Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Partybox 330 ranks #2 of 53 party speakers by sound quality at $629.95; the JBL Partybox Encore ranks #7 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality at $230.
The JBL Partybox 330 is the longer-running pick. A rolling party speaker with deep bass, a removable battery, a light show and inputs for mics and a guitar. It is rated for 18 hours of battery against 6 for the JBL Partybox Encore. The catch: It remains very large and heavy, and the sound improvement over the JBL Partybox Stage 320 is modest rather than transformational.
The JBL Partybox Encore is the lighter pick. A great sounding stereo party speaker with two wireless mics included and plenty of volume; now discontinued but worth buying used. At 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL Partybox 330 at 37.7 lbs (17.1 kg). Watch for: Only IPX4 splash resistance.
One note: the JBL Partybox Encore is discontinued, but it still ranks #7 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used. The JBL Partybox Encore’s replacement, the JBL Partybox Encore 2, is still sold new.
Buy the JBL Partybox 330 ($629.95) for a party speaker; the JBL Partybox Encore ($230) suits a boombox speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 330 | JBL Partybox Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $629.95 | $230 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #2 of 53 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #7 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.1 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” (165mm) woofers + 2x 1” (25mm) PEN dome tweeters | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ mode) | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Inputs | Optical | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 37.7 lbs (17.1 kg) | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 280W | 100W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 26.1”H x 13.1”W x 14.8”D (662.5 x 334 x 375 mm) | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Strap | No | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38Hz |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 2 Included |
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