With so many speaker options, the question is where do you want to drop your $600? Well if that is your budget then the JBL Partybox 110 certainly makes an argument for itself.  

Do you want a way to enjoy some jams on a Sunday? How about pissing your neighbors off as late into the night as you can get away with it? maybe you believe you can sing and want the neighbourhood to have the chance to decide for themselves? Then the Partybox 110 will definitely help you with all of these.

One tall portable speaker.

The JBL Partybox 110 is billed as a portable speaker, and it kind of is. Traditionally when you think of a portable speaker it is lighter and smaller. This beast looks and acts like a traditional free standing speaker. The difference is it is a bit smaller and has a handle. It’s not light, but not that heavy. So it is certainly portable, but not what I think of as a portable speaker.

On top of this, on the bottom is a panel you can remove and the speaker can be mounted on a speaker stand. This means it can be used easily for that corporate function so the boss can speak to the back of the room as well as your weekend jam machine.

Hypnotic lights

As you will see in any of the promo pictures, the speaker has an impressive area that can light up. This will be especially useful for those Friday night parties with the lights dimmed as you fill your flat with more sound than your neighbours could have ever asked for.

The lights are one thing that is going to be a love or hate aspect of the speaker. With the unit’s size it becomes almost more of a feature of the room, and with the large amounts of lights going up it draws the eyes. Fortunately if it isn’t your thing then you can turn them off with the press of a button on the speaker itself.  

One thing that annoyed me is there are two little white strobe lights on the unit, one at the top and one at the bottom. They are bright as hell and even in the middle of the day it hurt my eyes looking at them. Using the app you can turn those off while leaving the rest of the light show, so my inner old man disabled them for good. Damn kids with their bright lights.

Volume to annoy your neighbours

What you lose in mobility with a speaker like this, you gain in volume. To give it, as well as my relationship with the neighbours a test, I used it to belt out Let it Be and Helter Skelter. Yes I have been watching Get Back on Disney+ so have been listening to a lot of Beatles. The Beatles are typically not my jam but man they have some bangers.

The sound blasting on my deck was loud enough that someone had to yell to be heard. If you are looking for a speaker for parties at your house I suspect you will not need more than this. As it rumbled the walls of the house without even using the Bass Boost button. This makes the unit a real option to be your home jams while being a practical option for the MC’s among us.

Fully Featured

The speaker is water resistant, but weirdly only up right. If it is a bit wet you will want to make sure it isn’t being used horizontally. May seem odd, but it is what it is. The back of the speaker has a nice big rubber cover that pulls off to reveal heaps more.

There is an input for your guitar so you can use the speaker for an amp and another for a mic. So if you are running a corporate event where you do motivational speeches and motivational guitar licks then boom, you have expensed it. 

There’s a USB port which can also charge your phone, and you can run it straight from AC when it’s being used inside so you don’t run the risk of losing the party. Of course it can link up to more than one speaker so you can use it quieter with multiple speakers throughout the house.

One big small speaker

When looking at tall standing speakers, this is definitely a small portable unit. It acts like it wants to be the life of the party and to be fair it is. The $600 price tag isn;t small but you get a lot of bang for that buck. If those additional features like using it with a stand and for a mic is what you need then it is kinda of a no brainer.

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JBL has launched two new speakers, designed to take your summer sound to the next level – the JBL PartyBox 710 and PartyBox 110.

Created to deliver the ultimate party performance, the two new speakers boast even more powerful JBL Pro Sound and a completely redesigned lightshow. Powerful and versatile with improved, rugged IPX4 splashproof designs, a new user interface, and unrivalled connectivity, JBL PartyBox 710 and PartyBox 110 will start the party in style.

Both speakers feature a dynamic light show synced to the beat of the music, guitar and mic inputs, and are IPX4 splashproof. You can also link multiple speakers through the JBL PartyBox App, which allows you to control your party with your phone: switch tracks, customise the lightshow, and more.

The JBL PartyBox 710 features five lighting styles that combine and sync with a massive 800 watts of JBL Pro Sound for the ultimate party on wheels. The next level JBL Pro Sound is delivered from high sensitivity drivers for loud powerful sound and deep, pumping bass. Colour running strobes, colour projection lights and a figure of 8 RGB animation are just some of the lighting options. Simply power up the speaker to get the party started or jump into the PartyBox App and create dazzling custom light shows, control playback remotely and add DJ sound effects. Take the party with you thanks to a rugged set of wheels and handle.

JBL PartyBox 710 will be available from December 2021 for $1199.95.

