JBL PartyBox 300 Review

Are you in the market for a party speaker that is multi-functional, but still offers hard-hitting base? The JBL PartyBox 300 might be just what you’re looking for offering guitar and microphone inputs for those karaoke weekends. Stream your music from your tablet and smartphone using its Bluetooth connection, or plug in your portable hard drive with your downloaded mixtape. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a portable speaker that can shake the earth’s crust and power your next party, the JBL PartyBox 300 is ready to deliver!

Top Features

• Mic and Guitar inputs with separate volume controls.
• Plug the speaker into the 12V DC output of your car or use the built-in Lithium-ion 10.000mAh battery for approximately 18 hours of playtime.
• Three LED light modes for every mood: pulse, meter, and party mode.
• Ground shaking ‘bass boost’ button with superb sound.
• Connect your flash drive to the USB port to stream music easily.
• The USB port also allows you to charge other devices from the speaker itself, so you don’t need to worry about bringing an extra charger.
• True Wireless Stereo allows you to connect an additional compatible speaker to the JBL PartyBox 300 via wired RCA output or Bluetooth.

Design

The JBL PartyBox 300 is a very modern-looking piece of tech that you can easily fit into your living room. The device feels very rugged and safe to move around the house or wherever you may be. The speaker is massive – measuring 27 x 12 x 12 inches in height, width, and depth. It weighs approximately 35 pounds and has a built-in handle, as well as rubber feet on the side panels and bottom, so it can be operated horizontally or vertically. The top panel is lined with controls, therefore it is easiest to operate when vertical, but can be laid on its side if needed.

The buttons on top include a standard power button, volume control, play/pause, lighting effects, and a bass boost button. Enclosed by a metallic grille panel, the front of the speaker has a dual 6.5-inch woofer and three 2.25 inch tweeters for powerful sound. They are also pre-set to change the LED light effects, which are adjustable to different profiles that can be turned off with a switch of a button.

The LED profiles include three moods: pulse, meter, and party mode. These moods provide different strobe light settings and patterns to choose from. In addition to the lighting effects, JBL has found a really unique way to display the volume level through the LED’s, which is a really nice feature whereas usually, you would need to estimate how much the volume needs to be adjusted. You should also take into consideration the device is neither splash-proof nor waterproof, so keep it inside or out of the rain.

Connectivity

Like many Bluetooth speakers, you might use a smartphone or tablet as your source of music, or you can take a look at the back and see all the inputs and outputs that serve as other connective options. Situated at the back you can connect the DC input; USB input and output; 3.5mm AUX input; L/R channel switch; RC input and output; 100-240V power cord input and finally the two 1/4” input jacks – one for microphones and the other for guitars. It should be noted that since the inputs are a quarter-inch, you’ll need an adapter if you plan on using an XLR microphone.

The RCA input allows you to connect a CD player or a turntable with a built-in amp. The USB connection lets you plug in flash drives so guests can have a chance at choosing their favorite music without connecting via a smartphone. Above the microphone and guitar inputs are controls which allow you to adjust the volumes independently. The JBL PartyBox 300 therefore makes for a perfect karaoke machine where you can play or sing along to music already streaming through it. Moreover, you may also connect two PartyBox speakers together via Bluetooth or the RC cable to enjoy even more bass at larger events.

Longevity and Battery

The JBL PartyBox 300 comes equipped with a built-in rechargeable Lithium-ion 74.88Wh battery (equivalent to 7.2V 1040mAh), which takes roughly 5 hours to charge and gives a playtime of around 18 hours. The playtime will vary depending on volume levels and LED usage, so if you’re blasting it at high volumes and using ‘party mode’ in LED profiles expect fewer hours of battery life. The PartyBox 300 also has a detachable AC power cord, which comes included, so you can keep the light and sound show going indefinitely. The speakers USB port can also be used as a docking station to charge your smartphone or tablet.

Frequency and Sound Quality

Frequency is measured in Hertz and is usually described as a range, for example, 100 Hz to 10,000 Hz. The wider the range, the better the speaker’s chance of reproducing audio as it was intended to be heard. However, a bigger range does not guarantee good sound always, as it also depends on how your ears perceive sound, which varies from person to person. In an audio track, the bass is usually heard around 20Hz to 250Hz, whereas with vocals and other instruments like a guitar, frequency typically resides in the range of 250Hz to 4000Hz. The rest of the frequencies up to 20,000Hz, as found in the JBL PartyBox 300, form the treble.

Sound quality is, therefore, an essential part of any audio device. Like most Bluetooth speakers, the PartyBox 300 volume levels work in conjunction with a paired mobile device or tablet’s master volume. The speaker produces an excellent frequency response of 45Hz to 20 kHz, the high frequencies are vibrant, the mediums are crisp and the bass is very rich. Additionally if the ‘bass boost’ is activated it will literally shake the ground you are standing on. Music genres such as hip-hop, rock and electronic dance music (EDM) sound particularly good when playing on the speaker, making use of the bass focused capabilities.

The PartyBox is also excellent in clarity and at no point will the music sound distorted or muddy. As for the speakers ‘loudness,’ the speaker has a 120-watt RMS output, which is exceptionally thunderous. To put its loudness into perspective you would rarely need to go beyond 30% volume if listening to the speaker at home while listening to music or watching a movie. Anything higher would probably be for noisier environments or bigger spaces where the sound would need to travel.

Price

At the moment of this article, the JBL PartyBox 300 is priced at $449.95, this may be cheap for some and expensive for others. But given that this speaker is perfect for all occasions from listening to music at home, parties and providing a portable sound system from the trunk of a car, you’re certainly getting your monies worth.

What’s in the Box?

• The JBL PartyBox 300
• AC Power Cord
• 12 DC Cable
• Quick-Start Guide
• Safety Sheet
• Warranty card

The PartyBox 300 comes with audio cables and two accessories, a power cable and a heavy-duty vehicle charging cable. As mentioned earlier, the PartyBox is a cumbersome 35 pounds and has built-in handles. It is sometimes hard to believe that this speaker is portable with its internal battery. A solution would, therefore, be a detachable set of wheels that would make it easier to move around.

Conclusion

The PartyBox 300 speaker is a great addition to anyone looking for a portable party speaker. Its sleek looks and durable design provides assurance that it will last for some good time. The speaker can deliver insane levels of bass and sound at very high volumes without distorting the music. Its mic and guitar inputs are great for karaoke nights and using it as an amp. The massive 10.000mAh battery provides up to 18 hours of playtime and allows you to charge additional devices connected via USB. In addition, its various LED modes and light features make it eye-catching and a spectacle for all your nightly adventures.