These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 ranks #6 of 76 boombox speakers by sound quality at $259; the Marshall Middleton II ranks #31 of 82 large speakers by sound quality at $330.
Why pick the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2: 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. Watch for: 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.
Why pick the Marshall Middleton II: Very deep bass for the size/weight. The catch: Bass boosted which drowns out the midrange.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 at $259 for a boombox speaker, or the Marshall Middleton II at $330 for a large speaker instead.
If water resistance matters to you, the Marshall Middleton II at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | Marshall Middleton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $259.00 | $330 |
| Ranked | #6 of 76 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 82 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) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 80W |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2:
- 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 September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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: $259.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential (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.
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 |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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
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Marshall Middleton II: $330 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Marshall Middleton (rated 4/5).
Pros: Very deep bass for the size/weight. Measured bass extension of 38Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass boosted which drowns out the midrange. Dip around 200Hz, peak at 1kHz, dipped at 1.6kHz. Strange frequency response through the mids.
Full Marshall Middleton II review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.1” x 3.9” x 4.3” (230 x 98 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625” tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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