Weight
- Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5
- 4.2 kg
- JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
- 5.9 kg
Speaker comparison
Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5 vs JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
Compare sound, battery life, durability and connections.
01Selected  Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5
KSh 36,000Out of Stock | 02  JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
KSh 36,000In Stock |
|---|
2 of 4 products
Add to comparison
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Bose SoundLink Revolve+ IIKSh 35,000
Our quick verdict
Choose the Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5 if you want a higher 160 W rated output, Bluetooth 5.4 and a lighter build (4.2 kg). Choose the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential if you prefer Portable Party Speaker.
Connections
- Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5
- Bluetooth 5.4 connection
- JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
- Bluetooth 5.1 connection
Output power
- Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5
- 160 W rated output
- JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
- 100 W rated output
Battery capacity
- Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5
- Mains-powered product
- JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
- 4,800 mAh battery
Software
- Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5
- Works with the Harman Kardon One app
- JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
- Works with the JBL PartyBox app
Key differences
The main differences to help you choose.
Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5
- Higher rated output: 160 W.
- Newer Bluetooth 5.4.
- Lighter: 4.2 kg.
JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
No clear advantage over the Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5 in the published specifications. Check the detailed comparison for features that matter to you.
What matters most to you?
13 priorities selected.
Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5
- 4,200 g.
- 160 W rated output.
- 4.2 kg.
- Bluetooth 5.4.
- Mains-powered product.
- Works with the Harman Kardon One app.
- Auracast™ Support.
- Type-C (Service / 5V 0.5A).
- Home Speaker.
- 5 Animated Themes (Customizable via App).
- 45Hz – 20kHz.
JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
- 5,900 g.
- 100 W rated output.
- 5.9 kg.
- Bluetooth 5.1.
- 4,800 mAh battery.
- Up to 6 hours per charge.
- Works with the JBL PartyBox app.
- 3.5 Hours.
- Link two Encore Essential speakers together wirelessly.
- Bluetooth 5.1, USB Type-A, 3.5mm AUX.
- Portable Party Speaker.
- Built-in RGB ring lights and strobes flash perfectly in time with your music.
- 50 Hz - 20 kHz.
Detailed comparison
Explore the full specifications, section by section.
General
| Specification | Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5 | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Harman Kardon | JBL |
| Model | Aura Studio 5 | PartyBox Encore Essential |
| Type | Home Speaker | Portable Party Speaker |
Design
| Specification | Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5 | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 284 x 232 x 232 mm | 27.6 x 32.7 x 29.3 cm |
| Weight | 4.2 kg (9.3 lbs) | 5.9 kg |
Battery & Charging
| Specification | Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5 | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Mains-powered product | 4800mAh |
Connectivity
| Specification | Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5 | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Profiles / Codecs | A2DP 1.4, AVRCP 1.6.2 | — |
| USB | Type-C (Service / 5V 0.5A) | Bluetooth 5.1, USB Type-A, 3.5mm AUX |
| Multi-Speaker / Stereo Pairing | Auracast™ Support | Link two Encore Essential speakers together wirelessly using True Wireless Stereo (TWS) technology for a massive, true stereo soundstage. |
| App Support | Harman Kardon One App | JBL PartyBox App (Custom EQ & Lights) |
| Wi-Fi | — | Bluetooth-only portable speaker |
| Wired Inputs | — | USB Type-A, 3.5mm AUX |
| HDMI | — | Portable speaker design |
| Microphone / Guitar Inputs | — | 1 x 6.3mm Wired Mic Input |
Features
| Specification | Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5 | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Lightshow | 5 Animated Themes (Customizable via App) | Built-in RGB ring lights and strobes flash perfectly in time with your music, setting the ultimate party vibe automatically. |
| Party Features | Not a party-speaker product | — |
| Home Cinema Features | Not a home-cinema product | Not a home-cinema speaker |
| Special Features | 360° Ambient Lightshow, Recycled Materials | — |
| Voice Assistant | — | No built-in voice assistant |
Audio
| Specification | Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5 | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | • 1 x 143mm (Subwoofer) \n• 6 x 40mm (Mid-high range) \n• 1 x 25mm (Tweeter) | 1 x 5.25" Woofer, 2 x 1.75" Tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz – 20kHz | 50 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Total Power Output | 160W RMS | 100W RMS |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 80 dB A-weighted | — |
Power & Battery
| Specification | Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5 | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Power Source | AC Power (Not portable/No Battery) | Rechargeable battery / USB charging |
| Battery Life | Mains-powered product | Up to 6 Hours |
| Charging Time | Mains-powered product | 3.5 Hours |
| Fast Charging | Mains-powered product | — |
| Charging Port | Mains-powered product | — |
What's in the Box
| Specification | Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5 | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker / Soundbar | Aura Studio 5 | PartyBox Encore Essential |
| Subwoofer | No subwoofer supplied | No subwoofer supplied |
| Remote Control | No remote control supplied | No remote control supplied |
| Other Accessories | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Documentation | Quick Start Guide and safety documentation | Quick Start Guide and safety documentation |
| Power Cable | — | USB charging cable |
| Audio / HDMI Cable | — | — |
| Mounting Accessories | — | Portable design |
Design & Controls
| Specification | Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5 | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Water & Dust Resistance | — | IPX4 (Splashproof) |
| Placement / Mounting | — | Free-standing portable placement |
Similarities
- Both work with a companion app.
- Both connect over Bluetooth.
- Both cost KSh 36,000.
In summary
Choose Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5 for more total output and a lighter build.
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