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 yr, I married my spouse at a household house, which was essentially the most stunning and memorable backdrop for our marriage ceremony. Nonetheless, it additionally meant that we did not have the privilege of a venue with included facilities — in different phrases, we needed to deliver every part in ourselves. That is how, at some point about two months out from the large day, I panicked, remembering we would have liked a speaker for the ceremony.
Like several skilled host (and product tester), we now have a number of Bluetooth audio system round the home, however these units often assist our events of 10 to twenty — not 150 individuals. 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 costliest social gathering speaker that is hefty however stays wi-fi and moveable. From our bachelorette social gathering to our outside marriage ceremony, the JBL PartyBox 520 stored the great 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 social gathering, we might flip up the quantity and have it refill the house with out ever feeling tinny or blown out. Nonetheless, once we did not have the acoustics of an indoor house, the speaker nonetheless delivered easy sound.
Once we used it within the outside backyard, the sound was stunning. It labored equally nicely on older tracks like God Solely Is aware of by the Seaside Boys and trendy 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 on the lookout for a particular sound, in addition to bass enhance for any bass lovers. To not point out, you possibly can pair a number of 520 audio system along with Auracast for even greater occasions.
It runs for hours at a time wirelessly — plus it is waterproof
With an out of doors marriage ceremony, we knew we would have liked the nice steadiness of a wi-fi speaker, in order that we did not have to put an influence twine that somebody may journey on, that was nonetheless sufficiently big to fill the house with out having blown out sound. The PartyBox 520 checked all of these bins, fairly actually functioning as the most important 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 instantly kick it mid-vows.
One other issue whereas partying within the outdoor? Rain. The JBL PartyBox 520 has a water-resistant score of IPX4, designating it as splash-proof. Basically, which means it isn’t meant to deal with full downpour however a light-weight sprinkle may deal with it.
In true New England trend, our stunning sunny day turned to a light-weight rain bathe in simply ten minutes, and because of the IPX score, 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 on the lookout for a wi-fi marriage ceremony speaker, we had one wild card want, the power 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 connect 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 deliver distinct sounds with none annoying suggestions. Throughout our ceremony, the group might hear our officiant completely; nobody yelling to show up the quantity.
The perfect half is that you may even use a number of mics at a time. This was good for our joint bachelorette, the place we needed to do karaoke however the bar did not have a setup. The JBL PartBox 520 was the right reply because it was capable of play music and challenge the mics on the identical 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 marriage ceremony.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Added lights and sound results make it an actual social gathering
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 mild show that syncs to no matter music you are enjoying and performs a little bit mild present. In case you’re not so into the lights or discover it distracting on your occasion, you may also 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 an excellent time and feeling foolish? Oh, yeah.
Even with the wheels, it is a heavy carry
Spouse pictured for scale.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
If you consider a Bluetooth speaker, you are in all probability pondering of an ultra-portable system that you may transfer round your private home and even toss in a bag to take to your subsequent social gathering. Whereas the PartyBox 520 is a wi-fi Bluetooth speaker, it’s not that. This speaker is an enormous boy. At 30 inches tall, it is giant 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; nonetheless, when pushing it over grass or rougher terrain, it tends to stay, and you actually really feel its weight.
Plus, in the event you’re attempting to move it from place to put, it is a massive carry and may not be possible for the common particular person.
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 on the lookout for an enormous Bluetooth speaker, I feel there are extra inexpensive choices. Nonetheless, in the event you’re on the lookout for a celebration speaker that primarily capabilities as a sound system, it is an amazing funding.
Is the JBL PartyBox 520 value it?
Is the JBL PartyBox 520 value it? Is dependent upon what you are on the lookout for.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
If you wish to significantly put money into a sound system on your events, the JBL PartyBox 520 is a good funding, and the very best social gathering speaker I’ve examined so far. It has a blinding mild present that syncs to music and the power to make use of mics with it. To not point out, it delivers actually stellar sound with adjustable bass, treble, and echo.
Nonetheless, in the event you 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 an alternative of 64.
