Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It ranks #6 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $219; the Sony ULT Field 7 ranks #59, rated 3.2/5, and costs $448.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. 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. Its bass reaches about 42Hz before falling 10dB, against 52Hz for the Sony ULT Field 7. 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 Sony ULT Field 7 is the longer-running, tougher choice. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 15 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 lacks. The catch: A peak around 8kHz, and bass does not reach as deep as the top-ranked speakers.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sony ULT Field 7 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | Sony ULT Field 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.00 | $448.99 |
| Ranked | #6 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| 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 (App + ULT button) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 100W |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 20.2” x 8.8” x 8.7” (512 x 224 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 2x 114mm x 114mm X-Balanced woofers + 2x 46mm (1.9”) tweeters |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | ~52Hz |
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 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 $219.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential (ranked lower, rated 4.2/5). See every JBL PartyBox Encore generation.
Same family: the JBL Partybox Encore 2 (smaller model, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5).
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 JBL Partybox Encore 2.
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical! More from alanrossreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Encore Essential 2 Vs W-king X20s!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Jbl Encore Essential 2!!! Deep Bass Vs Powerhouse Bass!!!
- KULAS TECH SHOW: JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 - Unbox, Sound test🔥💥 More from KULASTECHSHOW20 →
- MARIO GOMEZ MG: Tronsmart Halo 210 vs. JBL Encore Essential 2 SOUND TESTS
- 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
Sony ULT Field 7: $448.99 Amazon $448.99 eBay
Older model: the Sony SRS-XG500 (ranked lower, rated 3/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Same family: the Sony ULT Field 1 (smaller model, rated 3.1/5), the Sony ULT Tower 10 (larger model, rated 3.9/5), the Sony ULT Field 3 (larger model, rated 3.4/5), the Sony ULT Field 5 (larger model, rated 3.5/5), the Sony ULT Tower 5 (larger model, rated 4.5/5), the Sony ULT Tower 7 (larger model, rated 4.7/5), the Sony ULT Tower 9 (larger model, rated 4.2/5) and the Sony ULT Tower Max (larger model, rated 4.8/5).
Pros: Sony ULT Field 7 uses 2x 114mm x 114mm X-Balanced woofers + 2x 46mm (1.9”) tweeters. Its 6.3 kg, claimed 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of ~52Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its ~52Hz specification. There is no companion app. A peak around 8kHz, and bass does not reach as deep as the top-ranked speakers.
Full Sony ULT Field 7 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~52Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 20.2” x 8.8” x 8.7” (512 x 224 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 114mm x 114mm X-Balanced woofers + 2x 46mm (1.9”) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Dominik Reviews: Sony ULT Field 7 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast Both good? 😂 More from Dominik Reviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: SONY ULT Field 7 💣vs JBL Boombox 3 🧨 Showdown! 🪇Let’s Shake it Up! 🔋Battery Powered Basement Battle More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jagist reviews: Xdobo Wow Max Vs Sony Ult Field 7!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Teufel Boomster NG (2017)
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Gemini GRV-650L
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- See all 86 comparisons