Short answer: the JBL Partybox 330 for the higher ranking, the Sony SRS-XP500 for the lower price. The JBL Partybox 330 ranks #1 of 44 party speakers at $579.95. The Sony SRS-XP500 ranks #14 at $449.99, $129.96 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Partybox 330: Handle and wheels are convenient. The catch: Sound quality is nearly identical to the 310 and Stage 320 despite the power bump.
What the Sony SRS-XP500 gets right: 20W 3-way speaker system with dual passive radiators, well-balanced sound (clear highs, detailed mids, punchy bass). The catch: Not as loud and bass not as deep as a Partybox 100 or 110.
Buy the JBL Partybox 330 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Sony SRS-XP500 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 330 | Sony SRS-XP500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $579.95 | $449.99 |
| Ranked | #1 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #14 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" (165mm) woofers + 2x 1" (25mm) PEN dome tweeters | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 50mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ mode) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Partyconnect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Partially |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-C, lossless) | Yes |
| Weight | 37.7 lbs / 17.1 kg | 24.7 lbs / 11.2 kg |
| Output Power | 280W | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 42Hz |
| Dimensions | - | 10.83" x 22.52" x 11.61" (275 x 572 x 295 mm) |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox 330: $579.95 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.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| 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 |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 280W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| 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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Partybox 330 vs Sony SRS-XP700
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- Links
Sony SRS-XP500: $449.99 Amazon
Pros: 20W 3-way speaker system with dual passive radiators, well-balanced sound (clear highs, detailed mids, punchy bass). 20-hour battery life, immersive room-filling sound. Party Connect feature links multiple compatible Sony speakers. USB charging port for device charging on-the-go. Built-in handle and IPX4 water resistance. Microphone input and karaoke support.
Cons: Not as loud and bass not as deep as a Partybox 100 or 110
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Dimensions | 10.83" x 22.52" x 11.61" (275 x 572 x 295 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 50mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partyconnect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 24.7 lbs / 11.2 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.