This is a design review of the JBL PartyBox 110 and a comparison with PartyBox On-The-Go and PartyBox 310, which are its two nearest siblings in terms of size and power.
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JBL PartyBox is a range of portable, high-powered loudspeakers with good bass, sound effects for both indoor and outdoor parties, functions, and karaoke sessions. Currently, the latest model in the series comprises the following in ascending order of size:
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go
- JBL PartyBox 110
- JBL PartyBox 310
- JBL PartyBox 710
- JBL PartyBox 1000
The next model to be released will be JBL PartyBox 710 in October 2021. This date is around the same time as the release of PartyBox On-The-Go and PartyBox 310 last year.
Form Factor
| Tech Specs | JBL PartyBox On-The-Go | JBL PartyBox 110 | JBL PartyBox 310 |
| Release Date | Oct 2020 | 29 July 2021 | Oct 2020 |
| Form Factor | |||
| Size | 49 x 24.5 x 22.8 cm 19.3 x 9.6 x 9.0 in | 56.8 x 30 x 29.5 cm 22.4 x 11.8 x 11.6 in | 68.8 x 36.8 x 32.6 cm 27 x 14.5 x 12.8 in |
| Volume (est.) | 0.027m3 | 0.05m3 | 0.082m3 |
| Weight | 7.5kg (16.5lbs) | 10.84kg (23lbs) | 17.42kg (38.4lbs) |
| IP Rating | IPX4, Splashproof | IPX4, Splashproof | IPX4, Splashproof |
JBL PartyBox 110 is about the “middle size” between the other two, which is about 85% bigger than JBL PartyBox On-The-Go, and 39% smaller than JBL PartyBox 310.
The JBL PartyBox 110 weighs 10.84kg, which is still quite portable to carry by hand for short distances. It can also fit into a big gym bag, or stow in the car boot for long-distance travelling. If you do not like the sound of your car audio, you can use it instead of inside the car but it is a shame that it does not support 12V charging using the car cigarette lighter.
It has the same IPX4 splashproof rating as all PartyBox loudspeakers, except for the JBL PartyBox 1000 which does not have any IP rating. What the IP rating means is that the JBL PartyBox 110 will survive the rain and water splashes, but not pressurized water spray, or submerging inside water.
Currently, only black colour is available at JBL’s US online store.
Audio
| Tech Specs | JBL PartyBox On-The-Go | JBL PartyBox 110 | JBL PartyBox 310 |
| Audio (Speaker) | |||
| Output Power | 100W RMS (AC) 50W RMS (Battery) | 160W RMS | 240W RMS |
| Room Size (guide) | Under 500 Sq.ft. or 45sqm | Under 500 Sq.ft. or 45sqm | 500-1000 Sq.ft. 45-90sqm |
| Driver | 1 x 5.25″ (133 mm) woofers 2 x 1.75″ (44 mm) tweeters | 1 x 6.1″ (154 mm) woofers 2 x 2.25″ (55 mm) tweeters | 2 x 6.5″ (176mm) woofers 2 x 2.5″ (65mm) tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz – 20kHz | 45Hz – 20kHz (-6 dB) | 45Hz – 20kHz (-6 dB) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | > 80dBA | > 80dBA | > 80dBA |
| Bass Boost | Yes, 2 levels | Yes, 2 levels | Yes, 2 levels |
| Echo Adjust | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Treble Adjust | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Other than the physical size of the loudspeaker, next is to decide the output power based on the party room or function area. A single studio bedroom apartment could use the JBL PartyBox 110 and it still has the power to spare.
JBL PartyBox 310 will be good for larger rooms up to 90 sqm, depending on how noisy your neighbours can tolerate before they decide to call the police.
A noteworthy form factor design worth mentioning is the angled-back design for better sound projection.
Hardware
| Tech Specs | JBL PartyBox On-The-Go | JBL PartyBox 110 | JBL PartyBox 310 |
| Hardware | |||
| RCA Line IN (L/R) | No | No | No |
| RCA Line Out (L/R) | No | No | No |
| Microphone/Guitar Jack | 1 microphone jack. 1 guitar jack. Connects 2 wireless mics simultaneously. | 1 microphone jack. 1 guitar jack. | 1 microphone jack. 1 microphone/guitar jack. |
| Mic/Guitar Gain Control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Out (Ear Jack) | No | Yes, 3.5mm Jack | Yes, 3.5mm Jack |
| Aux In | Yes, 3.5mm Jack | Yes, 3.5mm Jack | Yes, 3.5mm Jack |
| USB Port | Yes, 1 x USB-A to play music in alphabetical sequence, and also used to charge external device. | Yes, 1 x USB-A to play music in alphabetical sequence, and also used to charge external device. | Yes, 1 x USB-A to play music in alphabetical sequence, and also used to charge external device. |
| USB File Format | Plays mp3, wma, wav. Require FAT16, FAT32 file system. | Plays mp3, wma, wav. Require FAT16, FAT32 file system. | Plays mp3, wma, wav. Require FAT16, FAT32 file system. |
| Shoulder Straps | Yes | No | No |
| Wheels | No | No | 2 wheels |
| Handlebar | No | Fixed handlebar | Telescopic handlebar |
| Other hardware or accessory features | Wireless Microphone with AA battery (10 hours), range >10m. Support 2 microphones at the same time. | Nil | Nil |
JBL PartyBox 110 does not have any RCA line ports (those red and white classic ports) and uses mainly the 3.5mm audio connector. Even though this is a new model, JBL did not include the wireless microphone functionality found so far only on the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go, which allows 2 users to sing a duet.
JBL PartyBox 110 has a fixed handlebar built into the chassis like the JBL PartyBox 1000, but it has neither wheels nor shoulder straps, which means it must be hand-carried.
Wireless Connectivity
| Tech Specs | JBL PartyBox On-The-Go | JBL PartyBox 110 | JBL PartyBox 310 |
| Connectivity (Wireless) | |||
| Wireless Microphone | Yes | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version (BT) | 4.2 | 5.1 | 5.1 (BLE) |
| Bluetooth Range | 10m (33 ft) | 10m (33 ft) | 10m (33 ft) |
| Bluetooth Profile | A2DP 1.3, AVRPC 1.6 | A2DP 1.3, AVRPC 1.6 | A2DP 1.3, AVRPC 1.6 |
| Bluetooth Frequency | 2.4 – 2.48 GHz | 2.4 – 2.48 GHz | 2.4 – 2.48 GHz |
| Bluetooth Transmitted Power | 15 dBm | 15 dBm | 15 dBm |
| Bluetooth Transmitter Modulation | GFSK, p/4, DQPSK 8DPSK | GFSK, p/4, DQPSK 8DPSK | GFSK, p/4, DQPSK 8DPSK |
| Multiple Speaker Connection | Connects 2 speakers by True Wireless Stereo (TWS) | Connects 2 speakers by True Wireless Stereo (TWS) | Connects 2 speakers by True Wireless Stereo (TWS) |
The wireless connectivity design specifications of JBL PartyBox 110 are similar to the other siblings in our detailed review, except that it does not have a wireless microphone like the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go.
Battery and Power
| Tech Specs | JBL PartyBox On-The-Go | JBL PartyBox 110 | JBL PartyBox 310 |
| Battery and Power | |||
| Power Supply | 100-240V 50/60Hz | 100-240V 50/60Hz | 100-240V 50/60Hz |
| Powered by Car 12V Cigarette Lighter | No | No | Yes, 12V DC |
| Battery Type | Lithium-Ion 18 Wh 7.2V @ 2500mAh | Lithium-Ion 36 Wh | Lithium-Ion 72 Wh |
| Maximum Playing Time | > 6h | 12h | < 18h |
| Battery Charging Time | < 3.5h | 3.5h | < 3h |
| Standby Power Consumption | <2W with BT <0.5W without BT | TBC | <2W with BT <0.5W without BT |
| Charge External Device | 1 x USB-A Port 5V/2.1A (10W) | 1 x USB-A Port 5V/2.1A (10W) | 1 x USB-A Port 5V/2.1A (10W) |
The battery life of 12 hours is long enough to torture your neighbours, starting from dinner until the breakfast next day. Bring along a generator and you can torture them for 24 hours!
The only bad thing here is that it cannot be charged by the 12V cigarette lighter port in the car.
Other Special Features
| Tech Specs | JBL PartyBox On-The-Go | JBL PartyBox 110 | JBL PartyBox 310 |
| Phone App | Party Box App | Party Box App | Party Box App |
| Multiple Speaker Connection | Connects 2 speakers by wireless mode (TWS). | 1) Connect speakers by Aux In/Out jack using 3.5mm audio connectors. 2) Connects 2 speakers by wireless mode (TWS). | 1) Connect speakers by daisy chain ports using 3.5mm audio connectors. 2) Connects 2 speakers by wireless mode (TWS). |
| Pole Mounted | No | Yes, the hole below accepts a <36mm diameter pole. | Yes, the hole below accepts a <36mm diameter pole. |
| Karaoke Function | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lightshow | 3 lighting effects, rock, neon, and club. | Pulsing white strobe light and colourful figure of 8 RGB animations combine and sync to the music beat. (4 effects) | 5 lighting effects |
| Sound Effect | No | TBC | Horn, Clapping, Scratch |
In terms of multi-speaker connection, JBL PartyBox 110 is the only model that uses regular Aux In and Out ports to connect several JBL PartyBox 110 using 3.5mm audio connectors.
JBL PartyBox 110 uses a special “Daisy Chain” port, which also uses 3.5mm audio wire connectors, while JBL PartyBox 1000 uses red and white RCA cables normally used for Hi-Fi and TV sets.
Review Summary
Our review concludes that JBL PartyBox 110 is a good choice for users with small apartments, that are not afraid of getting complaints from neighbours after blasting non-stop music for 12 hours. At 10.84kg, it can be easily carried around by hand but not for long-distance travelling.
JBL PartyBox 120 should consider the following improvements:
- Improve the portability of the design, such as using wheels with telescopic handles or include shoulder straps.
- Provide wireless microphone functionality like the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go.
- Able to be powered by a 12V cigarette charger in the car.
Currently, the JBL PartyBox 110 is priced at USD 399 with one year warranty.
Download User Manual:
JBL PartyBox 110 Quickstart Manual
Known Issues in JBL PartyBox 100 from forums or reviews
- Some users feedback that the sound quality is not good and missing the highs, but the music is loud, the bass is strong and good for outdoor uses.
- At least 2 users reported that the speakers do not charge after some time, and one user reported BlueTooth failed after 4 months.
