I was looking for a speaker that could liven up my parties. It also needed to fit into my daily life at home. Above all, it had to pack a punch in terms of watts. I might have found the solution for you. I’m talking about the JBL PartyBox Encore 2. You can see it’s a nice little beast. Yet, it’s not too big to set the mood.

Discovery and Box Contents

Today, I’m presenting my review of a JBL speaker. Let’s dive into exploring its capabilities. You can find this speaker for around €350. It’s available on well-known retail sites. Or directly on the JBL website. The speaker comes in a single color: black. That’s the model I’m testing in this article.

So, what do I find in the product box? First, the speaker itself, of course. Then, a mains charging cable is included. Yes, this speaker runs on battery. So you simply have a small cable to recharge it. A microphone is also supplied. I love this touch, especially for a party speaker. Having a mic at a party is an excellent idea. Of course, a stand is also there. It allows you to place the mic on the speaker. This way, you can easily transport both together. In addition to that, you also get a user guide. It helps you understand how the speaker works.

Getting Started and Dedicated App

Truthfully, you won’t really need the guide. Its use is super understandable and very simple. This guide also tells you which application to use. Because yes, if you already own JBL products (JBL PartyBox Encore 2), pay attention. It’s not the same app as for your Charge 5 or your JBL headphones. This is a specific application. It’s called the JBL PartyBox app. It’s available on Android and also on Apple devices. I find it practical to have a dedicated app.

External Design and Main Controls

I must say, it’s quite a unit. It weighs 9.15 kg. Its dimensions are 276 mm in width. Then 327 mm in height and 293 mm in depth. Yes, it’s clearly a cube format. On top, you’ll find knobs. They are for volume and RGB modes. You can also manage these modes via the application. We’ll look at that later. In the same area, you find the buttons. There’s power, battery level. Bass Boost and TWS (True Wireless Stereo) are also present. TWS allows connection between multiple compatible speakers. And of course, the Bluetooth button.

Just behind, the microphone settings are accessible. Whether it’s volume or echo mode. It’s simple if you want to add echo when you speak. Between these two sets of buttons, there’s a retractable carrying handle. It allows you to hold the speaker like this. In front, you’ll naturally find a grille. The large JBL logo is displayed on the facade. All the RGB elements are also there. The speaker offers IPX4 water resistance. It will withstand a few raindrops. Or a clumsily spilled drink. The entire speaker uses recycled plastic. That’s a good point.

Rear Connectivity and Battery Access

At the back of the speaker, a waterproof cover protects the connections. I see a USB-A port. It reads flash drives and charges a phone. An auxiliary input and a mic/guitar port are there. I even tried a little guitar demo. I was missing a string, so please be indulgent. Still at the back, there’s another small cover. It’s for removing the battery. So, you can replace it if it dies one day. This is an excellent initiative for durability. Bass Reflex ports are also visible at the rear. Finally, the small charging port completes this side.

Connectivity and Battery Life

Regarding the battery, JBL announces up to 10 hours of autonomy. This duration, of course, depends on the volume. The use of light shows also influences this autonomy. To fully recharge it, allow about 3.5 hours. With just 30 minutes of charging, you already get a good amount of playtime. This is handy for unplanned use.

You should know that the included microphone also has its own battery. So you’ll need to charge it separately. Its battery allows for about 10 hours of singing as well. That’s pretty good for long karaoke sessions. The actual battery life of the speaker varies. It’s more in the range of 10 to 15 hours. This always depends on usage. If you push the watts to the max, 15 hours will be difficult. It’s more with temperate use. For connectivity, I have Bluetooth 5.4. Playback via USB drive is possible. The auxiliary input offers another wired option.

App: Interface and Light Management

Let’s now talk about the JBL PartyBox app. You’ll see it’s very comprehensive. And above all, it’s very simple. Anyone can understand the app. And that’s super interesting. It means the user experience is very well designed. The interface is clear. At the top, I can see the speaker’s remaining battery life.

You already have the visual of the speaker in the app. Just below, options like “Lighting Control” appear. This is where you’ll manage the lighting. For example, I click. You see that it directly changes the light mode. Of course, the music will then influence how the lights react. You can set it to random mode. It then activates various effects. You can also manage specific zones. For instance, the middle circle or the light bars. You choose according to your preferences. You can opt for a single color. White, orange, or the color of your choice. A color spectrum selector is even available. The responsiveness is excellent. If I choose blue, the speaker instantly turns blue.

