Weddings generally is a take a look at 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 lovely and memorable backdrop for our wedding ceremony. Nevertheless, it additionally meant that we did not have the privilege of a venue with included facilities — in different phrases, we needed to convey every little thing in ourselves. That is how, someday about two months out from the large day, I panicked, remembering we wanted a speaker for the ceremony.
Like several skilled host (and product tester), now we have just a few Bluetooth audio system round the home, however these units often help our events of 10 to twenty — not 150 individuals. Plus, we wanted a social gathering 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 out of doors wedding ceremony, the JBL PartyBox 520 saved the great vibes going all weekend lengthy.
The sound is crisp and booming — indoors or exterior
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 area with out ever feeling tinny or blown out. Nevertheless, once we did not have the acoustics of an indoor area, the speaker nonetheless delivered easy sound.
Once we used it within the out of doors backyard, the sound was lovely. 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 had 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 selected sound, in addition to bass increase for any bass fanatics. 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 out of doors wedding ceremony, we knew we wanted the high quality stability 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 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 all of a sudden kick it mid-vows.
One other issue whereas partying within the open air? Rain. The JBL PartyBox 520 has a water-resistant ranking of IPX4, designating it as splash-proof. Primarily, which means it is not meant to deal with full downpour however a light-weight sprinkle may deal with it.
In true New England style, our lovely sunny day turned to a light-weight 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 will have to 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 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 convey distinct sounds with none annoying suggestions. Throughout our ceremony, the gang might hear our officiant completely; nobody yelling to show up the quantity.
The most effective half is that you may 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 proper reply because it was in a position to play music and undertaking 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 selection forward of our wedding 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 prime 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 taking part in and performs a little bit mild present. For those who’re not so into the lights or discover it distracting to your occasion, you too can flip off the sunshine characteristic.
For these trying 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
Once you consider a Bluetooth speaker, you are in all probability considering of an ultra-portable gadget that you may transfer round your property 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 a giant 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; 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 put, it is a huge raise and may not be possible for the common individual.
The worth makes it an funding
One other hindrance with the PartyBox 520 is its worth. At $879.95, it is fairly the funding. For those who’re simply in search of a giant Bluetooth speaker, I believe there are extra reasonably priced choices. Nevertheless, for those who’re in search of a celebration speaker that basically features as a sound system, it is an ideal funding.
Is the JBL PartyBox 520 price it?
Is the JBL PartyBox 520 price it? Relies on what you are in search of.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
If you wish to critically spend money on a sound system to your events, the JBL PartyBox 520 is a good funding, and the finest social gathering speaker I’ve examined to this point. It has a blinding mild 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.
Nevertheless, 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 comparable dimensions to the 520 however solely weighs 36 kilos as a substitute of 64.
