I tried a JBL Partybox 120.... and I liked it! Am I a tacky person?

[Talisman]

I know this forum is geared towards high fidelity, but have any of you tried the JBL Partybox?
I bought one (Club 120) to listen to music in the garden, and WOW, that thing is fun and can go really loud for €279. It clearly has a "boomy" EQ that emphasizes low frequencies, but it does so in a way that I'd dare call tacky and pleasant, and so I finally convinced myself to buy a second one to pair in stereo.
I'm also quite convinced that by properly equalizing the source the result could sound incredibly good for a speaker of this type.
Do any of you have this little shame to share?

 

[Adis]

Nope, have no sins.
Am here just to throw stones at people.

 

[Doodski]

I think that music in whatever form makes a person happy is very conducive to many great things that enhance one's life. So go for it! The JBL Partybox 120 is a fabulous idea and a great product and hey... It's a JBL too! I like the entire premise of the model and what it stands for. After 24 years of working in consumer electronics in sales for 9 years and repair for 15 I am in love with this product. This product epitomizes what music hardware gear is about and enables access to good music in more locations with more OOHMPH!

 

[krabapple]

JBL makes good stuff. I have one of their tiny square portable Bluetooth jobbies, and I'm even impressed by the sound coming from that.

 

[HalSF]

There’s a lot of cool fun pleasure to be had with Bluetooth speakers. Good audio is not always about reporting for duty in front of serious hi-fi speakers, locked into the sweet spot in critical listening mode. I recently helped a magazine friend evaluate a bunch of made-for-rugged-travel and road-tripping weatherproof BT speakers, and some of those things make surprisingly beautiful music within the limits of the form factor, with great ingenious sonic improvement over the boom boxes and bedroom record players of yore.

 

[MoreWatts]

I often wonder what youths really think about "stereo" systems for home audio. A lot of money and effort results in a system where the full effect is only available in the "sweet spot." Any other spot in the room gets a degraded experience.

Why not buy a Party Box instead? Stick it in front of the room and every ones experience is probably more even than in a stereo rig. Roll it from room to room as needed. Give it enough ports for all devices, including TVs. Buy 2 if you want stereo!

I made this post in the thread 'What speakers would you like Amir to measure next?' a year ago:

How about something common in the youths market. This is JBLs largest 'PartyBox.' MSRP $1700, currently on sale for $1000. The PartyBox line has at least 6 models down to ~$400.

Contains: two 2-3/4" tweeters; two 4-1/2" midrange drivers, angled to spread out the sound; two 9" woofers; 1100 watts of amplification. Weighs 88 lbs/39.5 kg, has wheels and a handle to pull. 42-inches tall and 18-inches square. Two can be connected wirelessly for stereo use. An app controls all. This is like a Revel F208, with more drivers, amplified, and on wheels.

Essentially Bluetooth and Wi-Fi only, but there is a USB port for a thumb drive with music files. Airplay, Chromecast, most music services available.

Two 1/4" inputs let you connect two microphones, or use one for a guitar. Both inputs have independent volume and gain controls. So more for karaoke-like uses than an analog audio input.

If this had a USB and a SPDIF input it could replace home audio for many folks. Plug in a streamer and your TV and who needs a multi-box system? Plus, the unit is splash-proof and speakers are behind metal grills to be child and cat-proof. And we wonder why the traditional home audio market dwindles...

 

[monx]

Yes, they had a party speaker playing at a work event, sounded so good I had to take a closer look. Sure enough it was a JBL PartyBox 100. Good engineering, I wanted to go buy one on the spot.

It's not even the top end PartyBox - the big boys go even deeper. https://comparisontabl.es/jbl-bluetooth-speakers/

I just wish JBL would make one of these with a subdued aesthetic (no flashing lights). AND STOP REMOVING THE 3.5mm JACKS

 

[Karmacoma]

Got a pair of wonderboom (100% waterproof) to listen to music or radio under the shower, love it. I think that's an incredible product, easy to set up/connect, very good battery, very décent sound considering the form factor, and you can drop them several times 2 meters, they won't have a scratch and will keep working perfectly. That's what I reckon is a perfectly engineered product.

 

[Talisman]

Yes, they had a party speaker playing at a work event, sounded so good I had to take a closer look. Sure enough it was a JBL PartyBox 100. Good engineering, I wanted to go buy one on the spot.

It's not even the top end PartyBox - the big boys go even deeper. https://comparisontabl.es/jbl-bluetooth-speakers/

I just wish JBL would make one of these with a subdued aesthetic (no flashing lights). AND STOP REMOVING THE 3.5mm JACKS

The 120 has a 3.5" aux input. I would have liked an optical input, but ultimately, it's fine for what it's supposed to do.
And if you want all the lights and visual effects can be easily turned off.

I briefly listened to them all in a shopping mall and was amazed. With the obvious differences in quality, features, and inputs, they almost sound like PA speakers (I've also tried smaller brands that mimicked JBL, but they were simply embarrassing in comparison).
They also have a battery that can keep them powered for many hours without needing a power outlet. And, wow, guys, I have the 120, which is a tiny little thing compared to the larger models, but it PUSHES.

 

[kyuu]

I just wish JBL would make one of these with a subdued aesthetic (no flashing lights). AND STOP REMOVING THE 3.5mm JACKS

Which one(s) don't have a 3.5mm aux input? All the models I've scoped seem to have one.

 

[Spkrdctr]

Heck I use a JBL Flip 5 for my computer speaker. I don't go real loud and it sounds great. If I were to replace it I would go with the same style but a step up in size. JBL has a lot of useful product out that gets the job done.