Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It ranks #7 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $299.95; the JBL Boombox 3 ranks #21 and costs $349.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the JBL Partybox Encore Essential side: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker. Set against that: Only 6 hours of battery at medium volume. Poor Water rating.
What the JBL Boombox 3 gets right: IP67 rated. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Doubles as a power bank. The tradeoff: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Boombox 3 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Boombox 3 is rated for 24 hours versus 6 hours for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Boombox 3 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox Encore Essential at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential | JBL Boombox 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #7 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #21 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | 100ms |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Dimensions | 10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 110dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Encore Essential: $299.95 Amazon
Pros: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker.
Cons: Only 6 hours of battery at medium volume. Poor Water rating.
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| 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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample.
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential
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- Reddit Search for JBL Partybox Encore Essential Review
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JBL Boombox 3: $349.95 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Doubles as a power bank. PartyBoost links up to 100 compatible JBL speakers. Three-way speaker system with subwoofer.
Cons: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Full JBL Boombox 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X20 JBL Boombox 3 killer! this should be illegal! - I was shocked!
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- AudioTribe: JBL Authentics 500 VS JBL Boombox 3 Sound Test Comparison
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