JBL PartyBox 710
By Robert Jones · 2024-12-28
Right, let's talk about the JBL PartyBox 710, shall we? I've had one of these beasts knocking about the workshop for a good few months now, testing it out for everything from garden shindigs to proper indoor dance-offs.
Right, let's talk about the JBL PartyBox 710, shall we? I've had one of these beasts knocking about the workshop for a good few months now, testing it out for everything from garden shindigs to proper indoor dance-offs. If you're after something that doesn't just play music but actually *is* the party, then you'll want to stick around. This isn't some dainty Bluetooth speaker; this is a proper lump of sound, built for a laugh. **Quick Verdict: A proper party starter with serious grunt and flashing lights to boot.** When I first unboxed the PartyBox 710, it was clear this wasn't just another speaker. It's a bit of a monster, honestly. Weighs a fair bit, too – 27.8kg, which is nearly as much as my old Labrador, bless her. But JBL's thought about that, thankfully, sticking some sturdy wheels and a proper telescopic handle on it. You can just tilt it back and trundle it about, which is a lifesaver when you're trying to get it from the car to the garden, or even just across the patio. It feels well put together, chunky plastics, solid grilles. You get the impression it could take a few knocks at a rowdy barbecue, which is exactly what you want from a party speaker. The aesthetic is pure "let's have it". Big speaker cones staring out at you, and those light rings just screaming "turn me on!" Even before you press play, it looks like fun. It's got that kind of visual presence that says, "right, the entertainment's here." It's not subtle, but then, who wants subtle at a party?  *JBL PartyBox 710 — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## Under the Bonnet: What Makes It Tick JBL's packed the PartyBox 710 with a load of kit, all designed to make your bash go off with a bang. Every bit of it seems to be there to make noise and make you move. ### Proper Power: 800 Watts RMS This is where the 710 really flexes its muscles. It claims 800 Watts RMS, and let me tell you, it feels every single one of them. For those not steeped in the technical jargon, RMS is the important bit – it means sustained, proper power, not just some fleeting peak. This isn't about making a bit of noise; it's about making *serious* noise that fills a decent-sized room or a whole garden. What does that actually mean for your ears? * **Bass You Can Feel**: You've got two 8-inch woofers in here, and they really get to work. I'm talking about bass that doesn't just hum; it thumps you in the chest. Whether it's a bit of drum and bass, classic rock, or even some old-school Motown, the low end is deep, punchy, and surprisingly well-controlled for a unit this size. You'll feel the kick drum, trust me. I've had it playing some proper reggae, and the bass line just envelops the room. Marvellous. * **Clear Mids and Highs**: It's not all about the bass, though. JBL's stuck in two 2.75-inch tweeters to handle the mid-range and the top end. And they do a decent job, too. Vocals come through clearly, guitars have a good bite, and the cymbals aren't harsh or tinny. Sometimes with these big party speakers, the mid-range gets a bit lost in the bass, but the 710 holds its own. It's not hi-fi clarity, mind, but for throwing a party, it's more than good enough. ### The Light Show: More Than Just Flashing L.E.D.s This is where the PartyBox name really comes into its own. The lights on this thing are fantastic. It's not just a few static colours; you get a dynamic, customisable light show that pulses and moves to the rhythm of the music. There are a few patterns to pick from – strobe, pulsing, star-like effects, all sorts. And you can tweak them through the JBL PartyBox app. My kids absolutely loved it when I had it in the living room; it's like having your own mini-disco. It really adds to the atmosphere, especially when it gets a bit darker. You don't *need* them, of course, but they certainly help create that party vibe. ### Built Tough: IPX4 Splashproof This is a big one for me. How many times have you been at a garden party, and suddenly the heavens open? Or someone spills a drink near the speaker? Well, the PartyBox 710 has an IPX4 splashproof rating. That means it can handle a bit of spray and a few splashes without giving up the ghost. It's not submersible, so don't go throwing it in the swimming pool, but for a typical British barbecue or a poolside bash where things might get a bit lively, it's a solid bit of reassurance. I've seen far too many speakers ruined by a rogue pint. ### Daisy-Chaining for Even More Sound: True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Got a massive space to fill? Or just want to really annoy the neighbours? You can wirelessly link two PartyBox 710s together using True Wireless Stereo (TWS). This gives you proper stereo sound and doubles your output. I've only ever had one in my place, but I can only imagine the kind of racket two of these would make. It'd be genuinely concert-level stuff for a home party. You can also chain them with an aux cable if you've got an older model or just prefer the wired connection, but TWS is a lot tidier. ### PartyBox App: Your Control Centre JBL's PartyBox app is actually pretty decent, which isn't always