs / 11.3 kg | 17.6 lbs / 8 kg |
| Output Power | 200W | 200W |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 50Hz |
| Dimensions | - | 17.99" x 9.06" x 11.22" (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| Max Volume | - | 115dB |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox 130: $449.95 Amazon
Pros: Handle and wheels are convenient. Customizable color lighting modes. Quite neutral sound. Removable battery.
Cons: Boomier and less clear than the Partybox 120. High price. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Drivers | 2x 5.2" woofers, 2x 1" tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 200W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs / 11.3 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 110
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 100
- JBL Partybox 130 vs dB technologies B-Hype M
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Sony SRS-XP500
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- JBL Partybox 130 vs Ultimate Ears Hyperboom
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 310
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 130 vs LG XL7
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Soundboks 2
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Soundboks Go
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Bose S1 Pro
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Eon One Compact
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 300
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Samsung MX-ST50B
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Soundboks 3
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Soundcore Rave 3/3s
- Links
Mackie Thump Go: $449.99 Amazon
Pros: 8-inch custom high-output woofer + 1-inch compression driver delivers powerful audio with incredible dynamic range. Built-in mini live mixer with two XLR/TRS combo inputs + 3.5mm aux. Up to 12 hours battery (5 hours comfortable gig time), removable for swapping spares. Lightweight 17.6 lbs. Balanced sound with crisp highs, tight lows, natural vocals. Pair two Mackie Thump Gos for stereo via app.
Cons: Not quite as good sounding as a Everse 8 or S1 Pro. Bluetooth pairing doesn’t auto connect every time. Designed for more loudness than deeper bass. Battery latch breaks easily. Handle on top also can break off. Not very deep bass
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Dimensions | 17.99" x 9.06" x 11.22" (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 115dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 200W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs / 8 kg |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- W. Weiss: Part 3 Sound Demonstration The New EV Everse 8 compared to The Mackie Thump Go
- W. Weiss: Part 3 Shootout MACKIE THUMP GO vs BOSE S1 PRO vs JBL EON ONE COMPACT Max Volume Demo A New Winner!
- W. Weiss: Part 2 NEW MACKIE THUMP GO review/sound demo VS JBL Compact & Bose S1Pro Most Popular portable PAs
- W. Weiss: The $400 Club - Budget Portable PA’s Mackie Thump Go, JBL Partybox 110, Yamaha DBR10
- 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.