Short answer: the JBL Partybox 330 for a more balanced sound. The Mackie Thump Go’s 8-inch high-output woofer and 1-inch compression driver deliver powerful audio with incredible dynamic range, but it is not quite as good sounding as an Everse 8 or S1 Pro. The 330 moves on a convenient handle and wheels, though its sound quality is nearly identical to the 310 and Stage 320 despite the power bump.
On the JBL Partybox 330 side: Handle and wheels are convenient. The tradeoff: Sound quality is nearly identical to the 310 and Stage 320 despite the power bump.
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 catch: Not quite as good sounding as a Everse 8 or S1 Pro.
Buy the JBL Partybox 330 ($549.95) for a party speaker; the Mackie Thump Go ($399.99) suits a battery-powered PA speaker instead.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the JBL Partybox 330 is rated for 18 hours, the Mackie Thump Go only 12 hours.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Partybox 330 at IPX4 (splashing) holds up far better than the Mackie Thump Go at no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings and PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 330 | Mackie Thump Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $399.99 |
| Ranked | #2 of 39 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #10 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | - |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" (165mm) woofers + 2x 1" (25mm) PEN dome tweeters | 8" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ mode) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes |
| Inputs | Optical | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 37.7 lbs (17.1 kg) | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 280W | 200W |
| 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) | 18" x 9.1" x 11.2" (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 50Hz |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | - | 115dB |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | - | Polypropylene |
| Rigging | - | 35mm pole mount; monitor wedge |
| Coverage | - | 90° H x 60° V |
| DSP | - | Feedback eliminator, Music Duck and voicing modes |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 57Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 57Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Partybox 330:
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox 330
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM 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 330: $549.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A highly complete rolling party speaker: removable battery, telescoping handle and wheels, light show, Auracast, USB-C lossless and optical inputs, plus dual mic/guitar inputs. It supplies a little more power than the JBL Partybox 310 and JBL Partybox Stage 320, while reviewers report better midrange clarity than the older JBL Partybox 310 and the same deep party-speaker bass.
Cons: It remains very large and heavy, and the sound improvement over the JBL Partybox Stage 320 is modest rather than transformational. JBL removed the dedicated mic gain/control knobs found on earlier models, a real drawback for frequent karaoke use. Do not upgrade from a JBL Partybox 310 or JBL Partybox Stage 320 just for the higher watt figure.
Full JBL Partybox 330 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 280W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 26.1"H x 13.1"W x 14.8"D (662.5 x 334 x 375 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" (165mm) woofers + 2x 1" (25mm) PEN dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ mode) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Inputs | Optical |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 37.7 lbs (17.1 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
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Mackie Thump Go: $399.99 Amazon eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-3dB).
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Coverage | 90° H x 60° V |
| DSP | Feedback eliminator, Music Duck and voicing modes |
| 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 |
| Frequency Response | 57Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount; monitor wedge |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- 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
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