Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore 2, narrowly, for its improved off-axis behavior. It ranks #4 of 113 against the original Encore’s #7 of 113, and its move to dome tweeters over cone appears to give better off-axis performance. It does give up a little upper bass, while the original is held to 10 hours of battery at medium volume.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Partybox Encore is no longer sold new.
Battery life favors the JBL Partybox Encore 2: rated for 15 hours against 6 hours for the JBL Partybox Encore.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore | JBL Partybox Encore 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 Discontinued | $330 |
| Ranked | #7 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #4 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | Yes 2 Included |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 100W RMS |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 12.6” x 13.3” x 10.4” (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | No |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical!
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