The PartyBox Ultimate Is The Loudest JBL Speaker, Able To Fill Even Large Rooms, Wall-to-Wall
Looking for the loudest JBL speaker? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve tested more than a dozen JBL speakers, measuring the volume output of each of them. JBL doesn’t specify how loud their speakers can get. That’s why I’ve worked with some local retail partners to listen to and test all of the JBL models and find out which is truly the loudest.
Table of Contents
- We recommend the PartyBox range
- How these speakers were tested
- List of the 5 loudest JBL Bluetooth speakers
- How to maximize your volume
- Volume vs. sound quality: Is there a trade-off?
- JBL’s focus on clarity
- Impact of outdoor use on volume requirements
- Frequently asked questions
Winner
For Power, The JBL PartyBox Range Is The Way To Go
JBL’s range of speakers is broad, but for loudness within the brand, you should focus on the PartyBox series. This range of speakers is designed specifically for larger crowds, and while they do offer more compact and affordable speakers in this line (like the PartyBox Encore), it’s the larger PartyBox models that break through the 100dB threshold, providing enough sound to fill large rooms and get people onto the dance floor.
In addition to being louder than most other JBL speakers, the PartyBox range is also well-known for its deep bass, microphone inputs, and bright, vibrant lighting effects.
The New Generation of PartyBox
A couple of years ago, JBL started releasing its new generation of PartyBox models, starting with the PartyBox Ultimate. This launch was followed by the smaller PartyBox 120 and Stage 320, and more recently, the PartyBox 520 was released. There are even indications that the PartyBox 710 will soon be replaced by the PartyBox 720.
Overall, the PartyBox range is one of the loudest in the industry, and a great starting point for those wanting the loudest JBL speaker.
How I Tested These Speakers
To test the loudness of these speakers, I hooked up a laptop to a UMIK-II measuring microphone, which I placed a meter from the speakers. I then ran a pink noise signal through the speaker using a Bluetooth connection. This doesn’t necessarily give the highest theoretically possible reading, but it’s the one closest to what a listener would hear.
The 5 Loudest JBL Bluetooth Speakers
There are more than a dozen different JBL speakers out on the market right now, most of them unable to breach the 100 dB threshold. We’ve narrowed it down to just 5. These are truly the loudest JBL Bluetooth speakers available at the moment.
The PartyBox Ultimate Is The Loudest At 112dB
Whether you’re throwing a party or just want the most volume possible, the PartyBox Ultimate is the ultimate choice, albeit a pricy one. It’s the loudest Bluetooth speaker in the JBL line-up and reached between 110 and 112 decibels at one meter from the speaker during our testing.
As with most speakers that have over 1000W (1100W), the Ultimate needs AC power and doesn’t have a built in battery. This minor inconvenience is negating by the speaker’s outstanding audio performance, which presents with deep, window-rattling bass and clear upper frequencies that bring out subtle nuances in tracks. The performance is owed largely to the speaker’s powerful and comprehensive driver setup which features 9″ woofers, 4.5″ midrange drivers, and 2.75″ tweeters. It can even adjust its sound automatically based on the area its in to provide the best audio experience every time.
Although it’s not well suited for frequent outdoor use, it still has an IPX4 water resistance rating that can protect the speaker from minor splashes of waters. With Wi-Fi support, the PartyBox Ultimate also integrates easily as a home audio speaker.
With 108-110dB Output, the PartyBox 1000 Is The Runner Up
The PartyBox 1000 is an older release, but it’s still completely viable in 2025. Like the PartyBox Ultimate, it has extremely powerful bass. Unsurprising given that it has a monstrous 12″ sub-woofer built in, a feature that’s found on only a handful of Bluetooth speakers.
I was blown away (almost literally) by this speaker’s ability to aggressively move sound across a room. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by its power when standing close.
The PartyBox 1000 had an average of 108 to 110 dB, making it the second loudest JBL Bluetooth speaker and also the second most expensive, with a retail price of over $1000. The volume peaked at 109.7 dB
If you’re curious about how else this speaker differs from the Ultimate, the 1000 lacks any weather resistance, compared to the Ultimate’s IPX4 protection. It’s also targeted towards party hosts, and has an integrated DJ pad. The Ultimate is more of a home speaker, while the PartyBox 1000 is more of a dedicated party speaker.
