Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2, for cleaner off axis sound. Its dome tweeters over cone appear to give better off axis performance, though it is missing a little bit of upper bass. The Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 goes pretty deep, but it sounds quite muddy with the boosted lower and upper bass.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Battery life favors the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2: rated for 30 hours against 15 hours for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 at IP67 (brief submersion) against the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2, which has IPX4 (splashing).
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.95 | $279.99 |
| Ranked | #6 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes (Tribit app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (10 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (2x 6.35mm) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power Cable or 10w USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 19.2 lbs (8.7 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 200W AC / 180W battery |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 18.7” x 7.6” x 10.2” (476 x 193 x 259 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 1x ~180x110mm rectangular subwoofer + 2x ~80mm mid drivers + 2x ~25mm tweeters |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | 40Hz |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
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