While not as powerful as the 710, the portable JBL PartyBox 110 packs 160 watts of JBL Pro Sound and a brand-new light show, all controlled through a new top panel design or the PartyBox App, all with a 12 hour battery to keep the party going long into the night. A pulsing white strobe light and colourful figure of 8 RGB animation combine and sync to your music. So, whether you’re into EDM or indie tunes, the PartyBox 110 will hit the beat even if your dance moves don’t!

JBL PartyBox 110 is available now for $599.95

And if you miss the days of Singstar? Then hit up the JBL Wireless Microphone Set. Compatible with any speaker with a mic input, this accessory offers a fun add-on to any of the JBL PartyBox speakers. Suitable for karaoke fans and singing enthusiasts alike, just plug the wireless dual-channel receiver into your speaker, turn on the mics, and you’re ready to shine. The JBL Wireless Mic set includes two wireless microphones with replaceable batteries, with an RRP of $149.95.

Find out more at the JBL website.

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Ah JBL, you’ve done it again. You’ve surprised me with a sound device that performs not just better than expected, but better than the things I already had to do the same thing.

Touche.

The JBL Link Music seems initially like just another home speaker… and yeah, alright, that’s exactly what it is. But there are key differences that could make the Link Music a solid choice for you over the next competing brand.

You know the one I mean.

Google vs Alexa; The Eternal Struggle

Thinking back, I probably began my commitment to the Amazon ecosystem in 2010, when I was given a Kindle 3 for my birthday. This is back in the times where I still thought physical keyboards were vital to doing anything correctly (and I still think that, fight me).

Why am I talking about a Kindle I got a decade ago? Because when it came time to start converting into a smart home, I figured that I’d already started on the Amazon route, so my default has always been Alexa and the Echo. Whether or not this was wise has recently been thrown in question for me though.

As the JBL Link Music has revealed to me, this was possibly not my best move. Even though the Link Music is a little pricier than an Echo Plus, there seems to be a reason for this. Sound quality is very similar, but the fact that Google Assistant can understand me with minimal prompting gives me serious pangs.

I never put much stock in the Assistant, and damn do I regret that now. She’s not as connectable as Alexa, but for what I was doing (music, lights, Keep) she was easier to use by a significant amount. Honestly, being able to loudly dictate parts of this review to a speaker and have it show up in my phone? Nothing short of miraculous for those of us with memories like sieves.

Beauty is in the eye and ear of the beholder and… belistener

The JBL Link Music isn’t the prettiest speaker, at least not for my taste. I tend towards the tall, dark, and sleek in terms of tech, and the Link is a bit more on the short and stout side of that. However, as I learned when one of my cats decided the shelf was PartyClub 2020, this does make the Link more stable and secure. Always a plus.

The sound quality is excellent as well; my new testing playlist on Spotify has really come in handy, flowing through eras and genres to fully test the range of the device. From black metal to J-Pop, the Link Music handled the highs and lows of the various tracks with aplomb. Yeah it’s a little bass-heavy, but that’s what the kids like these days, right? It’s cool.

Are kids still saying that? Cool?

I’m trying to not let this become a Google Assistant review, but honestly it was a big plus. Google handled my requests to skip songs, pause, explain, and all the usual shenanigans. When your speaker has like 2 buttons, this is useful.

Now you’re speaking Smart

There are other Google support smart speakers, sure. Similarly, there are other options for speakers in general. The only downside to the JBL Link Music is its immovable nature, requiring AC power, but are we really so spoiled by wireless tech that we can’t leave an appliance in one place on the regular?

I don’t think so. I think we’re good.

In summary, I approve of the JBL Link Music. It’s got all the trimmings you want and, while it’s not as fancy as it could maybe be, you definitely get what you pay for.

