With the JBL Charge 5 now starting to show its age, we really thought that this year’s CES was going to be where the Charge 6 announcement would happen and perhaps even the Flip 7. In a surprising twist, the company didn’t announce either and instead showcased a brand new PartyBox model, as well as new iterations to the PartyBox Essential.
Introducing The JBL PartyBox 520
| Power Output: | 400W |
| Drivers: | 2x 7.5″ woofers, 2x 1″ tweeters |
| Battery Life: | Up to 15 hours |
| Waterproofing: | IPX4 |
| AI Features: | AI Sound Boost |
| Bluetooth: | 5.4 (LE Audio) |
| Retail Price: | $799 |
| Release Date: | June 2025 |
The PartyBox 520 is a brand new introduction into the PartyBox range and positions itself between the Stage 320 and the older PartyBox 710. A key feature of this release is the integration of artificial intelligence which is used to dynamically adjust the sound to improve clarity, depending on the type of environment you’re in.
To some this may seem novel, but the quality of sound produced by a speaker depends on the acoustics of the room, or if you’re using it outdoors. An AI algorithm like this is able to adjust the sound profile automatically to ensure the speaker sounds best for the area its in.
The PartyBox 520 will come with Bluetooth 5.4 and include LE audio support for high-quality and low-latency wireless transmission. Unsurprisingly, it will also support Auracast pairing, which was introduced to the PartyBox range in 2024 with the release of the Club 120 and Stage 320. Unlike JBL’s earlier pairing protocols (Connect, Connect+ and PartyBoost), Auracast is a non-proprietary technology and is facilitated by the latest versions of Bluetooth.
While a lot of information is yet to come out about this speaker, we do know that it features two 7.5” woofers and dual 1” tweeters, making its driver configuration slightly larger than the 6.5” found on the Stage 320. Despite this, the PartyBox 520 will have a maximum output of 400W, slightly lower than the 320. This suggests that the 520 may have improved efficiency.
A welcome feature is also the replaceable battery, similar to that found on last year’s PartyBox releases. This not only proves convenient, but can increase the longevity of the speaker. In terms of playtime, the PartyBox 520 will provide up to 15 hours of playtime.
The speaker will also feature vibrant lighting effects similar to the other PartyBox models, and will include both wheels and a telescopic carry handle for easy portability.
The PartyBox 520 will be released in June and its retail price is $799.
The Next Generation of PartyBox Encores Have Arrived
| Power Output: | 100W |
| Battery Life: | Up to 15 hours |
| Waterproofing: | IPX4 |
| AI Features: | AI Sound Boost |
| Bluetooth: | 5.4 (LE Audio) |
| Retail Price: | $299 & $399 |
| Release Date: | June 2025 |
In addition to the PartyBox 520, JBL also announced the next generation of PartyBox Encore and Encore Essential. The PartyBox Encore 2 and Encore Essential 2 are some of JBL’s smaller party speakers, ideal for groups of 5 to 15 people.
This new generation keeps the same format as the predecessors with the Encore 2 including wireless microphones and microphone holders, while the Encore Essential 2 doesn’t include these features.
Otherwise, the two speakers have the same specifications. Among those shared features are several new and exciting ones, including an AI Sound Boost feature like that found on the new PartyBox 520, an upgrade to Bluetooth 5.4 and the introduction of Auracast pairing to the PartyBox Essential range.
Another area where the PartyBox Encore 2 has gotten a noticeable upgrade from its predecessor is in its battery performance. A shortfall of the original was its limited 6 hour playtime. With the Encore 2 and Encore Essential 2 the battery life has more than doubled, with an estimated playtime of around 15 hours, placing it closer to modern industry-leading speakers.
Surprisingly, these speakers will also now come with replaceable batteries, a feature many assumed would be reserved for JBL’s more expensive and larger PartyBox releases.
Some smaller changes were also made, such as improvements to the handle, which has changed from a rigid plastic to a more malleable material.
The JBL PartyBox Encore 2 will retail for $399 while the Encore 2 Essential will retail for $299. Both speakers will hit retailers in June.
