Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 5 if sound quality matters most, the JBL Partybox Club 120 if price matters most. The Sony ULT Tower 5 ranks #5 of 53 party speakers at $449.99. The JBL Partybox Club 120 ranks #6 at $299.95, $150.04 cheaper.
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 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the JBL Partybox Club 120 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony ULT Tower 5 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Partybox Club 120.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | JBL Partybox Club 120 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 | $299.95 |
| Ranked | #5 of 53 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #6 of 53 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 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) | - |
| 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 |
| Output 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 |
| Wifi | No | - |
| Charging Time | - | 3.5 hours |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sony ULT Tower 5 compares with other leading options:
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 130
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony SRS-XP700
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony SRS-XP500
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs Ultimate Ears Hyperboom
Prices on this page were last checked September 12, 2026 at 9:50 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sony ULT Tower 5: $449.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: At $449.99, 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 →
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | RCA input |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| 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 |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 300W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) |
| Power Input | AC power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) |
| Weight | 28 lbs / 12.7 kg |
| Wifi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Partybox Club 120: $299.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: JBL Partybox Club 120 uses 2x 5.25” woofers, 2x 2.25” tweeters. Its 10.8 kg, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input and limited-stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: Its 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) specification points to limited deep-bass reach for the cabinet size.
Full JBL Partybox Club 120 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25" woofers, 2x 2.25" tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 160W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 23.8 lbs / 10.8 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Club 120 vs 130 - really worth the upgrade? More from Oluv’Sone →
- HammoTech Reviews: JBL Partybox Club 120 Vs Partybox 110 - Worth the upgrade?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Partybox Club 120 vs 110 🥳 A Family Feud! Battery Powered🔋Bluetooth Party Speakers Face-Off🤬 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Williston Audio Labs: Investigating the JBL PartyBox Club 120 More from Williston Audio Labs →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
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