Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 if sound quality matters most, the Soundcore Motion Boom+ if price matters most. The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 ranks #5 of 73 boombox speakers at $239. The Soundcore Motion Boom+ ranks #47 at $140, $99 cheaper.
What the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 offers: 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. Watch for: Missing a little bit of upper bass. No wireless Microphones like the non-Essential
What the Soundcore Motion Boom+ offers: 80W stereo from dual 30W woofers + dual 10W tweeters with titanium drivers for treble clarity. 13,400mAh battery for 20 hours (12-15 at high volume). IP67 waterproof, floats, rugged build inspires confidence. Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint pairing, Soundcore app EQ, PartyCast 2.0 mode. USB-C input, USB-A output for powerbank. Watch for: Default presets are all warm sounding with rolled off treble. Will need a custom EQ to get closer to neutral. A shrill sounding 6khz peak comes out when volume is above about 60%. Not much deeper bass than a Motion Boom and a lot less deep bass than other speakers in the class.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Soundcore Motion Boom+ when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Water resistance is not close: the Soundcore Motion Boom+ is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | Soundcore Motion Boom+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.00 | $140 after $40 coupon, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #47 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes (Soundcore app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 80W |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 13.5" x 10.3" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 15.1" x 5.1" x 7.7" (384 x 130 x 196 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters | 30W: Dual drivers |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 108dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 52Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 33ms |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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: $239.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
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
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| 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
- 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 8
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
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Soundcore Motion Boom+: $140 after $40 coupon, Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: 80W stereo from dual 30W woofers + dual 10W tweeters with titanium drivers for treble clarity. 13,400mAh battery for 20 hours (12-15 at high volume). IP67 waterproof, floats, rugged build inspires confidence. Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint pairing, Soundcore app EQ, PartyCast 2.0 mode. USB-C input, USB-A output for powerbank.
Cons: Default presets are all warm sounding with rolled off treble. Will need a custom EQ to get closer to neutral. A shrill sounding 6khz peak comes out when volume is above about 60%. Not much deeper bass than a Motion Boom and a lot less deep bass than other speakers in the class. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Motion Boom+ review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Soundcore app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.1" x 5.1" x 7.7" (384 x 130 x 196 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 30W: Dual drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 108dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Soundcore Motion Boom Plus & Earfun UBoom X - sound test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Soundcore Motion Boom Plus or W King D10? 🤪 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast Review vs Soundcore Motion Boom Plus - cheap bass!
- DLX Willington: Tough Game! Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Soundcore Motion Boom Plus Binaural sound samples More from DLXWillington →
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Motion Boom+ Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs W-King H10
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- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs Turtlebox Grande
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