If it’s not evident by now, let it be known that JBL likes to party … PartyBox, that is. At CES 2025 in Las Vegas today, the California-based iconic speaker brand has pulled the veil off not one but three new portable party speakers: the PartyBox 520, PartyBox Encore 2, and PartyBox Encore Essential 2, ranging from 100 to 400 watts in power and from $300 to $800 in price.
Starting with the biggest of the bunch, the PartyBox 520 adds a new power entry to JBL’s top three with a whopping 400-watt maximum power output from two 7.5-inch woofers and dual 1-inch tweeters, putting it just 80 watts shy of the excellent JBL PartyBox 320 we reviewed last year.
The PartyBox 520 shares several features with the 320 (as do many of JBL’s party speakers), including a removable and replaceable battery, its AI SoundBoost feature that JBL says “analyzes audio in real time with an AI algorithm to optimize the acoustic output level, leading to more powerful and less distorted sound,” and advanced Bluetooth LE connectivity with Auracast for linking multiple Auracast-enabled JBL speakers together to create an even bigger sound. And while it’s not as big and powerful as JBL’s largest PartyBox speakers, the behemoth 1,000-watt PartyBox Ultimate, even professional DJs may find the PartyBox 520 adequate for small-to-medium sized parties, especially when linking several of the speakers together.
The 520 wouldn’t be a party speaker if it didn’t have karaoke features like inputs for microphones and even a guitar, and while the specific number of inputs and details were not released at press time, the images show similar microphone volume and effect controls to the 320, so it’s a safe bet. We’ll, of course, confirm these details when we know.
Like its relatives, the PartyBox 520 is also outfitted with LED lighting around its speakers and front face, all controlled through the JBL PartyBox app (as well as all kinds of fun DJ sound effects and EQ features).
These things are built like tanks, and the 520 looks to be no exception. It features a strong telescopic handle that makes the speaker easy to roll around on its smooth and rugged rubberized wheels, and its IPX4 water resistance rating means that you don’t have to worry about Uncle Doug spilling his G&T on it.
The PartyBox 520 boasts solid 15 hours of playback on a single charge (the PartyBox 320 gets up to 18 hours), but can also be plugged in (1o minutes will give it two hours of battery playback, too).
The JBL PartyBox 520 will be available in June 2025 and will retail for $800 MSRP.
The JBL Encore 2 and Encore Essential 2 are very similar party speakers that add two new levels of compact-ness and portability to the JBL PartyBox lineup. Capable of 100 watts of output, both speakers are outfitted with a single 5.25-inch woofer and two 20mm tweeters (0.79 inches).
Spec-wise, they’re almost identical, featuring Bluetooth 5.4 LE with Auracast, IPX4 water resistance, light show and sound features controlled through the PartyBox app, AUX-in, USB-C, guitar input with pore-gain and volume control, and up to 15 hours of playtime on a single charge.
Where things differ is that the pricier Encore 2 ($400 MSRP) comes with two wireless mics with detachable holders on the back of the speaker and with volume controls on top and has a removable/replaceable battery, while the less-expensive Essential 2 ($200 MSRP) does not.
Both the Encore 2 and Encore Essential 2 will be available in June 2025.
JBL also announced a ton of new headphones at CES 2025 you should check out as well.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.