Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower Max on measured sound quality, the JBL Partybox 520 on price. The Sony ULT Tower Max ranks #1 of 12 large party speakers at $1499.99. The JBL Partybox 520 ranks #7 at $799.95, $700.04 cheaper.
What the JBL Partybox 520 offers: JBL’s biggest battery-powered PartyBox combines very high output, deep chesty bass, wheels and a telescoping handle with a capable app EQ, lights, USB-C audio and mic/instrument inputs. RTINGS finds it loud enough for backyards and unusually well-equipped for a battery party speaker. Watch for: It is very large and heavy, Bluetooth latency is high for video, and its front-facing design loses much of the mids and treble to people off to the sides. The bass-heavy default can also make dialogue less clear without EQ.
What the Sony ULT Tower Max offers: AudioTribe measured 110.6dBC at roughly 6m outdoors with Flat EQ and ULT1 enabled, 4.4dB above the JBL PartyBox Ultimate in the same setup. Its three 11-inch woofers held about 110dB from 40-100Hz; Sony also provides 10-band EQ, Sound Field Optimization, RCA and XLR inputs, USB-C, a mic input, and XLR output. Watch for: The same comparison found it 1.2dB behind the JBL in A-weighted loudness and weaker below 40Hz. At 56.3kg (124lb) and AC-only, this is a wheeled event speaker rather than a portable battery model.
Buy the JBL Partybox 520 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Sony ULT Tower Max when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 520 | Sony ULT Tower Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.95 | $1,499.99 |
| Ranked | #7 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #1 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes | RCA input |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat / Live) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | Splashproof top surface |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (6.3mm) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Chain) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB charging) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC 120-240V, 50/60Hz |
| Removable Battery | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Stereo Pair) |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes (USB-A) |
| Weight | 56.2 lbs (25.5 kg) | 124.1 lbs (56.3 kg) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 16.3" x 30.3" x 14.5" (415 x 769 x 369 mm) | 21" x 41.8" x 18.6" (534 x 1062 x 472 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 7.5" woofer, 2x 1" dome tweeter | 9 drivers: 3x 11" woofer (2 front, 1 rear), 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 1" tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 400W | 2,150W (manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sony ULT Tower Max:
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 1000
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Teufel Rockster 2
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 720
- JBL Partybox 710 vs Sony ULT Tower Max
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox 520: $799.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: JBL’s biggest battery-powered PartyBox combines very high output, deep chesty bass, wheels and a telescoping handle with a capable app EQ, lights, USB-C audio and mic/instrument inputs. RTINGS finds it loud enough for backyards and unusually well-equipped for a battery party speaker.
Cons: It is very large and heavy, Bluetooth latency is high for video, and its front-facing design loses much of the mids and treble to people off to the sides. The bass-heavy default can also make dialogue less clear without EQ.
Full JBL Partybox 520 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 400W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.3" x 30.3" x 14.5" (415 x 769 x 369 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 7.5" woofer, 2x 1" dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 56.2 lbs (25.5 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 & 720 - indoor listening session More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 vs 720 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 320 vs 520 - indoor listening session
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 320 vs 520 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 vs Teufel Rockster Neo
- Oluv Patreon: W-King T12 vs JBL Partybox 520
- AudioTribe: JBL PartyBox 520 Loudness & BASS Test Will Shock You!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs JBL Partybox 520 More from GYMCADDY →
- AudioTribe: JBL Partybox 720 vs JBL Partybox 520 Who’s Better?
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox 520 vs Teufel Rockster
- JBL Partybox 520 vs JBL Partybox 710
- JBL Partybox 520 vs JBL Partybox 720
- JBL Partybox 520 vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- JBL Partybox 520 vs Sony ULT Tower 10
- JBL Partybox 520 vs Teufel Rockster 2
- JBL Partybox 520 vs JBL Partybox 1000
- JBL Partybox 520 vs Sony SRS-XV900
- See all 14 comparisons
Sony ULT Tower Max: $1,499.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: AudioTribe measured 110.6dBC at roughly 6m outdoors with Flat EQ and ULT1 enabled, 4.4dB above the JBL PartyBox Ultimate in the same setup. Its three 11-inch woofers held about 110dB from 40-100Hz; Sony also provides 10-band EQ, Sound Field Optimization, RCA and XLR inputs, USB-C, a mic input, and XLR output.
Cons: The same comparison found it 1.2dB behind the JBL in A-weighted loudness and weaker below 40Hz. At 56.3kg (124lb) and AC-only, this is a wheeled event speaker rather than a portable battery model.
Full Sony ULT Tower Max review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 2,150W (manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) |
| Aux Input | RCA input |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 21" x 41.8" x 18.6" (534 x 1062 x 472 mm) |
| Drivers | 9 drivers: 3x 11" woofer (2 front, 1 rear), 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 1" tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat / Live) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| IP Rating | Splashproof top surface |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (6.3mm) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Chain) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) |
| Power Input | AC 120-240V, 50/60Hz |
| Removable Battery | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A) |
| Weight | 124.1 lbs (56.3 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 1000
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Teufel Rockster 2
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 720
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 710
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Sony ULT Tower 10
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Sony ULT Tower 5
- See all 23 comparisons