So obviously there’s a lot of hype around the new JBL Boombox 2 cause the original Boombox has been super popular for a while now… But the JBL Partybox 300 is also super popular cause its a huge bluetooth speaker with a built in light feature that actually cost the same as the Boombox 2. So lets see how the Boombox 2 stacks up against the Partybox 300 and im also going to be including the original Boombox in this video cause the original boombox might still be attractive to some people who might want to save some money.

SO like I just mentioned, the Boombox 2 and Partybox 300 actually retail for the same price of $500 where as the original boombox can typically be found on sale for $400 these days. So if you’re willing to make some minor comprises with the original Boombox it’ll end up saving you $100. So if you want to pick any of these speakers up they’ll be linked down below and if you want to learn more about any of these speakers please watch their full review cause we’re only going over their main differences. 

So first off we need to address the size and designs of these speakers. Both boombox’s have those signature exposed passive radiators on either side, they both have fabric covered bodies so they can stand up to constant bumps and scrapes whenever you’re moving these speakers around and they’re both IPX7 water proof so they aren’t afraid of water. Over all both boombox’s are very durable and they can stand up to a good amount of abuse. Where as the Partybox is a lot more delicate cause it has a mostly plastic body which does like to scratch up rather easily and this speaker is not splash proof. So if this speaker were to get caught in the rain or get a drink spilled on it you’ll might be in some trouble. So obviously if you’re looking for a speaker to constantly take on the go with you from location to location then you’re much better off with the Boombox or Boombox 2 cause they’re not just way more durable, but they’re way lighter weighing in at 11 and a half pounds and 13 pounds respectively. Where as the Partybox weighs in at 35 pounds. So lugging this speaker around is definitely a work out. Now to keep things simple if you’re looking for a large bluetooth speaker to use in your room I highly recommend you just go with a Boombox where as if you’re looking for a speaker to mainly use in your man cave, garage, or out doors then you’re better off going to the Partybox. 

But now lets quickly address the light feature found on the partybox. Now the JBL Partybox is not the only large box speaker out there with a built in light feature… But the built in light feature found on the Partybox is perhaps one of the best looking ones out there. The colors in this light feature are very vibrant and you also have multiple patterns to choose from. But in direct sunlight this light feature is very hard to see. But non the less like I mentioned earlier this speaker would be a great option if you’re looking for a speaker for your man cave cause this light feature is pretty cool. 

But now lets get into the tech specs… bluetooth wise all of these speakers perform the same. They can all be connected to 2 devices at the same time and they all have a slight latency across the board whenever you try to watch movies or videos on your phone whether you’re using an iPhone or an android device. Now I rarely use either of these speakers to watch videos with but I did want to point that out for the monsters thats do. 

Now when it comes to ports, all three of these speakers have an audio jack so you can use a wired connection and they all have a USB A out port so that you can charge your on devices. But the partybox those have more ports at your disposal. First off theres a mic and guitar input if you’re into that but more importantly this speaker does have RCA inputs and outputs. So you can either hook this speaker up to a receiver or you can even daisy chain this speaker to another speaker. 

Now when it comes to battery life both boomboxes have an advertised battery life of 24 hours where as the Partybox 300 has an advertised battery life 18 hours. But real world use with these speakers set at 80 percent volume the Partybox 300 is good for around 4 hours of playback time, where as the Boombox 2 is good for 7 hours or playback time and the original Boombox is good for 8 and a half hours of playback time. So if you’re looking for the best battery life here than the original boombox is the way to go. 

But something that pretty unique to the Partybox is that it comes with a car charger. So you can actually hook it up to your car and play music like that. The only thing to keep in mind is that it won’t actually charge the speaker it self. But non the less having this option is pretty cool if you’re crazy enough to take this speaker camping or something. 

But now lets talk about actually listening to music with these speakers… So just as you’d expect, since the Partybox 300 is larger than both boomboxes its going to get louder an have more bass. Now the Partybox 300 has a rated out put of 120 watts RMS and 240 watts max. Where as the Boombox 2 is rated at 60 watts when its running off of its internal battery and 80 watts when its plugged. And then the original boombox is rated at 40 watts when its running off of its internal battery and its rated at 60 watts when its plugged in. So ultimately what this all means is that the Boombox 2 is supposed to get louder than the original boombox, and the Partybox is in a whole other league. Now when it comes to speaker set ups both boomsboxes have dual 4 inch woofers and dual 20 millimeter tweeters shooting out the front and you’ve got those signature passive radiators shooting out the sides. And then theres the partybox 300 which has dual 6.5 inch woofers and three 2.5 inch tweeters. But keep in mind this speaker only uses 2 tweeters at a time… so if its standing up it’ll use the two top ones and when you’ve got it on its side it’ll use the side ones instead. But with all that being said we’re going to jump into the sound test. We’re going to be comparing these speakers at their max volumes cause I feel thats what most people are interested in.

