Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It ranks #5 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $209; the Turtlebox Grande ranks #54 and costs $730, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Turtlebox Grande offers: 10-inch woofer. IP67 submersible shell with crush-proof ABS exterior. 158Wh battery provides ~3 days of playback. Bluetooth 5.4, party mode (100+ speakers). Watch for: They pretty much lie about all their specs and sound just okay in all youtube sound samples. Only 100w will never hit 126db at a reasonable measuring distance. Putting your db meter right against the speaker doesn’t count, 1 meter distance is the standard. Barely any bass for a 10” woofer. Overpriced and not worth it.
What the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 offers: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. A little less rolled off in the highs than the first Encore. Goes slightly deeper than the old Encore. Better battery life than the first Encore. Watch for: Missing a little bit of upper bass. No wireless Microphones like the non-Essential
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Grande and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Turtlebox Grande is rated for 25 hours versus 15 hours for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the Turtlebox Grande at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Grande | JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $730.00 | $209.00 |
| Ranked | #54 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #5 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 18.8 lbs / 8.53 kg | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| EQ | No | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Output Power | 86W | 100W RMS |
| Dimensions | 14" x 8.4" x 11.5" (355.6 x 213.4 x 292.1 mm) | 12.6" x 13.5" x 10.3" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 10" (254mm) woofer + 1x 1.25" (32mm) titanium tweeter | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Wireless Microphones | - | No |
| Max Volume | - | 110dB |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Turtlebox Grande: $730.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: 10-inch woofer. IP67 submersible shell with crush-proof ABS exterior. 158Wh battery provides ~3 days of playback. Bluetooth 5.4, party mode (100+ speakers).
Cons: They pretty much lie about all their specs and sound just okay in all youtube sound samples. Only 100w will never hit 126db at a reasonable measuring distance. Putting your db meter right against the speaker doesn’t count, 1 meter distance is the standard. Barely any bass for a 10” woofer. Overpriced and not worth it.
Full Turtlebox Grande review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 14" x 8.4" x 11.5" (355.6 x 213.4 x 292.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 10" (254mm) woofer + 1x 1.25" (32mm) titanium tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 86W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 18.8 lbs / 8.53 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2: $209.00 Amazon Bhphotovideo eBay
Pros: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. A little less rolled off in the highs than the first Encore. Goes slightly deeper than the old Encore. Better battery life than the first Encore.
Cons: Missing a little bit of upper bass. No wireless Microphones like the non-Essential
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
|---|---|
| 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 | 12.6" x 13.5" x 10.3" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore
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- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
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