Short answer: the JBL Partybox Ultimate for bass, the Sony SRS-XV900 for a little more loudness. The Ultimate has the absolute deepest bass of any Bluetooth speaker but is very large and heavy and costs $1,499.95 against $900. The XV900 can get slightly louder than a Partybox 310, but it is not as deep in bass and loses more bass at high volume, ranking #11 of 12 against #2 of 12.
Buy the JBL Partybox Ultimate. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sony SRS-XV900 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Partybox Ultimate at IPX4 (splashing) against the Sony SRS-XV900, which has no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Ultimate | Sony SRS-XV900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.95 | $900 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #2 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #11 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 86 lbs (39 kg) | 58.6 lbs (26.6 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 17.9” x 41.3” x 17.3” (455 x 1049 x 440 mm) | 16.1” x 34.6” x 17.3” (410 x 880 x 439 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 9” subwoofer, 2x 4.5” midrange, 2x 2.75” tweeter | 9 drivers: 1x 12.6”x12.6” woofer, 2x 4.7” midrange, 2x 2” front tweeter, 2x 1.6” side tweeter, 2x 1.6” rear tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 1100W | 100W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Inputs | - | Optical |
| Removable Battery | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox Ultimate:
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs Teufel Rockster 2
- JBL Partybox 720 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- JBL Partybox 710 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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: $1,499.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we can’t confirm that yet.
Pros: A true large-venue party speaker: its 1,100W system, dual 9-inch woofers and six-driver array produce exceptionally deep, authoritative bass and very high clean output. Independent reviews praise its unusually clear, articulate sound at extreme levels. Wi-Fi streaming, app EQ, inputs for two mics/guitar, USB playback, Auracast, a polished light show and wheels make it unusually complete for karaoke and DJ-style use.
Cons: At 39kg and more than a metre tall, this is not casually portable despite the wheels. It needs AC power, has no battery and only IPX4 splash resistance. Reviews also note that its bass-heavy presentation can obscure fine detail and overwhelm a small room; its size and cost only make sense for very large spaces or frequent events. JBL’s wired daisy chain only works with other JBL speakers.
Full JBL Partybox Ultimate review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1100W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| 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 | 17.9” x 41.3” x 17.3” (455 x 1049 x 440 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 9” subwoofer, 2x 4.5” midrange, 2x 2.75” tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 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 |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 86 lbs (39 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox Ultimate Vs SOUNDBOKS 4 & Sony XV900 - Is It Worth It? More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox Ultimate Vs Partybox 710 - They’re Both Crazy, But There Is A Clear Winner
- Flossy Carter: JBL PartyBox Ultimate VS JBL PartyBox 1000 - Which Speaker is The BEST? More from FlossyCarter →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- GYMCADDY: Sony ULT Tower 10 Vs JBL Partybox Ultimate & JBL Partybox 710
- M1MTechChannel: Vorsicht LAUT ⚠️ | Teufel Rockster 2 vs JBL Partybox 720 / Ultimate More from M1MTechChannel →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs JBL Partybox 1000
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs Sony ULT Tower Max
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs Teufel Rockster 2
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs JBL Partybox 720
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs JBL Partybox 710
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs JBL Partybox 520
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs Teufel Rockster
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- See all 17 comparisons
Sony SRS-XV900: $900 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Tower 9, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Pros: It can get slightly louder than a JBL Partybox 310. Nine drivers, including side and rear tweeters, spread sound around the room, and it adds a battery rated for 25 hours, LDAC and AAC Bluetooth, an optical input, mic and guitar inputs and Party Connect linking. A handle and wheels make the 26.6 kg cabinet easy to move.
Cons: Not as deep of bass and loses more bass at high volume compared to the Partybox 310 and every other speaker on this page. Discontinued; Sony replaced the XV line with the ULT Tower series.
Full Sony SRS-XV900 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.1” x 34.6” x 17.3” (410 x 880 x 439 mm) |
| Drivers | 9 drivers: 1x 12.6”x12.6” woofer, 2x 4.7” midrange, 2x 2” front tweeter, 2x 1.6” side tweeter, 2x 1.6” rear tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Optical |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 58.6 lbs (26.6 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Sony SRS-XV900 vs JBL Partybox 310 - Can the JBL Middleweight 💪🏽 Compete With The Sony Heavyweight? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Partybox 710 ☣️ vs Sony SRS XV900 ☢️- Basement Brawl Speaker Comparison. Can XV900 Top the 710❓
- GYMCADDY: Sony XV900 Review - Finally, A Good Speaker From Sony! More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs Sony ULT Tower 10
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs Marshall Bromley 750
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs Teufel Rockster
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs JBL Partybox 520
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs JBL Partybox 710
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs JBL Partybox 720
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs Teufel Rockster 2
- See all 15 comparisons