Short answer: the JBL Partybox 330 for better sound quality, the Panasonic SC-TMAX5 for the lower price. The JBL Partybox 330 ranks #1 of 50 party speakers at $629.95. The Panasonic SC-TMAX5 ranks #42 at $249, $380.95 cheaper.
On the JBL Partybox 330 side: Handle and wheels are convenient. Watch for: Sound quality is nearly identical to the 310 and Stage 320 despite the power bump, so probably not worth an upgrade if you already own either of those.
What the Panasonic SC-TMAX5 gets right: Sounds reasonable, a few upper mid peaks. The tradeoff: Not as deep bass as others in the class.
One note: the Panasonic SC-TMAX5 is discontinued, but it still ranks #42 of 50 party speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the JBL Partybox 330 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Panasonic SC-TMAX5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Panasonic SC-TMAX5. It ranks near the bottom of the 50 party speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Partybox 330 at IPX4 (splashing) holds up far better than the Panasonic SC-TMAX5 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 330 | Panasonic SC-TMAX5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $629.95 | $249 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #1 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 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 | 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) | - |
| Optical Input | Yes | - |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 280W | 150W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~57Hz |
| Dimensions | - | 18.7" x 9.8" x 10.4" (475 x 250 x 265 mm) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs Zealot PT21
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs Soundcore Rave 3/3s
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs JBL Partybox 300
- JBL Partybox 330 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- JBL Partybox 330 vs Aiwa Exos-9
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox 330: $629.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Handle and wheels are convenient. Customizable lightshow. Removable battery. Slightly more power than the 310 and Stage 320 (280W vs 240W). Adds an optical TV input and USB-C lossless playback, plus dual mic and guitar inputs for karaoke and live sets.
Cons: Sound quality is nearly identical to the 310 and Stage 320 despite the power bump, so probably not worth an upgrade if you already own either of those. Removed the dedicated mic gain and microphone control knobs found on the 310/320. Some people don’t like the new lightshow design. Very large. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal.
Full JBL Partybox 330 review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" (165mm) woofers + 2x 1" (25mm) PEN dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ mode) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 280W |
| 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 |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox 310
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- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox 100
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox 110
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox 300
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- See all 68 comparisons
Panasonic SC-TMAX5: $249 Discontinued
Pros: Sounds reasonable, a few upper mid peaks
Cons: Not as deep bass as others in the class. Discontinued.
Full Panasonic SC-TMAX5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~57Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18.7" x 9.8" x 10.4" (475 x 250 x 265 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 160mm woofer, 50mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 150W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs / 6.5 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons