The JBL PartyBox Stage 320 is My Top Choice for Party Speakers
The JBL PartyBox Stage 320 is a speaker specifically designed for parties, offering a powerful, balanced sound along with numerous features that make hosting gatherings more enjoyable.
This portable speaker is all about fun, with plenty of options to customize the music experience. It produces 240 watts of output power or around 100 decibels of sound, ensuring your celebration is loud and lively. Here are some of its top features:
Benefits of the JBL PartyBox Stage 320
- Portable design: Easily transport and set up the speaker for your event
- Impressive bass: Dance the night away to its punchy beats
- Adjustable EQ: Customize the sound to suit your preferences
- Two microphone compatibility: Sing songs with friends or have a competition
- Replaceable battery: Always be prepared for extended parties
- Double functionality: Use with the battery or power cord
- Engaging app features: Enhance your gathering with in-app tools
Drawbacks of the JBL PartyBox Stage 320
$599.95at Amazon
- Only IPX4 for splashproof: Not ideal for rainy parties
- Heavy weight: At 36.38 lbs, it might be difficult for some to handle
- No built-in microphone: Requires additional accessories for voice announcements
Technical Specifications
Credit: Daniel Oropeza photo.
- Battery life: Up to 18 hours (3 hours charge time)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast support
- Inputs: 2 1/4-inch jacks, 3.5mm aux input, and USB-A port
- Drivers: Two 6.5-inch woofers and two 25 mm dome tweeters
- Power output: 240 W total
- Water resistance: IPX4 (splashproof)
- Size: 26.3 inches x 15.2 inches x 13.2 inches
- Weight: 36.3 pounds
Initial Thoughts of the JBL PartyBox Stage 320
Credit: Daniel Oropeza
While I hadn't reviewed a PartyBox model before, I had preconceptions that it would be flashy but ultimately unnecessary. However, after testing it at the soccer field and exploring the available features, I grew increasingly interested in this speaker.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza photo.I found that the telescopic handle and wide, sturdy wheels made moving the speaker around convenient, even for an event with 20 soccer players. Plus, the JBL signature EQ provided a fantastic sound right out of the box. You can adjust the low, mid, and highs with the five EQ levers in the app for even more customization.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza
Features and Functionality of the JBL PartyBox Stage 320
The PartyBox Stage 320 excels in its features, which you can manage using the interactive control panel on top of the speaker. The right-hand "Auracast" button allows you to pair two JBL TWS compatible speakers or multiple JBL Aurocast speakers for a truly immersive audio experience. The Bass Boost button on the right enhances the bass with two options: "Deep" and "Punchy."
Credit: Daniel Oropeza
Credit: Daniel Oropeza photo.In the center, three buttons resembling emojis provide entertaining functions. Nicknamed the "party buttons," each one plays a unique in-app sound over the music without interrupting it. You can change what each button does or says in the app and have hours of fun tinkering with different combinations. The first button is "Voice," which mimics a DJ's party-hyping voice; the second button is "Vibe Tone," featuring the iconic DJ "horn" sound; and the third one is "DJ sound," with various DJ scratches.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza film.The sliders on the top control the microphone's EQ. You can modify the bass, treble, and add echo, enabling an assortment of lead singer sounds during karaoke sessions. In addition, the speaker app allows you to dive deeper into these features.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza
Credit: Daniel Oropeza screenshot.
The JBL PartyBox App
Credit: Daniel Oropeza
The PartyBox app controls the lights in greater detail, allowing you to select which colors shine brightly. More importantly, the "Effect Lab" is the speaker's unique selling point. By using the app, you can access various sound effects and visuals to surprise and thrill your party guests.
With the JBL PartyBox Stage 320, you're in for an engaging experience perfect for amplifying your next house party.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza
The Effect Lab is basically a smaller version of a DJ mixer. As someone who has never DJ-d before, it took me some time to grasp what each function does and how to use it correctly, but interacting with it was enjoyable and a learning experience. While the app doesn't come with any instructions, figuring it out with the internet was a breeze after playing around with it for ten minutes. Pair this with a couple of microphones for karaoke, and I've got a fantastic combo for spicing up, cringing at, or delighting my friends at my next house gathering.
Precise Attention to Detail
Credit: Daniel Oropeza
The PartyBox Stage 320 does the minor yet impactful things right as far as party speakers are concerned. The battery is swappable, which indicates the speaker's lifespan isn't solely determined by the battery's longevity. I appreciate that you can use the speaker with just a power cord as well, allowing me to leave the speaker on for extended periods while still maintaining a fully charged battery. The battery alone can last up to 18 hours at 50% volume, which is ideal for an indoor house party. When using 70% volume (not advised indoors), with the lights on and the Bass Boost activated, battery life was about seven hours.
Another noteworthy feature is that JBL made it challenging to create that dreaded whiny feedback sound when using a microphone with the speaker. To achieve feedback noise, I virtually had to press the microphone against the speaker. It seems JBL utilizes cutting-edge technology to muffle the feedback sound, resulting in a more enjoyable swooshing sound rather than the irritating high-pitched squeal we usually despise. (If I cranked the echo, treble, and boost sliders, I was more likely to generate feedback, however.)
Credit: Daniel Oropeza
The back panel also includes an LED light that's helpful when connecting items during the night. The speaker allows for the connection of up to two microphones or one microphone and an electric guitar. There's also an AUX in if I want to practice karaoke singing or DJ scratching without disturbing my dog. While I don't have other speakers to connect together, the feature is available if I desire to connect the speaker to another one.
Final Thoughts
The JBL PartyBox Stage 320 surpassed my expectations as a party speaker. Although the speaker weighs approximately 36 pounds, the handle and thick wheels make transportation simple across various terrains. It's regrettable that it's not waterproof, with just an IPX4 rating, and that it doesn't come with a built-in microphone.
Despite its powerful bass, the sound is nicely balanced and doesn't overwhelm the vocals or high notes. The interactive DJ features on the speaker and in the app take the speaker to another level of excitement for parties and karaoke events. I adored having the option to connect up to two microphones or an electric guitar, providing me with numerous possibilities for setup. The ability to swap the battery and use the speaker with just the power cable also extends its lifespan and independence for long periods.
I would recommend the JBL PartyBox Stage 320 to those who enjoy hosting house parties or participating in karaoke sessions. Although its price tag of $599.95 is hefty, I believe it's a worthwhile investment for someone on the hunt for a fantastic party speaker crammed with fun capabilities.
Read also:
The JBL PartyBox Stage 320 is an excellent choice for those who love tech-filled parties, as it offers numerous features that can enhance the music experience, such as adjustable EQ, two microphone compatibility, and engaging app features.
For tech enthusiasts who are interested in the JBL PartyBox Stage 320, they might want to read a review to learn more about its functionality and performance, such as the one titled 'JBL PartyBox Stage 320 review.'
