JBL PartyBox 520 - Portable Battery-Powered Party Speaker with AI Sound Boost, Up to 15 Hours of Play time, IPX4 Splash Proof, Multi-Speaker Connection by Auracast, and Telescopic Handle (Black)

2wings4icarusUnited States

Upgraded from the 310, and WOW!

Like so many have said before me, the 310 lead to the purchase of the 520. At the time the 310 was the biggest speaker you could buy from JBL that had a battery making it truly portable. New for 2025 the 520 is the next step in the Partybox lineup. Still battery powered and portable, and of course heavier than the 310. The 520 makes almost twice the power @ 400W RMS, with the 310 @ 240W RMS. The 520 does not leave me wanting more. I also chose the 520 because it fits under my desk, the 710/720 are at or over 40" so they are not as compact as the 520. As for the sound, at very-low-to-low volumes the sound is similar to that of the 310, but the right ear can tell there's something more special with the 520. It's when you start turning up the volume does the 520 begin to outclass the 310. Also keep in mind, no matter which you own, 310/320/520, they must be plugged into the wall to get that max power (RMS). Those using the JBL app will find familiarity but some unique features for the 520. It adds some new sound profiles and a 7-band customizable EQ. The 310 had a very basic EQ. I tinkered with the EQ and found a personal setting I love and this thing absolutely rips! The 310 will play your content loud, but the bass will fall off as you near the top in terms of volume. I don't find that the case with the 520 at all, as the volume goes up the bass stays right there. I was bummed when I read the tweeters on the 520 were smaller than that on the 310 but after listening to them side-by-side, you'd never know it, and it's a non-issue at this point. I'm listening to it as I write this review and it brings a huge smile to my face. So far (in any JBL portable speaker review) the battery life is extremely good, lasting me all week, playing my content 11 hours a day. I leave all the lights/visuals off. The added bonus is the battery is removable and you can buy extras and swap them out as needed, if needed. As for value, that's tough one, this speaker is not cheap and comes dangerously close to the 700-series in terms of price but not in power. The 520 and 720 are priced too close for their power differences, if space is of no concern, consider the 720. Thankfully I got this during the Black Friday deal and that lessened the financial blow. If I had to do it again at full price I might have had to think of that a bit more.

Juan SanchezUnited States

Very good bass!!

After using the JBL PartyBox 520 for a few months, I can honestly say it has been one of my favorite purchases. The sound quality is excellent, with strong bass, clear vocals, and enough volume to easily fill a room, backyard, or garage without losing clarity. One thing that really stood out to me over time is that it still sounds clean even when the volume is turned up high, which is something a lot of speakers struggle with. The bass has a lot of punch and makes music sound fun, but it does not completely overpower everything else. Vocals and instrumentals still come through clearly, which makes it good for all kinds of music, not just bass-heavy songs. I have used it for casual listening, small get-togethers, and just playing music around the house, and it has done great in every situation. Over the past few months, the Bluetooth connection has been reliable and easy to use. Pairing is quick, and I have not had any annoying connection issues. The speaker itself also feels well-built and durable, not cheap or flimsy. The lighting effects are a nice bonus too. They add a fun party vibe without feeling overdone. Another thing I appreciate after owning it for a while is how simple it is to use overall. The controls are straightforward, and it feels like a product that was made to be enjoyed without having to mess with complicated settings. For anyone looking for a powerful speaker with great sound, strong bass, and solid build quality, I would definitely recommend the JBL PartyBox 520. It has been worth the money for me and easily earns 5 stars.

ShopzillaCanada

Magnificant Sound, Auto-Pairing with other Speaker, Battery Life !

I think JBL actually did their homework with this one. Firstly, the unit is tallet and heavier than expected, which is a good thing. The sound's clarity and bass are superb. Brilliant battery life (with light show and very loud i was getting 10 hours), SD card support, BT support , portable with the convenient handle and wheel. Loved the auto pairing with the second speaker -- very seamless. And it auto pairs again once both are turned back on. My only gripe is how expensive this thing is so if you ever come across it on Amazon Resale or there's a significant sale then grab it. Only good things to say.

Joe BlowUnited States

Prepare to meet the police

This thing is legit, I was worried if this would be powerful enough and whether or not to go with the 720 or 520. I grabbed the 520 on sale at $750 and I will say it is worth the cost. Highs, mids and bass comes through nicely without major overlap, it has a built in bass boost feature and you can also adjust treble and bass individually, which is nice. The app is easy to use and I have no issues with it, you can even sync multiple JBL speakers at the same time using it. Speaking of that, I just may grab another! Note: prepare to meet your local cops when the entire neighborhood calls the police on you. :)