SO first off I do want to point out that the sound signature on these speakers are a little different at max volumes. Both Boomboxes like to put more of an emphasis on the mids and highs than the Partybox does when set at max volume. The Boombox 2 a little more so than the original boombox. And like I said in the full review I feel the Boombox 2 can sound very bright at higher volumes and the highs can get ear piercing at times. Where as the Partybox does put an emphasis on the mids but not so much on the highs. So vocals on the Partybox are pronounced but the highs don’t get as ear piercing at higher volumes which is good. And over all the partybox does sound fuller at max volume. Now when used below 80% volume both boomboxes sound identical to the partybox sound signature wise. Like ive mentioned in past videos, both boomboxes really only increase their bass up until they hit 80 or 85 percent volume. From there on out really only the mids and highs get increased. So at higher volumes both boomboxes can sound nasally and a little shallow cause they don’t have the physical bass to the back it up. Where as since the Partybox keeps its sound signature relatively the same no matter how high you increase its volume it sounds more natural. Now when it comes to max loudness both boomboxes do a decent job of keeping up with the Partybox but keep in mind thats cause they’re putting an emphasis on the mids the highs. The major differentiating factor between these speakers is going to be the amount of physical bass you feel in your chest. Obviously since the Partybox is bigger you feel the bass more. Now like I mentioned earlier if you Plug either of these boombox’s in you can get a little more of of them. They’ll get a little louder and put out a little more bass. But still the Partybox is going to shake your insides way more. 

Now the Partybox also has this bass boost button. If you want to get the best battery life out of this speaker than you should use it with this featured turn on. But if you want to have maximum fun then you turn this feature on… but it is going to drain the battery a little faster. Now plenty of other speakers out there have a bass boost button, but the reason why I like the bass feature on the partybox is cause it doesn’t really change how your music sounds signature wise… it just adds more thump to your music. Cause a lot of other speaker out there that do have a bass boost button end up making your speaker sound very muffled cause the mids end up getting buried. 

So if you’re looking for maximum loudness and maximum bass then yeah Partybox is the way to go especially if you’re looking for something for your man cave or garage. But if you’re looking for something to mostly use in your bedroom than I think you’ll be perfectly fine going with a Boombox. Now when it comes to choosing between the original boombox or boombox 2… I think you’ll be perfectly fine with the original boombox cause the boombox 2 only sounds marginally better than the original boombox. 

The only major sacrifice you’ll be making with the original boombox is that its a JBL connect plus speaker so you’ll only be able to pair it up to other JBL connect plus speakers like another Boombox, an extreme 2, charge 4, flip 4, or pulse 3. So you won’t be able to pair the original Boombox to newer JBL speakers. 

Cause newer JBL speakers like the Boombox 2, flip 5, or pulse 4 are all using party boost. And future JBL speakers that are coming down the pipe line are also going to use Partyboost until JBL comes out with a new pairing protocol and forces you to upgrade all over again. And you can’t pair a JBL party boost speaker to a JBL connect plus speaker. 

But also keep in mind you can’t pair any JBL connect plus to party boost speakers to a Partybox. You can only pair one partybox to another partybox. Or you can use that RCA out put I mentioned earlier. So definitely there is a lot of fragmentation going on right now between JBL’s speakers. 

But over all, if you’ve got $500 to spend on a large portable bluetooth speaker then I think you’re better off going with the Partybox 300 if you’re looking for something to use in your man cave or garage. This speaker sound great, it has a ton of bass to it, and that light feature is one of the best around in my opinion. And if you need to move your speaker around the garage, or if you want to take it out on the patio then you can easily do so and run it off of its built in battery. But if you need something thats still big but way more portable I think you’re way better off with a Boombox. Cause even though the Partybox 300 is portable… its a hassle. And like I mentioned earlier if you just want a large speaker for your room than just get yourself the Boombox. Now when it comes to choosing between the original Boombox and Boombox 2 if you’re just looking for a single speaker than I say save yourself some money and get yourself the original boombox cause the boombox 2 only sounds marginally better. The only reason I would go with the Boombox 2 over the original is cause I already have a party boost speaker or if I plan on getting more party boost speakers in the future. But ultimately, if you’re just looking for a single large bluetooth speaker and you’re considering getting a JBL Boombox… then I highly advise you check out the new UE Hyperboom first. That video will be linked right here for you.