Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 5 for battery life, the Mackie Thump Go for mixing at a lower price. The Tower 5’s claimed 20-hour battery beats the Thump Go’s 12 hours, and its ULT1/ULT2 modes and 9-inch woofer suit a living-room-to-backyard party. The Thump Go costs less at $449.99 and offers a built-in 2-channel mixer with XLR/TRS combo inputs in an 17.6 lbs (8 kg) cabinet.
This pits Sony’s Tower 5, a compact consumer party speaker, against the Mackie Thump Go, a performer-focused battery PA. The Tower 5 offers a 9-inch woofer with dual tweeters, a removable 20-hour battery, IPX4 splash resistance, 10-band EQ with ULT1/ULT2 modes, and RCA/XLR/USB-C inputs for DJ and karaoke use. The Mackie Thump Go offers a built-in 2-channel mixer with XLR/TRS combo inputs, an 8-inch woofer, a swappable 12-hour battery, and just 17.6 lbs (8 kg) of weight.
Choose the Tower 5 for longer claimed battery life and big-room output and app EQ modes: Its claimed 20h battery beats the Mackie Thump Go’s 12h. Its ULT1/ULT2/EQ modes and compact footprint suit a living-room-to-backyard party speaker better than a performer-focused PA cabinet.
Choose the Mackie Thump Go for true multi-channel mixing: Its independent-channel mixer with dedicated gain/EQ per input suits a performer or DJ better than the Tower 5’s single mic/line jack.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 at $348 for a party speaker, or the Mackie Thump Go at $449.99 for a battery-powered PA speaker instead.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Sony ULT Tower 5 at IPX4 (splashing) against the Mackie Thump Go, which has no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings and PA & Live Sound rankings.
A powerful party tower with deep bass, a removable long battery, and mic and XLR inputs for karaoke or DJ use.
A light battery PA speaker with a built in mixer and swappable battery, built for loud small gigs.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | Mackie Thump Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $348.00 | $449.99 |
| Ranked | #5 of 51 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #8 of 17 in Battery-Powered PA 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 | - |
| 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) | 18” x 9.1” x 11.2” (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 200W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | No |
| Power Input | AC power cord | - |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| Passive | - | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 50Hz |
| Inputs | - | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | - | 115dB |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | - | Polypropylene |
| Rigging | - | 35mm pole mount; monitor wedge |
| Coverage | - | 90° H x 60° V |
| DSP | - | Feedback eliminator, Music Duck and voicing modes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 57Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 57Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
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