JBL Partybox 720 vs Sony ULT Tower 9

Last updated: September 20, 2026

Short answer: the Partybox 720, and it isn’t close on bass. These rank #5 and #9 out of 12 large-party speakers, at $999.95 and $748.

JBL Partybox 720 vs Sony ULT Tower 9

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 Partybox 720. It’s $251.95 cheaper, ranks four places higher, and doesn’t have the Sony’s core weakness. The only reason to pick the Tower 9 is if you specifically need the extra 10 hours of battery and can live with less bass at volume.

Skip the Sony ULT Tower 9 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 12 large party speakers.

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.

Buy the JBL Partybox 720 at Amazon ($999.95) →Buy the Sony ULT Tower 9 at Amazon ($748.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Partybox 720 Sony ULT Tower 9
Price$999.95$748.00
Ranked#5 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#9 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Aux InputYesYes
Battery Life15 hours (Manufacturer specified)25 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC, AAC, LDAC
EQYes (5 band)Yes (10 band)
Guitar InputYesYes
IP RatingIPX4None
Microphone InputYes (Karaoke mode with echo effect)Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect)
Party ModeYes (Auracast)Yes (Auracast up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-C)Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A)
Power InputAC Power cordAC Power cord
Removable BatteryYesNo
TWSYesYes
USB PlaybackYesYes
Weight68.3 lbs (31 kg)65.3 lbs (29.6 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)16.1" x 35.8" x 18" (410 x 910 x 456 mm)
Drivers2x 9" woofer, 2x 1.25" dome tweeter7 drivers: 1x 12.6"x12.6" woofer, 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 2" tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter
Amplifier Power800W148W
Digital Aux InputNoNo
LightsYesYes
WheelsYes-
Buy the JBL Partybox 720 at Amazon ($999.95) →Buy the Sony ULT Tower 9 at Amazon ($748.00) →

More top alternatives to JBL Partybox 720:

Prices on this page were last checked September 21, 2026 at 12:46 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.

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The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Partybox 720: $999.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Partybox 720 ranking card

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
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Weight68.3 lbs (31 kg)
WheelsYes
Wi-FiNo
Check current price at Amazon ($999.95) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for JBL Partybox 720 →

Sony ULT Tower 9: $748.00 Amazon eBay

Sony ULT Tower 9 ranking card

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 →

Amplifier Power148W
AppYes
Aux InputYes
Battery Life25 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions16.1" x 35.8" x 18" (410 x 910 x 456 mm)
Drivers7 drivers: 1x 12.6"x12.6" woofer, 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 2" tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter
EQYes (10 band)
Guitar InputYes
IP RatingNone
LightsYes
Microphone InputYes (Karaoke mode with echo effect)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A)
Power InputAC Power cord
Removable BatteryNo
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Weight65.3 lbs (29.6 kg)
Wi-FiNo
Check current price at Amazon ($748.00) →Search eBay for Sony ULT Tower 9 →