Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore 2, if you are buying new. The JBL Partybox Encore ranks higher than the Sony ULT Field 7 (#7 vs #59 of 98 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Partybox Encore 2, is rated 4.4/5 at $330 and is still sold new.
The JBL Partybox Encore is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A great sounding party speaker with somewhat boosted bass and two included wireless microphones. Its bass reaches about 38Hz before falling 10dB, against 52Hz for the Sony ULT Field 7. The tradeoff: Only IPX4 splash resistance.
The Sony ULT Field 7 is the longer-running, tougher pick. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 6 for the JBL Partybox Encore. It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox Encore. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Partybox Encore lacks. Watch for: A peak around 8kHz, and bass does not reach as deep as the top-ranked speakers.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Partybox Encore; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Sony ULT Field 7.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore | Sony ULT Field 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 Discontinued | $448.99 |
| Ranked | #7 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | ~52Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| 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) | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 100W |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 20.2” x 8.8” x 8.7” (512 x 224 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 114mm x 114mm X-Balanced woofers + 2x 46mm (1.9”) tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for 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 On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Encore: $230 Discontinued Walmart $230 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox Encore 2, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5, released Apr 2025. Battery life goes from 6 to 15 hours. See every JBL PartyBox Encore generation.
Same family: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential (larger model, ranked lower, rated 4.2/5).
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 →
| Released | Jul 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
- 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
- Alan Ross Reviews: This changed my opinion on JBL speakers! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tronsmart Halo 200 partybox and karaoke machine (vs bang max, JBL Encore)
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical!
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade More from M1MTechChannel →
- Dominik Reviews: Soundcore Rave 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore - Quick Sound Test! 🤗 More from Dominik Reviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3 160W 🧐🆚 JBL Encore Partybox More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample. More from DLXWillington →
- 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
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Encore Vs Gemini GRV-650L!!! 😁 More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Encore Vs Gemini GGO-650L 😁 80$ vs 400$
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Jbl Encore!!! 😁😁😁
- True Techy: BOSE S1 Pro vs JBLPartybox ENCORE This Comparison SHOCKED me!!!
- 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 On-The-Go 2 Plus
- 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
- See all 70 comparisons
Sony ULT Field 7: $448.99 Amazon $448.99 eBay
Older model: the Sony SRS-XG500 (ranked lower, rated 3/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Same family: the Sony ULT Field 1 (smaller model, rated 3.1/5), the Sony ULT Tower 10 (larger model, rated 3.9/5), the Sony ULT Field 3 (larger model, rated 3.4/5), the Sony ULT Field 5 (larger model, rated 3.5/5), the Sony ULT Tower 5 (larger model, rated 4.5/5), the Sony ULT Tower 7 (larger model, rated 4.7/5), the Sony ULT Tower 9 (larger model, rated 4.2/5) and the Sony ULT Tower Max (larger model, rated 4.8/5).
Pros: Sony ULT Field 7 uses 2x 114mm x 114mm X-Balanced woofers + 2x 46mm (1.9”) tweeters. Its 6.3 kg, claimed 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of ~52Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its ~52Hz specification. There is no companion app. A peak around 8kHz, and bass does not reach as deep as the top-ranked speakers.
Full Sony ULT Field 7 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~52Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 20.2” x 8.8” x 8.7” (512 x 224 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 114mm x 114mm X-Balanced woofers + 2x 46mm (1.9”) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Dominik Reviews: Sony ULT Field 7 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast Both good? 😂 More from Dominik Reviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: SONY ULT Field 7 💣vs JBL Boombox 3 🧨 Showdown! 🪇Let’s Shake it Up! 🔋Battery Powered Basement Battle More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jagist reviews: Xdobo Wow Max Vs Sony Ult Field 7!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Teufel Boomster NG (2017)
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Gemini GRV-650L
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- See all 86 comparisons