JBL’s PartyBox series is regularly considered the go-to choice for a Bluetooth party speaker. They incorporate all the essentials – lights, bass, volume, and multi-speaker pairing. The PartyBox 310 and 710 are two popular speakers within the PartyBox range, and despite many similarities in design – these two speakers are remarkably different. In this comparison, we’ll review the differences between the PartyBox 310 and the 710 and discuss for whom each speaker is best suited.
Before we dive in, it’s also worth noting that in 2024 the PartyBox 310 had its successor announced, the PartyBox 320. If you’re on the fence about the PartyBox 310 and 710, it’s worth also considering how the PartyBox 320 and PartyBox 710 compare, before committing.
Winner
JBL PartyBox 710
If you don’t need a battery-powered speaker, the JBL PartyBox 710 is the winner. It has more bass, gets louder, and sounds a little clearer.
Party speakers need to be thought of as an investment. Since they cost a few hundred dollars, it’s essential to understand each speaker’s features, performance, and limitations. There’s no such thing as the perfect speaker, but with the help of this comparison article, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of what each of these speakers brings to the table.
The above comparison table highlights the core differences in specification between the PartyBox 310 and the PartyBox 710. Next, we’ll cover how these differences play out in practice. We’ll look at portability, sound quality, battery performance, and more.
Design, Build & Durability
The PartyBox 310 and 710 have relatively similar designs, with a focus on easy-to-use controls, lighting effects, and wheels to make transport easier. However, there are notable differences in portability between these two speakers.
Durability
Winner: Tie
Both speakers are made from the same general materials and have similar durability, with solid plastics used for the outer shell and strong metals for the grille. They each have an IPX4 rating, a testament to their ability to withstand splashes, sprays, and drizzle. Neither speaker is protected from submergence in water, nor do they offer a dust protection rating.
Portability
Winner: PartyBox 310
JBL PartyBox 310 & JBL PartyBox 710 Wheels
The PartyBox 310 is substantially more portable than the 710. It weighs almost half as much and is just shy of 18 inches shorter. Both speakers have built-in wheels that make moving them around more manageable, but lifting the 710 is more challenging than the PartyBox 310. The 310 also has a telescopic handle, while the 710 only has a built-in handle design.
There are some differences in the wheel design between the speakers, with the 710 sporting a wide-tread wheel while the 310 has a slightly narrower, smoother wheel design with less traction.
In addition to the dimensions and weight, the PartyBox 710 has no battery and needs to be plugged into an AC outlet for power. This drastically limits its portability.
Lighting Effects
Winner: PartyBox 710
JBL PartyBox 310 Lighting
JBL PartyBox 710 Lighting
Both speakers have dynamic lighting that lends itself to a vibrant party environment, but the PartyBox 710 is more comprehensive in its light show. It has large LED rings around each of the 6.5″ drivers, connecting in the center of the front panel for a large swath of bright color. It also has colorful LEDs along the speaker’s edges, and some additional lights are spread across the front of the speaker.
In contrast, the PartyBox 310 has more modest lighting coverage, primarily centered around the drivers. Unlike the PartyBox 710, these rings do not connect, and most of the front panel is without LEDs. Still, the 310’s lighting display is exciting and exceeds that of similar party speakers from competing manufacturers, such as Sony’s XP & SV series.
Controls, Connectivity & App Support
Controls, connectivity, and app support are all important features of a party speaker. While both PartyBox models overlap in what they can do, the way they do it differs between each model.
Inputs & Outputs
Winner: Tie
JBL PartyBox 310 Inputs & Outputs
JBL PartyBox 710 Inputs & Outputs
The Partybox 310 and 710 have the same input and output connections in the rear panel, though with a slightly different layout. They feature two primary inputs, one for microphones and another for a microphone or guitar. Both these inputs have gain dials, and both speakers let you adjust the echo, bass, and treble of these inputs.
In addition, the same rear panel has a TWS button, USB port, daisy chain ports, and aux input.
Controls
Winner: JBL PartyBox 710
JBL PartyBox 310 Controls
JBL PartyBox 710 Controls
Both speakers offer the same general controls, with buttons that adjust the volume, playback, Bluetooth pairing, and lighting effects. Additionally, both models provide a bass boost feature if you want to increase the low end.
Aside from the playback and audio controls, you can adjust your input source’s echo, treble, and bass. It’s essential to note that these controls only adjust the sound of your guitar or microphone input and do not impact the overall audio from your Bluetooth connection. To adjust your sound, you should use the JBL PartyBox app.
The PartyBox 310 has a button-centric control panel, while the PartyBox 710 uses dials instead. While this is a matter of preference, the dials are easier to use.
