Short answer: the JBL Partybox 130. It ranks #7 of 42 party speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $449.95; the Marshall Bromley 450 ranks #23, rated 3.7/5, and costs $649.95, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
These weigh about the same, 11.3 kg for the JBL Partybox 130 and 12.3 kg for the Marshall Bromley 450, but they spread their sound differently. The JBL fires forward with a bass-forward tuning and a lot of punch for its size. The Marshall puts drivers on every side, so it sounds nearly the same wherever you stand, and RTINGS measured a balanced response with a flat midrange.
The Partybox 130 is the better rated speaker, with more punch and bass emphasis. The Marshall’s warm tuning is easier to listen to at low volume but gives up some treble detail, and in side by side samples against the Partybox 120 listeners often found it muffled next to the JBL.
The JBL’s app has a 7 band EQ and a light show, where the Marshall uses bass and treble knobs. The Marshall has the longer claimed battery life at 40+ hours against 15, better IP55 protection against the JBL’s IPX4, and two XLR/6.35mm combo inputs. Both have swappable batteries and guitar and mic inputs.
Buy the JBL Partybox 130. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Marshall Bromley 450 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 130 | Marshall Bromley 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.95 | $649.95 |
| Ranked | #7 of 42 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #23 of 42 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Marshall Bluetooth app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes (3.5mm, RCA) |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 3.5 hours |
| Drivers | 2x 5.2” woofers, 2x 1” tweeters | 2x 6.5” woofers, 4x 2” full-range drivers, 2 passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 42Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP55 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (2x XLR/6.35mm combo) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) | 27.1 lbs (12.3 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 200W | 400W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 22.6”H x 11.7”W x 11.9”D (575 x 298.4 x 303 mm) | 14.4” x 19.4” x 10.3” (366 x 492 x 261 mm) |
| Strap | No | No |
| XLR Input | - | Yes (2x combo) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | No |
| Wheels | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Partybox 130 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 310
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 130
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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 130: $449.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A relatively manageable 11.3kg PartyBox with removable battery, foldable handle, light show, USB audio and modern JBL connectivity. Independent reviews describe it as unusually balanced and powerful for its format, while owner feedback praises clear voices and deep bass.
Cons: It is still bass-forward and less clear than the PartyBox 120 in direct comparisons. The smaller battery and stripped-back controls/features make it a questionable upgrade when the 120 is similarly priced. JBL’s wired daisy chain only works with other JBL speakers.
Full JBL Partybox 130 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 22.6”H x 11.7”W x 11.9”D (575 x 298.4 x 303 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5.2” woofers, 2x 1” tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 100
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 110
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Sony ULT Tower 5
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 310
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 300
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- See all 91 comparisons
Marshall Bromley 450: $649.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A balanced, warm sound with a flat midrange that keeps vocals and instruments clear, plenty of bass rumble and enough treble for energetic vocals, per RTINGS’ lab tests. Drivers on all four sides keep the tonal balance nearly the same from any angle, and M1M Tech Channel found it more open and airy than the Soundboks Mix and Teufel Rockster Air 2, with deeper bass than both. RTINGS measured 18.8 hours of battery from a swappable LiFePO4 pack shared with the Bromley 750, and it adds IP55 protection, two XLR/6.35mm combo inputs, USB-C audio, Auracast and physical bass and treble knobs.
Cons: It is the quietest of its rivals: both the Soundboks Mix and Teufel Rockster Air 2 play louder, and near max volume the bass recedes and the sound gets less composed. The warm tuning lacks some fine treble detail. There is no graphic EQ, only bass and treble knobs, and its stereo spreads left and right channels around the cabinet, so panned elements can land on the wrong side. At 12.3 kg it has a carry handle but no wheels.
Full Marshall Bromley 450 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 400W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Marshall Bluetooth app) |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm, RCA) |
| Battery Life | 40+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 14.4” x 19.4” x 10.3” (366 x 492 x 261 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” woofers, 4x 2” full-range drivers, 2 passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (2x XLR/6.35mm combo) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 27.1 lbs (12.3 kg) |
| Wheels | No |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x combo) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- RTINGS: Marshall Bromley 450 Review More from Rtings.com →
- M1M Tech Channel: The best in its class? Marshall Bromley 450 vs. Soundboks & Teufel More from M1MTechChannel →
- HeadphoneCheck: Marshall Bromley 450 test
- Tom’s Guide: Marshall Bromley 450 vs Bromley 750 face-off
- Smart Home Sounds: Marshall Bromley 450 review More from Smart Home Sounds →
- Storytripper HD: JBL Partybox 120 vs Marshall Bromley 450 (Indoor) More from storytripperhd →
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Bromley 450 vs Marshall Bromley 750 (outdoor)
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Woburn III vs Marshall Bromley 450
- Head-to-Head Comparisons