Short answer: the JBL Partybox 130. It ranks #7 of 14 party speakers by sound quality, well ahead of the Soundboks 2 at #8, and the two cost about the same.
The Soundboks 2 wins decisively on raw output and stamina. Its two 10-inch woofers and silk-dome tweeter reach a claimed 124dB, putting it among the loudest battery-powered speakers around, and its high-efficiency drivers get 2 to 3 times the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Its removable battery is rated for up to 40 hours, well beyond the Partybox 130’s 15. But that output comes at the cost of tonal balance: the Soundboks isn’t as neutral or bass-refined as the JBL Partybox line, and reviewers describe its tonal balance and bass depth as less refined than stronger modern party speakers.
The JBL is the more polished, better-rounded speaker day to day. Reviewers describe it as unusually balanced and powerful for its format, with owner feedback specifically praising clear voices alongside deep bass, and it’s still bass-forward though less clear than its sibling, the Partybox 120. It also adds a 7-band app EQ, Auracast party mode, USB-C power bank output, and an IPX4 splash rating, none of which the Soundboks 2 offers.
Practical ownership factors favor the JBL too. At 15kg the Soundboks is large and awkward to transport, relies on an external power brick for charging, and has no app EQ or TWS stereo pairing.
One note: the Soundboks 2 is no longer in production and isn’t widely stocked new anymore.
Buy the JBL Partybox 130 for a more balanced, easier-to-live-with sound plus modern conveniences like app EQ and Auracast.
Buy the Soundboks 2 only if you specifically need maximum raw volume and the longest possible battery life for outdoor use, and can find one in good used condition.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Partybox 130 at IPX4 (splashing) against the Soundboks 2, which has no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings and PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 130 | Soundboks 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.95 | $449.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #7 of 39 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #8 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 3.5 hours |
| Drivers | 2x 5.2" woofers, 2x 1" tweeters | 2x 10" woofers, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | No |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) | 33.1 lbs (15 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 200W | 216W (3x 72W) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 22.6"H x 11.7"W x 11.9"D (575 x 298.4 x 303 mm) | 25.6" x 17" x 13" (650.2 x 431.8 x 330.2 mm) |
| Inputs | - | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | - | 124dB |
| XLR Input | - | Yes (2x combo) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | - | Poplar plywood |
| DSP | - | No |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes |
| Rigging | - | 35mm pole mount socket |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox 130:
- 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 23, 2026 at 11:24 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.
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 |
| 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 69 comparisons
Soundboks 2: $449.00 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Built for maximum outdoor output: its two 10-inch woofers and silk-dome tweeter reach a claimed 124dB, while the removable battery is rated for up to 40 hours. It also provides aux, microphone and guitar inputs, making it a practical battery-powered option for loud parties and informal performances.
Cons: At 15kg it is large to transport, lacks weather protection, app EQ and TWS stereo pairing, and relies on an external charging arrangement. Its tonal balance and bass depth are less refined than stronger modern party speakers, and this discontinued model requires caution around used-battery condition and support. Discontinued.
Full Soundboks 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 216W (3x 72W) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Cabinet Material | Poplar plywood |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| DSP | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 25.6" x 17" x 13" (650.2 x 431.8 x 330.2 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 10" woofers, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 124dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount socket |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 33.1 lbs (15 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x combo) |
- Links
- 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