Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Partybox 130 ranks #5 of 50 party speakers by sound quality at $449.95; the Sony ULT Tower 9 ranks #8 of 11 large party speakers by sound quality at $800.
The case for the JBL Partybox 130: Handle and wheels are convenient. The catch: Boomier and less clear than the Partybox 120. High price.
On the Sony ULT Tower 9 side: Slightly better sounding than the ULT Tower 10. Watch for: Not as deep of bass and loses more bass at high volume even compared to the lower end Partybox speakers.
Buy the JBL Partybox 130 at $449.95 if you want a party speaker. Buy the Sony ULT Tower 9 at $800 if you want a large party speaker instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony ULT Tower 9 is rated for 25 hours versus 15 hours for the JBL Partybox 130.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Partybox 130 at IPX4 (splashing) holds up far better than the Sony ULT Tower 9 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 130 | Sony ULT Tower 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.95 | $800 |
| Ranked | #5 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #8 of 11 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 12.6"x12.6" woofer, 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 2" tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes (10 band) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | No |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs / 11.3 kg | 65.3 lbs / 29.6 kg |
| Output Power | 200W | 148W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | - | No |
| Wifi | - | No |
| Dimensions | - | 16.1" x 35.8" x 18" (410 x 910 x 456 mm) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs Soundboks Mix
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs Teufel Rockster Neo
- JBL Partybox 330 vs Teufel Rockster
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 710
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Sony ULT Tower 10
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox 130: $449.95 Amazon
Pros: Handle and wheels are convenient. Customizable color lighting modes. Quite neutral sound. Removable battery.
Cons: Boomier and less clear than the Partybox 120. High price. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal.
Full JBL Partybox 130 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x 5.2" woofers, 2x 1" tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 200W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs / 11.3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 100
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 110
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 310
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 300
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox 130 vs Electro-Voice Everse 12
- See all 66 comparisons
Sony ULT Tower 9: $800 Amazon
Pros: Slightly better sounding than the ULT Tower 10
Cons: Not as deep of bass and loses more bass at high volume even compared to the lower end Partybox speakers. Bass drops off a lot at higher volumes. Not quite as loud as the ULT Tower 10
Full Sony ULT Tower 9 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.1" x 35.8" x 18" (410 x 910 x 456 mm) |
| Drivers | 7 drivers: 1x 12.6"x12.6" woofer, 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 2" tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 148W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 65.3 lbs / 29.6 kg |
| Wifi | No |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Sony ULT Tower 9 vs JBL Partybox 720 - indoor listening test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Sony ULT Tower 9 vs JBL Partybox 720 - power generator test
- GYMCADDY: Sony ULT Tower 9 Vs Sony ULT Tower 10 - Size Doesn’t Matter More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: Sony ULT Tower 9 Review - Amazing Instrument Separation
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- Reddit Search for Sony ULT Tower 9 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Tower 9 vs Sony ULT Tower 10
- Sony ULT Tower 9 vs Teufel Rockster
- Sony ULT Tower 9 vs JBL Partybox 520
- Sony ULT Tower 9 vs Sony SRS-XV900
- Sony ULT Tower 9 vs JBL Partybox 710
- Sony ULT Tower 9 vs Marshall Bromley 750
- Sony ULT Tower 9 vs JBL Partybox 720
- Sony ULT Tower 9 vs Teufel Rockster 2
- See all 11 comparisons