the case with these things. You can control the music, tweak the L.E.D. light patterns and colours, and even fiddle with the bass, treble, and echo effects for the mic inputs. It's intuitive and makes customising the experience a doddle. No faffing about with tiny buttons on the speaker itself in the dark. Essential for a proper DJ experience, even if you're just using your phone. ### Mic and Guitar Inputs: Karaoke Time! This is a cracking feature if you're into karaoke or even if you've got a budding musician in the family. The PartyBox 710 has dedicated inputs for a microphone and a guitar, each with independent volume controls. You can even add a bit of echo to the vocals, which is a nice touch for those shower singers among us. I had a mate plug in his acoustic guitar through it, and it sounded surprisingly good for a party speaker. Great for singalongs or just messing about. ## My Experience: Putting It Through Its Paces I've used the PartyBox 710 in quite a few scenarios now. For a big garden party, it absolutely filled the space with sound. We had it cranking out a mix of funk, disco, and some classic house, and it never felt strained. The bass was there, the vocals were clear, and the light show was a proper talking point once the sun went down. It genuinely felt like a mini festival stage. Indoors, in my workshop, which is about 6 by 8 metres, it's almost overkill. You only need to turn the volume up to about a quarter before it's starting to rattle the tools off the shelves. The sheer power is impressive. I've also taken it to a small village hall for a charity do, and it handled that big open space with ease. No need for complicated PA systems, just plug and play. The mobility of it is a real bonus. Those wheels and the handle mean I can get it out of the shed, across the garden, and into position without breaking my back. It's still a bit of a heave getting it up steps, mind, but for flat ground, it's great. Connecting to it is simple enough via Bluetooth. I've not had any dropouts or issues with range within a sensible distance (say, 10-15 metres). The app connects reliably too. No complaints there. ## Who It's For and Who Should Skip It ### Who it's for: * Anyone planning regular outdoor parties, barbecues, or garden gatherings. * People who want seriously loud, impactful sound without needing multiple speakers. * Karaoke enthusiasts or amateur musicians looking for a versatile practice/performance amp. * Those who appreciate a dynamic light show to create a party atmosphere. * Anyone needing a robust speaker that can handle a few splashes or knocks. * Event organisers for small-to-medium venues like village halls or community centres. ### Who should skip it: * People with small flats or neighbours who are easily annoyed by loud music. * Audiophiles prioritising absolute fidelity and nuanced sound over sheer volume and party features. * Those looking for something truly portable and lightweight to carry in a backpack. * Anyone on a very tight budget (it's around £699-£799, so not cheap). * If you primarily listen to quiet, classical music in a small, acoustically treated room. ## Alternatives to Consider While the PartyBox 710 is a solid choice, there are a few other contenders if you're looking in this sort of price bracket or for slightly different features. Here's a quick comparison: | Feature | JBL PartyBox 710 | Sony SRS-XV900 | LG XBOOM XL7S | | :---------------- | :------------------------------------ | :------------------------------------ | :------------------------------------- | | **Price (approx.)** | £699-£799 | £749-£849 | £599-£699 | | **Power Output** | 800W RMS | Not specified, but very loud | Not specified, but powerful | | **Battery Life** | Mains powered only | Up to 25 hours | Up to 18 hours | | **Splashproof** | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | | **Inputs** | Bluetooth, USB, Aux, Mic, Guitar | Bluetooth, USB, Aux, Mic, Guitar | Bluetooth, USB, Aux, Mic, Guitar | | **Light Show** | Dynamic, customisable | Multi-colour, ambient TV sound booster | Multi-colour with "XBOOM" animation | | **Mobility** | Wheels & handle | Wheels & handle | Wheels & handle | | **Weight** | 27.8 kg | 26.6 kg | 16 kg | | **Key Differentiator** | Massive RMS power, robust build | Long battery life, TV sound booster | Lighter, unique pixel art lighting | **Sony SRS-XV900:** This one's another absolute beast from Sony. It offers a similar level of volume and party features, but the big selling point here is the battery life – up to 25 hours. That's a huge advantage if you're taking it somewhere without power. It's also got a feature to boost your TV sound, which is a bit niche for a party speaker, but handy if you want it to pull double duty. It's a bit pricier, though, often pushing past £800. **LG XBOOM XL7S:** The LG is a bit more compact and considerably lighter at 16kg, which makes it easier to lug about if you don't have flat terrain. It still kicks out a decent amount of sound and has a fun pixel art light display that shows messages or animations. The battery life is also good at 18 hours. It's generally a bit cheaper than the JBL too, so if budget is tighter and you can sacrifice a bit of that raw power, it's a strong contender. For me, the JBL 710 still wins on sheer unadulterated power output. If you want the *loudest* party, it's the one to go for, provided