Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore 2. It ranks #4 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $330; the Hopestar A90 ranks #22, rated 3.9/5, and costs $351.65, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The JBL Partybox Encore 2 is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. A compact karaoke party speaker with two wireless mics, better balanced sound than the original and a long battery. It is rated for 15 hours of battery against 8 for the Hopestar A90. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Hopestar A90 lacks. Watch for: It still lacks some upper-bass punch and cannot match the scale of the larger PartyBoxes.
The Hopestar A90 is the tougher choice. A huge, powerful boombox with deep bass, clear highs, a removable battery and a wireless microphone for big outdoor parties. It is rated IPX6 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox Encore 2. The catch: The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Hopestar A90 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore 2 | Hopestar A90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $330 | $351.65 |
| Ranked | #4 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #22 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) | - |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | Yes 1 Included |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 700W |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.3” x 10.4” (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Partybox Encore 2: reviews by JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show, Alan Ross and M1MTechChannel.
- Hopestar A90: reviews by Jagist.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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