Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 5 for wired flexibility, the JBL PartyBox Club 120 for size and price. The Tower 5 adds a removable battery, a 9-inch woofer, 10-band EQ, USB-C, RCA and balanced XLR, and AudioTribe’s first impressions found deeper bass and clearer sound than the Club 120, though that is listening evidence, not a measurement. The Club 120 is the smaller, less expensive JBL with its own light show and PartyBox ecosystem.
Choose by priorities, not wattage alone. Both are battery-powered, IPX4-rated party speakers, but the Tower 5 adds a removable battery, a 9-inch woofer, 10-band app EQ, USB-C, RCA and balanced XLR inputs. The Club 120 is the smaller, less expensive JBL option with its own light show and PartyBox ecosystem.
The Tower 5 case: The AudioTribe first-impressions review found deeper bass and clearer sound than the Club 120, although that is listening evidence rather than a level-matched measurement result. Its expanded inputs make it the more flexible choice for a microphone, DJ controller or wired source.
The Club 120 case: Pick it when a smaller, lighter package and JBL’s PartyBox feature set matter more than the Sony’s more comprehensive wired connectivity.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 or the JBL Partybox Club 120 on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A powerful party tower with deep bass, a removable long battery, and mic and XLR inputs for karaoke or DJ use.
A party speaker on wheels with quite neutral sound, a removable battery, and mic and guitar inputs.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | JBL Partybox Club 120 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $348.00 | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #5 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #6 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth 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 | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| 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) | 22.4”H x 11.4”W x 11.7”D (570 x 288.4 x 297 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | 2x 5.25” woofers, 2x 2.25” tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | Yes (5 band) |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 160W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | Yes |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Charging Time | - | 3.5 hours |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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