Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore 2 for off axis sound, the Marshall Middleton II for deep bass. The Encore 2 appears better off axis with its dome tweeters over cone, though it is missing a little bit of upper bass. The Middleton II reaches very deep bass for its size and weight, but that boosted bass drowns out the midrange.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2 ($330) for a boombox speaker; the Marshall Middleton II ($279.99) suits a large speaker instead.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Marshall Middleton II is rated for 30 hours, the JBL Partybox Encore 2 only 15 hours.
If water resistance matters to you, the Marshall Middleton II at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox Encore 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore 2 | Marshall Middleton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $330 | $279.99 |
| Ranked | #4 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (5 band) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 80W |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.3” x 10.4” (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) | 9.1” x 3.9” x 4.3” (230 x 98 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625” tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | 38Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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