Review: The JBL PartyBox 520 made my wedding even better

Weddings can be a test on your mental and banking health account, but as a product tester, they are also ripe time for loudspeakers. This year, I married my wife in a family home, which was the most beautiful and memorable backdrop for our wedding. However, this also meant that we did not have the privilege of a place with equipment included – in other words, we had to bring everything in ourselves. This is how, one day to two months of the big day, I panicked, remembering that we needed a speaker for the ceremony.

Like any experienced host (and product tester), we have some Bluetooth speakers in the house, but these devices generally support our games from 10 to 20 – not 150 people. In addition, we needed a festive speaker with the compatibility of wireless microphones to take us from the ceremony at cocktail time. This is how I came across the new JBL Partybox 520.

The 520 is the most recent and most expensive festival speaker of the brand that is heavy but remains wireless and portable. From our Bachelorette Party to our outdoor wedding, the JBL Partybox 520 kept the good vibrations all weekend.

The sound is clear and booming – inside or outside

The JBL Partybox 520 delivered a large sound in the back room of a bar or in the context of my mother-in-law’s gardens.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

No matter where we parked the JBL Partybox 520, the sound rang with a clear and complete sound. When in the low ceiling background of a bar for our single party, we could increase the volume and have it filled with the space without ever feeling tiny or blown. However, when we did not have the acoustics of an interior space, the speaker has always provided a smooth sound.

When we used it in the outdoor garden, the sound was magnificent. It worked as well on older tracks like God only knows by beach beaches and modern pop like I love you for a long time by Maggie Rogers. And even among the crowd of 150 people who were chatting and mixed during the cocktail time, the speaker was still strong enough to hear the soundtrack of the music.

He has triple, bass and echo adjustable for audiophiles looking for specific sound, as well as bass boost for all bass lovers. Without forgetting, you can combine several 520 speakers with Auracast for even larger events.

It works for wireless hours – the more it is waterproof

With an outdoor wedding, we knew that we needed the end balance of a wireless speaker, so that we did not have to put a power cord on which someone could trip, it was still large enough to fill the space without having jumped from sound. Partybox 520 checked all these boxes, literally operating as the largest Bluetooth speaker with which I have ever interacted.

It lasts until 3 p.m. when it is fully loaded. Although we do not need that the speaker has been flowing for so long, it has given the peace of mind that the speaker would not suddenly boot him halfway.

Another factor by celebrating outside? Rain. The JBL Partybox 520 has an impermeable note from IPX4, designating it as a splash resistant. Essentially, this means that it is not intended to manage a complete downpour, but a light pinch could manage it.

Like New England, our beautiful sunny day turned into a light rain shower in just ten minutes, and thanks to the IPX coast, we did not have to insist on the water.

With wireless microphones, it becomes the ultimate karaoke machine

Unfortunately, if you want to use microphones with the JBL Partybox 520, you will have to buy them separately.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

By looking for a wireless wedding speaker, we needed a joker, the possibility of connecting wireless microphones to be used during our ceremony and for karaoke. Fortunately, JBL is well equipped to manage this with their microphone parties that connect perfectly to the partybox brand speakers. Unfortunately, you need to buy the microphones separately.

At the back of the JBL Partybox 520, the auxiliary inputs for a receiver. It is beyond the easy use to use the microphones with the partybox because you simply plug in the receiver and activate the microphones. The speaker and microphones work together to bring separate sounds without boring feedback. During our ceremony, the crowd could perfectly hear our officiant; No one has shouted to increase the volume.

The best part is that you can even use several microphones at a time. It was perfect for our joint bachelor, where we wanted to do karaoke but the bar had no configuration. The JBL Partbox 520 was the perfect answer because it was able to play music and project the microphones at the same time, allowing both solos and duets. During our hours of karaoke, the microphones and the speakers had occasional moments of pointed feedback, something to know while using both near the other.

My wife and I in “Silver Springs” duo on the JBL Partybox 520. A questionable choice before our marriage.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The lights and the added sound effects make it a real party

All orders of the JBL Partybox 520 are above the speaker.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

In addition to the microphones, the Partybox 520 has two remarkable features to inflate things. It comes with an integrated bright screen that synchronizes with the music you play and performs a small light show. If you are not the case in the lights or if you find it distracting for your event, you can also deactivate the light feature.

For those who seek to enter the DJ spirit, the JBL Partybox 520 is delivered with three integrated sound effects. Are they particularly useful? No. Are they extremely fun to press while you have a good time and you feel silly? Oh yeah.

Even with the wheels, it’s a heaviness

Wife illustrated on a scale.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

When you think of a Bluetooth speaker, you probably think of an ultra-portable device that you can move around in your home or even throw a bag to take your next party. Although the Partybox 520 is a wireless Bluetooth speaker, that’s not it. This speaker is a big boy. 30 inches high, it is large and stands alone. But more than its physical size, it is extremely heavy at 64.8 pounds.

Fortunately, it comes to the wheels with a handle, a bit like a suitcase. It moves easily on smooth surfaces; However, when you push it on the grassing grass or terrain, it tends to stay and you really feel its weight.

In addition, if you try to transport it from one place to another, it is a large elevator and may not be possible for the average person.

The price makes it an investment

Another obstacle with Partybox 520 is its price. At $ 879.95, it is quite the investment. If you are just looking for a large Bluetooth speaker, I think there are more affordable options. However, if you are looking for a party speaker that works essentially as an audio system, this is an excellent investment.

Does the JBL Partybox 520 are worth it?

Does the JBL Partybox 520 are worth it? It depends on what you’re looking for.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

If you want to seriously invest in an audio system for your games, the JBL Partybox 520 is an excellent investment and the best part of parties that I have tested to date. He has a dazzling light show that synchronizes with music and the ability to use microphones with it. Without forgetting, it offers a really stellar sound with bass, triple and adjustable echo.

However, if you don’t need anything as heavy, there are cheaper and more portable options like the JBL Partybox 320, which has dimensions similar to 520 but only weighs 36 pounds instead of 64.