Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 7. It ranks #1 of 51 party speakers by sound quality, rated 4.7/5, at $548. The JBL Partybox 130 ranks #7, rated 4.4/5, at $399.95, $148.05 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Partybox 130 is the lighter pick. A manageable party speaker with balanced, powerful sound, deep bass, a removable battery and a light show. At 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) it weighs much less than the Sony ULT Tower 7 at 50.3 lbs (22.8 kg). The tradeoff: It is still bass-forward and less clear than the PartyBox 120 in direct comparisons.
The Sony ULT Tower 7 is the longer-running pick. A big, loud party speaker on wheels with punchy bass, a 30 hour battery, 360 degree sound and inputs for mics and instruments. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 15 for the JBL Partybox 130. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Partybox 130 lacks. Watch for: The reviewer notes that Auracast pairing is not backward-compatible with Sony’s older Party Connect speakers, and the hard-plastic corners lack protective rubber bumpers.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 7. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $148.05 with the JBL Partybox 130 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A manageable party speaker with balanced, powerful sound, deep bass, a removable battery and a light show.
A big, loud party speaker on wheels with punchy bass, a 30 hour battery, 360 degree sound and inputs for mics and instruments.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 130 | Sony ULT Tower 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.95 | $548.00 |
| Ranked | #7 of 51 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #1 of 51 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes | RCA input |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (lights off; manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 2x 5.2” woofers, 2x 1” tweeters | 7 drivers: 1x woofer, 2x midrange, 2x front tweeter, 2x rear tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Guitar Input | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB charging) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | No |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Stereo Pair) |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes (USB-A) |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) | 50.3 lbs (22.8 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 200W | 420W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 22.6”H x 11.7”W x 11.9”D (575 x 298.4 x 303 mm) | 13.7” x 16.6” x 28” (348 x 422 x 711 mm) |
| Strap | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | No |
| Wheels | - | Yes |
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