Short answer: it depends on whether you need a battery. The JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 runs only on mains power, while the Sony ULT Tower 9 has a battery rated for 25 hours. The JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 ranks higher on sound quality (#7 vs #10 of 13 large party speakers, 4.7/5 vs 4.2/5). Get the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 if it will always be plugged in, or the Sony ULT Tower 9 if you want to play away from an outlet.
The JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 is the better-sounding, tougher option. A 1500W RMS system (up from the original Ultimate’s 1100W) driving dual 264mm subwoofers, dual 124mm mid-range drivers and dual 30mm horn-loaded PEN tweeters, with manufacturer-rated extension to 28Hz (-6dB) from a 1.05m-tall cabinet. It is rated IPX4, while the Sony ULT Tower 9 has no water resistance. It streams over Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth, which the Sony ULT Tower 9 cannot. The catch: AC-only: there is no battery, so it needs mains power wherever it goes.
The Sony ULT Tower 9 is the battery-powered, lighter option. Slightly better sounding than the ULT Tower 10. Its battery is rated for 25 hours, while the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 needs an outlet. At 65.3 lbs (29.6 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 at 105.1 lbs (47.68 kg). It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 lacks. The catch: Not as deep of bass and loses more bass at high volume even compared to the lower end Partybox speakers.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 9 if you need to play away from an outlet. Buy the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 if it will always be plugged in.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 | Sony ULT Tower 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,399.00 Upcoming | $898.00 |
| Ranked | #7 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #10 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 1500W RMS | 148W |
| App | JBL One | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 18.4” x 41.4” x 19.4” (466.7 x 1052.5 x 493.3 mm) | 16.1” x 35.8” x 18” (410 x 910 x 456 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 264mm subwoofer, 2x 124mm mid-range, 2x 30mm horn-loaded tweeter | 7 drivers: 1x 12.6”x12.6” woofer, 2x 4.7” midrange, 2x 2” tweeter, 2x 1.6” rear tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ Mode) | Yes (10 band) |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) | - |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (EasySing AI vocal removal) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C PD, up to 20V/1.5A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 105.1 lbs (47.68 kg) | 65.3 lbs (29.6 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Removable Battery | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Partybox Ultimate 2:
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox Ultimate 2
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs JBL Partybox Ultimate 2
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate 2
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Teufel Rockster 2
- JBL Partybox 720 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 Ultimate 2: £1,399.00 Upcoming Estimated Peter Tyson
Older model: the JBL Partybox Ultimate (ranked higher, rated 4.7/5).
Pros: A 1500W RMS system (up from the original Ultimate’s 1100W) driving dual 264mm subwoofers, dual 124mm mid-range drivers and dual 30mm horn-loaded PEN tweeters, with manufacturer-rated extension to 28Hz (-6dB) from a 1.05m-tall cabinet. Wi-Fi streaming with AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect sits alongside Bluetooth 5.3 and Auracast multi-speaker linking. Inputs cover an XLR line-in, mic, guitar, aux, optical and USB-C playback, and karaoke gets AI vocal removal. JBL One app control, a full-panel light show with floor projection, and wheels plus a handle for its 47.68kg. IPX4 splash resistance.
Cons: AC-only: there is no battery, so it needs mains power wherever it goes. At 47.68kg and just over a metre tall it is still a two-person lift despite the wheels, and 47.68kg is heavier than the 39kg model it replaces. IPX4 only shrugs off splashes, not rain or dust. No independent measurements have been published yet, so its real output and sound quality can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Not yet sold in the US.
Full JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1500W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | JBL One |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18.4” x 41.4” x 19.4” (466.7 x 1052.5 x 493.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 264mm subwoofer, 2x 124mm mid-range, 2x 30mm horn-loaded tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ Mode) |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (EasySing AI vocal removal) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C PD, up to 20V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 105.1 lbs (47.68 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Sony ULT Tower 10
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- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
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Sony ULT Tower 9: $898.00 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Sony SRS-XV900 (ranked lower, rated 3.7/5).
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 | Yes |
| 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 |
| Strap | No |
| 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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- Sony ULT Tower 9 vs Teufel Rockster
- Sony ULT Tower 9 vs JBL Partybox 520
- Sony ULT Tower 9 vs Sony SRS-XV900
- Sony ULT Tower 9 vs Marshall Bromley 750
- Sony ULT Tower 9 vs JBL Partybox 710
- Sony ULT Tower 9 vs JBL Partybox 720
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- See all 22 comparisons