Short answer: the Teufel Rockster 2 for better sound quality, the JBL Partybox 520 for the lower price. The Teufel Rockster 2 ranks #3 of 11 large party speakers at $1269.94. The JBL Partybox 520 ranks #6 at $879.95, $389.99 cheaper.
What the Teufel Rockster 2 gets right: Sounds better and more evenly tuned than the JBL Partybox 720. Horn-loaded tweeter gives far more consistent off-axis sound, unlike the Partybox 720’s dual tweeters, which suffer from comb-filtering interference. Set against that: Not quite as deep bass as the JBL Partybox 720. Bass output drops off further at high volume.
On the JBL Partybox 520 side: Handle and wheels are convenient. Lightshow ability. The biggest battery powered JBL currently. Watch for: Very large and heavy. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal.
Buy the Teufel Rockster 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Partybox 520 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Teufel Rockster 2 | JBL Partybox 520 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,269.94 | $879.95 |
| Ranked | #3 of 11 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #6 of 11 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm, 6.3mm, RCA) | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX2 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (XLR) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord, USB-C | AC Power cord |
| Weight | 96.5 lbs / 43.79 kg | 56.2 lbs / 25.5 kg |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x, line level) | - |
| App | Yes (Teufel Go) | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (5 band) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Link, up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Wifi | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 20.6" x 38.6" x 23.4" (524 x 980 x 595 mm) | 16.3" x 30.3" x 14.5" (415 x 769 x 369 mm) |
| Drivers | 2-way: 1x 380mm (15") woofer, 1x 35mm horn-loaded tweeter | 2x 7.5" woofer, 2x 1" dome tweeter |
| Output Power | 440W | 400W |
| Max Volume | 132dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 36Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified, -6dB) | - |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Electro-Voice Everse 12 vs JBL Partybox 1000
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox 720
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs Teufel Rockster
- Teufel Rockster 2 vs Sony SRS-XV900
- Marshall Bromley 750 vs JBL Partybox 520
The Two Speakers In Full
Teufel Rockster 2: $1,269.94
Pros: Sounds better and more evenly tuned than the JBL Partybox 720. Horn-loaded tweeter gives far more consistent off-axis sound, unlike the Partybox 720’s dual tweeters, which suffer from comb-filtering interference. Gets louder without distorting - the Partybox 720 starts breaking up at high volume well before this does. Projects clearly over long outdoor distances, covering a large area evenly.
Cons: Not quite as deep bass as the JBL Partybox 720. Bass output drops off further at high volume.
Full Teufel Rockster 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Teufel Go) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm, 6.3mm, RCA) |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 20.6" x 38.6" x 23.4" (524 x 980 x 595 mm) |
| Drivers | 2-way: 1x 380mm (15") woofer, 1x 35mm horn-loaded tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 36Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified, -6dB) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX2 |
| Max Volume | 132dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes (XLR) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 440W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord, USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 96.5 lbs / 43.79 kg |
| Wifi | No |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x, line level) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Teufel Rockster 2 vs JBL Partybox 720 - in the open field
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Teufel Rockster 2 vs JBL Partybox 720 - indoor listening test
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Teufel Rockster 2 vs Rockster Air 2 - indoor listening
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Teufel Rockster 2 vs JBL Partybox 720 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: Teufel Rockster 2 vs JBL Partybox 720 - indoor listening test
- Oluv Patreon: Teufel Rockster 2 vs Rockster Air 2 - indoor listening test
- Oluv Patreon: Teufel Rockster 2 vs JBL Partybox 720 - in the open field
- Oluv Patreon: Teufel Rockster 2 vs JBL Partybox 720 - on the street
- Reddit Search for Teufel Rockster 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Teufel Rockster 2 vs JBL Partybox 720
- Teufel Rockster 2 vs JBL Partybox 1000
- Teufel Rockster 2 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- Teufel Rockster 2 vs JBL Partybox 710
- Teufel Rockster 2 vs Teufel Rockster
- Teufel Rockster 2 vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- Teufel Rockster 2 vs Sony ULT Tower 10
- Teufel Rockster 2 vs Sony SRS-XV900
- See all 12 comparisons
JBL Partybox 520: $879.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Handle and wheels are convenient. Lightshow ability. The biggest battery powered JBL currently.
Cons: Very large and heavy. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal.
Full JBL Partybox 520 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.3" x 30.3" x 14.5" (415 x 769 x 369 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 7.5" woofer, 2x 1" dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 400W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 56.2 lbs / 25.5 kg |
| Wifi | No |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 & 720 - indoor listening session
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 vs 720 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 320 vs 520 - indoor listening session
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 320 vs 520 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 vs Teufel Rockster Neo
- Oluv Patreon: W-King T12 vs JBL Partybox 520
- AudioTribe: JBL PartyBox 520 Loudness & BASS Test Will Shock You!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs JBL Partybox 520
- AudioTribe: JBL Partybox 720 vs JBL Partybox 520 Who’s Better?
- Reddit Search for JBL Partybox 520 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox 520 vs Teufel Rockster
- JBL Partybox 520 vs JBL Partybox 710
- JBL Partybox 520 vs JBL Partybox 720
- JBL Partybox 520 vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- JBL Partybox 520 vs Sony ULT Tower 10
- JBL Partybox 520 vs JBL Partybox 1000
- JBL Partybox 520 vs Sony SRS-XV900
- JBL Partybox 520 vs Marshall Bromley 750
- See all 10 comparisons