Short answer: the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus. It ranks #5 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5) at $349.95 and is still sold new; the Aiwa Exos-9 ranks #9 (rated 4.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus is the longer-running, tougher choice. Well balanced with strong vocals, and its front-firing bass ports give it cleaner, smoother bass than other PartyBoxes, so even the Punchy bass boost setting never overpowers the vocals. It is rated for 15 hours of battery against 10 for the Aiwa Exos-9. It is rated IPX4, while the Aiwa Exos-9 has no water resistance. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the Aiwa Exos-9 cannot. The catch: The bass has less kick and physical impact than the Encore 2 or PartyBox Club 120, and the Club 120 gets noticeably louder.
The case for the Aiwa Exos-9: It still sounds great against current models. It has a microphone input for karaoke or announcements, which the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus lacks.
Buy the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Aiwa Exos-9 is no longer sold new.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus | Aiwa Exos-9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 | $250 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #9 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL One app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, Deep and Punchy bass boost) | Yes (5-band graphic EQ + 4 presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 11V/2A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cable |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 14.2 lbs (6.45 kg) | 15.2 lbs (6.9 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included | - |
| Microphone Input | No (wireless only) | Yes (with adapter) |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3 | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 200W |
| Dimensions | 19.7” x 10.2” x 8.7” (501 x 258 x 221 mm) | 19.4” x 7.5” x 11.7” (492.8 x 190.5 x 297.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 6.5” dual voice coil woofer + 2x 3” midwoofers + 2x 1” silk dome tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 44Hz |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 On-The-Go 2 Plus: $349.95 Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox On the Go (ranked lower, rated 3/5).
Pros: Well balanced with strong vocals, and its front-firing bass ports give it cleaner, smoother bass than other PartyBoxes, so even the Punchy bass boost setting never overpowers the vocals. It gets a touch louder than the PartyBox Encore 2. EasySing AI vocal removal strips vocals from any song on the speaker itself, with 25%, 50% or 100% removal, and the included rechargeable wireless mic has a tight pickup pattern that rejects handling noise. A removable 34Wh battery shared with the Encore 2 and PartyBox 120, a claimed 15 hours, a padded shoulder strap, USB-C playback and charging, a 3.5mm aux input, Auracast and a light show.
Cons: The bass has less kick and physical impact than the Encore 2 or PartyBox Club 120, and the Club 120 gets noticeably louder. There is no wired microphone or guitar input, so more mics means buying JBL’s EasySing mics separately, and AI vocal removal is disabled while the speaker is linked to other speakers over Auracast. Real world battery life is closer to 7 hours at 80% volume with lights and bass boost on. IPX4 only covers splashes, the grille dents easily, and the battery must be installed for it to run even when plugged in.
Full JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (JBL One app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 19.7” x 10.2” x 8.7” (501 x 258 x 221 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, Deep and Punchy bass boost) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | No (wireless only) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 11V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 14.2 lbs (6.45 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- See all 58 comparisons
Aiwa Exos-9: $250 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Aiwa Exos-10, ranked lower, rated 3.5/5.
Pros: Aiwa Exos-9 uses 6.5” dual voice coil woofer + 2x 3” midwoofers + 2x 1” silk dome tweeters. Its 6.9 kg, claimed 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. It still sounds great against current models. Measured bass extension of 44Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 44Hz specification. There is no companion app. Discontinued.
Full Aiwa Exos-9 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.4” x 7.5” x 11.7” (492.8 x 190.5 x 297.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” dual voice coil woofer + 2x 3” midwoofers + 2x 1” silk dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (5-band graphic EQ + 4 presets) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (with adapter) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 15.2 lbs (6.9 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Aiwa Exos-9 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Aiwa Exos-9 vs Vifa Copenhagen 2.0
- Aiwa Exos-9 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Aiwa Exos-9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- Aiwa Exos-9 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- Aiwa Exos-9 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Aiwa Exos-9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Aiwa Exos-9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- See all 30 comparisons