Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Partybox Stage 320 ranks #3 of 39 party speakers by sound quality at $499.95; the Sony ULT Tower 9 ranks #9 of 12 large party speakers by sound quality at $748.
Short answer: go with the JBL Partybox Stage 320, rated 4.6 against 4.2 for the Sony ULT Tower 9. On the JBL Partybox Stage 320: Handle and wheels are convenient. What stands out on the Sony ULT Tower 9 is slightly better sounding than the ULT Tower 10.
Where they differ on paper:
- Battery Life: 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) vs 25 hours (Manufacturer specified)
- IP Rating: IPX4 vs None
- Drivers: 2x 6.5” woofers, 2x 25mm tweeters vs 7 drivers: 1x 12.6”x12.6” woofer, 2x 4.7” midrange, 2x 2” tweeter, 2x 1.6” rear tweeter
- Amplifier Power: 240W vs 148W
The case for the JBL Partybox Stage 320: Handle and wheels are convenient. Watch for: slightly sibilant in the treble at full blast. It’s the lower-priced option too, $499.95 against $748.
Choose the Sony ULT Tower 9 for 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. It’s the pricier of the two, $748 versus $499.95.
Buy the JBL Partybox Stage 320 ($499.95) for a party speaker; the Sony ULT Tower 9 ($748) suits a large party speaker instead.
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 Stage 320 at IPX4 (splashing) holds up far better than the Sony ULT Tower 9 at no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Stage 320 | Sony ULT Tower 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.95 | $748.00 |
| Ranked | #3 of 39 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #9 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" woofers, 2x 25mm tweeters | 7 drivers: 1x 12.6"x12.6" woofer, 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 2" tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter |
| 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-A, 5V/2.1A) | 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 | 36.4 lbs (16.5 kg) | 65.3 lbs (29.6 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 240W | 148W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | No |
| Dimensions | - | 16.1" x 35.8" x 18" (410 x 910 x 456 mm) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox Stage 320:
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
Prices on this page were last checked September 17, 2026 at 12:43 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 Stage 320: $499.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Handle and wheels are convenient. Customizable color lighting modes. Keeps more bass than the 310 at high volume. Removable battery.
Cons: Slightly sibilant in the treble at full blast. Very large.
Full JBL Partybox Stage 320 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 240W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" woofers, 2x 25mm tweeters |
| 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-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 36.4 lbs (16.5 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 320 vs 520 - indoor listening session More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 320 vs 520 - outdoor test
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs 310 🛜 Defcon 5🚨 Bass Alert! Take Shelter Immediately! 😲 Best Bass Goes To? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs 310 🥳 A Family Feud! Battery Powered🔋Bluetooth Party Speakers Face-Off🤬
- GYMCADDY: JBL PartyBox Stage 320 Review - Big Upgrades Everywhere, Worth The Upgrade More from GYMCADDY →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- M1MTechChannel: soundcore Rave 3S mit 200W | LAUTER als die JBL Partybox 320 ?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs JBL Partybox 310
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs Sony ULT Tower 5
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
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Sony ULT Tower 9: $748.00 Amazon eBay
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 Power | 148W |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- 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
- Joy & Oluv’Sone 3DAudio & Music: Sony ULT9 vs JBL Partybox 720 - the king of battery powered party speakers
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