With its enhanced portability (Xtreme for scale), more balance in basses, and lower price, the 110 (see image) seems to be the better buy overall.
JBL's Party Box 110 and 310 are good but are definitely not high fidelity.
However, if you’re looking for a portable, one-piece stereo speaker to listen to music to on the go that can double as a small PA system for small events, you will definitely want to have a look at the JBL Party Box 110 and 310.
While usable as a PA system, that is not their primary niche either. Portability is the forte here.
In summary, the JBL PartyBox 110 is more compact and portable than the JBL PartyBox 310 but needs more time to charge. The 310, on the other hand, offers longer battery life and sounds more powerful, but doesn’t come with the handy pole-mount the smaller sibling does.
The 310 is the more expensive of the two (by about $150). Both sound reasonably good in their price range, but the bass can get muddy on the 310.
Also, do make sure to check out the side-by-side spec comparison of JBL PartyBox 110 vs 310 on Crutchfield.
Related JBL posts:
Now let’s have a closer look.
Design
Both these speakers come with a light show that some will love while others might find tacky. The good news is that you can always turn them off, depending on the kind of atmosphere you want to create. They definitely do add to a fun vibe to things, though! The otherwise black exteriors look pretty standard and include the signature JBL logo in the middle.
They feel rugged, heavy-duty, and like the kind of thing that would be just fine outdoors at a barbeque or beach party, just as much it would work indoors with guests over for dinner or a mid to small social event.
JBL PartyBox 110
Weighing in at 23 lbs (10.84 kg), the JBL PartyBox 110 is the smaller and more portable of the two. It also comes with a pretty neat pole mount. This gives you more flexibility to position it so it sounds (and looks!) it's best in the specific environment you're in.
- Dimensions: 22.5 x 11.6 x 11.8 inches
JBL PartyBox 310
The bigger sibling of the two is very similar in design. But, sitting at 38.5 lbs (17.5 kg), it's about 15.5 lbs (7 kg) heavier. So while technically still portable, it’s definitely not the winner in this department, even though the carrying handles make it easy enough for the average adult.
Additionally, the pole mount feature is not available on it either. So you’ll have to place it like most other wireless one-piece speakers. On a flat surface, vertically or horizontally.
- Dimensions: 27 x 13 x 14.5 inches
Note: Neither of the two is weatherproof.
Battery Life
The 310 (see image) offers longer battery life and sounds more powerful but doesn’t come with the handy pole-mount the smaller sibling does.
JBL PartyBox 110
The smaller sibling gives you 12 hours of battery life when fully charged, which takes about 6-7 hours to complete.
JBL PartyBox 310
The JBL PartyBox 310, on the other hand, outshines its smaller sibling by a considerable bit here with 18 hours of battery life on a full charge. Which takes about 5 hours.
Sound
Let me tell you something right off the bat.
Room acoustics, particularly room dimensions and speaker positioning, will have an immense effect on sound quality.
The impact of the combination of these two is actually so strong that in most cases, it doesn't even make sense to utter a single word on sound quality without speaking of them.
This is why I'd hiiiiiiighly recommend you to check out this simple, 2D, online speaker placement calculator.
It's GOOOOLLLDDDDD. I've had an Acoustics & Audio PhD build this tool specifically for this purpose:
Default values:
- Ceiling height: 106 inches or 8 feet 10 inches or 2.70 meters
- Most standard ceiling height
- Listener's height: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
- Average height of a sitting person
Central heights of speakers (measured from the ground) and examples to them:
- Soundbars: 30 inches or 2 feet 6 inches or 0.75 meters
- 8", 10" or 12" Subwoofers: 8 inches or 0.20 meters
- 360 degree speakers: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
- Horizontal speakers: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
- Floor standing speakers: 20 inches or 1 feet 8 inches or 0.50 meters
- Bookshelf speakers: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
- Center speakers: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
Side note: This tool can and will return inaccurate results for small, portable Bluetooth speakers such as JBL's Go Series. It will, however, deliver just fine for more powerful, packed bluetooth speakers such as this one.
ASAP Science made a video on the loudest and quietest rooms in the world. A mind blowing example of the importance of acoustics (time adjusted video).
Other parameters such as the age/materials of the building, the furniture & carpets in place, etc can and will, of course, have an effect on room acoustics, too. But much less.
Also...
Did you know you could also virtually hear any speaker online?
Crutchfield had recently created a tool that virtually simulates the sounds of many different speakers; such as those of SVS, Klipsch, KEF and B&W. Nothing will, of course, beat hearing the speakers in reality. But I'd still recommend you to give it a shot.
While you're at it, blast my Hidden Electronic Gems list to test them:
Anyways...
Like I mentioned earlier, these are not high-fidelity speakers. But they do give you enough volume and clarity to get the party spirit rollin’. Both offer a nice, balanced sound with surprising clarity on all frequency ranges.
JBL PartyBox 110
With two 5.25" woofers and two 2.5" tweeters, this gives you a total output of 160 Watts. The frequency response range of 45 Hz – 18 kHz you get is pretty impressive for a party-speaker this portable as well.
JBL PartyBox 310
The bigger of the two does deliver more power and volume (240 Watts). And this without compromising sound quality. That being said, as is often the case with a speaker this size which is neither really small nor really big, the bass can get a little muddy.
Strange enough, while the sizes of the tweeters remain the same, the 310 offers slightly larger woofers (2x6.5" instead 2x5.25").
Lastly, do make sure to check out the side-by-side spec comparison of JBL PartyBox 110 vs 310 on Crutchfield.
Connectivity
Weighing in at 23 lbs, the 110 (see image) is the smaller and more portable of the two. It also comes with a pretty neat pole mount.
This is where both speakers really blend the old with the new and have lots to offer.
Both the JBL PartyBox 110 and JBL PartyBox 310 come with:
- Bluetooth connectivity
- A USB input
This means you can connect your devices in either manner to play your playlist.
Additionally, it also offers :
- A jack/aux input to plug in musical instruments like electric guitars/keyboards.
- A mic input for your microphone.
These open up a whole different world of possibilities making it an ideal fit for a karaoke party, or even small-scale, intimate concerts with live musicians. Buskers might find this to be a great solution as well.
List prices
PartyBox 310.
Prices are so dynamic that it mostly doesn't make sense
- JBL PartyBox 110: $399.95
- JBL PartyBox 310: $549.95
Verdict
In conclusion, this is how the JBL PartyBox 100 and JBL PartyBox 300 stack up against each other:
- Design: The JBL PartyBox 110 is more portable.
- Battery Life: JBL PartyBox 310 wins.
- Sound: Close tie. But the JBL PartyBox 110 seems to be more compact in bass frequencies. The JBL PartyBox 310 is way more powerful though.
- Connectivity: Tie.
- Price: JBL PartyBox 110 wins.
With its enhanced portability, more balance in basses, and lower price, the JBL PartyBox 110 seems to be the better buy overall. The JBL PartyBox 310, however, is better suited for larger venues due to its higher power.
Lastly, do make sure to check out the side-by-side spec comparison of JBL PartyBox 110 vs 310 on Crutchfield.