The PartyBox 710 Is Another Powerful Release With 108.7 dB
The PartyBox 710 is another one of JBL’s previous generation of speakers, but that doesn’t keep it from filling a large room with sound. In my test, it reached 108.7dB, falling just short of the PartyBox 1000.
This speaker’s powered by two large 8″ woofers, and although there isn’t a dedicated subwoofer, it excels in creating deep lows that aren’t found on the models under it. It’s not just the strong bass that makes the 710 appealing though, its overall sound is clear, with great dynamic range, especially for a slightly older release.
For many, the PartyBox 1000 is simply too large for practical purposes, making the PartyBox 710 a popular choice.
The PartyBox 520 Is JBL’s Loudest Battery-Powered Speaker With Over 106 dB
The PartyBox 520 is an entirely new release, not an upgrade of an existing release. It’s the loudest battery-powered PartyBox speaker available, and produces around 107-108 decibels at maximum volume.
With Bluetooth 5.4 support, it holds a wireless connection well, even over distance and is not short of connection points. It features two XLR ports for microphones or a musical instrument, as well as a 3.5mm aux and USB-C output that can be use to charge one’s phone.
This is a very loud speaker, with a 400W output (almost twice that of the smaller PartyBox 320). The two 7.5″ woofers allow the PartyBox 520 to achieve deep, powerful bass that can rattle windows, impress guests and shake up the dance floor.
It comes with a rechargeable, replaceable battery that lasts up to 15 hours a charge. This assumes a low volume. At party levels, you can sill get a solid 9 hours of playtime from this speaker.
The PartyBox 320 is a More Compact Speaker, But Still Produces 104.2 dB
The PartyBox 320 was released in 2024. It’s one of the loudest PartyBox models with a battery, second only to the PartyBox 520. With a carry handle and built in wheels, it’s easy to take the 320 out into the garden or to a venue.
It’s not quite as loud as the PartyBox 710 or 520, reaching a peak of 104.2dB with the power plugged in. It can fill medium to large rooms with sound and cater to groups of 20 to 30 people with ease.
This speaker sounds great, and its dynamic range means its got a clear sound, even close to maximum volume. It can also be paired together with another PartyBox 320 using Auracast, which can increase volume and coverage. Not only does this speaker have a battery, but the battery is replaceable, a big step up from the previous generation PartyBox 310.
How To Get The Most Volume From Your JBL Speaker
Outside of simply buying a louder speaker, there are ways to increase the volume of your existing JBL speaker, depending on its model and features.
Bass Boost To Beefen Up The Low End
When the bass boost feature is toggled, speakers with it can see an increase in volume. This will impact the speaker’s sound profile, too, but if you’re looking for some added volume and bass, use it liberally.
Increase The Levels On A Custom EQ
Did you know that equalizers can do more than change the sound profile? They can also be used to increase the volume. If you notice certain frequencies seem too soft compared to others, use a custom EQ to dial in your sound and make your JBL speaker louder. This feature is available in the JBL app for many of their speakers.
Plugging Your JBL Speaker In Can Increase Its Volume
Some of JBL’s larger party speakers are known to get louder when plugged in, which is a fairly common occurrence across all brands. So if you’re truly looking to get the most out of your JBL speaker, try plugging it in and see if you notice a difference in the overall volume levels.
This is oftentimes due to how the DSP (Digital Signal Processor) is designed, where it automatically adjusts depending on the power source being used. It’s designed this way because playing a speaker at a high volume over an extended period can generate heat, which has the potential to damage batteries and performance in the long term.
The difference is sometimes within a couple of decibels, which may not seem like much – but for every 10-decibel increase, the perceived volume doubles.
Use JBL’s PartyBoost or Auracast Pairing
All speakers on this list feature multi-speaker pairing, where you can wirelessly connect more than one together to play the same song. Doing this will improve the immersive soundstage, making the speakers sound more realistic, as well as increasing the measured volume in most cases.