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From the tiniest footsteps to the loudest explosion, JBL QuantumSOUND Signature makes every scene epic and every gamer more competitive. The high excursion 2.5″ neodymium drivers and tweeters deliver a sound curve tuned by JBL audiologists and specifically designed for gaming. Our signature surround sound technology, together with Dolby digital, creates the most realistic soundstage.    Experience every detail You’ll never miss a bullet, a crunch in the gravel or a moan of the undead with the incredible sound clarity and powerful, intense bass. Delivered by exposed drivers and rear facing bassports.   Customisable lights Supercharge your gaming rig with cool lighting effects that take you deeper into the action. JBL Quantum Duo PC gaming speakers come with different colour presets and lighting patterns. Set the mood easily with the lighting control button. See the beat By syncing lights to the beat, audio sync lets you see your favorite tracks as well as hear them. Visualise your music and choose your vibe with the Wave or Flow lighting patterns. Or try the Solid setting in any colour you like.   Plug-and-play or go wireless No additional setup required. Plug-and-play JBL Quantum Duo PC speakers to enhance any gaming experience. Intuitive controls mean you can change volume and lighting effortlessly, keeping you focused and in the moment. Plus enjoy wireless audio streaming with built-in Bluetooth.   Compatible with any gaming system Connect JBL Quantum Duo PC gaming speakers effortlessly to any system via Audio-in and USB. Fully compatible with PC, Mac, Windows and gaming consoles. JBL Quantum Duo – Available now for $269.95 from all good retailers.

With 8.6mm drivers powered by JBL QuantumSOUND Signature, hear enemies (and mates) like never before. Throw yourself into another world of mobile gaming. Pick up the smallest sound details. Play to dominate. Absolute control with volume slide and mic mute When you’re in the zone, you’re in the zone. No more fiddly controls. With a separated master volume slider, mic mute and multi-function button, JBL Quantum 50 keeps things simple. Inline Voice-Focus microphone Optimised for multi-player gaming. The microphone is close to the mouth and separated from the other controls, giving you superior voice pickup. Twistlock technology for comfort and stability You’re in for the long haul. With a combination of JBL patented ergonomic technology and ultra-soft silicone giving a secure fit, the longest gaming sessions will fly by. All-platform compatibility Made for mobile, but the JBL Quantum 50 is compatible with all platforms: PC, Mac, Xbox ONE, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, mobile and VR. Whatever and however you play, easily plug into another world. JBL Quantum 50 – Available for sale end of August for $54.95 from all good retailers.

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You’d be forgiven for thinking that JBL is a new contender in the headset market, even though they’ve been there for quite some time. They’ve been keeping a low profile up till now and, honestly, I don’t see why.

Thankfully, JBL has come out with their extensive Quantum range, aimed at all corners of the markets, from metaphorical cradle to hopefully-not-literal grave.

We got to try out the Quantum 200 set, an entry-level headphone sitting at a more accessible price point.

Quantum Leap Optional

Let’s open this honestly; the Quantum 200s I’m reviewing are not top shelf wonders. The Quantum series ranges from 100 all the way up to 800… and then also ONE which, I dunno, is probably like 1000 if we’re going that way. So as the second-lowest set, you’re not expecting miracles from the 200s.

The 200s and 100s are basically the same to be honest, at least from what I can tell. However, the 200s also come with a PC splitter, for an enhanced audio experience at about $20 more. That’s the beauty of the Quantum range; you can inch up or down depending on needs or budget, and get exactly the set you need. You don’t need to buy bells and whistles if you don’t actually want them.

The sound quality is very good, with music, SFX, and voice all coming through clear and solid on Switch, PS4, and my ancient laptop. Yes, I use Age of Mythology as a test program. No, there is no better RTS in existence. Quit asking.

The mic quality is harder to ascertain, so off to Zoom I go to test audio fidelity. And despite how intensely boring that sentence is, it worked; microphone is a goer. In fact, the microphone was surprisingly good. Aside from sounding a bit canned, like a radio interview dialing someone’s cellphone, the fidelity was great.

The microphone has a very audible click when toggled on or off, controlled by the standard flipping motion. This was a bit jarring, but also useful to know when I could yell at some dude blasting Hawaiian trip-hop over voice comms, and when I was safe to tell my kitten how good and small he is and ask him to share his secrets on these facts.

Both of these are equally important to the ideal gaming setup.

Quantum Mechanics

I had a mild heart attack when I unboxed the JBL Quantum 200 headset. Why? Because the audio jack is angled to be less obtrusive. Of course, since I wasn’t expecting that, I panicked and thought I’d broken them already. I am not a clever man, and this is actually a good idea, especially with the Nintendo Switch, where you REALLY don’t want giant prongs all over.

The only aspect of the Quantum 200s that feels budget is the build materials. You’re not expecting premium leather and platinum gilding here (although, ya know, free ideas for ya JBL), but the creaking of the joints on the earcups after a couple of hours was a bit disappointing. 

The 200s are also full plastic builds, with some pleather added in for your pleasure. This is fine, and leads to an exceptionally light set for those with, I don’t know, weak necks or something. It also means that you get a mild case of sweaty ears if you play for long periods of time, so I’d recommend these for more the casual player rather than a hardcore gamer.

