These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 ranks #5 of 70 boombox speakers at $209; the Marshall Stockwell 2 ranks #11 of 75 large speakers at $200.
What the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 gets right: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. The catch: Missing a little bit of upper bass.
On the Marshall Stockwell 2 side: Possibly the most natural sounding Marshall speaker. The tradeoff: Not stereo.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 at $209 if you want a boombox speaker. Buy the Marshall Stockwell 2 at $200 if you want a large speaker instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | Marshall Stockwell 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $209.00 | $200 |
| Ranked | #5 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #11 of 75 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | No |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg | 3.1 lbs / 1.4 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 20W |
| Dimensions | 12.58" x 13.46" x 10.25" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 7.1" x 6.3" x 2.8" (180 x 161 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters | 3" woofer, 2x 2" fullrange tweeters |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 96dB |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 44Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 50ms |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2: $209.00 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. A little less rolled off in the highs than the first Encore. Goes slightly deeper than the old Encore. Better battery life than the first Encore.
Cons: Missing a little bit of upper bass. No wireless Microphones like the non-Essential
| 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 |
| Dimensions | 12.58" x 13.46" x 10.25" (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 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | No |
- 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 Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Earfun Uboom X
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Zealot ZE41
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- Links
Marshall Stockwell 2: $200 Amazon
Pros: Possibly the most natural sounding Marshall speaker. Excellent off-axis.
Cons: Not stereo. Not very loud. Uses added DSP reverb which audio purists may find annoying.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 6.3" x 2.8" (180 x 161 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 2x 2" fullrange tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 3.1 lbs / 1.4 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Soundcore Motion Boom and Motion Plus! expensive is better?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Denon 250bt - little and large? 🙈
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Stockwell 2 Review and huge sound test! - vs JBL Charge 5! 💯
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs Marshall Stockwell 2 - little guy goes louder?? 🤓
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs B&O Beosound A5
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Brane X
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs JBL Xtreme 5
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Vifa Helsinki
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Sonos Move 2
- See all 16 comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.