Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It ranks #5 of 70 boombox speakers at $209; the W-King X20 ranks #28 and costs $249.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 side: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. The catch: Missing a little bit of upper bass.
The case for the W-King X20: 200W RMS output with 330W peak power, 112dB max volume, exceptional 24-hour battery life with power bank, IPX6 waterproof. The tradeoff: Rising frequency response but upper treble rolled off, 700hz and 1.2khz peaks.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the W-King X20 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | W-King X20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $209.00 | $249.99 after coupon |
| Ranked | #5 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #28 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes (W-King app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (App + button modes) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg | 15.9 lbs / 7200 g |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 330W peak / 200W RMS |
| Dimensions | 12.58" x 13.46" x 10.25" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 50.6cm x 21.7cm x 27cm |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters | 7.5" subwoofer + drivers |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 112dB |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~42Hz |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2: $209.00 Amazon Bhphotovideo
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
| 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 |
| Dimensions | 12.58" x 13.46" x 10.25" (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 |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | No |
- 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 9
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Zealot ZE41
- See all 16 comparisons
- Links
W-King X20: $249.99 after coupon Amazon
Pros: 200W RMS output with 330W peak power, 112dB max volume, exceptional 24-hour battery life with power bank, IPX6 waterproof, EQ with app control and button modes, 7.5-inch subwoofer, Bluetooth 5.3, dual pairing, MicroSD and USB playback, AUX input, TWS stereo mode with 240W combined
Cons: Rising frequency response but upper treble rolled off, 700hz and 1.2khz peaks
| App | Yes (W-King app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~42Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 50.6cm x 21.7cm x 27cm |
| Drivers | 7.5" subwoofer + drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App + button modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 112dB |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | 330W peak / 200W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs / 7200 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Jbl Encore!!! 😁😁😁
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Skullcandy Barrel XT!!! 🤔😋
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore RAVE 3 🤗v🆚s W- KING X20🎶
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New! W-King X20 vs JBL Boombox 3 🛜 Head to Head 🔋Battery Powered 📊Custom EQ - Links In Description
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 🍿 Garage Battle of Boombox Speakers 🍻Custom & Standard EQ’s
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- Techder Audios: W-king X20 VS Zealot S95 DEEP BASS VS DEEPER & LOUDER BASS?!
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs W-king X20!!!
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Gemini GRV-650L!!! 😍😍😍
- Jagist reviews: Bugani Boost Max Vs W-king X20!!! 😍😍😍
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Zealot S78 Bluetooth Boombox Battle Outdoor Tailgater Special 🚗 Let the Whoopin’ Begin
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.