Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential on measured sound quality, the Havit BassBlast Go on price. The JBL Partybox Encore Essential ranks #8 of 89 boombox speakers, rated 4.2/5, at $329.95. The Havit BassBlast Go ranks #47, rated 3.4/5, at $77.99, $251.96 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential: JBL Partybox Encore Essential uses 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters. The catch: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification.
The case for the Havit BassBlast Go: Jagist found it a strong value for a medium size boombox, with a lot of bass for its size and a good balance on the Rock EQ. Watch for: In the only side by side against a rated speaker, listeners preferred the W-King H330, and Techder Audios found the Tribit Stormbox Lava clearly better in sound and build.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Havit BassBlast Go if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Battery life favors the Havit BassBlast Go: rated for 12 hours against 6 hours for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential | Havit BassBlast Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.95 | $77.99 |
| Ranked | #8 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #47 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes (Havit Life) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | Yes (8 presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 120W peak (2x 50W woofers, 2x 10W tweeters) |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 8.7”H x 15.2”W x 5.9”D (222 x 385 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters | 2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm (1.5”) tweeters + passive radiators |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| Battery Capacity | - | 44Wh (7.4V, 6000mAh) |
| Charging Time | - | 3.5 hours |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (6.35mm) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox Encore Essential:
- 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 On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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: $329.95 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5.
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 | Yes |
| 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 |
| Strap | No |
| 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 Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- See all 76 comparisons
Havit BassBlast Go: $77.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Jagist found it a strong value for a medium size boombox, with a lot of bass for its size and a good balance on the Rock EQ. Two woofers and two tweeters give true stereo from one unit, and it adds IPX6 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.3, the Havit Life app with 8 EQ presets, a 6.35mm microphone input with echo control, aux and USB playback, a small status screen, RGB lights, stereo pairing and a power bank output.
Cons: In the only side by side against a rated speaker, listeners preferred the W-King H330, and Techder Audios found the Tribit Stormbox Lava clearly better in sound and build. Vocals are weaker than rivals’, and owners report the battery drains far faster than its 12 hour rating. The evidence is thin: one comparison and a handful of listening reviews.
Full Havit BassBlast Go review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 120W peak (2x 50W woofers, 2x 10W tweeters) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Havit Life) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Capacity | 44Wh (7.4V, 6000mAh) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours |
| Dimensions | 8.7”H x 15.2”W x 5.9”D (222 x 385 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm (1.5”) tweeters + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (8 presets) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (6.35mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Havit BassBlast Go vs Tronsmart Fiitune X30
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- Havit BassBlast Go vs W-King X20
- Havit BassBlast Go vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
- Havit BassBlast Go vs W-King D20
- Havit BassBlast Go vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- See all 26 comparisons