Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore 2. It ranks #4 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $330. The Pioneer PBM5 ranks #112, rated 2.0/5, at $149, $181 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The JBL Partybox Encore 2 is the better-sounding pick. A compact karaoke party speaker with two wireless mics, better balanced sound than the original and a long battery. The catch: It still lacks some upper-bass punch and cannot match the scale of the larger PartyBoxes.
The case for the Pioneer PBM5: A loud karaoke boombox with two mic inputs, a guitar input, lights, a shoulder strap and a choice of USB-C or AC power. Watch for: Williston Audio Labs was not impressed with its sound: there is very little bass below 100Hz, and the amplifier’s output has a big dip from 1.6kHz to 10kHz that leaves the upper mids and treble recessed.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $181 with the Pioneer PBM5 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Output: the JBL Partybox Encore 2 was measured at 110 dB maximum against 105 dB for the Pioneer PBM5, so it gets somewhat louder before it runs out of headroom.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore 2 | Pioneer PBM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $330 | $149.00 |
| Ranked | #4 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #112 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 13 hours at 60% volume (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (presets + user EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 105dB at 2m (measured by Williston Audio Labs) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C or AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes (MP3 only) |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 300W peak (Manufacturer specified), about 90W measured |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.3” x 10.4” (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) | 8.9”H x 17.4”W x 8.1”D (226 x 442 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 2x 133mm (5.25”) woofers + 2x 51mm (2”) tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | - |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (2 inputs) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Partybox Encore 2: reviews by JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show, Alan Ross and M1MTechChannel.
- Pioneer PBM5: reviews by Williston Audio Labs and AnotherReview ByFrank.
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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