The 57 centimeter high and 11.505 kg heavy JBL PartyBox Club 120 (our test) is not big enough for you? No problem, because the JBL Partybox Stage 320 is a step above it (spoiler warning: the Partybox 710 and Partbox Ultimate are two sizes bigger). Ten cm taller, five kilograms heavier and with 80 watts more power, the colorful Bluetooth speaker with RGB lighting creates a great atmosphere, as our test shows.
Technical data
| The product | PartyBox Stage 320 |
| Audio power | 240 W |
| Drivers | 2x tweeters 2x woofer |
| Bluetooth version | 5.4 |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Connections | USB-A; AUX; 2x 6.3 mm jack |
| Battery life | up to 18 hours |
| Special features | IPX4 certification; Bass Boost (2 levels); AI Sound Boost; Auracast; Multipoint; RGB lighting; extendable handle; party buttons |
| Dimensions | 670 mm x 335 mm x 385 mm |
| weight | 16.5 kg |
| Colors | black |
| Scope of delivery | JBL PartyBox Stage 320; instructions, mains cable |
| price | € 534.12 * |
JBL Partybox Stage 320 Test: Party speaker with wheels and carrying handle
- over 16 kg weight
- high-quality workmanship, appealing design
- chic, customizable RGB lighting
At first glance, the JBL Partybox Stage 320 looks strikingly similar to the smaller Club 120. It’s just that everything is a little bit bigger. The manufacturer has also opted for a robust, IPX4 splash-proof housing in black for this Bluetooth speaker, which has a pleasant, high-quality feel.
However, at over 16 kg, the Stage 320 is significantly heavier and a good ten centimetres higher than its smaller sibling, which has a fold-out carrying handle.
So that you can get the Stage 320 from A to B quickly without having to drag it around, JBL has given the Bluetooth speaker an extendable carrying handle on the top and castors on the underside to make it easy to move around.
The JBL Partybox Stage 320 can also be optionally mounted on a pole. The corresponding cover can be found on the underside of the speaker. The controls are located at the other end, on the top.
The understated design is extremely appealing and looks both elegant and dignified. At least until you switch on the customizable RGB lighting in four zones. This can display various effects and move to the rhythm of the music. Customization is possible via the companion app.
Connections and controls
- USB-A and AUX input
- Two 6.3 mm jack connections for microphones and guitar
- 18 hours battery life
Things get interesting at the back of the JBL Partybox Stage 320, because here you will find the connections of the Bluetooth 5.4 speaker hidden under rubberized covers in an illuminated box.
In addition to USB-A and a 3.5 mm jack input (AUX In), two microphones can be connected to the speaker via a 6.3 mm jack, with the right-hand connection also allowing connection to an electric guitar.
Or you can use the PartyBox Wireless microphones, which JBL also offers, to start the next karaoke session. These are compatible with all PartyBox models and we had the opportunity to try them out as part of the test. They offer a really good sound and with up to 12 hours of battery life, they can get through even the longest party marathon.
There are also two daisy chain connections to connect two party speakers together to form a stereo pair. Further down you will find the battery compartment, also protected by a cover.
Yes, the JBL Partybox Stage 320 also uses a removable rechargeable battery, which is also available separately for around 100 euros so that it can be changed quickly. However, this is not the same battery that can be found in the Partybox Club 120, but a larger version. The JBL Battery 400 lasts up to 18 hours of music playback, while the smaller battery (Battery 200) lasts up to 12 hours.
And if you don’t want to use the speaker wirelessly or the battery needs to be charged, there is a power connection on the underside.
Operation and app connection
- Practical controls on the top
- Party buttons without any real added value
- App purely optional; but with equalizer
The operation of the JBL Partybox Stage 320 is also very similar to that of the 120 model. The controls are located on the top of the speaker. Playback can be started or paused here and the volume can be adjusted using the right-hand dial. There is also a power button, Bluetooth pairing button and a bass boost button.
There is also another rotary wheel to quickly adjust the RGB lighting and switch between different effects. Above this are three buttons with emojis. The so-called party buttons. Three sound effects can be played here, which can be changed in the app.
Nice, yeah. Useful and cool? No. But what the Club 120 didn’t offer was a dedicated panel for microphone effects. There are a total of four rotary controls that can be used to adjust the volume, bass, treble and echo of the connected microphones. However, this is apparently only possible for all connected microphones simultaneously and not for each mic individually.
You can find even more options in the JBL Partybox app for Android and iOS. This scores with a clear, tidy design and offers, among other things, the option to control the RGB lighting or adjust the sound effects.
You can also control the music here and use the equalizer to influence the sound. The two-stage bass boost can also be set here if you don’t want to use it via the dedicated button. Using the app is purely optional as you can adjust everything on the speaker itself, with the exception of the equalizer.
Sound quality of the JBL Partybox Stage 320
- 240 watts of power
- rich, warm and lively sound
- impressive maximum volume
The additional size and the 240 watts of power of the JBL Partybox Stage 320 naturally also have a positive effect on the sound. The Bluetooth loudspeaker achieves an impressive maximum volume, which can easily be used to provide sound for parties and other celebrations.
Up to a volume level of around 85 percent, this can be achieved without any significant distortion, only then do the highs and mids begin to drift off somewhat. However, without distorting the sound image in a disturbing way. In your own home, however, you will hardly get above a volume level of 30, maximum 40 percent, so this is not a major issue.
In terms of sound, the party speaker is surprisingly powerful and reproduces the bass tones in a beautifully detailed and clear manner, without the bass pushing itself to the fore.
The mids and highs are also pleasantly clear and warm, making the speaker equally suitable for almost all music genres. However, the sound is not really neutral. Clearly, the JBL Partybox Stage 320 is designed for fun. And it certainly does that.
With the two bass boost levels, you can noticeably increase the boom in the bass range, whereby the mids in particular then recede into the background. This only really makes sense with electro and dance music. Here, the “Powerful” option delivers a bass that causes a proper tremor in the pit of the stomach even at normal room volume. In my opinion, the sound lacks a bit of brilliance with the “Low” setting, so I wouldn’t really recommend it.
JBL Partybox Stage 320 test: Conclusion
Can it be a size bigger? The JBL Partybox Stage 320 is in the same league as the in-house Partybox Club 120 in terms of sound, appearance and functions, but thanks to its 240 watts of power, it offers significantly more power under the hood, resulting in an even fuller sound and an impressive maximum volume.
The battery life of around 18 hours is fine. However, it is commendable that the battery can be easily removed and replaced with separate spare batteries. So nothing stands in the way of even the longest marathon party.
The wheels and extendable carrying handle are also practical, allowing the 16-kilo colossus to be transported quickly and easily. The harmonious RGB lighting also creates a party feeling, which is further enhanced by the use of microphones.
Only the slight distortion at high volume levels and the somewhat poor IPX4 certification are a bit of a sour note. Some competitors in this price range simply perform better here. Apart from that, the JBL Partybox Stage 320 is a convincing party speaker and well worth the money.
JBL Partybox Stage 320
Workmanship
Usability
Sound quality
Features
Value For Money
92/100
High-quality part box with impressive sound reserves, a high maximum volume and stylish RGB lighting.
