Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore 2. It ranks #4 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $330. The XDOBO Wow Max ranks #21, rated 3.9/5, at $206.09, $123.91 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Partybox Encore 2 is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. The Encore 2 improves the original with dome tweeters, a less boomy balance, slightly deeper bass, longer battery life and two included wireless microphones. It is rated for 15 hours of battery against 8 for the XDOBO Wow Max. The catch: It still lacks some upper-bass punch and cannot match the scale of the larger PartyBoxes.
What the XDOBO Wow Max does well: Big, loud and bass-heavy, with an eight-driver, 300W layout and bass rated down to 32Hz. Watch for: At low and mid volume the JBL Boombox 4 sounds better in the mids and highs; the Wow Max comes across slightly muted and bass forward there, with its midrange not aimed at ear level.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $123.91 saving on the XDOBO Wow Max is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore 2 | XDOBO Wow Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $330 | $206.09 |
| Ranked | #4 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #21 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | - |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C (5V-20V) |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | Yes 2 Included |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 300W |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.3” x 10.4” (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) | 21.7” x 9.4” x 11.8” (550 x 240 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 8 drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 32Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox Encore 2:
- Earfun Uboom X vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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
Older model: the JBL Partybox Encore (ranked lower, 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. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-10dB).
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 Power | 100W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.3” x 10.4” (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical! More from alanrossreviews →
- M1M Tech Channel: Partybox Killer? 2x Earfun UBoom X stärker als JBL Encore 2 ? More from M1MTechChannel →
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Partybox ENCORE 2👌FULL TEST🆚 JBL Partybox ENCORE 1 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Jbl Partybox Encore 2 📦UNBOXING. Short TEST AUDIO z ENCORE 1👌
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Encore 2 Partybox Deep Bass 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi 🎶
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 WiFi - Sound Test - Wide vs Narrow Soundstage! More from Dominik Reviews →
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Earfun Uboom X
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Aiwa Exos-9
- See all 96 comparisons
XDOBO Wow Max: $206.09 Amazon eBay
Pros: Big, loud and bass-heavy, with an eight-driver, 300W layout and bass rated down to 32Hz. In side by side tests it sounded better balanced and clearer than the Zealot ZE21, with smooth mids and punchy yet deep bass, handled high volume better than the JBL Boombox 4, which gets screechy and drops bass at max, and clearly beat the Sony ULT Field 7 and W-King X20. Two wireless microphones are included, and it charges over USB-C at up to 20V.
Cons: At low and mid volume the JBL Boombox 4 sounds better in the mids and highs; the Wow Max comes across slightly muted and bass forward there, with its midrange not aimed at ear level. About 7 kg, and only a claimed 8 hours of battery.
Full XDOBO Wow Max review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 300W |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Dimensions | 21.7” x 9.4” x 11.8” (550 x 240 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | 8 drivers |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V-20V) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons