Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Partybox Stage 320 ranks #3 of 40 party speakers by sound quality at $499.95; the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 ranks #6 of 76 boombox speakers by sound quality at $259.
Different sizes. The Stage 320 is a 16.5 kg party speaker on wheels with two 6.5 inch woofers and 240W. The Encore Essential 2 is a 6.2 kg boombox with one 5.25 inch woofer and 100W. Each is rated within its own class.
The Encore Essential 2 punches above its size. Testing finds a balanced midrange, punchy low bass and about 110dB of output, enough for a backyard gathering. It has a 7-band app EQ, mic and guitar inputs and a claimed 15 hours. It is front-facing, so sound changes to the sides, and it does not include the wireless mics that come with the regular Encore 2.
The Stage 320 is for bigger crowds, keeping more bass at high volume than the PartyBox 310, with wheels, a removable battery and a claimed 18 hours.
Both are IPX4 with Auracast, lights and USB playback.
Buy the JBL Partybox Stage 320 at $499.95 if you want a party speaker. Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 at $259 if you want a boombox speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Stage 320 | JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.95 | $259.00 |
| Ranked | #3 of 40 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #6 of 76 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” woofers, 2x 25mm tweeters | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| 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) | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 240W | 100W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 26.3”H x 13.2”W x 15.2”D (669 x 335 x 385 mm) | 12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) |
| Strap | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Wireless Microphones | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to 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 26, 2026 at 11:14 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 Stage 320: $499.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older models: the JBL Partybox 310 (rated 4.5/5) and the JBL Partybox 300 (rated 4.3/5).
Pros: Handle and wheels are convenient. Customizable color lighting modes. Keeps more bass than the JBL Partybox 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 |
| Dimensions | 26.3”H x 13.2”W x 15.2”D (669 x 335 x 385 mm) |
| 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 |
| Strap | No |
| 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
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JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2: $259.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential (rated 4.2/5).
Pros: A compact 6.2kg party speaker with 100W output, 110dB maximum level, a 15-hour claimed battery, app-based 7-band EQ, dynamic lighting, USB playback, guitar and mic inputs, and Auracast linking. Independent testing finds a balanced midrange, genuinely punchy low bass and enough output for a backyard gathering; its dome tweeters also improve the earlier Encore’s high-frequency behavior.
Cons: It is front-facing, so the sound changes noticeably to the sides and behind it, and bass compression reduces kick-drum impact at maximum volume. Bluetooth latency can cause lip-sync issues, its IPX4 rating only covers splashes, and it omits the wireless microphones bundled with the non-Essential Encore 2.
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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