Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 for better sound quality, the W-King T11 for the lower price. The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 ranks #5 of 73 boombox speakers at $239. The W-King T11 ranks #35 at $150, $89 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 W-King T11 offers: 100W RMS output with 240W peak power, 112dB max volume, IPX6 waterproof, 10-hour battery life, power bank function, dual 5.25-inch woofers with tweeters and passive radiators, EQ with multiple modes, microphone and karaoke input, MicroSD and USB playback, TWS stereo pairing Watch for: Almost as deep of bass as the top ranked ones. A little hollow sounding. Wall wart charger.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the W-King T11 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 is rated for 15 hours versus 10 hours for the W-King T11.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | W-King T11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.00 | $150 |
| Ranked | #5 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #35 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (multiple modes) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg | 11.2 lbs / 5.1 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 100W RMS / 240W peak |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 13.5" x 10.3" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 8.1"D x 8.6"W x 17.4" (205.7 x 219.5 x 442 mm) tall |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters | 2x 133mm (5.25") woofers + 2x ~30mm (1.2") tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 112dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 43Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 66ms |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Zealot S95
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Zealot S78
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs W-King X10-1
- Zealot S89 vs W-King T11
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
- See all 46 comparisons
W-King T11: $150 Amazon Aliexpress eBay
Pros: 100W RMS output with 240W peak power, 112dB max volume, IPX6 waterproof, 10-hour battery life, power bank function, dual 5.25-inch woofers with tweeters and passive radiators, EQ with multiple modes, microphone and karaoke input, MicroSD and USB playback, TWS stereo pairing
Cons: Almost as deep of bass as the top ranked ones. A little hollow sounding. Wall wart charger.
Full W-King T11 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 66ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.1"D x 8.6"W x 17.4" (205.7 x 219.5 x 442 mm) tall |
| Drivers | 2x 133mm (5.25") woofers + 2x ~30mm (1.2") tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 112dB |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W RMS / 240W peak |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 11.2 lbs / 5.1 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: W King T11 party boombox and Karaoke machine review vs T9, Stormbox Blast and Boombox 3. More from alanrossreviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Dual W-King T11 (EQ1, EQ2) 🆚 JBL Partybox 110 (Bass One) 📛 Are two T11’s TWS Louder than one PB110? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King T11 (EQ1, Firmware 2.32) 🆚 Onn Large Party Speaker (Bass Boost Off/On) - Budget Battle!💥
- Reddit Search for W-King T11 Review
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