STEREO GUIDE verdict
The JBL PartyBox Club 120 replaces a successful predecessor.
In addition to the rich sound, the replaceable battery also made a positive impression in the review.
Otherwise, the improvements compared to the PartyBox 110 tend to focus on details such as the fold-out handle or small improvements in the app.
Advantages
- Rich, powerful sound
- App with many sound and light effects plus 5-band EQ
- Removable battery and integrated power supply unit
- Instrument inputs with gain and volume controls
Disadvantages
- Only protected against splash water
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Naturalness / transparency8.2
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Bass / Dynamics9.4
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Practice / Connectivity9.6
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Price/Performance9.3
The review of its predecessor was extremely popular on STEREO GUIDE. The new JBL PartyBox Club 120 recently arrived at the editorial office, following in the footsteps of the PartyBox 110, which we gave a very good review last summer. The brand with the initials of its founder James B. Lansing, which is well known in the professional sector, especially from live concerts, knows how to design the right gear for party people at a reasonable price.
JBL Partybox Club 120 vs PartyBox 110: Detailed improvements
In view of the extremely rainy weather in Stuttgart, one point in particular came into focus: how does the new mobile Bluetooth speaker fare in terms of water resistance? And lo and behold, the new generation does just as well as its predecessor. It also fulfills the protection class IPX4protection class, meaning it is only protected against splashing water and not dust. The power output also remains at a solid 160 watts. In terms of playing time with the integrated rechargeable battery, the new PartyBox Club 120 is on a par with the old PartyBox 110 with up to 12 hours at a time. Finally, the manufacturer’s recommended retail price remains unchanged at 400 euros.
However, beyond these key points, which can easily be ticked off on a data sheet, there are some very useful improvements to the details. First and foremost is the battery, which is now located under an orange-framed flap that can be opened without tools. The battery, a rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery with a capacity of 34 Wh (equivalent to 7.2 V / 4277 mAh) of the JBL BATTERY200 type, can be changed in no time at all for continuous operation and replaced for 60 euros after losing its maximum capacity. We already liked this with the Teufel Rockster Air 2 because it is a small contribution to sustainability. As far as recharging is concerned, 3.5 hours via the integrated power supply unit is sufficient for full capacity. Another useful innovation is the fold-out carrying handle, which replaces the rigid handle of the PartyBox 110.
Versatile connectivity for fetes and karaoke parties
In addition to Bluetooth 5.4 technology for wireless connections, the JBL PartyBox Club 120 also has an analog AUX input and a USB-A port for playing audio files in MP3, WAV, WMA and FLAC formats from USB sticks to ensure compatibility with a wide range of devices. Speaker chains can be formed via cable using 3.5 mm jack inputs and outputs.
During live performances, a microphone and a musical instrument can be connected to the PartyBox Club 120 simultaneously via two 6.35 mm jack sockets with their own volume potentiometers. Gain controls for each of the two inputs can also be used to balance the sensitivity of different microphones and the output level of different musical instruments.
The control panel on the top of the Bluetooth speaker, which weighs around 12 kilos according to our own measurements, has also been redesigned. There is now a bar with three buttons for DJ sound effects, which can be assigned as required in the app. The design of the controls is functional. The play button not only starts and stops playback of the smart device paired via Bluetooth. It can also be used to skip to the next track by pressing it twice. A rotary ring on the outside controls the volume. An identical control element is also located on the top left and controls the lighting. Pressing it toggles between “On” and “Off”, turning it toggles between the individual light modes. But even when the light organ is deactivated, the LEDs behind the steel speaker grille are occasionally used. They light up briefly as a visual backdrop when the volume is adjusted.
App-solutely up to date
As far as control via smartphone or tablet is concerned, the Partybox Club 120 uses the JBL Partybox app foriOS and Android, just like the last generation, but with a different user interface in places than in last year’s review of its predecessor. In addition to various sound presets such as “JBL Signature Sound” or “Movie”, there is now a 5-band equalizer or new DJ sound effects in a section called “Effect Lab”.
