Weddings is usually a check in your sanity and checking account, however as a product tester, they’re additionally a ripe time for speaker testing. This 12 months, I married my spouse at a household residence, which was essentially the most stunning and memorable backdrop for our wedding ceremony. Nonetheless, it additionally meant that we did not have the privilege of a venue with included facilities — in different phrases, we needed to carry every part in ourselves. That is how, at some point about two months out from the massive day, I panicked, remembering we would have liked a speaker for the ceremony.
Like every skilled host (and product tester), we now have a number of Bluetooth audio system round the home, however these gadgets normally assist our events of 10 to twenty — not 150 folks. Plus, we would have liked a celebration speaker with wi-fi microphone compatibility to take us from the ceremony to cocktail hour. That is how I stumbled into the brand new JBL PartyBox 520.
The 520 is the model’s latest and most costly celebration speaker that is hefty however stays wi-fi and moveable. From our bachelorette celebration to our out of doors wedding ceremony, the JBL PartyBox 520 saved the nice vibes going all weekend lengthy.
The sound is crisp and booming — indoors or outdoors
The JBL PartyBox 520 delivered nice sound within the again room of a bar or towards the backdrop of my mother-in-law’s gardens.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Regardless of the place we stationed the JBL PartyBox 520, the sound rang out in clear, well-rounded sound. When within the low-ceilinged again room of a bar for our bachelorette celebration, we might flip up the quantity and have it refill the area with out ever feeling tinny or blown out. Nonetheless, after we did not have the acoustics of an indoor area, the speaker nonetheless delivered easy sound.
After we used it within the out of doors backyard, the sound was stunning. It labored equally properly on older tracks like God Solely Is aware of by the Seaside Boys and fashionable pop like Love You For A Lengthy Time by Maggie Rogers. And even among the many crowd of 150 individuals who have been chatting and mingling throughout cocktail hour, the speaker was nonetheless loud sufficient to listen to the music soundtracking the afternoon.
It has adjustable treble, bass, and echo for audiophiles in search of a particular sound, in addition to bass enhance for any bass lovers. To not point out, you may pair a number of 520 audio system along with Auracast for even larger occasions.
It runs for hours at a time wirelessly — plus it is waterproof
With an outside wedding ceremony, we knew we would have liked the fantastic steadiness of a wi-fi speaker, in order that we did not have to put an influence wire that somebody may journey on, that was nonetheless large enough to fill the area with out having blown out sound. The PartyBox 520 checked all of these bins, fairly actually functioning as the largest Bluetooth speaker I’ve ever interacted with.
It runs for as much as 15 hours when totally charged. Whereas we did not want the speaker to run for that lengthy, it did give peace of thoughts that the speaker would not abruptly kick it mid-vows.
One other issue whereas partying within the outside? Rain. The JBL PartyBox 520 has a water-resistant ranking of IPX4, designating it as splash-proof. Basically, which means it isn’t meant to deal with full downpour however a lightweight sprinkle may deal with it.
In true New England style, our stunning sunny day turned to a lightweight rain bathe in simply ten minutes, and due to the IPX ranking, we did not must stress in regards to the water.
With wi-fi mics, it turns into the last word karaoke machine
Sadly if you wish to use mics with the JBL PartyBox 520, you may must buy them individually.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Whereas in search of a wi-fi wedding ceremony speaker, we had one wild card want, the flexibility to plug in wi-fi mics to make the most of throughout our ceremony and for karaoke. Fortunately, JBL is well-equipped to deal with this with their PartyBox mics that seamlessly hook up with the model’s PartyBox audio system. Sadly, you do have to purchase the mics individually.
On the rear of the JBL PartyBox 520 are to auxiliary inputs for a receiver. It is past straightforward to make use of the mics with the PartyBox as you simply plug within the receiver and activate the mics. The speaker and microphones work collectively to carry distinct sounds with none annoying suggestions. Throughout our ceremony, the gang might hear our officiant completely; nobody yelling to show up the quantity.
The perfect half is which you can even use a number of mics at a time. This was good for our joint bachelorette, the place we wished to do karaoke however the bar did not have a setup. The JBL PartBox 520 was the right reply because it was in a position to play music and venture the mics on the similar time, permitting for each solos and duets. Throughout our hours of karaoke, the mics and audio system did have occasional moments of sharp suggestions, one thing to concentrate on whereas utilizing the 2 shut collectively.
My spouse and I dueting ‘Silver Springs’ on the JBL PartyBox 520. A questionable alternative forward of our wedding ceremony.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Added lights and sound results make it an actual celebration
All the JBL PartyBox 520’s controls sit on high of the speaker.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Along with the mics, the PartyBox 520 has two standout options to pump issues up. It comes with a built-in gentle show that syncs to no matter music you are taking part in and performs somewhat gentle present. In case you’re not so into the lights or discover it distracting to your occasion, you can too flip off the sunshine characteristic.
For these seeking to get into the DJ-ing spirit, the JBL PartyBox 520 comes with three built-in sound results. Are they notably helpful? No. Are they extraordinarily enjoyable to press when you’re having time and feeling foolish? Oh, yeah.
Even with the wheels, it is a heavy raise
Spouse pictured for scale.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
While you consider a Bluetooth speaker, you are most likely considering of an ultra-portable gadget which you can transfer round your property and even toss in a bag to take to your subsequent celebration. Whereas the PartyBox 520 is a wi-fi Bluetooth speaker, it’s not that. This speaker is a giant boy. At 30 inches tall, it is massive and stands by itself. However greater than its bodily dimension, it is extraordinarily heavy at 64.8 lbs..
Fortunately, it does come on wheels with a deal with, kind of like a suitcase. It strikes simply on easy surfaces; nevertheless, when pushing it over grass or rougher terrain, it tends to stay, and you actually really feel its weight.
Plus, for those who’re attempting to move it from place to position, it is a massive raise and won’t be possible for the common individual.
The worth makes it an funding
One other hindrance with the PartyBox 520 is its value. At $879.95, it is fairly the funding. In case you’re simply in search of a giant Bluetooth speaker, I feel there are extra inexpensive choices. Nonetheless, for those who’re in search of a celebration speaker that primarily features as a sound system, it is an ideal funding.
Is the JBL PartyBox 520 value it?
Is the JBL PartyBox 520 value it? Depends upon what you are in search of.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
If you wish to significantly put money into a sound system to your events, the JBL PartyBox 520 is a superb funding, and the greatest celebration speaker I’ve examined thus far. It has a stunning gentle present that syncs to music and the flexibility to make use of mics with it. To not point out, it delivers actually stellar sound with adjustable bass, treble, and echo.
Nonetheless, for those who do not want something as heavy-duty, there are cheaper and extra moveable choices just like the JBL PartyBox 320, which has related dimensions to the 520 however solely weighs 36 kilos as a substitute of 64.
