Short answer: the JBL Partybox 330 for better sound quality, the Samsung MX-ST50B for the lower price. The JBL Partybox 330 ranks #1 of 50 party speakers at $629.95. The Samsung MX-ST50B ranks #24 at $300, $329.95 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Partybox 330: It has a convenient handle and wheels, a customizable lightshow, a removable battery, slightly more power than the 310 and Stage 320 (280W versus 240W), and adds an optical TV input, USB-C lossless playback, and dual mic plus guitar inputs for karaoke and live sets. The catch: the sound quality is nearly identical to the 310 and Stage 320 despite the power bump, so it’s probably not worth upgrading if you already own either of those, it drops the dedicated mic gain and microphone control knobs found on the 310/320, some people don’t like the new lightshow design, it’s very large, and note that JBL’s daisychain feature isn’t compatible with non-JBL speakers and is possibly a fully digital signal.
What the Samsung MX-ST50B gets right: It sounds reasonably balanced, though it’s a little tough to judge from the available sound samples and more comparisons would help. Set against that: the bass isn’t as deep as the Partybox 110 or other higher ranked speakers, and it needs to be plugged in to reach higher volume.
Buy the JBL Partybox 330 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Samsung MX-ST50B if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 330 | Samsung MX-ST50B | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $629.95 | $300 |
| Ranked | #1 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" (165mm) woofers + 2x 1" (25mm) PEN dome tweeters | 2x 6.5" woofers, 2x 2.5" tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ mode) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Optical Input | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Samsung Group Play up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1A) | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-C, lossless) | Yes |
| Weight | 37.7 lbs / 17.1 kg | 26.2 lbs / 11.9 kg |
| Output Power | 280W | 240W (AC) / 90W (battery) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | - | 13" x 26.2" x 11.9" (329 x 665 x 301 mm) |
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) |
| 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 (USB-C, lossless) |
| 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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Samsung MX-ST50B: $300 Amazon
Pros: Sounds reasonably balanced. A little tough to judge based on the sound samples, would be nice to have more comparisons.
Cons: Not as deep bass as the Partybox 110 or other higher ranked speakers. Needs to be plugged in to reach higher volume.
Full Samsung MX-ST50B review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13" x 26.2" x 11.9" (329 x 665 x 301 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" woofers, 2x 2.5" tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Output Power | 240W (AC) / 90W (battery) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Samsung Group Play up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 26.2 lbs / 11.9 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons