The PartyBox 710 has more bass and volume, while the PartyBox 520 is significantly more versatile with the benefit of a battery.
JBL’s PartyBox 710 is now almost 4 years old, and with the PartyBox 520 being the next closest thing from JBL’s modern releases in size and price. If you’re curious about how these two speakers compare and which one is right for you, keep reading as we uncover all the essential differences between these two powerful party speakers.
Our Pick
Key Takeaways:
- With more volume and deeper bass, the PartyBox 710 is better for large parties.
- The PartyBox 520 features a more balanced sound that will appeal to audiophiles.
- The PartyBox 710 doesn’t have a battery, while the 520 has 15 hour battery life.
- JBL’s PartyBox 520 is large, but versatile, while the 710 dominates in volume, but is more limited in where it can be used.
Disclaimer
We have not tested the PartyBox 520. This comparison is based on specifications, which gives us some information about how it’s likely to compare to the PartyBox 710, a speaker we’ve tested before. This comparison will be updated once we have tested the PartyBox 520.
JBL PartyBox 520 vs JBL PartyBox 710 Specs
| Model | PartyBox 520 | PartyBox 710 |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Output Power | 400W | 800W |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Battery Life | Up to 15 Hours | No battery |
| Charging Time | 3 Hours | N/A |
| Frequency Response | 40 Hz – 20 kHz | 35 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Woofers | 2 × 7.5” woofer | 2 × 8” woofer |
| Tweeters | 2 × 1” tweeters | 2 × 2.75″ tweeters |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Group Pairing | Yes (Auracast) | No (TWS Only) |
| Weight | 56.2 lbs | 68.34 lbs |
| Dimensions | 16.34” x 30.28” x 14.53” | 41.26 x 19.88 x 18.39″ |
| App Support | Yes (PartyBox) | Yes (PartyBox) |
| Price: | Check Price | Check Price |
Table of Contents
- Design, Build & Durability
- Controls, Connectivity & App Support
- Sound Quality & Volume
- Battery
- Price & Value
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Differences In Design, Build, & Durability Between The PartyBox 520 And PartyBox 710
- The PartyBox 520 is easier to move around, with smaller size and less weight.
- Despite the 520 having cool lighting effects, the PartyBox 710’s are brighter and has more options.
Durability
Winner: Tie
There’s very little separating these speakers in durability. They’re both made from durable plastic shells and feature metal grilles across the front. The grille design has been updated on the PartyBox 520, but it only adds minor improvements to the overall durability.
The biggest weak point for both designs is that the plastic shell is prone to collecting paint when accidentally bumped against painted objects. So, one should still transport them with care.
Portability
Winner: PartyBox 520
JBL PartyBox 520 & JBL PartyBox 710 Wheels
The PartyBox 520 comes out on top as the easier of these two speakers to move around. Both models are large and heavy, with the PartyBox 710 weighing 68.34 lbs and the PartyBox 520 being a bit more manageable at 56.2 lbs.
The burden of their hefty weight is alleviated with the inclusion of built-in wheels and, in the case of the 520, a telescopic carry handle. The 710 doesn’t need a telescopic handle, as its larger size makes it easy to wheel around just by holding the built-in handle
The wheels are wider on the PartyBox 520, which gives it a little more stability during transport, but the 710’s wheels are treaded, making it better for navigating rough terrain.
Lighting Effects
Winner: PartyBox 710
JBL PartyBox 520 Lighting
JBL PartyBox 710 Lighting
The PartyBox 710 has significantly cooler lighting features, if that’s a priority to you. Both speakers have lights that wrap around their woofers and cover a large portion of the speaker, but the 710’s lights are brighter and have more features, including strobe effects and brightness control.
The 710 also comes with more on-speaker lighting shortcuts that make it easier to swap between light modes.
With that said, the PartyBox 520 can achieve better gradients between colors.
Their lighting effects can be controlled both on the speakers and through the JBL Portable app.
The JBL PartyBox 520 and 710 Have Similar Controls, With A Few Key Differences
- The PartyBox 520 has more modern Bluetooth, but latency remains similar on both speakers.
- Both speakers use different microphone inputs: 6.35mm aux on the 710 and XLR on the 520.
- Controls are similar, but with distinct differences in the center control panel.
Inputs & Outputs
Winner: PartyBox 520
JBL PartyBox 520 Inputs & Outputs
JBL PartyBox 710 Inputs & Outputs
When we compare the ports on the back of these speakers, there really isn’t too much separating them. The microphone inputs are different, though, with the PartyBox 710 using 6.35mm ports while the PartyBox 520 uses XLR, which is worth noting for compatibility. The 520 also makes it easier to adjust your microphone volume, using a control on top of the speaker rather than the older rear adjustments found on the 710.
The PartyBox 520 features a USB-C port for charging your phone, while the 710 has an older USB-A port.
They both have daisy-chaining ports and microphone controls, which can also be switched to support an instrument. But again, these ports are 6.35mm aux on the 710 and XLR on the 520.
Finally, the PartyBox 710 has a TWS pairing button on the back of the speaker. Both speakers can be paired in TWS, but the PartyBox 520 uses different technology, and the pairing process differs slightly.
Controls
Winner: Tied
JBL PartyBox 520 Controls
JBL PartyBox 710 Controls
There are distinct differences in the controls between these two speakers, with the PartyBox 520 incorporating some of JBL’s newer features. Let’s look at how each panel of controls differs:
Top Panel:
The PartyBox 520 and 710 both use their top control section for their microphone buttons. The one difference is that the 520 has its microphone volume controls in this panel, rather than on the back of the speaker like with the 710. They both share the same bass, treble, and echo effects.
Having the control over the speaker makes the 520 easier to adjust the volume, but doesn’t allow one to adjust the volume per microphone like on the PartyBox 710.
Middle Panel:
The center control panel is significantly different between these speakers. The 710’s middle panel features shortcuts that toggle between lighting effects, while the 520’s are a bit more novel, allowing the user to play sound effects, which can be mapped through the JBL Portable app.
Front Panel:
The front controls are more closely aligned between the speakers. The left dial can toggle and adjust lighting features and the right knob controls playback and volume. One difference here is that the PartyBox 520 has an Auracast pairing button, which can be used for TWS or group pairing, while the 710 only supports TWS and needs to be toggled via the back of the speaker.
TWS & Group Pairing
Winner: Tie
The PartyBox 520 is a better speaker for multipairing, as it uses the latest Auracast technology, meaning it can be paired with an infinite number of other JBL Auracast speakers. With Auracast now being JBL’s primary pairing technology, it means the PartyBox 520 can be paired with more than half a dozen different JBL speakers in group pairing.
For stereo pairing, the 710 and the 520 can both be stereo paired with another speaker of the same model.
App Support
Winner: Tie
Both speakers use the JBL Portable app, available on both Android and iOS devices. Through the app one can adjust their sound via the custom EQ, but we anticipate that the PartyBox 520 will support a 7-band EQ over the 3-band EQ offered by the PartyBox 710.
The app also features lighting controls, which are slightly more advanced on the PartyBox 710, and be used to establish multispeaker connections.
JBL PartyBox 520 Vs JBL PartyBox 710: Which Sounds Better?
- Bassheads will prefer the PartyBox 710’s boomy bass and extreme volume.
- Audiophiles seeking a more balanced sound will likely find the PartyBox 520 more inviting.
- Both speakers can achieve high volume levels with little distortion.
Sound Profile & Frequency Response
Although these speakers share a lot of common features, the sound is distinctly different. The PartyBox 710 is renowned for its deep, powerful bass that dominates its sound. In fact, even today it’s a top choice for a bass-heavy party speaker. Even its frequency response range is wide, extending down to 35Hz, compared to 40Hz on the 520.
By contrast, the PartyBox 520 is more balanced, with additional focus on the midrange and treble. This is something that JBL has been narrowly focused on for the last year or two; creating speakers that align closer to the expectations of audiophiles.
So if you’re looking for accuracy and brightness, while still retaining a good thumpy bass the PartyBox 520 is the better choice. But if bass is more important to you, and the speaker is mostly going to be used for pumping EDM, then the PartyBox 710 is ultimately the better choice.
Soundstage & Dynamics
Soundstage refers to how encompassing and lifelike the sound is, it’s usually a result of good stereo separation between the drivers.
Despite having quite similar driver configurations, the PartyBox 710 just sounds more immersive, exhibiting a better quality soundstage.
Dynamics on the PartyBox 710 is outstanding, but the PartyBox 520 performs similarly, with both speakers able to retain much of their clarity, even with the volume pushed high.
Volume
Winner: JBL PartyBox 520
With 800W output, two 8″ woofers and two 2.75″ tweeters, the PartyBox 710 is well-equipped to cover large areas. It’s a loud and bass-heavy speaker that peaks at over 105dB (1 meter from the speaker).
The PartyBox 520 is also quite a beast, with two 7.5″ woofers and two 1″ tweeters, but it doesn’t quite reach the same volume levels as the PartyBox 710. Makes sense, right? After all, the PartyBox 520 is half the power output. But with that said, the 520 is a more efficient speaker, so even at half the power ouput, its able to reach just a few decibels shy of the PartyBox 710.
How Does The Battery Differ Between The PartyBox 520 and PartyBox 710?
- Only the PartyBox 520 has a battery, the larger PartyBox 710 requires a power input.
Winner: PartyBox 320
If portability is important to you, carefully consider the fact that JBL’s PartyBox 710 doesn’t have a battery, meaning you’ll need to run a power cord to wherever you’re using it.
In contrast, the PartyBox 520 has a replaceable, rechargeable battery that gives users up to 15 hours of playtime at lower volume levels, or around 8 hours of playtime at moderate to high volume levels. It can also be fully recharged in just 3 hours.
Price & Value
Winner: Tied
So, which is the better value? Honestly, these two speakers are distinct enough to have their own value proposition. With the PartyBox 710 you’re paying for a powerful speaker that delivers unbelievable bass for its size. It gets very loud and can easily fill a large room. It costs around $799 from online retailers.
The PartyBox 520, being a newer speaker, costs a bit more. It retails for $879 on Amazon, but incorporates newer technology and a more compact design that makes it a better choice for those favoring portability and ease of use.
Ultimately, it comes down to what you’re looking for.
Our Pick