To ensure pairing compatibility with modern releases, ensure your speaker supports Auracast pairing (PartyBox Encore 2, Club 120, Stage 320, 520, Ultimate).
Place It Against A Wall
To truly get the most volume out of your JBL speaker, position it up against a wall at ear level. While this may introduce additional reflections that can lower sound quality, it can also increase the volume.
Why More Volume Often Results in Better Sound Quality
A loud Bluetooth speaker isn’t necessarily just about rattling windows; having more volume can improve audio quality. However, the closer we get to a speaker’s volume limits, the more degraded the audio becomes. This is often due to dynamics and the way compression kicks in near the end of a speaker’s volume limit.
This means that speakers with a higher volume limit, when played side by side with a lower volume one, can retain more clarity when producing the same volume level.
When entertaining a group of people, especially a larger group, having more volume than you need is generally a good choice. You can always turn the volume down if it’s too loud, but there are only a few limited ways to make a speaker louder once you’ve maxed out the volume. And even then, it’s a best practice to keep your volume levels at 80 to 90% of the maximum volume potential to avoid distortion.
JBL Are Committed To Increased Clarity At Higher Volume
Every few years, Bluetooth speaker manufacturers focus on a new area and try to maximize their potential. In the mid-2010s, battery life was the focus. But over the last few years, JBL has focused on dynamic range.
Dynamic range is what determines how much detail is retained by the speaker, especially as the volume levels go up. So although some of the newer releases only offer marginal increases in volume (or in a few cases, decreases), the clarity of audio is better at high volume levels than it’s ever been.
This allows us to play music louder, without noticing the same levels of distortion or loss of clarity. This is just one of the reasons JBL has such a strong following.
Loud Bluetooth Speakers Can Cut Through Wind For Better Sound Quality Outdoors
Bluetooth speakers don’t carry sound as well outdoors as they do indoors. The lack of confined walls means there’s less reflection for sound to bounce off and carry, and it’s easy for audio, especially higher frequencies, to get lost out in the open air.
When buying a JBL Bluetooth speaker for outdoor use, you’ll want to prioritize models that project sound well and can cut through the wind and cover enough area. If it’s just you and a few friends, many portable options can do this, but for larger groups, you’ll want to ensure a powerful speaker like one of the PartyBox models is being used.
These larger speakers reach higher volume levels and are designed for use in open spaces. They have high-quality drivers that project well, even at volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the PartyBox Ultimate compare in volume to the Soundboks?
The PartyBox Ultimate has a comparable volume to the Soundboks 3 and 4. They both produce in the range of 110 dB at maximum volume, despite advertisements claiming a 126 dB output on the Soundboks.
Is The PartyBox Ultimate or PartyBox 1000 Louder?
Although both are significant loudspeakers, the PartyBox Ultimate produces a few more decibels than the PartyBox 1000.
Where can I find the decibel measurements of JBL speakers?
JBL doesn’t publish the decibel readings of their products. That’s why we’ve gone through the process of measuring each of these speakers.
I had bought JBL speakers at the PX in Augsburg Germany in 1982 .I can’t remember what model but the output was 250 watts 500 peak does JBL have anything close to that range
Sincerely Retired Sgt.William.G.Medina US ARMY
The closest JBL speaker to 250W power with a 500W peak is the JBL EON305. The JBL JRX112M, PRX812W, and JBL EON615 had similar power outputs. Unfortunately, all of these have been discontinued by JBL. JBL currently has quite a few speakers with a higher range than that – you can look at the JBL EON610, the JBL EON715, and the JBL PRX812, amongst others. If you’re specifically looking for something in the 200-500W range, consider the JBL Professional IRX112 and the JBL IRX108. I hope this helps.
Great rundown of the loudest JBL speakers! I appreciate the decibel testing info; it really helps in making an informed choice. I’m particularly curious about how the sound quality holds up at those high volumes. Any thoughts on that?
Thanks for the feedback. When it comes to dynamic performance at high volume, the newer series of releases all do a similar job (320, 520, 720 and Ultimate). But the older models aren’t quite as efficient. The Ultimate takes the cake, with the 720 being the runner up in dynamic performance.