Short answer: the Partybox 720, and it isn’t close on bass. These rank #6 and #10 out of 13 large-party speakers, at $1,099.95 and $898.
The core problem with the ULT Tower 9: it loses bass as you turn it up. Our notes are blunt about it: bass drops off substantially at higher volume, to the point of falling behind even some of JBL’s lower-end Partybox models. For a speaker whose entire size class exists to be loud, running out of low end exactly when you push it is a real flaw, not a footnote.
What the Tower 9 does win: battery life, 25 hours against 15, and it’s slightly better sounding than its own sibling, the ULT Tower 10. It’s also 1.4 kg (3.1 lbs) lighter, for whatever that’s worth at nearly 30 kg (66.1 lbs) either way.
What the Partybox 720 wins: genuinely deep bass that holds up under load, and JBL’s lightshow and handle-and-wheels design that this whole class is built around. Its own weakness is a somewhat dark default tuning that wants a treble boost to sound neutral, fixable with EQ, unlike the Sony’s bass compression, which isn’t.
Both need mains power at this size and neither is something you move around casually. This is stationary party equipment, not a boombox.
Buy the JBL Partybox 720. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $201.95 saving on the Sony ULT Tower 9 is not enough to make up the difference.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Partybox 720 at IPX4 (splashing) holds up far better than the Sony ULT Tower 9 at no water resistance.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A very powerful battery party speaker, with very loud output, strong bass and two removable batteries.
A battery powered party tower with good sound, a long battery, karaoke inputs, and a detailed app EQ.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 720 | Sony ULT Tower 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099.95 | $898.00 |
| Ranked | #6 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #10 of 13 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | Yes (10 band) |
| 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 |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 68.3 lbs (31 kg) | 65.3 lbs (29.6 kg) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 16.4” x 37.1” x 16” (416 x 942 x 406 mm) | 16.1” x 35.8” x 18” (410 x 910 x 456 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 9” woofer, 2x 1.25” dome tweeter | 7 drivers: 1x 12.6”x12.6” woofer, 2x 4.7” midrange, 2x 2” tweeter, 2x 1.6” rear tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 800W | 148W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | No |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
- Joy & Oluv’Sone 3DAudio & Music: Sony ULT9 vs JBL Partybox 720 - the king of battery powered party speakers
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- Oluv Patreon: Sony ULT Tower 9 vs JBL Partybox 720 - indoor listening test
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