Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It ranks #6 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $219. The Bugani Brief Pro ranks #28, rated 3.8/5, at $99.98, $119.02 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 is the better-sounding choice. A compact 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) party speaker with 100W output, 110dB maximum level, a 15-hour claimed battery, app-based 7-band EQ, dynamic lighting, USB playback, guitar and mic inputs, and Auracast linking. The tradeoff: It is front-facing, so the sound changes noticeably to the sides and behind it, and bass compression reduces kick-drum impact at maximum volume.
The case for the Bugani Brief Pro: Crystal clear and detailed with good separation of instruments and vocals, impressive for a two-way layout of two 4” woofers and two 44mm tweeters on 80W RMS. The catch: It turns a little harsh and fatiguing at 80% to 100% volume while losing bass, and it doesn’t reach as deep as the Go + Play 3, which reviewers still preferred for its thicker, richer bass.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $119.02 saving on the Bugani Brief Pro is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | Bugani Brief Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.00 | $99.98 |
| Ranked | #6 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #28 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | - |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | - |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 80W RMS (160W peak) |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | - |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 2x 4” woofers + 2x 44mm tweeters |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom X vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus 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 Essential 2: $219.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential (ranked lower, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: A compact 6.2kg party speaker with 100W output, 110dB maximum level, a 15-hour claimed battery, app-based 7-band EQ, dynamic lighting, USB playback, guitar and mic inputs, and Auracast linking. Independent testing finds a balanced midrange, genuinely punchy low bass and enough output for a backyard gathering; its dome tweeters also improve the earlier Encore’s high-frequency behavior. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-10dB).
Cons: It is front-facing, so the sound changes noticeably to the sides and behind it, and bass compression reduces kick-drum impact at maximum volume. Bluetooth latency can cause lip-sync issues, its IPX4 rating only covers splashes, and it omits the wireless microphones bundled with the non-Essential Encore 2.
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential 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 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Aiwa Exos-9
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Earfun Uboom X
- See all 98 comparisons
Bugani Brief Pro: $99.98 Amazon eBay
Pros: Crystal clear and detailed with good separation of instruments and vocals, impressive for a two-way layout of two 4” woofers and two 44mm tweeters on 80W RMS. It plays louder than the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 and, in side by side sound tests, many listeners preferred it to the JBL Xtreme 4 and found it close to the EarFun UBoom X. A claimed 12 hours of battery, Bluetooth 5.3 and stereo pairing, at a low price.
Cons: It turns a little harsh and fatiguing at 80% to 100% volume while losing bass, and it doesn’t reach as deep as the Go + Play 3, which reviewers still preferred for its thicker, richer bass. No published water rating.
Full Bugani Brief Pro review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS (160W peak) |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 4” woofers + 2x 44mm tweeters |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Bugani Brief Pro Vs Harmon Kardon Go Plus Play 3!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Dominik Reviews: Bugani Brief Pro vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 - HiFI Sound Comparison! More from Dominik Reviews →
- Dominik Reviews: Bugani Brief Pro vs Earfun UBOOM X - Very similar? - Sound Test
- Dominik Reviews: Bugani Brief Pro vs JBL Xtreme 4 - Not so extreme? - Sound Test
- Dominik Reviews: Bugani Brief Pro vs Soundcore Boom 2 - Soundcore still holds up?
- Dominik Reviews: Teufel BOOMSTER 4 vs Bugani Brief Pro - Cheaper and Better! Sound Test
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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