JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Bose SoundLink Max

Last updated: September 26, 2026

These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The JBL Partybox Encore 2 ranks #4 of 76 boombox speakers by sound quality at $330; the Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 82 large speakers by sound quality at $399.

JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Bose SoundLink Max

What the JBL Partybox Encore 2 does well: The Encore 2 improves the original with dome tweeters, a less boomy balance, slightly deeper bass, longer battery life and two included wireless microphones. The tradeoff: It still lacks some upper-bass punch and cannot match the scale of the larger PartyBoxes.

What the Bose SoundLink Max does well: IP67 rated - dustproof and waterproof to 1m. The tradeoff: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.

Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2 at $330 if you want a boombox speaker. Buy the Bose SoundLink Max at $399 if you want a large speaker instead.

Water resistance is not close: the Bose SoundLink Max is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the JBL Partybox Encore 2 at IPX4 (splashing).

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2 at Sam’s Club →Buy the Bose SoundLink Max at Amazon ($399.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Partybox Encore 2 Bose SoundLink Max
Price$330$399.00
Ranked#4 of 76 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#17 of 82 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYes (JBL PartyBox app)Yes
Aux InputYesYes
Battery Life15 hours (Manufacturer specified)20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneNoNo
EQYes (7 band App EQ)No
IP RatingIPX4IP67
Maximum SPL110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)-
Party ModeYes (Auracast)No
Power BankYes (USB-C)Yes (USB-C)
Power InputAC Power cordUSB-C
Removable BatteryYes-
StereoYesPartially (1 tweeter)
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
USB PlaybackYes-
Weight14.1 lbs (6.4 kg)4.9 lbs (2.2 kg)
Wireless MicrophonesYes 2 Included-
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC
Bluetooth Version5.45.3
Amplifier Power100W RMS-
Dimensions12.6” x 13.3” x 10.4” (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm)10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm)
Drivers1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter
Digital Aux InputNoNo
LightsYes-
StrapNoNo
Aux Latency-33ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)-48Hz
Bluetooth Latency-116ms
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2 at Sam’s Club →Buy the Bose SoundLink Max at Amazon ($399.00) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox Encore 2:

Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time 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.

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The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Partybox Encore 2: $330 Sam’s Club eBay

JBL Partybox Encore 2 ranking card

Older model: the JBL Partybox Encore (rated 4.3/5).

Pros: The Encore 2 improves the original with dome tweeters, a less boomy balance, slightly deeper bass, longer battery life and two included wireless microphones. Its compact karaoke-ready design and 7-band EQ make it more adaptable indoors than the earlier Encore.

Cons: It still lacks some upper-bass punch and cannot match the scale of the larger PartyBoxes. The main value is compact karaoke convenience rather than full-range party output.

Full JBL Partybox Encore 2 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power100W RMS
AppYes (JBL PartyBox app)
Aux InputYes
Battery Life15 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.4
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions12.6” x 13.3” x 10.4” (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm)
Drivers1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters
EQYes (7 band App EQ)
IP RatingIPX4
LightsYes
Maximum SPL110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C)
Power InputAC Power cord
Removable BatteryYes
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Weight14.1 lbs (6.4 kg)
Wireless MicrophonesYes 2 Included
Check current price at Sam’s Club →Search eBay for JBL Partybox Encore 2 →

Bose SoundLink Max ranking card

Pros: IP67 rated - dustproof and waterproof to 1m. Up to 20 hour battery; real-world testing found 43+ hours. Deep, rich bass with neutral tuning, app EQ. USB-C doubles as device charger. Sturdy carry handle. The aux input has lower latency (about 33ms) than most Bluetooth connections. Measured bass extension of 48Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange. Bass not as deep as a Boom 2. Gets distorted above 80%. Self drains the battery about 20% a week.

Full Bose SoundLink Max review and specifications →

AppYes
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency33ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)48Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency116ms
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm)
Drivers2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter
EQNo
IP RatingIP67
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankYes (USB-C)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoPartially (1 tweeter)
StrapNo
TWSYes
Weight4.9 lbs (2.2 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($399.00) →Search eBay for Bose SoundLink Max →