Short answer: the Skullcandy Barrel. It ranks #39 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $150; the JBL Partybox On the Go ranks #44 and costs $300, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Skullcandy Barrel gets right: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. The catch: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers.
What the JBL Partybox On the Go offers: Included wireless microphone. Watch for: Poor water rating.
Buy the Skullcandy Barrel. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Partybox On the Go and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If water resistance matters to you, the Skullcandy Barrel at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox On the Go at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Skullcandy Barrel | JBL Partybox On the Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $300 |
| Ranked | #39 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #44 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz | 49Hz |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg | 16.5 lbs / 7.5 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Output Power | 60W | 100W |
| Dimensions | 11.8" x 22.1" x 9.6" (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) | 19.3" x 8.8" x 9.6" (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers | 5.1" woofer + tweeters |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 104dB | 94dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Battery Life | - | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- W-King X20 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 vs Zealot ZE41
- W-King H10 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Skullcandy Barrel
The Two Speakers In Full
Skullcandy Barrel: $150 Amazon
Pros: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. 12 hour battery life. Bass Boost mode. Multi-Link feature connects up to 99 speakers. Doubles as phone charger.
Cons: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers. Not as loud as the top ranked speakers. Rolled off treble.
Full Skullcandy Barrel review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8" x 22.1" x 9.6" (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 104dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat Match 🔺 SkullCandy Barrel XT, Tribit Blast & Tronsmart Bang Max 📛 Bluetooth Boombox 🔋
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT Boombox vs. JBL Partybox Encore Party Speaker.🛜 How Low Can You Go?😲
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT Bluetooth Boombox Speaker 📦 Unboxing, First Look & 🔉 Sound Demo
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy BARREL XT vs JBL Boombox 3 🤯Budget Banger vs Reigning Champ 🔋 Battery Powered 🏠 Indoors
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs Soundcore Rave Party 2 (Stock & Custom EQ) 🛜 Battery Powered🔋Let’s Get It🧨
- Jagist reviews: Unboxing Of The Skullcandy Barrel XT
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Skullcandy Barrel XT!!! 🤔😋
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Skullcandy Barrel XT!!! 🤔😋
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs ONN Medium Party Speaker Gen. 2 😬(Both Bass Boost On🔉) The Price is Right?🤑
- Josh’s Gadgets and More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs ZZA K8 sound comparison
- Reddit Search for Skullcandy Barrel Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Sony SRS-XG500
- Skullcandy Barrel vs JBL Boombox
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- Skullcandy Barrel vs B&O Beolit 20
- Skullcandy Barrel vs ZZA K8
- See all 21 comparisons
JBL Partybox On the Go: $300 Amazon
Pros: Included wireless microphone.
Cons: Poor water rating. Horrible battery life. Probably the worst sounding of the Partybox line. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal.
Full JBL Partybox On the Go review and specifications →
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.3" x 8.8" x 9.6" (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.1" woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 94dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs / 7.5 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Sony SRS-XG500
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs JBL Boombox
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Sony ULT Field 7
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs B&O Beolit 20
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs JBL Authentics 300
- See all 16 comparisons