you have a plug socket nearby. ## Setting It Up and Getting the Most Out of It Getting the PartyBox 710 up and running is pretty straightforward. First things first, get it plugged into the mains. There's no internal battery, so don't forget that. Then, turn it on with the big power button. You'll see the lights spring to life almost immediately. Pairing via Bluetooth is dead simple. Just press the Bluetooth button on the top panel, find "JBL PartyBox 710" on your phone or tablet, and connect. You'll get an audible chime to confirm. If you're using the app, make sure Bluetooth is on, open the app, and it should find the speaker automatically. To really get the most out of it, especially for music, I'd recommend downloading the JBL PartyBox app. It gives you far more control over the EQ settings and, crucially, the light show. You can dial in the bass and treble to suit your taste or the room acoustics. If you're outside, you might want to crank the bass a little more to compensate for sound dissipating into the open air. Inside, perhaps rein it in a touch. If you're using the mic or guitar inputs, make sure their respective volume knobs are turned down before you plug anything in, then slowly bring them up. This prevents any nasty pops or feedback. And play around with the echo effect for the mic – it can make even the worst singer sound a bit more professional, or at least a lot funnier! Positioning is key. For the best sound dispersion, especially with those lights, try to get it in a relatively open spot. If it's backed up against a wall or in a corner, you'll get a bit of bass boost from the reflections, which might be good if you're after maximum thump, but can also make the sound a bit boomy. Experiment a bit. Every room and every garden is different. ## Maintenance and Care It's a robust bit of kit, but a little care goes a long way. After a lively party, especially if it's been outside, give it a quick wipe down with a damp cloth to get rid of any dust, spills, or general grime. Those grilles can pick up bits of leaf or grass if you're dragging it across the lawn. Just make sure it's unplugged before you start cleaning. While it's splashproof, don't leave it out in a downpour or hose it down. And try to avoid direct, prolonged sunlight; those plastics and L.E.D.s will thank you for it in the long run. Store it somewhere dry and at a reasonable temperature when it's not in use. It's a sizeable investment, so treat it right, and it'll keep the tunes flowing for years. ## FAQ Section ### Q: Can I connect two PartyBox 710s wirelessly? A: Absolutely, mate! You can link two 710s together using JBL's True Wireless Stereo (TWS) feature for a much bigger, proper stereo soundstage. Just make sure both speakers are on, press the TWS button on both, and they should pair up automatically. It makes a huge difference for larger spaces or if you just want to really get the party going. ### Q: Does the JBL PartyBox 710 have a built-in battery? A: No, this model runs strictly off mains power. It needs to be plugged into a wall socket to work. If you need a PartyBox with a battery for ultimate portability, you'd need to look at models like the PartyBox 310 or the PartyBox 110, but you won't get the same colossal power output as the 710. ### Q: Can I use a microphone and guitar at the same time? A: Yes, you can! The PartyBox 710 has separate inputs for both a microphone and a guitar, each with its own independent volume control. You can even add echo to the mic, which is brilliant for karaoke nights or just messing around with some tunes. ### Q: Is the PartyBox 710 waterproof? A: It's not fully waterproof, but it is IPX4 splashproof. This means it can handle splashes of water from any direction, so a bit of rain or a spilled drink won't ruin your party. Just don't submerge it in water or leave it out in a torrential downpour, and you'll be fine. ### Q: How do I control the light show? A: You can control the basic light patterns directly from the buttons on the speaker's top panel. However, to get the full range of customisation, including different patterns, colours, and how they react to the music, you'll want to download and use the JBL PartyBox app on your smartphone or tablet. It gives you much more granular control and unlocks all the fun options. ## Final Word So, after all that, what's the final verdict on the JBL PartyBox 710? Well, if you're in the market for a seriously powerful, fun, and robust party speaker, this one comes highly recommended from me. It delivers sound that genuinely moves air, a light show that'll get everyone in the mood, and the practical features like wheels and splashproofing just make life easier. It's not for the faint of heart, or for those with very sensitive neighbours, but for big gatherings, barbecues, or even just turning your living room into a full-blown rave, it's an absolute belter. The price tag, usually around £700-£800, puts it into a serious investment category, but you're getting a lot of speaker for your money. It's built to last, sounds fantastic for its purpose, and has enough bells and whistles to keep the party going all night. If your main goal is to pump out loud music with visual flair and robust build quality, then the PartyBox 710 should absolutely be on your shortlist. You won't be disappointed. Just remember to invite me to the party, eh?