Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It ranks #7 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $299.95; the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 ranks #22 and costs $300, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Partybox Encore Essential gets right: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker. The catch: Only 6 hours of battery at medium volume. Poor Water rating.
On the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 side: Pretty deep bass. Set against that: Sounds quite muddy with the boosted lower and upper bass. Boosted treble around 6khz.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 is rated for 30 hours versus 6 hours for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential.
If water resistance matters to you, the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 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 | Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $300 |
| Ranked | #7 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #22 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | 40Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | Yes (10 band) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power Cable or 10w USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg | 19.2 lbs / 8.7 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 200W AC / 180W battery |
| Dimensions | 10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 18.7" x 7.6" x 10.2" (476 x 193 x 259 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters | 1x ~180x110mm rectangular subwoofer + 2x ~80mm mid drivers + 2x ~25mm tweeters |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 110dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (2x 6.35mm) |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
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- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
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- JBL Partybox 300 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
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.
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Tribit Stormbox Blast 2: $300 Amazon
Pros: Pretty deep bass.
Cons: Sounds quite muddy with the boosted lower and upper bass. Boosted treble around 6khz. Xbass mode makes it sound even more muddy. Nowhere near as neutral and balanced as the first Blast and a big downgrade unless you only care about max volume
Setup: Try the EQ from Alan Ross at this timestamp of his video
Full Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18.7" x 7.6" x 10.2" (476 x 193 x 259 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x ~180x110mm rectangular subwoofer + 2x ~80mm mid drivers + 2x ~25mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | Yes (2x 6.35mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 200W AC / 180W battery |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable or 10w USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 19.2 lbs / 8.7 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 - outdoor sound test
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 custom EQ best settings! Alan Ross!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 firmware V11 update - earthquake warning!
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- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3 🤗v🆚s Tribit Stormbox Blast 2👌🎶
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 😳 First Look, EQ and Light Modes Demo 🚨
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