Review: JBL PartyBox 520

JBL has the widest selection of portable and party speakers on the market. There is something for every taste and every need – but it is the PartyBox series that really gets the party started.

PartyBox 520 is the latest and largest JBL model with battery operation and can play for up to 15 hours on a single charge. The battery is replaceable, so with an extra battery, the party can continue without interruption.

Large wheels and a telescopic handle make it easy to manoeuvre, and with a size and weight far below the flagship PartyBox Ultimate model, it is much more portable.

The sound is controlled either from the splash-proof control panel on top or via the PartyBox app, where you can adjust the light show, EQ settings and much more. The light show can also be turned off – and JBL has introduced something they call AI Sound Boost, which automatically synchronises the lighting effects with the music.

The speaker can be connected to other JBL devices via Auracast, and it doesn’t even have to be another JBL – any speaker with Auracast will work. At the back, you can connect microphones and guitars and use the karaoke function.

Party factor

Although the PartyBox 520 is smaller than both the PartyBox 710 and Ultimate, you hardly notice it. The JBL speaker delivers sound pressure that can match the biggest – and at the same time sounds articulate, balanced and clear. This is the most focused sound reproduction we have heard in a party speaker to date. Even when you crank it up, it retains control and clarity without sounding harsh.

It even handles piano music better than most others in its class, allowing you to sense the depth of the recordings. The vocal reproduction is significantly better than that of its competitors.

When Bad Woman by Paloma Faith flows out of the PartyBox, you can feel the bass right in your stomach, and the vocals sound both richer and warmer. Even when the treble pops, it never sounds sharp.

Conclusion

JBL’s party speakers have long been among the best in their class, and this is the best of them all yet. With Aura Cast, it’s easy to connect multiple speakers, and the app offers a range of useful settings, including EQ, so you can tailor the sound to your own ears. The JBL Partybox 520 is not a cheap party speaker, but for those who want the best sound, this is the obvious choice.