JBL PartyBox Encore Essential vs JBL Cinema SB550
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Quick comparison
At a glance
Key specifications and important differences. Full details follow below.
| Feature |  JBL PartyBox Encore Essential |  JBL Cinema SB550 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | KSh 36,000.00 | KSh 35,500.00 |
| Battery | 4800mAh | N/A — mains-powered product |
| Weight | 5.9 kg | Soundbar: 2.5 kg; subwoofer: 4.2 kg |
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Full specifications
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General
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | JBL Cinema SB550 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | JBL | JBL |
| Model | PartyBox Encore Essential | Cinema SB550 |
| Type | Portable Party Speaker | Soundbar with Subwoofer |
| Color | — | Black |
Design
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | JBL Cinema SB550 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 27.6 x 32.7 x 29.3 cm | Soundbar: 950 × 64 × 80 mm; subwoofer: 200 × 324 × 250 mm |
| Weight | 5.9 kg | Soundbar: 2.5 kg; subwoofer: 4.2 kg |
Battery & Charging
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | JBL Cinema SB550 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 4800mAh | N/A — mains-powered product |
Connectivity
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | JBL Cinema SB550 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Wi-Fi | N/A — Bluetooth-only portable speaker | — |
| Wired Inputs | USB Type-A, 3.5mm AUX | Optical; USB Type-A; HDMI ARC |
| HDMI | N/A — portable speaker design | 1 HDMI ARC output; HDCP 1.4 |
| USB | Bluetooth 5.1, USB Type-A, 3.5mm AUX | Type-A; 5 V DC, 0.5 A; MP3 (US playback; service-only in other versions) |
| Microphone / Guitar Inputs | 1 x 6.3mm Wired Mic Input | N/A — no microphone or guitar input |
| Multi-Speaker / Stereo Pairing | Link two Encore Essential speakers together wirelessly using True Wireless Stereo (TWS) technology for a massive, true stereo soundstage. | — |
| App Support | JBL PartyBox App (Custom EQ & Lights) | — |
| Bluetooth Profiles / Codecs | — | A2DP v1.3; AVRCP v1.6 |
Features
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | JBL Cinema SB550 |
|---|---|---|
| Voice Assistant | N/A — no built-in voice assistant | — |
| Lightshow | Built-in RGB ring lights and strobes flash perfectly in time with your music, setting the ultimate party vibe automatically. | N/A — no party lightshow |
| Home Cinema Features | N/A — not a home-cinema speaker | 3.1-channel Dolby Audio; HDMI ARC; wireless subwoofer |
| Party Features | — | N/A — not a party-speaker product |
| Special Features | — | Bluetooth 5.3; low-profile soundbar design |
Audio
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | JBL Cinema SB550 |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | 1 x 5.25" Woofer, 2 x 1.75" Tweeters | Soundbar: 3 × (45 × 100) mm racetrack drivers + 2 × 13 mm tweeters; subwoofer: 5.25 in (133 mm) wireless subwoofer |
| Frequency Response | 50 Hz - 20 kHz | 45 Hz – 20 kHz (-10 dB) |
| Total Power Output | 100W RMS | 250 W maximum @ THD 1% (soundbar 150 W; subwoofer 100 W) |
| Speaker Configuration | — | 3.1 channel |
| Amplifier | — | Soundbar 150 W + subwoofer 100 W; max @ THD 1% |
| Audio Channels | — | 3.1 |
| Audio Features | — | Dolby Audio; 3.1-channel soundbar; wireless subwoofer |
Power & Battery
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | JBL Cinema SB550 |
|---|---|---|
| Power Source | Rechargeable battery / USB charging | 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz mains |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 Hours | N/A — mains-powered product |
| Charging Time | 3.5 Hours | — |
| Power Consumption | — | Standby less than 0.5 W |
Design & Controls
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | JBL Cinema SB550 |
|---|---|---|
| Water & Dust Resistance | IPX4 (Splashproof) | — |
| Placement / Mounting | Free-standing portable placement | Tabletop or wall mount; wall-mount bracket kit included |
What's in the Box
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | JBL Cinema SB550 |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker / Soundbar | PartyBox Encore Essential | 1 × soundbar |
| Subwoofer | N/A — no subwoofer supplied | 1 × wireless subwoofer |
| Remote Control | N/A — no remote control supplied | Remote control with batteries |
| Power Cable | USB charging cable | Power cords (up to 8 pcs depending on region SKU) |
| Audio / HDMI Cable | N/A | 1 × HDMI cable |
| Mounting Accessories | N/A — portable design | Wall-mount bracket kit with screws |
| Other Accessories | N/A | N/A |
| Documentation | Quick Start Guide and safety documentation | Quick start guide; warranty card; safety sheet |
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