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 Partybox Encore 2 ranks #4 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality at $330.
The Sony ULT Tower 5 is the longer-running pick. A powerful party tower with deep bass, a removable long battery, and mic and XLR inputs for karaoke or DJ use. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 15 for the JBL Partybox Encore 2. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Partybox Encore 2 lacks. Watch for: It has a shorter 20-hour battery claim than the Sony ULT Tower 7’s 30 hours, no wheels, and only IPX4 splash resistance.
The JBL Partybox Encore 2 is the lighter choice. A compact karaoke party speaker with two wireless mics, better balanced sound than the original and a long battery. At 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) it weighs much less than the Sony ULT Tower 5 at 28 lbs (12.7 kg). The catch: It still lacks some upper-bass punch and cannot match the scale of the larger PartyBoxes.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 at $448 if you want a party speaker. Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2 at $330 if you want a boombox speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | JBL Partybox Encore 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $448.00 | $330 |
| Ranked | #5 of 53 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #4 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| 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) | 12.6” x 13.3” x 10.4” (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | Yes |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 2 Included |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 42Hz |
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