Short answer: the ULT Tower Max for stronger measured bass and hi-res Bluetooth, the Partybox Ultimate 2 for streaming, inputs and a lighter cabinet.
The Sony is the more powerful speaker in measurements. In AudioTribe’s outdoor test at 7m, the ULT Tower Max reached 111.9dBC on music against the Partybox Ultimate 2’s 106.4dBC, and it was 5 to 6dB stronger on 40Hz and 50Hz test tones (109.2dB and 112.3dB against 104.2dB and 106.1dB). The Partybox was louder in A-weighted terms (101.0dBA against 98.8dBA), a measure that weights the midrange and treble over the bass. Both AudioTribe and HammoTech preferred the Sony’s sound, with deeper, punchier bass that is felt more in the chest.
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 105.1 lbs (47.68 kg) against the Sony’s 124.1 lbs (56.3 kg), 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 bass output and LDAC Bluetooth matter most.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 | Sony ULT Tower Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,799.95 | $1,498.00 |
| Ranked | #2 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #1 of 13 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 | 6.0 | 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) | 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 | 105.1 lbs (47.68 kg) | 124.1 lbs (56.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6, 2.4 and 5GHz) | No |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | Yes (line-in) | - |
| Removable Battery | - | No |
Watch Them Compared
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