These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Sony ULT Tower 5 ranks #5 of 53 party speakers by sound quality at $448; the JBL Boombox 3 ranks #27 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality at $349.95.
Different sizes. The ULT Tower 5 is a 28 lbs (12.7 kg) party speaker. The Boombox 3 is a 14.8 lbs (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 ($349.95) 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | JBL Boombox 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $448.00 | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #5 of 53 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | No |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1” 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) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | No |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cable |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 43Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
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