There are some very specific use cases for a set of headphones like this. Mostly, kids. If you’re a parent of a Fortnite kid… well, first off, I’m sorry, I understand that children can be disappointing. But more importantly, they need a fairly sturdy headset, with a microphone, and it can be daunting to go ahead and give a ten-year-old a $300 set of headphones.

Enter the budget headset. And while usually you don’t associate the words ‘budget’ and ‘quality’ in a positive light, if this job has taught me anything it’s that the days of your only cheap option being absolute crap are long gone. The JBL Quantum 200 headset is less than $100, but damned if it doesn’t get the job done.

The Quantum Zone

The JBL Quantum 200 headset feels like a starter headphone, and that’s because it is. But that doesn’t mean it’s lacking. Quite the opposite, the Quantum 200s feel perfectly suited to the casual, hour-at-a-time gamer, or anyone who wants a simple but effective set of headphones.

JBL’s Quantum series has a whole heap of different price points to enter in, for your next gaming headset or your first gaming headset. Beginner doesn’t have to mean poor and, despite the relatively low price point of the JBL Quantum 200 headphones, you definitely get more than your money’s worth.

The most indestructible affordable headset I’ve seen is the ASTRO A10, and these give them a run for their money. If you’re looking for quality on a budget, or something you can give a kid as a beginner set without worrying too much if they get yeeted across the room in a fit of adolescent rage, the JBL 200s are a good way to go.

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JBL Australia/New Zealand, a wholly-owned subsidiary of HARMAN International & Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has announced the launch of the JBL Quantum range of gaming headsets and PC speakers in New Zealand.

As a legacy audio brand JBL knows great sound and they are intent on making their mark in the gaming industry. Fuelled by years of research, the combination of precisely engineered headsets with custom, cutting-edge software puts gamers in the center of the action. From the thrill of tracking enemies in FPS games to engaging in epic MOBA battles, the JBL Quantum Headset Range amplifies victories with the ultimate sound experience. Meanwhile the JBL Quantum DUO gaming speakers bring every game to life, filling the room with sound and lighting effects

The JBL Quantum headset range includes options for both casual and competitive gamers, from wired to wireless, and entry to professional level. All headsets are fully compatible with any gaming system, including PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, mobile and VR.

“We are very excited to be announcing the launch of the JBL Quantum Gaming products. This is the culmination of several years of research and development on behalf of our design team,” said Michael Sherman, Brand Activation Manager at HARMAN. “Esports and Gaming has surged to the forefront in recent years which has accelerated over the COVID19 lockdown period. The decision by Sport New Zealand earlier this year to recognise Esports as an official sport will only further advance its status and legitimacy which one day may rival traditional sports. We at Harman are looking to further enhance the gaming experience and establish a new benchmark in this evolving space.”

Find out more about the JBL Quantum range on the JBL Quantum website.

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I’ll admit it. I am old enough to remember “the olden days” as my 6 year old would call them. That time in the 80’s and 90’s where you weren’t cool (or is that you weren’t a tool) unless you were walking down the street sporting a massive boombox pumping out music that would offend all and sundry. 

These days such offences are primarily committed by teens (it’s always the teens no matter what generation we’re in) blaring the likes of Bieber from tinny smartphone speakers or from portable bluetooth speakers. Such devices don’t carry the same swagger that the once mighty boombox did. That massive box carried on ones shoulder, arm draped over it and unbeknownst to said cool/tool person sporting the boombox, no doubt ruinging their hearing in one ear don the track. Let’s face it no-one is walking round with a little UE Boom or JBL portable bluetooth speaker slung over there shoulder thinking they are the shizz. That is until now, with JBL’s homage to the past with their powerful, portable JBL Boombox.

Now let’s get one thing clear from the start. If you actually see me carrying the JBL Boombox down the street blaring out ridiculously loud sound with this beast next to my ear its only because I destroyed my hearing in the 90’s carrying a boombox around listening to gangsta rap (I was pretty fly for a white guy). This ladies and gentlemen is not me trying to be offensive to the general public, it’s my only way to actually hear music now!

Old man stories aside, let me move onto the review. 

Let’s get one thing straight. When JBL calls this thing a Boombox they are not lying! The Boombox is, well, a proper boombox for all intents and purposes. It is a monstrous beast of a portable bluetooth speaker that puts the average bluetooth speaker to shame. The Boombox is 25.45cm high x 49.5cm wide x 19.55 cm deep. Throw in a weight of about 5kg and everything confirms that this is one heafty bluetooth speaker.

