The JBL Partybox 310 is one of the party speaker models from this well-known audio brand. This model can be considered mid-range because there are smaller Partybox models (100, 300, and On the Go), as well as larger and more powerful models like the Partybox 1000, which can definitely make the whole neighborhood hear us!
The Partybox 310 model that I received for review can reach a power output of 240 watts, lasts up to 18 hours when fully charged, and can be connected to sound sources using both a wired connection and Bluetooth wireless connection. The speaker is splash-proof, can flash colorful lights expressively, and even has a karaoke function. However, you’ll need to purchase a compatible microphone separately. We won’t be able to fully appreciate this product’s potential in an apartment, but it would certainly be useful in a private home or summer house.
Inside a relatively large box, securely packed with foam protection, we will find the speaker itself, a power cable about 2 meters long, and some paperwork. The JBL Partybox 310 is about the size of a standard gym bag. Its exact dimensions are 32.6 x 68.8 x 36.8 cm, and it weighs a hefty 17.42 kg. JBL Partybox 310 is priced at $519.95.
Design and Built – The Speaker Can Be Easily Moved
To make it easier to move the speaker around, it features comfortable rubberized handles, a telescopic handle, and rubber wheels, similar to those found on travel suitcases. This way, we can effortlessly roll the speaker to the hottest party spots. The handle can be securely locked into place when there is no need to move it.
In the pictures, you can see the mentioned rubberized handles and wheels. At the bottom of the speaker, beneath a plastic cover, there is even a hole for a stand. We can place this speaker in different positions: vertically, sideways, or on a stand. In all cases, the speaker will be stable and secure because the manufacturer has thought about rubber feet (these are not just on the bottom but also on both sides of the speaker, allowing us to place the device horizontally), which provide better grip on any surface we want to set it on.
Overall, I find the product to be well-built. Most of the casing is made from durable plastic, while the speakers are covered with a metal grille, and there are substantial rubber feet at points where it touches the floor. The speaker has an IPX4 moisture protection rating, which means it is splash-proof. It will be fine if it stands outside for a while in light rain, but in case of heavy downpours, it’s better to bring it under cover. And let’s not forget to securely close all the rubber covers!
JBL Partybox 310 Feature – The Device Is Fully Usable Without the Mobile App
Although many functions of this speaker can be controlled through the JBL PartyBox mobile app, available for Android and iOS devices, the speaker itself has important functions duplicated in the form of rubberized and easy-to-use buttons. These buttons are located in a visible area at the top of the speaker, allowing us to quickly change the sound source (Bluetooth, USB, or AUX modes), adjust the volume, and customize sound levels with a three-zone equalizer. We can also turn the light effects on and off and trigger audio effects.
By the way, some of the buttons will light up as evening approaches, making it easy to control the speaker even in the dark. Under a sturdy rubber cover at the back of the speaker, we will find a variety of interesting connection ports. Here, we can connect a USB flash drive with music (supporting WAVE, MP3, and WMA audio files), microphones, a guitar, an AUX device, and even link several such speakers together using a 3.5 mm cable (Daisy Chain mode). Additionally, we can charge our phone from the USB port. We can use the 12V port to charge the speaker, for example, from a car, but we will need a special charging cable for that. Charging the speaker takes about 4 hours. If the speaker is inactive for 20 minutes, it will automatically turn off to save energy.
The JBL PartyBox mobile app can control various speakers in this series when they are connected to a mobile device or tablet via Bluetooth. This process is straightforward; in the Bluetooth settings section, we just need to find the JBL PartyBox 310 product (press the Bluetooth button on the speaker). Like most gadgets of this kind, this speaker has software that the app will ask to update. The process isn’t too quick, but we can visually track the progress from a distance, as the speaker will clearly indicate how much time is left until the update is complete.
In the app, we can turn the lighting on or off, or alternatively, activate it. The light ring spins or flashes not only around the two large speakers but can also show stroboscopic white lights. Overall, the lighting effects of this product are very expressive and can greatly enhance a party. By the way, when we connect multiple speakers together, the lights will also flash in sync.
From the mobile app, we can adjust the sound using a three-zone equalizer or activate the Bass Boost feature in one of its two modes. The difference is noticeable, and in Deep mode, the sound is exceptionally rich and bass-heavy. If we connect microphones to the speaker, we can also adjust their sound through the app.
We can connect several compatible speakers together not only with a cable or by pressing the buttons on the speaker itself, but also through the mobile app. Below, you can see a screenshot of the list of compatible products. I strongly encourage you to pay attention to this list of compatible products to avoid a situation where we buy seemingly similar speakers (like the PartyBox 300 and PartyBox 310), which can only be connected with a cable and not wirelessly.
JBL Partybox 310 – Sound Experience
So, how does the JBL Partybox 310 sound? It sounds really rich and very bass-heavy. The Bass Boost modes actually work and make our bass music especially deep and vibrant. As I mentioned before, in a typical city apartment, this speaker will be too loud, and unless we want to create tense situations with neighbors or the police, I wouldn’t recommend using it for apartment parties. You know how it is; when the party gets going, you want to turn the music up!
However, outdoors, this speaker is a completely different story! Especially if we can get another one of these speakers and connect them in stereo mode. We can pull out our laptop and a DJ controller and throw a pretty great party. A couple of these speakers will be more than enough to fill a sauna or a shed with sound. One of the best features of this product is its ease of use—there’s no need to figure out complicated setups to connect our phone or tablet to the speaker—Bluetooth is your friend!
