Short answer: the JBL Partybox Stage 320 on measured sound quality, the Altec Lansing AL500 on price. The JBL Partybox Stage 320 ranks #3 of 39 party speakers at $499.95. The Altec Lansing AL500 ranks #38 at $200, $299.95 cheaper.
Short answer: the JBL Partybox Stage 320 comes out ahead here, rated 4.6 versus the Altec Lansing AL500’s 2.1. Worth noting on the JBL Partybox Stage 320: Handle and wheels are convenient. The Altec Lansing AL500’s case starts with dual 8-inch subwoofers with full-range 3” horn tweeter for wide dispersion.
Where they differ on paper:
- IP Rating: IPX4 vs None
- Drivers: 2x 6.5” woofers, 2x 25mm tweeters vs 1x 5” woofer + passive radiators
- EQ: Yes (5 band) vs No
- App: Yes vs No
The JBL Partybox Stage 320’s argument: Handle and wheels are convenient. Watch for: slightly sibilant in the treble at full blast. Price runs higher too, $499.95 versus $200.
The Altec Lansing AL500 is the pick if you want dual 8-inch subwoofers with full-range 3” horn tweeter for wide: Watch for: not very deep bass. It costs less too, $200 against $499.95.
Buy the JBL Partybox Stage 320 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Altec Lansing AL500 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Skip the Altec Lansing AL500 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 39 party speakers.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Partybox Stage 320 is rated at IPX4 (splashing), well ahead of the Altec Lansing AL500 at no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Stage 320 | Altec Lansing AL500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.95 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #3 of 39 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #38 of 39 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" woofers, 2x 25mm tweeters | 1x 5" woofer + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | No |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 36.4 lbs (16.5 kg) | 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 240W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~60Hz |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox Stage 320:
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
Prices on this page were last checked September 17, 2026 at 12:43 AM 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 Stage 320: $499.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Handle and wheels are convenient. Customizable color lighting modes. Keeps more bass than the 310 at high volume. Removable battery.
Cons: Slightly sibilant in the treble at full blast. Very large.
Full JBL Partybox Stage 320 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 240W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" woofers, 2x 25mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 36.4 lbs (16.5 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 320 vs 520 - indoor listening session More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 320 vs 520 - outdoor test
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs 310 🛜 Defcon 5🚨 Bass Alert! Take Shelter Immediately! 😲 Best Bass Goes To? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs 310 🥳 A Family Feud! Battery Powered🔋Bluetooth Party Speakers Face-Off🤬
- GYMCADDY: JBL PartyBox Stage 320 Review - Big Upgrades Everywhere, Worth The Upgrade More from GYMCADDY →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- M1MTechChannel: soundcore Rave 3S mit 200W | LAUTER als die JBL Partybox 320 ?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs JBL Partybox 310
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs Sony ULT Tower 5
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs JBL Partybox 130
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs JBL Partybox 100
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs JBL Partybox 110
- See all 66 comparisons
Altec Lansing AL500: $200 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Dual 8-inch subwoofers with full-range 3” horn tweeter for wide dispersion. 2500W power with 400W RMS output. Long-lasting lithium 12V/2400 mAh rechargeable battery. Wireless Bluetooth streaming and built-in microphone for singing. True Wireless Stereo (TWS) pairing capability. Portable party speaker system for outdoor entertaining. Measured bass extension of ~60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not very deep bass. Discontinued.
Full Altec Lansing AL500 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~60Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 5" woofer + passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Altec Lansing AL500 vs Soundcore Rave+
- Altec Lansing AL500 vs Sharp PS-929
- Altec Lansing AL500 vs Onn Large Party gen 1
- Altec Lansing AL500 vs LG XL7
- Altec Lansing AL500 vs Onn Large Party gen 2
- Altec Lansing AL500 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- Altec Lansing AL500 vs JBL Partybox 130
- Altec Lansing AL500 vs JBL Partybox 330