The PartyBox Encore is one of JBL’s smallest PartyBox speakers, showcasing a balance between ease of use and features. The Encore Essential is a more affordable speaker, despite sounding the same as the Encore. Despite being extremely similar, the two speakers have a few differences that potential buyers should know of.
Best Value
JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
While the Encore Essential has less battery life and excludes wireless microphones, for up to $150 cheaper than the Encore, it offers the best value for most customers.
JBL PartyBox Encore vs Encore Essential
JBL PartyBox Encore vs Encore Essential
Model: | Encore | Encore Essential |
Dimensions: | 10.9 x 12.9 x 11.5″ | 10.9 x 12.9 x 11.5″ |
Weight: | 13.86 lbs | 13 lbs |
Mic: | 2x Wireless | Wired (Not Incl.) |
Waterproofing: | IPX4 | IPX4 |
Battery Life: | 10 Hrs | 6 Hrs |
Power: | 100W | 100W |
Charge Port: | USB-C | USB-C |
Woofers: | 1x 5.25″ | 1x 5.25″ |
Tweeters: | 2x 1.75″ | 2x 1.75″ |
Freq. Resp. | 50 Hz – 20k Hz | 50 Hz – 20k Hz |
SPL: | 95 dB | 95 dB |
App Support: | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth: | 5.1 | 5.1 |
Mic Controls: | Yes | No |
Waterproofing: | IPX4 | IPX4 |
Price: | Check Price | Check Price |
Design, Build, & Durability
The PartyBox Encore and Encore Essential both have the same design, and the same dimensions. The Encore is marginally heavier than the Encore Essential, but both speakers are easily portable with built-in handles. They are similar in size to a watering can. Their light weight makes them ideal for use indoors or outdoors, and they’re also protected from drizzle and light splashes (Rated IPX4). Still, they should be handled with care outdoors to prevent scratches to the shell.
Both speakers feature vibrant lighting effects that can sync to the beat. This light wraps around the driver in a circle on the front of the speaker. Additionally, several supplementary lights are located at the top of the speaker.
Controls, Connectivity and App Support
The Encore and Encore Essential have remarkably similar connection options and app support. They both have modern Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, to ensure efficient and high-quality audio transfer.
When it comes to controlling the speaker, both the Encore and Encore Essential have easy-to-reach controls located at the top of the speaker. These buttons include bass boost, lighting effects, power, Bluetooth pairing and large central play button.
The central control knob offers performs multiple functions depending on how it’s used:
- Press once to pause or resume playback.
- Press play to skip to the next track.
- Press three times to skip to the previous track.
- Rotate the knob clockwise / counterclockwise to increase /
decrease the main volume.
The Essential, however, doesn’t come with the same second set of controls that the regular Encore does. These additional controls are for adjusting the microphone, and the Encore features mic volume control, bass adjustment, treble adjustment and echo effects.
Unlike most Essential models JBL offers, the PartyBox Encore Essential is supported by an official JBL mobile app. Use the JBL PartyBox app to control either of the Encore models and make adjustments to lighting effects and more.
The biggest difference between the PartyBox Encore and Encore Essential is that the flagship Encore model supports wireless mic input, and the speaker even comes with 2 free wireless microphones. The Encore Essential is limited to wired mics which need to be purchased separately.
Audio Performance
Sound quality differences between these two speakers is a controversial topic, with some swearing that they hear a difference, while others believe they both sound the same. Both speakers feature the same drivers, same Bluetooth version and have the same power output – so it’s more than likely that any differences heard relate more to differences in each unit, more than the model itself.
Both speakers have a 5.25-inch woofer and two 1.75-inch tweeters, which give them a punchy bass. For more of a thumpy sound, you can further enhance the bass by using the bass boost function. It has two different levels, allowing you to get a bit more low-end, or go all out and pump it up.
Despite the serious bass on the PartyBox Encore, it retains a lot of clarity in the mids, meaning you don’t just have to go with dance tracks. It can be used as a casual listening speaker too, especially with the bass boost off.
These speakers can reach impressive volume levels for their size
Both Encore models support TWS (True Wireless Stereo) connections, which allow for 2 of either speaker to be paired together wirelessly. In this connection, each speaker is designated as a dedicated left or right channel speaker. Using TWS pairing can provide broader coverage and improved soundstage.
Battery, Charging and Power
The PartyBox Encore has a larger battery capacity than the Encore Essential, giving it a fairly significant 4 hour advantage, despite sharing the same 3.5 hour recharging time. This is one of the few reasons to consider the Encore over the Essential. The use of additional features like bass boost and lighting effects will directly influence the battery performance. Both Encore models have a USB-C charging port, making the process easy and making cable replacement affordable.
Price and Value
The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential has a retail price of $299, but can also be found as low as $249. This is a big difference from the $399 retail price on the main Encore model. So, what do you get for the extra $100-$150?
The Encore comes with 2 wireless microphones, which introduce bulk of the cost increase. If you’re buying the speaker specifically for karaoke, then it may be worth paying the additional cost. Particularly if you want to have two singers at the same time, as the Encore Essential only has a single microphone input. You’ll also get on-speaker mic controls on the Encore.
The only other notable difference between the two speakers is the longer battery life on the Encore. If you’re looking to host long-lasting parties and need more than a few hours of playtime, the Encore is worth the higher price tag. Overall, the Encore Essential has the best value, retaining many of the same features as the Encore, but at a significantly reduced cost. However, for karaoke enthusiasts and those requiring long-lasting battery life the Encore may be a necessary upgrade.
Best Value
JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
While the Encore Essential has less battery life and excludes wireless microphones, for up to $150 cheaper than the Encore, it offers the best value for most customers.
I keep finding conflicting information on whether the encore essential can be use with the Jbl wireless mics has there been a new updated version of encore essential that supports the wireless mics? Please help! By the way great comparison
Hey Deana – So the main Encore has the built-in receiver and comes with free wireless mics. But the Encore Essential doesn’t have a built-in receiver and doesn’t come with the wireless mics. However, you can achieve the same functionality by buying the JBL Wireless Microphone set, which comes with a receiver that can be plugged into the speaker’s mic jack. But given that they are around $100 for the microphone set – you end up paying the same as if you went with the Encore.
I know there’s an updated Encore and Encore Essential, but they are only releasing in a few months and have the same microphone dynamic.