Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It ranks #6 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $249.95; the Hopestar A90 ranks #22, rated 3.9/5, and costs $351.65, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Encore Essential 2 is the better listen. Side by side, it gave a good, meaty sub-bass listen, while the Hopestar sounded far more powerful, like a small PA system, and more true to the music at volume.
The Encore Essential 2 is measured, with about 110dB, a balanced midrange and punchy low bass, plus a 7-band app EQ, mic and guitar inputs and Auracast, at 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg).
The A90 is much bigger and louder, with a removable battery, a wireless mic and IPX6. The A90’s rating comes from listening comparisons, not measurements, and it is sold through AliExpress rather than US retailers.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Hopestar A90 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 is rated for 15 hours, the Hopestar A90 only 8 hours.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | Hopestar A90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.95 | $351.65 |
| Ranked | #6 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 |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | - |
| Wireless Microphones | No | Yes 1 Included |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 700W |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | - |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Watch Them Compared
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