JBL Partybox 720 vs Sony ULT Tower 5

Last updated: September 26, 2026

Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Partybox 720 ranks #5 of 12 large party speakers by sound quality at $1,099.95; the Sony ULT Tower 5 ranks #5 of 40 party speakers by sound quality at $448.

JBL Partybox 720 vs Sony ULT Tower 5

Different sizes. The PartyBox 720 is a 31 kg large party speaker with 800W. The ULT Tower 5 is a 12.7 kg party speaker with a 9 inch woofer and 300W. Each is rated within its own class.

The ULT Tower 5 is the practical choice. It has a removable battery with a claimed 20 hours, a 10-band EQ with ULT1 and ULT2 bass modes, LDAC and AAC, and balanced XLR, RCA and mic inputs. Early impressions describe deeper bass and clearer sound than the JBL PartyBox Club 120. It has no wheels.

The 720 is for scale. It has wheels, two removable batteries for a claimed 15 hours, guitar and mic inputs, USB-C playback and very high tested output. Expect a dark, bass heavy default tuning that benefits from the app EQ, and uneven sound to the sides.

Both are IPX4 and both link to other speakers with Auracast.

Buy the JBL Partybox 720 at $1,099.95 if you want a large party speaker. Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 at $448 if you want a party speaker instead.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Buy the JBL Partybox 720 at Amazon ($1,099.95) →Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 at Amazon ($448.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Partybox 720 Sony ULT Tower 5
Price$1,099.95$448.00
Ranked#5 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#5 of 40 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes (Sony Sound Connect)
Aux InputYesRCA input
Battery Life15 hours (Manufacturer specified)20 hours (manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC, AAC, LDAC
EQYes (5 band)Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat)
Guitar InputYesNo
IP RatingIPX4IPX4
Microphone InputYes (Karaoke mode with echo effect)Yes
Party ModeYes (Auracast)Yes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C)Yes (USB-C charging)
Power InputAC Power cordAC power cord
Removable BatteryYesYes
TWSYesYes (Stereo Pair)
USB PlaybackYesYes (USB-A and USB-C)
Weight68.3 lbs (31 kg)28 lbs (12.7 kg)
Built-in MicrophoneNoNo
StereoYesYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
Wi-FiNoNo
Bluetooth Version5.45.3
Dimensions16.4” x 37.1” x 16” (416 x 942 x 406 mm)14.1” x 21.1” x 11.1” (358 x 536 x 282 mm)
Drivers2x 9” woofer, 2x 1.25” dome tweeter3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter
Amplifier Power800W300W
Digital Aux InputNoYes (USB-C)
LightsYesYes
WheelsYes-
StrapNoNo
Buy the JBL Partybox 720 at Amazon ($1,099.95) →Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 at Amazon ($448.00) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony ULT Tower 5:

Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 PM 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.

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The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Partybox 720: $1,099.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Partybox 720 ranking card

Older model: the JBL Partybox 710 (rated 4.7/5).

Pros: JBL’s most powerful battery-equipped PartyBox combines 800W output, two removable batteries, wheels, a light show, Auracast, USB-C playback, app EQ and karaoke/guitar inputs. Independent testing confirms very high output, strong bass and a flexible 5- or 7-band EQ; it can easily cover a backyard or large event.

Cons: At 31kg and 94cm tall, it is still cumbersome despite the wheels. Its front-facing vertical driver layout gives uneven sound to listeners at the sides or behind it, bass compresses at very high volume and reviewers note a faint hiss. The default is dark/bass-heavy, so use the app EQ and do not expect a neutral indoor hi-fi speaker.

Full JBL Partybox 720 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power800W
AppYes
Aux InputYes
Battery Life15 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.4
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions16.4” x 37.1” x 16” (416 x 942 x 406 mm)
Drivers2x 9” woofer, 2x 1.25” dome tweeter
EQYes (5 band)
Guitar InputYes
IP RatingIPX4
LightsYes
Microphone InputYes (Karaoke mode with echo effect)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C)
Power InputAC Power cord
Removable BatteryYes
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Weight68.3 lbs (31 kg)
WheelsYes
Wi-FiNo
Check current price at Amazon ($1,099.95) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for JBL Partybox 720 →

Sony ULT Tower 5: $448.00 Amazon eBay

Sony ULT Tower 5 ranking card

Pros: At $448, its 300W system with a 9-inch woofer delivers a notably capable party-speaker package: a removable 20-hour battery, IPX4 splash resistance, 10-band EQ and ULT1/ULT2 modes. AudioTribe’s first impressions praise its deeper bass and clearer sound than the JBL PartyBox Club 120; it also has USB-C and USB-A, RCA, balanced XLR and mic inputs for DJ and karaoke use.

Cons: It has a shorter 20-hour battery claim than the Tower 7’s 30 hours, no wheels, and only IPX4 splash resistance. Its single-woofer, two-tweeter layout lacks the Tower 7’s 360-degree rear-driver array, and the reviewer describes the sound assessment as first impressions rather than a controlled measurement comparison.

Full Sony ULT Tower 5 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power300W
AppYes (Sony Sound Connect)
Aux InputRCA input
Battery Life20 hours (manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)
Dimensions14.1” x 21.1” x 11.1” (358 x 536 x 282 mm)
Drivers3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter
EQYes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat)
Guitar InputNo
IP RatingIPX4
LightsYes
Microphone InputYes
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C charging)
Power InputAC power cord
Removable BatteryYes
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes (Stereo Pair)
USB PlaybackYes (USB-A and USB-C)
Weight28 lbs (12.7 kg)
Wi-FiNo
Check current price at Amazon ($448.00) →Search eBay for Sony ULT Tower 5 →