Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 for off axis consistency, the Tribit Stormbox Blast for size-defying output. The Essential 2’s dome tweeters over cone appear to give better off axis performance, though it is missing a little bit of upper bass. The Blast is amazing given its size and competes with some speakers in the Party size class, but it lacks a bit of detail next to the top ranked speakers and has a dip at 5.5kHz.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Blast. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Battery life favors the Tribit Stormbox Blast: rated for 30 hours against 15 hours for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2.
Water resistance is not close: the Tribit Stormbox Blast is rated at IPX7 (brief submersion), well ahead of the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 at 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.95 | $199.99 |
| Ranked | #6 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #2 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 | IPX7 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 12 lbs (5.45 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 90W RMS (140W peak) |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 15.7” x 6.3” x 9.1” (400 x 160 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 2x ~107mm (4.2”) woofers + 2x ~25mm tweeters |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | 43Hz |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 66ms |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Tribit Stormbox Blast compares with other leading options: