Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.7/5 (#2 and #7 of 13 large party speakers), so choose on features and fit.
The case for the JBL Partybox Ultimate: A true large-venue party speaker: its 1,100W system, dual 9-inch woofers and six-driver array produce exceptionally deep, authoritative bass and very high clean output. The catch: At 86 lbs (39 kg) and more than a metre tall, this is not casually portable despite the wheels.
The case for the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2: 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. The tradeoff: AC-only: there is no battery, so it needs mains power wherever it goes.
Buy the JBL Partybox Ultimate or the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Ultimate | JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.95 | £1,399.00 Upcoming |
| Ranked | #2 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #7 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | JBL One |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (Smart EQ Mode) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (EasySing AI vocal removal) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | Yes (USB-C PD, up to 20V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 86 lbs (39 kg) | 105.1 lbs (47.68 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 17.9” x 41.3” x 17.3” (455 x 1049 x 440 mm) | 18.4” x 41.4” x 19.4” (466.7 x 1052.5 x 493.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 9” subwoofer, 2x 4.5” midrange, 2x 2.75” tweeter | 2x 264mm subwoofer, 2x 124mm mid-range, 2x 30mm horn-loaded tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 1100W | 1500W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 28Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) |
| Optical Input | - | Yes |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox Ultimate:
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs Teufel Rockster 2
- JBL Partybox 720 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- JBL Partybox 710 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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: $1,499.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2, ranked lower, estimated 4.7/5.
Smaller models: the JBL Partybox Stage 320 (rated 4.6/5) and the JBL Partybox Club 120 (rated 4.5/5).
Pros: A true large-venue party speaker: its 1,100W system, dual 9-inch woofers and six-driver array produce exceptionally deep, authoritative bass and very high clean output. Independent reviews praise its unusually clear, articulate sound at extreme levels. Wi-Fi streaming, app EQ, inputs for two mics/guitar, USB playback, Auracast, a polished light show and wheels make it unusually complete for karaoke and DJ-style use.
Cons: At 39kg and more than a metre tall, this is not casually portable despite the wheels. It needs AC power, has no battery and only IPX4 splash resistance. Reviews also note that its bass-heavy presentation can obscure fine detail and overwhelm a small room; its size and cost only make sense for very large spaces or frequent events. JBL’s wired daisy chain only works with other JBL speakers.
Full JBL Partybox Ultimate review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1100W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| 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 | 17.9” x 41.3” x 17.3” (455 x 1049 x 440 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 9” subwoofer, 2x 4.5” midrange, 2x 2.75” tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 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 |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 86 lbs (39 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox Ultimate Vs SOUNDBOKS 4 & Sony XV900 - Is It Worth It? More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox Ultimate Vs Partybox 710 - They’re Both Crazy, But There Is A Clear Winner
- Flossy Carter: JBL PartyBox Ultimate VS JBL PartyBox 1000 - Which Speaker is The BEST? More from FlossyCarter →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- GYMCADDY: Sony ULT Tower 10 Vs JBL Partybox Ultimate & JBL Partybox 710
- M1MTechChannel: Vorsicht LAUT ⚠️ | Teufel Rockster 2 vs JBL Partybox 720 / Ultimate More from M1MTechChannel →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs JBL Partybox 1000
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs Sony ULT Tower Max
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs Teufel Rockster 2
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs JBL Partybox 720
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs JBL Partybox 710
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs JBL Partybox 520
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs Teufel Rockster
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- See all 17 comparisons
JBL Partybox Ultimate 2: £1,399.00 Upcoming Estimated Peter Tyson
Older model: the JBL Partybox Ultimate (ranked higher, 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 | 18.4” x 41.4” x 19.4” (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 | 105.1 lbs (47.68 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs JBL Partybox 520
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs JBL Partybox 710
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs JBL Partybox 720
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Teufel Rockster 2
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Sony ULT Tower 10
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs JBL Partybox 1000
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Sony SRS-XV900
- See all 10 comparisons