Introducing The Latest Speaker In The PartyBox Range
Bigger and louder than the PartyBox 320, lighter and more versatile than the PartyBox 710. Should you be buying the PartyBox 520?
JBL PartyBox 520 Specs
Release Date: June 2025
| Power Output: | 400W RMS (IEC60268) |
| Woofers: | 2 x 7.5 inch (208 mm) |
| Tweeters: | 2 x 1 inch (25 mm) |
| Frequency Response: | 40 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Product Dimensions: | 16.34″ x 30.28″ x 14.53″ |
| Weight: | 56.2 lbs |
| Bluetooth: | 5.4 |
| Playtime: | 15 Hours |
| Charging Time: | 3 Hours |
What’s in The Box?
1 x JBL PartyBox 520
1 x Quick-start guide
1 x Safety Instruction and Warranty Card
AC power cord – quantity and plug type vary by region
In the world of Bluetooth party speakers, few brands are as beloved as JBL. Since the release of their first PartyBox speaker in August 2018 (the PartyBox 200), the brand has continued to expand its range, releasing upgrades and entirely new models every few years.
With its release, the PartyBox 520 now reigns as JBL’s loudest battery-powered party speaker, taking the title away from the smaller PartyBox 320 and filling the gap between the 320 and the larger AC-powered PartyBox 710.
Table of Contents
In this article, we’re going to cover the PartyBox 520 in depth, discussing its features, who it’s best for, and how it compares with similar party speakers on the market.
Who Should Buy The PartyBox 520?
With so many different PartyBox models on the market, it helps to have an understanding of the types of scenarios the speaker is designed for. With the PartyBox 520, it’s all about loudness, bass, and a design that is still relatively easy to move around.
This speaker will be appealing to business owners who need a storefront speaker, or even dance studios looking for something they can wheel around the studio with ease, while also filling the room with sound.
Most everyday consumers who want a speaker for their kids’ parties or to place next to the barbecue will find the 520 a little overkill, and the smaller PartyBox Stage 320 or Club 120 are probably better for that. However, the extra volume the 520 brings to the party makes it a viable choice for those with large gardens and deep pockets.
Features Of The JBL PartyBox 520
400 Watts Power Output
That Can Fill A Room With Booming Sound
Big size and big power, the PartyBox 520 produces up to 400W (RMS) of output, achieving more than 105 decibels of volume. This makes it a great speaker for covering outdoor spaces and larger rooms. This is nearly twice the power of the PartyBox 320 (240W), but falls short of the PartyBox 710’s 800W output.
7.5″ Woofers
For Deep and Powerful Bass
The PartyBox 520 boasts some monstrous 7.5″ woofers, which allow it to produce more bass than the smaller PartyBox 320, though it won’t quite match that of the PartyBox 710. Despite its deep bass potential, the PartyBox 520 is more focused on balanced sound than a significantly bass-forward one. This balance softens it around the edges, but makes it a safer purchase for dedicated party hosts who don’t need to rattle glasses off the table.
40 Hz – 20 kHz
Frequency Response Range
The frequency response range on this speaker ranges from 40Hz on the low end to 20kHz in the highs. This is the same range as found with the PartyBox 320, but not as low as the PartyBox 710, which goes down to 35Hz. In practice, although its range is the same as the PartyBox Stage 320, the intensity of the bass is significantly higher.
Auracast
Wireless Multi-speaker Pairing
The PartyBox 520 features Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast pairing. Auracast allows this speaker to be wirelessly paired with most of JBL’s latest releases, including the Clip 5, Go 4, Xtreme 4, Flip 7, Charge 6, and the PartyBox 120, 320, and Ultimate.
15 Hours Playtime
With A Replaceable Battery
With a long-lasting Li-ion 99.02 Wh battery, the PartyBox 520 is the largest battery-powered Bluetooth speaker by JBL. This battery is easily replaceable and provides up to 15 hours of playtime, and charges in just 3 hours.
JBL PartyBox App
For extra features and convenience
The PartyBox 520 is supported by the JBL PartyBox App, available on Android and iOS. Through the app, one can control the speaker in unique ways, adjusting its sound via EQ, establishing multispeaker pairings, or adjusting the light effects, to name a few.
How It Compares To Other Party Speakers
In a vacuum, the PartyBox 520 stands out with its powerful sound and deep bass, but how does it compare to similar speakers on the market? That’s the real question. If you’re on the fence about whether the PartyBox 520 is for you, here’s how it compares with other similar speakers.
PartyBox 520 vs PartyBox 320
These two sibling speakers share more in common than they do in differences. The PartyBox 520 can be thought of as a more powerful and bassier alternative to the 320. The Stage 320 has a little more playtime, since it only produces 240W output compared to 400W with the 520. There are some trade-offs in portability, with the PartyBox 520 being a heavier and larger speaker, but given that it’s got a similar battery and includes built-in wheels, they are both portable speakers.
Read our full comparison of the PartyBox 520 vs Stage 320.
PartyBox 520 vs PartyBox 710
Another sibling speaker to the PartyBox 520 is the PartyBox 710. The PartyBox 710 is renowned for its deep, powerful bass that can rattle windows. It’s an extremely loud speaker with two 8″ woofers and two larger tweeters. The PartyBox 520 doesn’t quite reach the same incredible volume, but it fills the gap between that offered by the Stage 320 and the 710.
The PartyBox 520 is also focused more on balanced sound than a particularly bass-heavy one. It can still produce deep, powerful lows, but the bass is tuned more naturally than with the PartyBox 710, which had a bass-dominant sound profile. This makes the 520 a more versatile speaker and will appeal more to audiophiles who aren’t just looking for a boomy sound.
A significant difference between these two speakers is that the PartyBox 710 doesn’t have a battery, meaning it can only be used when plugged in.
Read our full comparison of the PartyBox 520 vs PartyBox 710.
JBL PartyBox 520 vs Sony XV800
Another similar speaker is Sony’s XV800, which is around the same size as the PartyBox 520 and also has similar specs. The PartyBox 520 has larger transducers (dual 7.5″ vs dual 6.69″), which allows it to get louder than the XV800. The dynamic range is also better on the PartyBox 520, with less audible compression at high volume. However, because the XV800 has tweeters positioned around the speaker, it creates a broader soundstage than that of the PartyBox 520.
The lighting effects are a lot more vibrant on the PartyBox, covering a large area of the front grille. In contrast, the Sony XV800 has its lighting effects limited to the top and bottom of the speaker, offering more of a subtle ambience than a light that radiates across the dance floor.
The PartyBox 520 is a more appealing speaker overall, but ther Sony’s got a bit more battery life. Side by side, the PartyBox 520 is rated to last up to 15 hours, while the Sony is rated for up to 25 hours. But in practice, at 50% volume, there’s only about an hour or two of extra playtime on the Sony.
- Electrifying sound with AI Sound Boost
- Futuristic lightshow: Did someone say lightshow? Dance the night away with glowing light patterns and strobe effects that make any event a whole mood.
- Up to 15 hours of play time:
- Multi-speaker connection by Auracast: Bigger parties call for even bigger sound. Pair two PartyBox 520s for true stereo vibes via Auracast, or connect multiple JBL Auracast-enabled speakers wirelessly and let your music grow with your party size.
- Control your party, right from the JBL PartyBox app: Don’t feel stuck on speaker babysitting duty. Control your music, EQ settings, and lightshow from the JBL PartyBox app, wherever the party takes you.
