JBL Boombox 3 vs JBL Club Partybox 120

JBL Boombox 3 vs JBL Club Partybox 120: Which is better?

The JBL Boombox 3 and the JBL Club PartyBox 120 are some of the loudest Bluetooth speakers from JBL, although the Partybox 120 is slightly louder. The JBL Boombox 3 has a maximum wattage of 180W of AC power, while the PartyBox 120 delivers a massive 240W of power and comes equipped with PA sound system features including a built-in light show that syncs together with your music.

The Boombox 3 (with its large handle and IP67 rating) is comparatively more portable than the Partybox 120, which is bigger and heavier and better suited as an entry-level PA speaker system. The Partybox 120 has built-in light effects (great for a more vibrant party atmosphere) while the Boombox 3 sticks to a simpler design meant for easy carrying. The Partybox 120 delivers louder volume and heavier bass when I push it to higher levels, but I found it less convenient to move between rooms because of its size and weight.

The Boombox 3 still offers powerful sound (especially in the low end) though its main advantage is the balance between portability and audio performance, whereas the Partybox 120 feels like a dedicated party machine that I’d only bring out when I want more flashy effects and don’t mind the extra bulk. One advantage that the PartyBox 120 has over the PartyBox 110 model is that it comes equipped with built-in wheels and a folding handle for extra portability.

Specs Comparison

Specs-wise, the Boombox 3 weighs about 6.7 kg and delivers up to 180 W of power in AC mode, featuring a 3-way speaker system with an 80 W subwoofer, two 40 W midrange drivers, and two 10 W tweeters. It has a frequency response of 40 Hz to 20 kHz, providing deep bass and clear highs. The Boombox 3 is also IP67 rated, making it both waterproof and dustproof, and offers up to 24 hours of battery life, which is great for extended use.

On the other hand, the PartyBox Club 120 is designed for party settings, delivering 160 W RMS output through its two 5.25-inch woofers and two 2.25-inch tweeters. It shares the same frequency response of 40 Hz to 20 kHz which provides a rather balanced sound profile. The PartyBox Club 120 includes an adaptive light show that syncs with your music, adding a visual element to your gatherings. Weighing approximately 11.05 kg, it’s heavier than the Boombox 3 but features a foldable handle for portability (including wheels). The battery provides up to 12 hours of playtime, and the speaker has a splash-proof design making it suitable for various environments.

If you’re looking for a portable speaker with longer battery life and a more rugged design, the Boombox 3 is a solid choice. However, if you’re aiming to enhance your parties with dynamic lighting and don’t mind the extra weight, the PartyBox Club 120 would be more suitable.

Table Comparison

SpecificationJBL Boombox 3JBL PartyBox Club 120
Power Output (AC Mode)180 W (80 W subwoofer, 2 x 40 W midrange, 2 x 10 W tweeters)160 W RMS (2 x 5.25-inch woofers, 2 x 2.25-inch tweeters)
Frequency Response40 Hz – 20 kHz40 Hz – 20 kHz
Battery LifeUp to 24 hoursUp to 12 hours
Weight6.7 kg11.05 kg
Dimensions (mm)484 x 256 x 200568 x 300 x 316
Water ResistanceIP67 (waterproof and dustproof)Splash-proof design
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3, AUX-in, USBBluetooth 5.3, AUX-in, USB
Special FeaturesPortable with built-in handleBuilt-in light show, foldable handle
Charging PortAC and USB-CAC and USB-C

Both speakers offer powerful sound performance, but the Boombox 3 focuses more on portability and longer battery life, while the PartyBox Club 120 provides a party-oriented experience with built-in lighting effects and a larger size for deeper bass impact.

Sound Comparison

My test tracks were “Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits)” “Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars)” and “Shape of You (Ed Sheeran)” because I like to check a mix of guitar detail, vocals, and energetic beats. I played each track at moderate and higher volumes to see if the speakers handled bass-heavy sections without losing definition in the mids or highs.

