Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Sony ULT Tower 5 ranks #5 of 39 party speakers by sound quality at $449.99; the dB technologies B-Hype M ranks #14 of 14 battery-powered PA speakers by sound quality at $450.
This pits Sony’s Tower 5, a compact consumer party speaker, against the dB technologies B-Hype M, a performer-focused battery PA. The Tower 5 offers a 9-inch woofer with dual tweeters, a removable 20-hour battery, IPX4 splash resistance, 10-band EQ with ULT1/ULT2 modes, and RCA/XLR/USB-C inputs for DJ and karaoke use. The dB technologies B-Hype M offers a wireless microphone system included in the box, wheels and three carry handles, and a 10-inch woofer, though its battery life is a short 4 hours.
Choose the Tower 5 for longer claimed battery life, big-room output and app EQ modes and a lower price: Its claimed 20h battery beats the dB technologies B-Hype M’s 4h. Its ULT1/ULT2/EQ modes and compact footprint suit a living-room-to-backyard party speaker better than a performer-focused PA cabinet. At $449.99 it also costs less.
Choose the dB technologies B-Hype M for a bundled wireless mic system at the lowest price here: Compare the full spec tables below for the battery, weight and input tradeoffs.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 at $449.99 for a party speaker, or the dB technologies B-Hype M at $450 for a battery-powered PA speaker instead.
The dB technologies B-Hype M is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 14 battery-powered PA speakers; there are better options higher up.
Battery life favors the Sony ULT Tower 5: rated for 20 hours against 4 hours for the dB technologies B-Hype M.
Water resistance is not close: the Sony ULT Tower 5 is rated at IPX4 (splashing), well ahead of the dB technologies B-Hype M at no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings and PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | dB technologies B-Hype M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 | $450 |
| Ranked | #5 of 39 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #14 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | No |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) | 4 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1" x 21.1" x 11.1" (358 x 536 x 282 mm) | 11.8" x 22.4" x 11.9" (300 x 568 x 301 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9" woofer, 2x 2.4" tweeter | 10" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | No |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 95W RMS / 190W peak |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | No |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 27.6 lbs (12.5 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 62Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 62Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | - | XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), stereo RCA, 3.5mm stereo, USB/SD media, Bluetooth |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | - | Polypropylene |
| Rigging | - | 36mm pole mount |
| Coverage | - | 90° H x 45° V |
| Maximum SPL | - | 123dB |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | Not specified |
| DSP | - | Bass and treble EQ; CH1/RF priority ducking |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sony ULT Tower 5 compares with other leading options:
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 330
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 130
Prices on this page were last checked September 15, 2026 at 12:52 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
Sony ULT Tower 5: $449.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: At $449.99, its 300W system with a 9-inch woofer delivers a notably capable party-speaker package: a removable 20-hour battery, IPX4 splash resistance, 10-band EQ and ULT1/ULT2 modes. AudioTribe’s first impressions praise its deeper bass and clearer sound than the JBL PartyBox Club 120; it also has USB-C and USB-A, RCA, balanced XLR and mic inputs for DJ and karaoke use.
Cons: It has a shorter 20-hour battery claim than the Tower 7’s 30 hours, no wheels, and only IPX4 splash resistance. Its single-woofer, two-tweeter layout lacks the Tower 7’s 360-degree rear-driver array, and the reviewer describes the sound assessment as first impressions rather than a controlled measurement comparison.
Full Sony ULT Tower 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 300W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) |
| Aux Input | RCA input |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 14.1" x 21.1" x 11.1" (358 x 536 x 282 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9" woofer, 2x 2.4" tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) |
| Power Input | AC power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 130
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 330
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
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dB technologies B-Hype M: $450 dB technologies eBay
Pros: Professional 95W 10-inch powered 2-way portable PA, lightweight 27 lbs. Complete wireless system with microphone included. Three wired inputs + wireless mic + Bluetooth/SD card/USB media player. CH1/RF priority with automatic ducking for presenter voice clarity. Sturdy compact cabinet with wheels and three handles (side/side/retractable top). Perfect for traveling shows and outdoor venues. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-10dB).
Cons: No deep bass. Clarity is unknown for reasons of bad recordings. Not stereo.
Full dB technologies B-Hype M review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 95W RMS / 190W peak |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Not specified |
| Battery Life | 4 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Coverage | 90° H x 45° V |
| DSP | Bass and treble EQ; CH1/RF priority ducking |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8" x 22.4" x 11.9" (300 x 568 x 301 mm) |
| Drivers | 10" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 62Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), stereo RCA, 3.5mm stereo, USB/SD media, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 123dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Rigging | 36mm pole mount |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 27.6 lbs (12.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- dB technologies B-Hype M vs Audiocase S10
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