The rest of the design is pretty much in line with JBL standard. Fabric and plastic coupled with water-resistance. Yep, water-resistance so for those inclined you can take the Boombox into the water with you for the ultimate pool party.

That design is flanked are two passive radiatorsat either end end and hiding inside are dual 20mm tweeters powered by the 4-inch subs. Up top you’ve got a few relatively discreet buttons for powering on/off, adjusting the volume and pairing the speaker. On the back you’ve got the power adapter, 3.5mm aux-in, a couple of USB ports that will charge your phone and a microUSB port.

Oh and there is also a built-in mic if you wanna really act like a boss and take calls on this bad boy.

The JBL connect app is useful for assisting with setup but that aside, it is pretty much useless aside from changing a few sound settings. There is no equalizer so you can’t do much in the way of customising sound outside of the presets.

When it comes to sound, the Boombox performs just like it looks; like an absolute beast. This thing can get loud, I mean REALLY loud. If any Bluetooth speaker is gonna make noise control show up this is it.

The beauty of the sound is that unlike many bluetooth speakers, the Boombox does not suffer from sound distortion even when cranked up to permanent deafness levels of decibel.

Heavy bass thumps through the speakers at appropriate room rattling levels and you’ll even see the passive radiators heaving as bass is pumped out. On the treble side of things you’ll find a well balanced audio profile that delivers crisp vocals with well balanced instrumentals, accompanied by that satisfying thump of bass when required.

The Boombox can be plugged into power by standard adapter but it can also last 24 hours when not plugged in. Although when you get below 20% battery life you’ll hear a constant low buzz from the speaker that is less than desirable.

We took the Boombox in the car on a road trip and whilst it takes up a great deal of space it takes roadtripping to a whole new level. It’s equally at home in the home or outside while entertaining.

With a pricetag of around $630 the Boombox is by no means a cheap portable speaker. That being said it is a hefty unit that performs fantastically well even at riot inducing sound levels. If you want to be the life of the party then your $630 would be well spent on one of the best portable bluetooth speakers on the market, just don’t go carrying it around everywhere with you because your arm will get sore! As great as this bluetooth speaker is, you might be looking for something a bit smaller. You can take a look at the meilleure enceinte Bluetooth 2020 to make the decision for yourself on what Bluetooth speaker appeals to you. No matter the price or size, it’s all about the quality of the speaker, and that’s always the most important asset! Just make sure you always read the reviews on Bluetooth speakers first before buying.

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Christmas is well and truly on the horizon and Harman & JBL have released some new products to entice shoppers looking for pressies for the audiophiles in their life.

Whether you’re looking for some gift inspo for the home, your gym junkie partner, your kids or simply need a new pair of headphones to treat yourself before the summer break there’s something for everyone with this new range.

Rather than make you sift through the plethora of press info (and to save us time) we’ll give you the summaries. So here you go, here’s what is out right now and Harvery Norman and JB HiFi.

• Harman Kardon Allure Portable RRP$329.95 – Bringing together Harman Kardon’s sophisticated and stunning sound, Amazon Alexa’s voice service, and the benefits of portability, the Allure Portable gives music lovers a rich, captivating listening experience this Christmas 
• JBL Tuner FM RRP$119.95 –  JBL Tuner is a compact portable Bluetooth speaker packed with powerful sound and crystal clear DAB digital radio sound. You can now enjoy your favourite tracks and radio stations anywhere thanks to its compact design and a rechargeable battery that supports up to 8 hours of playtime – perfect for the summer 
• JBL Everest V710GA RRP$359.95 & JBL Everest V110GA RRP$199.95 – The ideal gift for those always on the go, simply connect the JBL Everest GA headphones to your device via Bluetooth and take advantage of its Google Assistant capabilities – always ready to provide easy and quick assistance, whenever and wherever it’s needed 
• JBL Free X RRP$269.95 – The JBL Free is the perfect, truly wireless music companion for the everyday active lifestyle for calls, music and exercise. The cord-free earbuds encourage music lovers to break up from wires and neckbands for truly unrestricted movement, whether on the phone (in mono mode), listening to music on-the-go or working out at the gym 
• JBL JR Pop RRP$59.95 – Treat the kids to a pair of JBL JRPOP headphones this Christmas – JBL’s first ultra-portable, kid-friendly Bluetooth speakers. Kids will enjoy the light effects and eye-catching customizable design while listening to beats from the playground to the playroom

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