Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 ranks #6 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality at $249.95; the Soundboks Rider ranks #31 of 53 party speakers by sound quality at $599.
Why pick the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2: A compact party speaker with balanced sound, punchy bass, mic and guitar inputs, and enough volume for a backyard party. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the Soundboks Rider cannot. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Soundboks Rider. 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.
The Soundboks Rider is the longer-running, tougher choice. A light, rugged party speaker with a swappable battery that lasts all day at mid volume and an app with a six band EQ. It is rated for 35 hours of battery against 15 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It is rated IP66 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. The tradeoff: Its sealed 8in woofer runs out of real bass at high volume: Xander measured the -6 dB point rising to roughly 75 to 85 Hz at maximum, with 40 Hz some 20 dB down, and M1M heard the bass pulled back toward the upper bass above mid volume.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 at $249.95 for a boombox speaker, or the Soundboks Rider at $599 for a party speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | Soundboks Rider | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.95 | $599.00 |
| Ranked | #6 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 53 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes (Soundboks) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 35 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (6-band EQ + Bass+, Indoor and Outdoor profiles) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP66 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No (no TeamUp) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C (65W fast charging) |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 92W RMS (72W woofer + 20W tweeter) |
| 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 | 8” woofer (sealed), 1.2” dome tweeter in horn |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 113.2dB(C) (measured by M1M Tech Channel) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
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