Short answer: the JBL Partybox 330, if you are buying new. The JBL Partybox 310 measures as well as the Sony ULT Tower 5 (#4 vs #5 of 54 party speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Partybox 330, is rated 4.6/5 at $629.95 and is still sold new.
The Sony ULT Tower 5 is the lighter option. A powerful party tower with deep bass, a removable long battery, and mic and XLR inputs for karaoke or DJ use. At 28 lbs (12.7 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Partybox 310 at 37.5 lbs (17 kg). It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Partybox 310 lacks. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the JBL Partybox 310 cannot. The catch: It has a shorter 20-hour battery claim than the Sony ULT Tower 7’s 30 hours, no wheels, and only IPX4 splash resistance.
Why pick the JBL Partybox 310: A top party speaker with remarkably deep bass and balanced sound, wheels and a handle, now discontinued but worth buying used. The catch: It is very large, at 688 x 326 x 368mm and 37.5 lbs (17 kg), so it is a poor fit for small spaces or carrying far.
Buy the JBL Partybox 330, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Partybox 310; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Sony ULT Tower 5.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | JBL Partybox 310 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $448.00 | $579.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 54 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #4 of 54 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| 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) | 27.1”H x 12.8”W x 14.5”D (687.7 x 325.6 x 367.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | 2x 6.5” (165mm) woofers + 2x 2.5” (65mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | Yes (3 band) |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 240W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | Yes |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 32Hz |
| Charging Time | - | 3.5 hours |
| Wheels | - | Yes |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Sony ULT Tower 5: reviews by AudioTribe.
- JBL Partybox 310: reviews by DLX Willington, Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More and KULAS TECH SHOW.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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