JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs JBL Partybox 1000

Short answer: the Partybox Ultimate 2 on every modern measure, the Partybox 1000 only if a simpler, lighter cabinet appeals.

The two are generations apart on connectivity. The Partybox 1000 runs Bluetooth 4.2 with no Wi-Fi and no companion app at all, while the Partybox Ultimate 2 has Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi with AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect, Auracast multi-speaker linking, the JBL One app and Smart EQ. That gap matters most for streaming quality, multi-room use and tone control.

The Ultimate 2 also has the newer and larger driver array. It uses dual 264mm subwoofers, dual 124mm midrange and dual 30mm horn-loaded tweeters against the 1000’s single down-firing 12-inch woofer, dual 7-inch midrange and compression horn tweeter, and JBL rates it at 1500W RMS against the 1000’s 1100W. The 1000 brings no IP rating, while the Ultimate 2 is IPX4.

The 1000 is the lighter and simpler speaker. At 34kg it is more than 13kg lighter than the 47.68kg Ultimate 2, and its controls and light show are more basic. Neither has a battery, so both need mains power.

Buy the Partybox Ultimate 2 for current Bluetooth, Wi-Fi streaming, app EQ and the higher-rated output.

Buy the Partybox 1000 if you want a lighter, simpler large party speaker and can live without Wi-Fi and an app.

If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 at IPX4 (splashing) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox 1000 at no water resistance.

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Specifications Side By Side

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.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

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
  • JBL PartyBox Ultimate 2 spec sheet (PDF)
  • FCC certification (APIJBLPBUTMT2)
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Sony ULT Tower Max
  • JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
  • JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Teufel Rockster 2
  • JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs JBL Partybox 720
  • JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs JBL Partybox 710
  • JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Soundboks 4
  • JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Electro-Voice Everse 12

JBL Partybox 1000: $1,099.95 Amazon eBay

Pros: Handle and wheels are convenient. Right up there with the Partybox Ultimate, this was the previous speaker in that size. A better value than the Partybox Ultimate. Nice waterfall lightshow.

Cons: Very large and heavy. No battery. No app.

Full JBL Partybox 1000 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power	1100W
App	No
Aux Input	Yes
Battery Life	No Battery
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Bluetooth Version	4.2
Built-in Microphone	No
Digital Aux Input	No
Dimensions	15.6” x 41.3” x 15.4” (397 x 1050 x 390 mm)
Drivers	1x 12” down-firing woofer, 2x 7” midrange, 1x compression horn tweeter
EQ	Yes
Guitar Input	Yes
IP Rating	None
Lights	Yes
Microphone Input	Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect)
Omnidirectional	No
Party Mode	No
Power Bank	Yes (USB-A)
Power Input	AC Power cord
Stereo	Yes
Strap	No
TWS	Yes
USB Playback	Yes
Weight	75 lbs (34 kg)
Wheels	Yes
Wi-Fi	No

• Links
  • Official JBL Partybox 1000 Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Flossy Carter: JBL PartyBox Ultimate VS JBL PartyBox 1000 - Which Speaker is The BEST? More from FlossyCarter →
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
  • JBL Partybox 1000 vs Teufel Rockster 2
  • JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox 720
  • JBL Partybox 1000 vs Sony ULT Tower Max
  • JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox 710
  • JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox 520
  • JBL Partybox 1000 vs Teufel Rockster
  • JBL Partybox 1000 vs Sony ULT Tower 9
  • See all 20 comparisons