Short answer: the Electrotec Stage One for marathon runtime, the Sony ULT Tower 5 for price and simplicity. The Stage One claims 100 hours from dual removable batteries plus IPX6 weatherproofing and low-latency SKAA linking, far beyond the Sony’s claimed 20 hours. The Tower 5 still wins on price at $348 and brings ULT1/ULT2 modes, 10-band EQ and a compact living-room-to-backyard form.
This pits Sony’s Tower 5, a compact consumer party speaker, against the Electrotec Stage One, 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 Electrotec Stage One offers dual removable batteries for a claimed 100-hour runtime, IPX6 weatherproofing, low-latency SKAA wireless linking, app EQ and XLR mic/line I/O.
Choose the Tower 5 for big-room output and app EQ modes and a lower price: 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 Electrotec Stage One for marathon battery life and weatherproofing: Its claimed 100h battery beats the Tower 5’s 20h.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 ($348) for a party speaker; the Electrotec Stage One ($1,450) suits a battery-powered PA speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete 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 PA speaker with very high output, a claimed 100 hour battery and weather resistance, built for events.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | Electrotec Stage One | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $348.00 | $1450 |
| Ranked | #5 of 51 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #2 of 17 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) | 100 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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) | - |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | Dual 1.5” compression drivers (tweeters) + 2x 4” woofers + passive radiators (PA system configuration) |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 400W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (SKAA) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes (dual) |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | Yes |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 39.9 lbs (18.1 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| Passive | - | No |
| Outputs | - | Aux, XLR |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 48Hz |
| Inputs | - | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, USB-C audio, USB media player, Bluetooth |
| SKAA | - | Yes |
| SKAA Latency | - | 19ms |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered active PA |
| DSP | - | App-controlled EQ |
| Cabinet Material | - | Phenolic and vinyl coated birch plywood |
| Rigging | - | Pole mount |
| Maximum SPL | - | 128dB max output (Manufacturer specified) |
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