Short answer: the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. It ranks #26 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $169.98; the JBL Partybox On the Go ranks #44 and costs $300, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus gets right: Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. The catch: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost.
What the JBL Partybox On the Go offers: Included wireless microphone. Watch for: Poor water rating.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. 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 battery life is a priority, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is rated for 20 hours versus 6 hours for the JBL Partybox On the Go.
If water resistance matters to you, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox On the Go at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boom 2 Plus | JBL Partybox On the Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.98 | $300 |
| Ranked | #26 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #44 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 111dB | 94dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs / 3.8 kg | 16.5 lbs / 7.5 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Output Power | 140W | 100W |
| Dimensions | 17.3" x 9.1" x 5.9" (440 x 230 x 150 mm) | 19.3" x 8.8" x 9.6" (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 114mm (4.5") woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75") tweeters | 5.1" woofer + tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Zealot ZE01 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Zealot ZE01
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Zealot ZE01
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Authentics 300
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: $169.98 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. This speaker will likely move up as we get a good EQ tune that makes it a lot more neutral.
Cons: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost. Reasonably deep bass, but not as good as the top ranked.
Full Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.3" x 9.1" x 5.9" (440 x 230 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 114mm (4.5") woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75") tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 111dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 140W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs / 3.8 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: This sounds totally different now! Soundcore Boom Plus 2 firmware 03.10
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review - worst boombox speaker under $400?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus VS Tribit Stormbox Blast 🛜 Boombox Basement Battle 📊Custom EQ 🔥Who You Got?
- Picky Audio: SO CLOSE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3
- Picky Audio: Extended Sound Test (Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3)
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: NEW RELEASE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Motion Boom Plus🤯Stock EQ, Bass^ Enabled🤜🤛 A Family Feud😆
- GYMCADDY: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Showcase - Lots Of Bass In A Small Package
- EL JEFE REVIEWS: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus 💥 BIGGER & BADDER!
- Jagist reviews: Zealot S95 Vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus!!!
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs W-King D20
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Zealot ZE01
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Zealot S95
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 2
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Authentics 300
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3
- See all 24 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 Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs B&O Beolit 20
- See all 16 comparisons