Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It ranks #7 of 75 boombox speakers by sound quality at $299.95; the Diamondboxx M3 ranks #53 and costs $700, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the JBL Partybox Encore Essential offers: JBL Partybox Encore Essential uses 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters. Its 5.9 kg, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 110dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Watch for: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification.
What the Diamondboxx M3 offers: An unusually compact 5kg high-output boombox, with a claimed 200W RMS Class A/B amplifier, 114dB maximum level, active crossovers and a choice of large battery packs. It has aux input, USB-C power and TWS pairing, while the aluminum heat sink is designed to sustain loud playback without thermal shutdown. Watch for: Despite its output, bass does not reach as deep as the best large portables and can distort when pushed hard. The treble-forward tuning can sound aggressive, there is no app or EQ to correct it, and the lack of a water rating makes it a poor match for poolside or rough-weather use.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Diamondboxx M3 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Diamondboxx M3 is rated for 40 hours versus 6 hours for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential at IPX4 (splashing) against the Diamondboxx M3, which has no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential | Diamondboxx M3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $700 |
| Ranked | #7 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #53 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 200W RMS / 400W peak |
| Dimensions | 10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 14.7" x 9" x 8" (373.4 x 228.6 x 203.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters | 3" woofer + tweeter array |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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: $299.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: JBL Partybox Encore Essential uses 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters. Its 5.9 kg, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 110dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 38Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification.
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical! More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample. More from DLXWillington →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Klipsch Gig XXL vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential (Pee-Wee) - Indoors, Plugged In🔌 Bluetooth Speakers
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- See all 58 comparisons
Diamondboxx M3: $700 eBay
Pros: An unusually compact 5kg high-output boombox, with a claimed 200W RMS Class A/B amplifier, 114dB maximum level, active crossovers and a choice of large battery packs. It has aux input, USB-C power and TWS pairing, while the aluminum heat sink is designed to sustain loud playback without thermal shutdown.
Cons: Despite its output, bass does not reach as deep as the best large portables and can distort when pushed hard. The treble-forward tuning can sound aggressive, there is no app or EQ to correct it, and the lack of a water rating makes it a poor match for poolside or rough-weather use.
Full Diamondboxx M3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W RMS / 400W peak |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 14.7" x 9" x 8" (373.4 x 228.6 x 203.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 3" woofer + tweeter array |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
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