Short answer: the Ultimate 2 is louder on music and better connected, while the original Ultimate hits harder at 40Hz, weighs less and costs less.
Until it ships, the original Ultimate is the one you can buy and use today.
The Ultimate 2 has more power and bigger woofers. It runs 1500W RMS against the original’s 1100W, about 36 percent more, and moves from dual 9 inch subwoofers to dual 264mm (10.4 inch) ones, with dual 124mm mid-range drivers and dual 30mm horn-loaded PEN tweeters. JBL rates it down to 28Hz (-6dB).
On music the Ultimate 2 is louder, but the original hits harder in the deep bass. In AudioTribe’s side by side test indoors, the Ultimate 2 reached 111.3dBA and 114.5dBC against the original’s 107.7dBA and 112.9dBC, and the reviewer found it a little more balanced. With one of its woofers now facing backward, it measured about 6.5dB weaker at 40Hz from the front with a flat EQ (about 88dB against 95dB), matched the original at 50Hz and 80Hz, and kept usable output down to 20 to 25Hz. Neither gets any louder in the bass past roughly 55 to 65 percent volume.
The Ultimate 2 adds newer features. Both have Wi-Fi, but the Ultimate 2 moves from Bluetooth 5.3 to 6.0, lists AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect over Wi-Fi 6, and adds a top-panel touchscreen, AI Sound Boost, Smart EQ modes, EasySing AI vocal removal for karaoke, an optical input, an XLR line-in and a full-panel light show with floor projection. The original’s Dolby Atmos over Wi-Fi and PartyPad features don’t carry over. Its USB-C port charges a phone with USB PD up to 20V, much faster than the original’s 5V USB-A port.
The original Ultimate is lighter. It weighs 86 lbs (39 kg) against the Ultimate 2’s 105.1 lbs (47.68 kg). Both are just over a metre tall with wheels and a handle, so both are still a two-person lift up stairs.
They share the basics. Both are mains-powered with no battery, IPX4 splash resistant, have mic, guitar and aux inputs, USB playback, a full light show, and link to other JBL speakers over Auracast.
Price: the PartyBox Ultimate lists at $1,799.95 and the PartyBox Ultimate 2 at $1,899.95.
Buy the PartyBox Ultimate if you want harder-hitting deep bass for less money and a little less weight.
Buy the PartyBox Ultimate 2 if you want more volume on music, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, the touchscreen, and optical and XLR inputs.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 | JBL Partybox Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,799.95 | $1,899.95 |
| Ranked | #2 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #3 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 1500W RMS | 1100W |
| App | JBL One | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 18.4” x 41.4” x 19.4” (466.7 x 1052.5 x 493.3 mm) | 17.9” x 41.3” x 17.3” (455 x 1049 x 440 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 264mm subwoofer, 2x 124mm mid-range, 2x 30mm horn-loaded tweeter | 2x 9” subwoofer, 2x 4.5” midrange, 2x 2.75” tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ Mode) | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) | - |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (EasySing AI vocal removal) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C PD, up to 20V/1.5A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 105.1 lbs (47.68 kg) | 86 lbs (39 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6, 2.4 and 5GHz) | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | Yes (line-in) | - |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
- AudioTribe: BASS TEST JBL Partybox Ultimate2 vs Ultimate1
- AudioTribe: JBL PartyBox Ultimate 2 vs Ultimate: Is It Worth The Upgrade?
- AudioTribe: Sony ULT Tower MAX VS JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Ultimate WHY SONY IS BETTER?
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