Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Boombox 3

Last updated: September 26, 2026

These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Sony ULT Tower 5 ranks #5 of 40 party speakers by sound quality at $448; the JBL Boombox 3 ranks #24 of 76 boombox speakers by sound quality at $399.

Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Boombox 3

Different sizes. The ULT Tower 5 is a 12.7 kg party speaker. The Boombox 3 is a 6.7 kg boombox. Each is rated within its own class.

The Boombox 3 is IP67 and claims 24 hours, measured about 110dB, and has bass to about 43Hz. It is bass boosted with no EQ.

The ULT Tower 5 has a removable battery with a claimed 20 hours, LDAC, a 10-band EQ, and balanced XLR, RCA and mic inputs.

Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 ($448) for a party speaker; the JBL Boombox 3 ($399) suits a boombox speaker instead.

Water resistance is not close: the JBL Boombox 3 is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Sony ULT Tower 5 at IPX4 (splashing).

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 at Amazon ($448.00) →Buy the JBL Boombox 3 at Amazon ($399.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

Sony ULT Tower 5 JBL Boombox 3
Price$448.00$399.00
Ranked#5 of 40 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#24 of 76 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYes (Sony Sound Connect)No
Aux InputRCA inputYes
Battery Life20 hours (manufacturer specified)24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDACSBC
Bluetooth Version5.35.3
Built-in MicrophoneNoNo
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)No
Dimensions14.1” x 21.1” x 11.1” (358 x 536 x 282 mm)19” x 10.1” x 7.9” (482 x 257 x 200 mm)
Drivers3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters
EQYes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat)No
Guitar InputNo-
IP RatingIPX4IP67
Microphone InputYesNo
OmnidirectionalNoNo
Amplifier Power300W180W AC / 136W battery
Party ModeYes (Auracast)Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-C charging)Yes (USB-A)
Power InputAC power cordAC Power cable
Removable BatteryYes-
StereoYesYes
TWSYes (Stereo Pair)Yes
USB PlaybackYes (USB-A and USB-C)No
Weight28 lbs (12.7 kg)14.8 lbs (6.7 kg)
Wi-FiNo-
LightsYes-
StrapNoNo
Aux Latency-25ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)-43Hz
Bluetooth Latency-100ms
Maximum SPL-110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
FM Tuner-No
MicroSD Playback-No
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 at Amazon ($448.00) →Buy the JBL Boombox 3 at Amazon ($399.00) →

How Sony ULT Tower 5 compares with other leading options:

Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

The Two Speakers In Full

Sony ULT Tower 5: $448.00 Amazon eBay

Sony ULT Tower 5 ranking card

Pros: At $448, 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 Power300W
AppYes (Sony Sound Connect)
Aux InputRCA input
Battery Life20 hours (manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)
Dimensions14.1” x 21.1” x 11.1” (358 x 536 x 282 mm)
Drivers3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter
EQYes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat)
Guitar InputNo
IP RatingIPX4
LightsYes
Microphone InputYes
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C charging)
Power InputAC power cord
Removable BatteryYes
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes (Stereo Pair)
USB PlaybackYes (USB-A and USB-C)
Weight28 lbs (12.7 kg)
Wi-FiNo
Check current price at Amazon ($448.00) →Search eBay for Sony ULT Tower 5 →

JBL Boombox 3: $399.00 Amazon eBay

JBL Boombox 3 ranking card

Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, rated 4/5.

Pros: IP67 rated. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Doubles as a power bank. PartyBoost links up to 100 compatible JBL speakers. Three-way speaker system with subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700Hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.

Full JBL Boombox 3 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power180W AC / 136W battery
AppNo
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency25ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)43Hz
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency100ms
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions19” x 10.1” x 7.9” (482 x 257 x 200 mm)
Drivers1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters
EQNo
FM TunerNo
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
MicroSD PlaybackNo
Microphone InputNo
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A)
Power InputAC Power cable
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight14.8 lbs (6.7 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($399.00) →Search eBay for JBL Boombox 3 →