Short answer: the Everse 12 for battery-powered PA loudness, mixing and low weight, the Partybox Ultimate 2 for output, deep bass, Wi-Fi streaming and inputs.
The Everse 12 is the portable PA of the two. It weighs 14.2kg against the Partybox Ultimate 2’s 47.68kg, runs on a removable battery rated for 12 hours or more, and is built as a two-way active PA with a 12-inch woofer and 1-inch compression driver, a 100 by 60 degree coverage pattern and a 35mm pole mount with 25 or 55 degree monitor angles. It also has a four-channel digital mixer with EQ, effects and ducking, plus USB-C power for charging a phone.
The Partybox Ultimate 2 is the larger, deeper system. JBL rates it at 1500W RMS against the Everse 12’s 400W, with extension to 28Hz (-6dB) against the Everse’s 45Hz (-10dB) and 55Hz (-3dB). Both are rated at 126dB maximum output, and both are mono designs rather than stereo.
Inputs and connectivity differ by job. The JBL adds Wi-Fi with AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect and an optical input on top of mic, guitar, aux and USB playback; the Everse 12 keeps two XLR/TRS combo inputs, a 3.5mm stereo input and Bluetooth with aptX. Neither plays from USB storage. The Everse 12 is IP43 against the JBL’s IPX4, so the JBL handles splashes while the EV only resists light moisture.
Buy the Partybox Ultimate 2 if you have mains power and want the deepest bass, the highest rated output and Wi-Fi streaming.
Buy the Everse 12 if you want a battery-powered PA you can carry and mix through, with monitor angles and a four-channel mixer for live use.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 | Electro-Voice Everse 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,399.00 | $1,099.00 |
| Ranked | - | #1 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 1500W RMS | 400W |
| App | JBL One | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 12+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | aptX, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 466.7 x 1052.5 x 493.3 mm | 13.6” x 23.5” x 13.7” (345 x 597 x 347 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 264mm subwoofer, 2x 124mm mid-range, 2x 30mm horn-loaded tweeter | 12” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ Mode) | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) | 55Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP43 |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes (EasySing AI vocal removal) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Speaker Link, up to 6 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C PD, up to 20V/1.5A) | Yes (USB-C, 1.5A max) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 47.68 kg | 31.3 lbs (14.2 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 45Hz |
| Inputs | - | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | - | 126dB |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | - | Polypropylene |
| Rigging | - | 35mm pole mount; 25° or 55° monitor angle |
| Coverage | - | 100° H x 60° V |
| DSP | - | 4-channel digital mixer with EQ, effects and ducking |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 55Hz |
Prices on this page were last checked September 28, 2026 at 4:33 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 Ultimate 2: £1,399.00 Peter Tyson eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox Ultimate (rated 4.7/5).
Pros: A 1500W RMS system (up from the original Ultimate’s 1100W) driving dual 264mm subwoofers, dual 124mm mid-range drivers and dual 30mm horn-loaded PEN tweeters, with manufacturer-rated extension to 28Hz (-6dB) from a 1.05m-tall cabinet. Wi-Fi streaming with AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect sits alongside Bluetooth 5.3 and Auracast multi-speaker linking. Inputs cover an XLR line-in, mic, guitar, aux, optical and USB-C playback, and karaoke gets AI vocal removal. JBL One app control, a full-panel light show with floor projection, and wheels plus a handle for its 47.68kg. IPX4 splash resistance.
Cons: AC-only: there is no battery, so it needs mains power wherever it goes. At 47.68kg and just over a metre tall it is still a two-person lift despite the wheels, and 47.68kg is heavier than the 39kg model it replaces. IPX4 only shrugs off splashes, not rain or dust. No independent measurements have been published yet, so its real output and sound quality can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Not yet sold in the US.
Full JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1500W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | JBL One |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 466.7 x 1052.5 x 493.3 mm |
| Drivers | 2x 264mm subwoofer, 2x 124mm mid-range, 2x 30mm horn-loaded tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ Mode) |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (EasySing AI vocal removal) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C PD, up to 20V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 47.68 kg |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
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Electro-Voice Everse 12: $1,099.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Good midrange and treble. The best sounding extremely loud speaker available. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Designed for more loudness than deep bass.
Full Electro-Voice Everse 12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 400W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 12+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, SBC |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Coverage | 100° H x 60° V |
| DSP | 4-channel digital mixer with EQ, effects and ducking |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 23.5” x 13.7” (345 x 597 x 347 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP43 |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Speaker Link, up to 6 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 1.5A max) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount; 25° or 55° monitor angle |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 31.3 lbs (14.2 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Electro-Voice Everse 12 vs Electrotec Stage One
- Electro-Voice Everse 12 vs Electro-Voice Everse 8
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- Electro-Voice Everse 12 vs Bose S1 Pro+
- Electro-Voice Everse 12 vs Mackie Thump Go
- Electro-Voice Everse 12 vs Soundboks 4
- Electro-Voice Everse 12 vs JBL Eon One Compact
- See all 24 comparisons