Short answer: the ULT Tower Max for measured maximum output and hi-res Bluetooth, the Partybox Ultimate 2 for streaming, inputs and a lighter cabinet.
The Sony is the louder and the more thoroughly measured speaker. AudioTribe’s outdoor test put the ULT Tower Max at 110.6dBC at roughly 6m, 4.4dB above the first-generation Partybox Ultimate, and its three 11-inch woofers held about 110dB from 40Hz to 100Hz. JBL rates the Partybox Ultimate 2 at 1500W RMS against Sony’s 2150W, and the Partybox has no independent measurements yet, so on published evidence the Sony is the one with proven output. The same test did find the Sony weaker than the JBL below 40Hz.
The Partybox Ultimate 2 answers on features and inputs. It adds Wi-Fi with AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect, which the ULT Tower Max does not offer at all, plus a guitar input, an optical input and USB-C playback. The Sony counters with LDAC for higher-quality Bluetooth and an XLR output for linking speakers.
Both are AC-only wheeled speakers, and both are heavy. The Partybox Ultimate 2 weighs 47.68kg against the Sony’s 56.3kg, so it is the easier of the two to move, though neither is a one-person carry. JBL rates the Partybox IPX4 for splashes; Sony only protects the top surface.
Buy the Partybox Ultimate 2 if you want Wi-Fi streaming, the widest input set and the lighter cabinet.
Buy the ULT Tower Max if proven maximum output, deep sub-40Hz bass and LDAC Bluetooth matter most.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 | Sony ULT Tower Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,399.00 | $1,499.99 |
| Ranked | - | #1 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 1500W RMS | 2,150W (manufacturer specified) |
| App | JBL One | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes | RCA input |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| 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 | 466.7 x 1052.5 x 493.3 mm | 21” x 41.8” x 18.6” (534 x 1062 x 472 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 264mm subwoofer, 2x 124mm mid-range, 2x 30mm horn-loaded tweeter | 9 drivers: 3x 11” woofer (2 front, 1 rear), 2x 4.7” midrange, 2x 1” tweeter, 2x 1.6” rear tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ Mode) | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat / Live) |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) | - |
| Guitar Input | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | Splashproof top surface |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (EasySing AI vocal removal) | Yes (6.3mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) |
| Optical Input | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Chain) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C PD, up to 20V/1.5A) | Yes (USB charging) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC 120-240V, 50/60Hz |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Stereo Pair) |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes (USB-A) |
| Weight | 47.68 kg | 124.1 lbs (56.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Removable Battery | - | No |
Prices on this page were last checked September 28, 2026 at 4:33 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Ultimate 2: £1,399.00 Peter Tyson eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox Ultimate (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 | 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 | 47.68 kg |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs JBL Partybox 1000
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Teufel Rockster 2
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs JBL Partybox 720
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs JBL Partybox 710
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Soundboks 4
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Electro-Voice Everse 12
Sony ULT Tower Max: $1,499.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: AudioTribe measured 110.6dBC at roughly 6m outdoors with Flat EQ and ULT1 enabled, 4.4dB above the JBL PartyBox Ultimate in the same setup. Its three 11-inch woofers held about 110dB from 40-100Hz; Sony also provides 10-band EQ, Sound Field Optimization, RCA and XLR inputs, USB-C, a mic input, and XLR output.
Cons: The same comparison found it 1.2dB behind the JBL in A-weighted loudness and weaker below 40Hz. At 56.3kg (124lb) and AC-only, this is a wheeled event speaker rather than a portable battery model.
Full Sony ULT Tower Max review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 2,150W (manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) |
| Aux Input | RCA input |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 21” x 41.8” x 18.6” (534 x 1062 x 472 mm) |
| Drivers | 9 drivers: 3x 11” woofer (2 front, 1 rear), 2x 4.7” midrange, 2x 1” tweeter, 2x 1.6” rear tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat / Live) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| IP Rating | Splashproof top surface |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (6.3mm) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Chain) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) |
| Power Input | AC 120-240V, 50/60Hz |
| Removable Battery | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A) |
| Weight | 124.1 lbs (56.3 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 1000
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Teufel Rockster 2
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 720
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 710
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 520
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Sony ULT Tower 10
- See all 28 comparisons