I noticed that the Boombox 3 (with its 3-way design and dual 4-inch woofers) had a slightly more balanced midrange when I listened to “Sultans of Swing.” I liked how the guitar solo stayed crisp, though the bass line still felt strong. The Partybox 120 (with a larger woofer and more power output) delivered heavier bass during “Uptown Funk” and gave me a deeper thump that I could feel in my chest. I preferred the Partybox 120 if I wanted a punchy low-end boost, but I found the Boombox 3 handled vocals in “Shape of You” with a bit more clarity in the upper range. The bass on the PartyBox 120 sounded quite bloated at higher volume levels and it felt more like a PA sound system rather than a Bluetooth speaker where you can appreciate the sound with more detail.

I spent a while switching between the two because I wanted to see if either distorted at higher volumes. I noticed minimal distortion on the Boombox 3 even when I pushed it close to its max, which I liked for songs with thick bass. The Partybox 120 let me crank the volume higher (it has a bigger power reserve) though I picked up some slight muddiness when the track had a dense bassline and heavy drum hits. It still sounded impressive for a party atmosphere, but the Boombox 3 gave me a cleaner overall mix when I focused on intricate details in the music.

Overall, I felt that the JBL Boombox 3 provided slightly more pronounced and well-defined bass performance, while the JBL PartyBox Club 120 provided much louder sound performance and is great for blasting music or as a portable PA system for singing. I also felt that the sound quality on the JBL Boombox 3 more crystal clear and well-defined with crisp highs and good midranges, while the PartyBox 120 could sound muddy and somewhat harsh at higher volume levels, although it does deliver booming bass which you can adjust on the speaker.

Design Comparison

The Boombox 3 comes with a big handle with a silicone grip at the top for easier holding, and it came with an IP67 rating and can even float on water (so I felt safe putting it near the pool). The outer shell used thick fabric and rubber reinforcements around the edges. It was easy to wipe down after I set it on dusty surfaces, and I never worried about light splashes of water.

The Partybox 120 was heavier (weighing over 20 pounds) and noticeably taller when I placed it on the floor. It had a boxier shape than the Boombox 3 and built-in lights on the front (fun for gatherings). This speaker has a sturdy plastic finish that looked thick enough to handle a few bumps. I carried it around my house to see if it was portable, though it felt more like a speaker I’d position in one spot for a party.

I compared both speakers to the Sony SRS-XG500 (which sits in a similar price range and has a fabric exterior plus a top handle). The Sony weighed a bit less than the Partybox 120, so I found it easier to move around, yet it didn’t have the same flashy LED features. The Boombox 3 struck me as the more rugged of the group with its water and dust protection, and the Partybox 120 felt like a dedicated party speaker (big and bright). The Sony model ended up in the middle with a decent balance of portability and build quality, though it didn’t have the same bass-oriented design as the Partybox 120, and it wasn’t as compact as the Boombox 3.

The Verdict?

If you need a portable PA speaker system for parties or events, I would go for the JBL PartyBox Club 120. This upgraded version comes with built-in wheels and a foldable handle which makes portability very convenient, and the speaker also delivers up to 240W of output power which is ideal for blasting music. The bass on this speaker hits hard and punches deep, and you get really nice sound performance at the mid to higher volume levels without any distortion. This speaker can also double as a portable PA speaker system and all you have to do is to plug in your microphone to get started or pair it with a musical instrument.

The JBL Boombox 3 speaker is more suited for poolside parties with its fully waterproof IP67 design. This speaker delivers some of the best bass performance, good midranges and crisp highs with good clarity, and sounds much more well-defined in general a compared to the JBL PartyBox Club 120. The bass is also tight and control and does not sound boomy or overwhelming like the JBL PartyBox 120 speaker. This speaker is quite heavy but it is still relatively portable with its silicone grip handle design, and it’s a speaker that has stood the test of time. If you are looking for a speaker just to play music (without any PA speaker features), the JBL Boombox 3 is definitely the one you should get.