Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 5 for battery life and price, the Electro-Voice Everse 8 for a lighter pro rig. The Tower 5’s claimed 20-hour battery beats the Everse 8’s 12 hours, and at $348 it costs less. The Everse 8 packs the same 4-channel app-controlled mixer and IP43 protection into an 17.6 lbs (8 kg) cabinet with an 8-inch woofer rated to 121dB, though the Sony’s ULT modes and XLR/RCA/USB-C inputs still suit a casual party better.
This pits Sony’s Tower 5, a compact consumer party speaker, against the Electro-Voice Everse 8, 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 Electro-Voice Everse 8 offers the same 4-channel app-controlled mixer as the Everse 12 in a lighter 17.6 lbs (8 kg) cabinet, an 8-inch woofer rated to 121dB max SPL, a 12-hour removable battery and IP43 protection.
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 Electro-Voice Everse 8’s 12h. Its ULT1/ULT2/EQ modes and compact footprint suit a living-room-to-backyard party speaker better than a performer-focused PA cabinet. At $348 it also costs less.
Choose the Electro-Voice Everse 8 for true multi-channel mixing in a much lighter cabinet: Its independent-channel mixer with dedicated gain/EQ per input suits a performer or DJ better than the Tower 5’s single mic/line jack.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 ($348) for a party speaker; the Electro-Voice Everse 8 ($799) suits a battery-powered PA speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings and PA & Live Sound rankings.
A powerful party tower with deep bass, a removable long battery, and mic and XLR inputs for karaoke or DJ use.
A battery powered 8 inch PA speaker that plays very loud, with a built in mixer and a removable 12 hour battery.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | Electro-Voice Everse 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $348.00 | $799.00 |
| Ranked | #5 of 51 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #3 of 17 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | aptX, 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) | 15.7” x 10.8” x 10.7” (400 x 275 x 272 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | 8” woofer, 1” tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP43 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 400W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Speaker Link, up to 6 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | Yes (USB-C, 1.5A max) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| Passive | - | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 50Hz |
| Inputs | - | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | - | 121dB |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | - | Polypropylene |
| Rigging | - | 35mm pole mount; 30° or 55° monitor angle |
| Coverage | - | 100° H x 100° V |
| DSP | - | 4-channel digital mixer with EQ, effects and ducking |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 60Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
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