JBL Partybox Encore 2 VS Samsung Sound Tower ST40F

Both the JBL Partybox Encore 2 and the Samsung Sound Tower ST40F share an IPX4 water resistance rating, meaning neither is suitable for submersion but both can handle splashes and sweat — a practical baseline for party or outdoor use. They also share a control panel on the device, no touch screen, a detachable cable, and no included travel bag, making these two speakers quite evenly matched on the convenience and usability front.

Where they diverge most meaningfully is in physical size and weight. The ST40F stands 620 mm tall and weighs 8000 g, compared to the Encore 2's 338.6 mm height and 6400 g. The ST40F's volume is roughly 58,237 cm³ versus the Encore 2's 28,452 cm³ — more than double. In practice, the ST40F is a taller, tower-style unit better suited to a fixed venue or large room, while the Encore 2 is noticeably more compact and easier to carry or reposition. The ST40F also adds RGB lighting, which the Encore 2 lacks — a notable differentiator for users who prioritize visual atmosphere at parties.

Overall, neither product holds a blanket design advantage. The Encore 2 has the edge in portability thanks to its lighter weight and smaller footprint, while the ST40F edges ahead on visual flair with RGB lighting and a more commanding tower presence. The right choice depends on whether the user values ease of transport or a more immersive, stationary party setup.

Across the two available sound quality specs, the JBL Partybox Encore 2 and the Samsung Sound Tower ST40F are completely identical — neither features a passive radiator nor magnetic shielding. The absence of a passive radiator means neither speaker uses that technique to extend low-frequency response without a larger enclosure, which is a common trade-off in party speakers that rely instead on active drivers and porting for bass output. The lack of magnetic shielding is standard practice for modern speakers and has minimal practical impact outside of very specific legacy use cases.

With only two data points available — and both shared equally — this group offers no differentiating signal between the two products. This is a clear tie based strictly on the provided specs, and users looking to distinguish the two on sound quality grounds will need to look beyond this data set.

Battery life is where the JBL Partybox Encore 2 pulls ahead, rated at 15 hours versus the Samsung Sound Tower ST40F's 12 hours. That three-hour gap is meaningful in practice — it can be the difference between a full outdoor event on a single charge or needing to plan around a top-up. Both speakers include a battery level indicator, which is a useful quality-of-life feature that helps users avoid unexpected shutdowns.

The ST40F counters with one notable structural advantage: a removable battery, which the Encore 2 lacks. For users running extended or back-to-back sessions, a swappable battery pack means downtime can be eliminated entirely by simply fitting a spare — something the Encore 2 cannot offer regardless of its longer rated runtime. Neither speaker supports wireless charging, so both rely on wired methods to recharge.

On balance, the Encore 2 has the edge for typical use thanks to its longer single-charge endurance. However, the ST40F's removable battery gives it a meaningful practical advantage for power users or professional setups where continuous operation matters more than the per-charge rating. The right call depends on whether runtime longevity or operational flexibility is the higher priority.

Sharing Bluetooth 5.4 and Auracast support, both speakers are on equal footing for modern wireless pairing and broadcast-style multi-speaker connectivity. However, the JBL Partybox Encore 2 significantly outpaces the Samsung Sound Tower ST40F on Bluetooth range — 30 m versus just 10 m. In open or large indoor spaces, that threefold difference is tangible: the Encore 2 allows a source device to roam freely across a room or yard without risking dropouts, while the ST40F demands closer proximity to the paired device.

Wired connectivity tells a similarly lopsided story. The Encore 2 includes an AUX input, a USB Type-C port, and a microphone input — making it notably more versatile for live use cases like karaoke, instrument connection, or plugging in legacy audio sources. The ST40F offers none of these, with its single USB port lacking the Type-C standard. The ST40F's sole codec advantage is AAC support, which can marginally improve wireless audio quality when streaming from Apple devices, but this is a narrow benefit compared to the Encore 2's broader physical input set.

The Encore 2 holds a clear connectivity advantage in this group. Its superior Bluetooth range, more versatile wired inputs, and microphone support make it the stronger choice for users who need flexibility in how they connect and perform. The ST40F's AAC codec is the only counterpoint, but it does not offset the gap in overall connectivity options.

Feature-for-feature, the JBL Partybox Encore 2 and the Samsung Sound Tower ST40F are in complete lockstep here. Both support wireless use, remote smartphone control, voice prompts, and a sleep timer — and both equally lack fast pairing, voice commands, a radio, a mute function, and power bank capability.

This is a straightforward tie. With every single spec in this group matching identically, the Features category offers no basis for choosing one product over the other. Users prioritizing these particular capabilities will be equally served by either speaker.

With only one data point in this group — and both speakers sharing it equally — the Miscellaneous category is an unambiguous tie. Both the JBL Partybox Encore 2 and the Samsung Sound Tower ST40F support stereo pairing, meaning each can be linked with a second compatible unit to create a true left/right stereo setup. For party or live audio scenarios, this capability meaningfully widens the soundstage compared to a single mono source, giving users a more immersive listening experience when two speakers are available.

Since this is the sole spec provided and it is identical across both products, neither holds any advantage here. Users interested in stereo pairing will find equal support on either side.