Short answer: the JBL Partybox 330 for better sound quality, the Sony GTK-XB72 for the lower price. The JBL Partybox 330 ranks #1 of 50 party speakers at $629.95. The Sony GTK-XB72 ranks #47 at $349, $280.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Partybox 330 gets right: Handle and wheels are convenient. The tradeoff: 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 Sony GTK-XB72 offers: Exceptional sound quality, powerful bass, vibrant multi-colored LED lights. Set against that: No deep bass at all, weird midrange peak, rolled off treble and overall strange tuning.
One note: the Sony GTK-XB72 is discontinued, but it still ranks #47 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 Sony GTK-XB72 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Sony GTK-XB72. 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 Sony GTK-XB72 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 330 | Sony GTK-XB72 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $629.95 | $349 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #1 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #47 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 23 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | - |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" (165mm) woofers + 2x 1" (25mm) PEN dome tweeters | 10cm driver + passive radiators |
| 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) | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 37.7 lbs / 17.1 kg | 26.9 lbs / 12.2 kg |
| Output Power | 280W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~56Hz |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- Bose S1 Pro vs Sony GTK-XB60
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Sony GTK-XB60
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs Sony SRS-XP500
- JBL Partybox 330 vs Panasonic SC-TMAX10
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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
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox 310
- 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
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox 300
- JBL Partybox 330 vs Electro-Voice Everse 12
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Sony GTK-XB72: $349 Discontinued
Pros: Exceptional sound quality, powerful bass, vibrant multi-colored LED lights. ClearAudio+ and Extra Bass technology for dynamic sound. LIVE SOUND button with angled speakers and DSP for 3D sound experience. FM radio, USB, RCA inputs with Music Center app control for lighting effects and EQ. Easy to use with convenient Bluetooth and FM radio.
Cons: No deep bass at all, weird midrange peak, rolled off treble and overall strange tuning. Discontinued.
Full Sony GTK-XB72 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~56Hz |
| Battery Life | 23 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 10cm driver + passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 26.9 lbs / 12.2 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Sony GTK-XB72 vs Panasonic SC-TMAX10
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