Short answer: the JBL Partybox 330 for the stronger low end. The Panasonic SC-TMAX5 sounds reasonable but has a few upper mid peaks, and its bass is not as deep as others in the class. The 330 has a convenient handle and wheels, though its sound is nearly identical to the 310 and Stage 320 despite the power bump.
Buy the JBL Partybox 330. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Panasonic SC-TMAX5 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Partybox 330 at IPX4 (splashing) against the Panasonic SC-TMAX5, which has no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 330 | Panasonic SC-TMAX5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $629.95 | $249 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #2 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #36 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | - |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” (165mm) woofers + 2x 1” (25mm) PEN dome tweeters | 160mm woofer, 50mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ mode) | No |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Inputs | Optical | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1A) | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 37.7 lbs (17.1 kg) | 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 280W | 150W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 26.1”H x 13.1”W x 14.8”D (662.5 x 334 x 375 mm) | 18.7” x 9.8” x 10.4” (475 x 250 x 265 mm) |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~57Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Partybox 330 compares with other leading options:
- 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 October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox 330: $629.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older models: the JBL Partybox Stage 320 (ranked lower, rated 4.6/5), the JBL Partybox 310 (ranked lower, rated 4.5/5) and the JBL Partybox 300 (ranked lower, rated 4.3/5).
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 | Yes |
| 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 |
| Strap | No |
| 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
- JBL Partybox 330 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox 310
- JBL Partybox 330 vs Sony ULT Tower 5
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox 130
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox 100
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox 110
- See all 95 comparisons
Panasonic SC-TMAX5: $249 Discontinued eBay
Pros: At 6.5 kg, Panasonic SC-TMAX5 combines 160mm woofer, 50mm tweeter with Bluetooth and aux. Ac-powered operation and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of ~57Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its ~57Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Discontinued.
Full Panasonic SC-TMAX5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 150W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~57Hz |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18.7” x 9.8” x 10.4” (475 x 250 x 265 mm) |
| Drivers | 160mm woofer, 50mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Panasonic SC-TMAX5 vs Philips NX200
- Panasonic SC-TMAX5 vs Onn Large Party gen 1
- Panasonic SC-TMAX5 vs Rockville Rock Party 6
- Panasonic SC-TMAX5 vs Onn Large Party gen 2
- Panasonic SC-TMAX5 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- Panasonic SC-TMAX5 vs JBL Partybox 130
- Panasonic SC-TMAX5 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320