Four drivers with 160 watts of power
As far as the drivers are concerned, JBL has equipped the PartyBox Club 120 with two 5.25-inch woofers (13.3 cm diameter) arranged one above the other in the baffle plus two 2.25-inch tweeters (5.7 cm diameter) arranged to the left and right above them. As in the PartyBox 110, a large bass reflex port provides more boost in the frequency range. The most noticeable difference between the 2-way bass reflex speaker and its predecessor is that the two tweeters are not located at the top, but in the middle of the baffle on the left and right between the two basses. The new arrangement is better for the dispersion behavior and the resulting imaging when the speaker is operated upright. This also seems to be the preferred positioning this time, as JBL has spared the rubber bumpers on both sides of the robust housing, which is partly made of recycled plastic.
If you lay the PartyBox Club 120 flat now, you risk scratching the surface. But there is another disadvantage to operating it in a stable sideways position: the controls on the top are then difficult to access and the recess in the top cannot be used as a holder for the DJ’s smartphone or tablet. The upright position is also perfect for stereo pairs of two identical Club 120 PartyBoxes. Thanks to Bluetooth LE support, various compatible speakers can be connected wirelessly using the standard Auracast technology and used in party mode for more decibels and even sound distribution on the dance floor.
Sound test: Beats until you drop
The JBL PartyBox Club 120 produced a warm, full and coherent sound in the listening test. To accuse a dedicated party speaker of having more bass than a hi-fi speaker would be like accusing a classic sports car of having a more spectacular engine than a sedan. But as the saying goes: It’s not a bug, it’s a feature…
As with its predecessor model, JBL has dispensed with great depth, which could only be achieved through extreme excursion with the relatively small bass cones. The Americans consistently use the available excursion to generate as much volume as possible – a coherent concept. However, the sense of punch is well expressed thanks to a slight emphasis on the upper bass. Electronic beats and acoustic drums sound equally rich and the rhythm makes you want to dance.
It has quite a lot of volume reserves. At half the volume, the bass can become slightly bubbly indoors, especially close to walls. The drums on the Fleetwood Mac classic “Dreams” in the live version by former lead singer Stevie Nicks have charm and a good punch, although they are a touch too fat. Despite the slightly bloated bass reproduction, which is responsive in the sense of the target group, the transparency in the mid-range can be heard. The high-frequency reproduction is lively without appearing harsh. This underlines the impulsive character of the music reproduction.
The two-stage bass boost, which can be called up not only via the app but also directly via an illuminated button on the top of the Bluetooth party speaker, intensifies the party feeling even further. Level 1 makes the bass more powerful overall, while level 2 emphasizes the frequency range in the upper bass that is responsible for the feeling of a proper punch with beats.
JBL PartyBox Club 120: Conclusion and alternatives
The latest edition of the popular PartyBox from JBL has been improved in terms of function and sound. There is no question that the PartyBox Club 120 offers the better overall package for the same price as the PartyBox 110. At a list price of 400 euros, there are two alternatives in our Bluetooth speaker best list: The Sony ULT Field 7 and the Mackie Thump Go 8″, but the latter puristically dispenses with any lighting effects. Without a light show and even without an app, the Teufel Rockster Air 2 also competes, which is in a higher class with a recommended price of 700 euros and a higher weight. In the 400 euro class of party speakers with Bluetooth, JBL has another hot potato in the fire with the PartyBox Club 120.
JBL PartyBox Club 120: Technical specifications
- Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: 400 euros
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 28.8 x 57 x 29.7 cm
- Weight: 11.1 kg
- Battery life up to 12 hours
- Special features: splash-proof according to protection class IPX4, 2-stage bass boost, integrated power supply unit, 2 jack inputs (microphone/instrument), replaceable battery
- More at: jbl.com
