Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It ranks #5 of 70 boombox speakers at $209; the Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 ranks #37 and costs $228.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 gets right: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. Set against that: Missing a little bit of upper bass.
On the Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 side: 200W RMS (300W peak) true 3-way, 5-driver array. The catch: A budget import brand with limited independent testing - specs are manufacturer-claimed.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $209.00 | $228.99 |
| Ranked | #5 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #37 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 111Wh (14.8V/7,500mAh) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Bank | 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 | 16.8 lbs / 7.64 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 200W RMS / 300W Peak |
| Dimensions | 12.58" x 13.46" x 10.25" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 20.67" x 8.27" x 10.55" (525 x 210 x 268 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters | 189x114mm woofer, 2x 89mm midrange, 2x 38mm tweeters |
| Max Volume | 110dB | - |
| 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 Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Zealot ZE41
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- 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 Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Links
Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3: $228.99 Amazon
Pros: 200W RMS (300W peak) true 3-way, 5-driver array. 111Wh (14.8V/7,500mAh) battery with fast charging up to 60W. Bluetooth 5.3 with stereo TWS pairing, plus aux, USB, and microSD playback.
Cons: A budget import brand with limited independent testing - specs are manufacturer-claimed, and its water/dust rating is reported inconsistently across listings (IPX6 on Yeahbox’s own site, IP66 or IP67 on various marketplace listings).
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 111Wh (14.8V/7,500mAh) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 20.67" x 8.27" x 10.55" (525 x 210 x 268 mm) |
| Drivers | 189x114mm woofer, 2x 89mm midrange, 2x 38mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | 200W RMS / 300W Peak |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs / 7.64 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Zealot S89
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Bugani Boost Max
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Monster Rockin’ Roller 270
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs W-King H10
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Zealot ZE41
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Aiwa Exos-9
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Altec Lansing Mix 2.0
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs EcoXGear Defender
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs W-King D20
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs W-King X20
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Altec Lansing Rockbox XL 2.0
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs ION Pathfinder 280
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs ION Pathfinder 4
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs JBL Authentics 300
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Tronsmart Bang Max
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Zealot ZE21
- 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.