Short answer: the JBL Partybox Club 120. It ranks #4 of 50 party speakers by sound quality at $449.95; the Sony SRS-XP500 ranks #18 and costs $449.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the JBL Partybox Club 120: Handle and wheels are convenient. The tradeoff: High price.
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 Club 120. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XP500 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XP500 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Partybox Club 120.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Partybox Club 120 at IPX4 (splashing) holds up far better than the Sony SRS-XP500 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Club 120 | Sony SRS-XP500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.95 | $449.99 |
| Ranked | #4 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25" woofers, 2x 2.25" tweeters | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 50mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 23.8 lbs / 10.8 kg | 24.7 lbs / 11.2 kg |
| Output Power | 160W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 42Hz |
| Dimensions | - | 10.8" x 22.5" x 11.6" (275 x 572 x 295 mm) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 130
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Mackie Thump Go
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Ultimate Ears Hyperboom
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Sony SRS-XP500
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Club 120: $449.95 Amazon
Pros: Handle and wheels are convenient. Customizable color lighting modes. Quite neutral sound. deeper bass than the 100 and 110. Removable battery.
Cons: High price. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal.
Full JBL Partybox Club 120 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25" woofers, 2x 2.25" tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 160W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 23.8 lbs / 10.8 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Club 120 vs 130 - really worth the upgrade?
- HammoTech Reviews: JBL Partybox Club 120 Vs Partybox 110 - Worth the upgrade?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Partybox Club 120 vs 110 🥳 A Family Feud! Battery Powered🔋Bluetooth Party Speakers Face-Off🤬
- Reddit Search for JBL Partybox Club 120 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox 130
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox 310
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox 100
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox 110
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox 300
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs Electro-Voice Everse 12
- See all 18 comparisons
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
Full Sony SRS-XP500 review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.8" x 22.5" x 11.6" (275 x 572 x 295 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 50mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 24.7 lbs / 11.2 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons