Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Blast. It ranks #2 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $199.99; the JBL Partybox Encore Essential ranks #7 and costs $329.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Tribit Stormbox Blast gets right: Amazing speaker given its size, competes well with some speakers in the Party size class, bass almost as deep as a Partybox 100. The catch: Lacks a bit of detail compared to the top ranked speakers in other size categories, dip at 5.5khz.
On the JBL Partybox Encore Essential side: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker. Set against that: Only 6 hours of battery at medium volume.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Blast. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Partybox Encore Essential and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Stormbox Blast is rated for 30 hours versus 6 hours for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential.
If water resistance matters to you, the Tribit Stormbox Blast at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox Encore Essential at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Blast | JBL Partybox Encore Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 | $329.95 |
| Ranked | #2 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #7 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Tribit App) | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (10 band) | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 66ms | 100ms |
| Max Volume | 108dB | 110dB |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 12 lbs / 5.45 kg | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Output Power | 90W RMS (140W peak) | 100W RMS |
| Dimensions | 15.7" x 6.3" x 9.1" (400 x 160 x 230 mm) | 10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x ~107mm (4.2") woofers + 2x ~25mm tweeters | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Earfun Uboom X vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Zealot S95
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Zealot S89
The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Stormbox Blast: $199.99 Amazon
Pros: Amazing speaker given its size, competes well with some speakers in the Party size class, bass almost as deep as a Partybox 100. Quite neutral in the default and xbass modes, but try Oluv’s EQ or Alan Ross’s EQ for a slightly more neutral sound. Oluv has mentioned v3.5 now uses his EQ as the defaults and sounds extremely good. 2 different light modes or can be turned off.
Cons: Lacks a bit of detail compared to the top ranked speakers in other size categories, dip at 5.5khz. Without the above EQ this speaker would rank around #4 in the rankings. The curved underside of the handle makes it a little harder to grip and can be uncomfortable to carry long distances.
Full Tribit Stormbox Blast review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Tribit App) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 66ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7" x 6.3" x 9.1" (400 x 160 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x ~107mm (4.2") woofers + 2x ~25mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 108dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 90W RMS (140W peak) |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 12 lbs / 5.45 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast Firmware Update 5.2 and other things…….
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Boombox 2 big bass boombox speakers 💕
- Alan Ross Reviews: pound for pound battle! WKing X20 D20 vs Stormbox Blast! OMG its a shocker!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast compared to the 2022 StormBox Blast, i wasn’t expecting this!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion x600 (best speaker ever) or two motion booms?
- Mateusz Cholewa: Tribit Stormbox Blast 🎶 🆚Deep BASS - Tribit Stormbox LAVA
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 🆚 Sony SRS-XG500 - Tailgater Special - Battery Powered ☢️ Bass Boost Enabled.
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or two Motion Boom Pluses for best cheap boombox?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 Mini by an old bloke!
- InFaze Audio: SPEAKER SHOOTOUT Does the Tribit Stormbox Blast Beat the InFaze Audio MS5CX?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus VS Tribit Stormbox Blast 🛜 Boombox Basement Battle 📊Custom EQ 🔥Who You Got?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
- Techder Audios: Tribit Stormbox Blast VS Teufel Boomster “BASS VS FUNCTIONS!”
- Oluv Patreon: SoundBoks 4 vs Stormbox Blast - first impressions
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Earfun UBoom X, a PROPER sound test 😎
- Mateusz Cholewa: EarFun UBOOM X Deep Bass 🆚 Tribit Stormbox Blast🎶Review👌
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Earfun UBoom X - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast - outdoor soundtest
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 vs 2x Tribit Stormbox Blast 🤑 Huge difference?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 🍿 Garage Battle of Boombox Speakers 🍻Custom & Standard EQ’s
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 🍿 Garage Battle of Boombox Speakers 🍻Custom & Standard EQ’s
- Dominik Reviews: Sony ULT Field 7 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast Both good? 😂
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bugani Boost Max vs Tribit Stormbox Blast - GhettoBlaster Battle 🏠Indoors 🔋Battery Powered
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs. Tribit Stormbox Blast - Bluetooth Speaker Basement ⚒ Battle
- Jagist reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Sony SRS XG 500
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Soundcore Motion Boom Plus or W King D10? 🤪
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast Review vs Soundcore Motion Boom Plus - cheap bass!
- DLX Willington: Tough Game! Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Soundcore Motion Boom Plus Binaural sound samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Soundcore Motion Boom Plus or W King D10? 🤪
- Jagist reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Altec Lansing Mix 2.0
- Alan Ross Reviews: Spatial Audio: Soundcore Motion X600 Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Oluv Patreon: Audiocase S5 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast - first impressions
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox Blast Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Earfun Uboom X
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore
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JBL Partybox Encore Essential: $329.95 Amazon
Pros: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker.
Cons: Only 6 hours of battery at medium volume. Poor Water rating.
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential review and specifications →
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample.
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Klipsch Gig XXL vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential (Pee-Wee) - Indoors, Plugged In🔌 Bluetooth Speakers
- Reddit Search for JBL Partybox Encore Essential Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Vifa Copenhagen 2.0
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- See all 17 comparisons