JBL Partybox 300 vs Mackie Thump Go

Short answer: the JBL Partybox 300. It ranks #8 of 50 party speakers by sound quality at $300; the Mackie Thump Go ranks #25 and costs $449.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.

What the JBL Partybox 300 gets right: Exceptional sound quality with crisp, crystal clear highs and midranges, hard punchy bass without muddiness. The catch: Hard to carry, too tall, drags on the ground.

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 300. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Mackie Thump Go and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.

If battery life is a priority, the JBL Partybox 300 is rated for 18 hours versus 12 hours for the Mackie Thump Go.

Specifications Side By Side

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The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Partybox 300: $300 Discontinued

Pros: Exceptional sound quality with crisp, crystal clear highs and midranges, hard punchy bass without muddiness. 2x 6.5” woofers + 3x 2.25” tweeters, bass boost function, 45Hz-20kHz frequency range. 18-hour battery with 10400mAh capacity. Multiple inputs (RCA, USB, 3.5mm aux, mic, guitar). LED light modes (meter/pulse/party). True Wireless Stereo pairing up to 2 units.

Cons: Hard to carry, too tall, drags on the ground. Max spl and bass extension are only as good as the Partybox 100. No real reason to ever get one, get a Partybox 100 instead. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal. Discontinued.

Full JBL Partybox 300 review and specifications →

App	No
Aux Input	Yes
Bass Extension (-10dB)	40Hz
Battery Life	18 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Bluetooth Version	4.2
Digital Aux Input	No
Dimensions	27" x 13" x 12.7" (685.8 x 330.2 x 322.6 mm)
Discontinued	Yes
Drivers	2x 6.5" (165mm) woofers + 3x 2.25" (57mm) tweeters
EQ	No
Frequency Response	45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Guitar Input	Yes
IP Rating	None
Microphone Input	Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect)
Omnidirectional	No
Output Power	120W
Party Mode	No
Power Bank	Yes (USB-A)
Power Input	AC Power cord
Stereo	Yes (lying down)
TWS	Yes
USB Playback	Yes
Weight	35.3 lbs / 16 kg

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• Links
  • Official JBL Partybox 300 Product Page
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  • Reddit Search for JBL Partybox 300 Review
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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. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage.

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

Full Mackie Thump Go review and specifications →

App	Yes
Aux Input	Yes
Bass Extension (-10dB)	50Hz
Battery Life	12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Digital Aux Input	No
Dimensions	18" x 9.1" x 11.2" (457 x 230 x 285 mm)
Drivers	8" woofer, 1" compression driver
EQ	Yes
IP Rating	None
Max Volume	115dB
Microphone Input	Yes
Omnidirectional	No
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

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

• Links
  • Official Mackie Thump Go Product Page
  • https://www.reddit.com/r/DJs/comments/ydxjdb/i_used_the_mackie_thump_gos_for_an_indoor_venue/
  • https://www.reddit.com/r/livesound/comments/sbxm53/mackie_thump_go_review_portable_batterypowered_pa/
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