App Support
Winner: Tie
Both speakers use the PartyBox app, available on the Google Play Store for Android and the Apple Store for iPhone users. The PartyBox app gives you versatile control over either speaker, letting you perform the following:
- TWS Pairing
- Karaoke Effects
- DJ Sound Effects
- Sound Equalization
- Lighting Controls
Audio Quality
Sound quality is where we see these speakers start to diverge with more objective differences between each model.
Frequency Response
Winner: Tie
The frequency response of the PartyBox 710 is slightly more consistent than the 310, with fewer fluctuations, particularly in the low-end. Neither speaker is what one could consider balanced, and with reason – party speakers should be able to get your body moving, and an emphasis on bass is key to doing so. The 710’s renowned bass is primarily owed to the deep extension, bringing forth more deep rumbles in the low bass than the 310, which has a more dominant upper bass.
The PartyBox 310 has a slightly warmer sound than the 710, owing to the elevation in the lower midrange. While neither speaker is exceptionally bright, the 310 has a tamer bass to compete with and a slightly emphasized treble. In contrast, the 710 focuses most on the bass, with a recessed treble that can cause high frequencies to be overpowered.
In a party environment, a bright sound isn’t necessary – but if you’re looking to use your speaker for casual listening sessions, the 310 will be better suited. Neither speaker is superior in this area, and the winner will depend on whether you favor bass or treble clarity.
TWS & Daisy Chaining
Winner: Tie
Both speakers have the same support for TWS (True Wireless Stereo) and party pairing. TWS lets you connect two PartyBox 710 or two PartyBox 310 in stereo, giving you dedicated left and right channel audio. Doing this improves the soundstage of both speakers and adds better coverage.
For broader coverage without stereo sound, you can use the daisy chain connections with JBL’s “Party Mode.” This allows the speaker to be paired with several others of the same model, which is ideal for covering multiple or large rooms.
Today, the pairing technology used on these speakers is being phased out and replaced with Auracast. So you may wish to consider how this will affect your future. For example, if you buy a new JBL speaker, chances are it isn’t going to be able to be paired with the 310 or 710, making the PartyBox 320 a better choice for futureproofing.
Soundstage & Dynamics
Winner: PartyBox 710
Soundstage is the spatial perception of sound (width, depth, and placement), while dynamics refers to the range and intensity of sound. Better soundstage results in more immersive audio, while better dynamics result in less distortion.
The PartyBox 710 has a better soundstage than the 310, with more width and separation. In contrast, the PartyBox 310 does better in dynamic performance. The 310 can be pushed to maximum volume with little distortion, but the 710 suffers from a bit of compression towards the end of its volume range.
They are close to equal in this area, but the 710 holds a slight advantage due to its noticeably better soundstage.
Volume
Winner: PartyBox 710
The PartyBox 710 gets louder than the 310. While JBL hasn’t published SPL data on the speakers, some third-party tests have shown the 310 ranging between 100 and 106dB, while the PartyBox 710 has tested between 104 and 108.5dB in third-party tests. This small difference in SPL numbers looks small on paper, but remember that dB readings are logarithmic, and a 3dB difference in volume equates to the speaker being twice as loud.
** The quality of these third-party video tests does not represent a precise reading as the testing conditions aren’t well controlled.
Battery Performance
Winner: PartyBox 310
The battery performance comparison is a one-horse race with the 710 requiring an AC input. This is the 710’s biggest weakness that won’t apply to everyone. If you’re always going to use your speaker indoors with an AC outlet nearby, the battery of the 310 is merely an unnecessary luxury. In contrast, if you’re looking for a battery-powered party speaker, the 710 isn’t an option.
The 310 has a battery life of up to 18 hours and can be fully charged in as little as 3 hours. Compared to the rest of the market, the 310’s 18 hours are disappointing but are typically enough for most party durations.
Price & Value
Winner: PartyBox 310
The PartyBox 310 and the PartyBox 710 are reasonably expensive speakers for the average consumer. However, the 310 is sometimes available on sale for under $400, while the PartyBox 710 is typically priced at around $800. Some party enthusiasts opt for two 310s using TWS instead of the 710, while others prefer the unmatched low bass that the 710 brings.
Both speakers can be justified in their price, but the $310 is more accessible to the average consumer and holds more value.
Conclusion
There’s a reason why JBL’s PartyBox series has become synonymous with thriving parties. They offer a bass-heavy sound that lends itself to the party environment and unlikely many competitors; they also add vibrant lighting effects that bring a new dimension of ambiance to the room. The pulsating lights work alongside the music to make us want to dance.
There is no clear winner when we compare these two speakers; they both have their strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately, the decision should come down to two simple questions: Do you need battery power, and can you afford it?
I also recommend comparing both these speakers with the JBL PartyBox 320 – and we have comparisons of both available on our versus category.
Winner
JBL PartyBox 710
If you don’t need a battery-powered speaker, the JBL PartyBox 710 is the winner. It has more bass, gets louder, and sounds a little clearer.