App: Sound Effects and Audio Customization

Right next to the lights, you have the DJ effects. You’ll find all the classic sound effects of party speakers. Sounds that anyone can click. For example, a “Let’s go!” or other jingles. The speaker is a bit loud, I’ll lower the volume. You really have a wide range of options. A repeat function is even available. It’s much better than on many other speakers. Here, you manage everything from your phone. No one comes to touch the buttons on the device.

Next, the main audio volume is adjustable. Then come the microphone effects. I’ll turn on the mic to show you. The app displays its battery life. It recharges via USB-C. In the mic effects, you can add echo. It’s the same setting as on top of the speaker. You can also adjust the treble and bass of your voice. Just below, the equalizer offers several profiles. JBL Signature, Movie, Vocal, Chill, and Custom. Custom mode allows you to create your own equalizer. I often recommend sticking with JBL Signature. Finally, Bass Boost offers options. Deep bass or punchy bass. The difference is clear depending on the music. You can activate or deactivate it. The product settings allow you to rename the speaker. Or perform updates.

The Microphone: An Asset for Entertainment

The included microphone is a real asset. I particularly appreciate its presence for livening up parties. The app, as seen, allows you to manage its volume. You can also add an echo effect. Treble and bass adjustments for the voice are also available. This offers great flexibility for having fun. Its battery recharges separately via USB-C. It’s truly a plus for the atmosphere.

Sound Quality: The JBL Power

Now, let’s talk about the sound of this JBL PartyBox Encore 2. You’ll find a 133 mm woofer. Two 57 mm tweeters are also present. They will provide you with deep bass. Truly warm bass. No matter which bass mode you use. The highs are very precise and detailed. I forgot to tell you. But with this speaker, you still get 100W RMS of power. That’s substantial.

The sound from this speaker is very pleasant. Especially when you use the JBL Signature mode. That’s clearly the mode I preferred. With the Bass Boost configuration set to deep bass. Clearly my favorite setup. After that, you also have the Movie option. It’s also quite good. It enhances bass and mids for vocals. At full blast, in a 60 m² room, expect to be blown away. If you set it to 70%, which is good usage, it will be more than enough. Enough to throw a heck of a party. At full volume, you’ll lose a bit of quality. That’s logical for most speakers. So I recommend using it around 70-80% of max volume. Beyond that, vocals might stand out too much.

My Verdict on the JBL PartyBox Encore 2

To conclude on this speaker. It’s not so small and has a lot under the hood. First, the sound is very good. It’s the JBL signature. It works with all types of music. It’s powerful and clear. The bass is ultra-deep with a good impact. For optimal sound, position yourself right in front of it. Regarding the bass, you can adjust it. It’s really nice to tailor it to your taste.

The entire speaker is made of plastic. But the finish is very neat. Plus, it’s recycled plastic. What more could you ask for? The finish is really good. The PartyBox app is ultra-comprehensive. Everyone can understand it. Even without technical knowledge. You just want to launch it and have fun? It works. It’s more than enough to liven up a party. For a birthday from 7 PM to 6 AM, it will last. Worst case, you plug it in.

Versatility and Major Assets

Imagine you’re going fishing. You put this speaker on for background music. It’s enough for the whole day. This speaker is ultra-versatile. For hosting parties. For listening quietly at home. Or for listening to the radio. You don’t have to turn it up very loud. Even at low volume, the sound remains good. That’s very appreciable.

For me, the best asset is still the microphone. I’m a mic fanatic at parties. The voice is clear and of good quality. As seen, you can adjust treble, bass, and add a bit of echo. Regarding the light shows, they are decorative. They set the mood, and it’s synced with the music. But they don’t replace a real lighting system. For that, you’d need dedicated equipment. The effect is visible up to 2 meters in complete darkness.

I hope you enjoyed this presentation. It’s a speaker I love. I was very pleasantly surprised. I wasn’t used to testing this range from JBL. At first, its format made me doubt its power. But it really delivers the watts. Believe me, this speaker will be enough for you. For any party, indoors or outdoors.