Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore for karaoke, the Onyx Studio 5 for design. The Encore is a great sounding speaker with somewhat boosted bass and two included wireless microphones, but only 10 hours of battery at medium volume and a poor water rating. The Onyx Studio 5 is bass-heavy with balanced mids and highs in an elegant circular design with a carrying handle, though it is warm and boosted and not as loud as others.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Tribit Stormbox Blast instead.
If water resistance matters to you, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox Encore at IPX4 (splashing).
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 Discontinued | $499.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #7 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 90 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) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/) |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 50W |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Partybox Encore:
- Earfun Uboom X vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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: $230 Discontinued Walmart eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox Encore 2, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5.
Pros: JBL Partybox Encore uses 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters. Its 6.3 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. A great sounding party speaker with somewhat boosted bass and two included wireless microphones. Measured bass extension of 38Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification. Only IPX4 splash resistance. Discontinued.
Full JBL Partybox Encore 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 20mm 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/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical! More from alanrossreviews →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: outdoors More from Oluv’Sone →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: indoors
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade More from M1MTechChannel →
- Alan Ross Reviews: This changed my opinion on JBL speakers!
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample. More from DLXWillington →
- True Techy: BOSE S1 Pro vs JBLPartybox ENCORE This Comparison SHOCKED me!!!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT Boombox vs. JBL Partybox Encore Party Speaker.🛜 How Low Can You Go?😲 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tronsmart Halo 200 vs JBL Partybox Encore 🔊 Sound Check & Wireless Microphone test 🔋 Battery Powered
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: ONN Large Party Speaker Gen 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore 🛻 Tailgater Special 🔋 Battery Powered
- Dominik Reviews: Soundcore Rave 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore - Quick Sound Test! 🤗 More from Dominik Reviews →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Aiwa Exos-9
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- See all 60 comparisons
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5: $499.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5.
Pros: The iconic circular cabinet and integrated handle make it an attractive room-to-room speaker. Reviews praise its generous bass, balanced mids and smooth top end at moderate levels, giving it a warm, relaxed presentation for casual indoor music.
Cons: The large bass boost can mask lower-mid detail and make dense mixes muddy. Battery life is only around eight hours at moderate volume, it is not especially loud, and it has no water resistance for outdoor use. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/) |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Zealot ZE21
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Zealot ZE41
- See all 58 comparisons