Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 5. It ranks #5 of 43 party speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $448; the Marshall Bromley 450 ranks #23, rated 3.7/5, and costs $649.95, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Sony ULT Tower 5: At $448, 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. Watch for: It has a shorter 20-hour battery claim than the Tower 7’s 30 hours, no wheels, and only IPX4 splash resistance.
Why pick the Marshall Bromley 450: A balanced, warm sound with a flat midrange that keeps vocals and instruments clear, plenty of bass rumble and enough treble for energetic vocals, per RTINGS’ lab tests. Watch for: It is the quietest of its rivals: both the Soundboks Mix and Teufel Rockster Air 2 play louder, and near max volume the bass recedes and the sound gets less composed.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Marshall Bromley 450 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
If battery life is a priority, the Marshall Bromley 450 is rated for 40 hours versus 20 hours for the Sony ULT Tower 5.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | Marshall Bromley 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $448.00 | $649.95 |
| Ranked | #5 of 43 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #23 of 43 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes (Marshall Bluetooth app) |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes (3.5mm, RCA) |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) | 40+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 14.1” x 21.1” x 11.1” (358 x 536 x 282 mm) | 14.4” x 19.4” x 10.3” (366 x 492 x 261 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | 2x 6.5” woofers, 4x 2” full-range drivers, 2 passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP55 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes (2x XLR/6.35mm combo) |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 400W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 27.1 lbs (12.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 42Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Charging Time | - | 3.5 hours |
| XLR Input | - | Yes (2x combo) |
| Wheels | - | No |
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 330
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 310
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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: $448.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: At $448, 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 →
| Amplifier Power | 300W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) |
| Aux Input | RCA input |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) |
| Power Input | AC power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 310
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 130
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 330
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 110
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- See all 56 comparisons
Marshall Bromley 450: $649.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A balanced, warm sound with a flat midrange that keeps vocals and instruments clear, plenty of bass rumble and enough treble for energetic vocals, per RTINGS’ lab tests. Drivers on all four sides keep the tonal balance nearly the same from any angle, and M1M Tech Channel found it more open and airy than the Soundboks Mix and Teufel Rockster Air 2, with deeper bass than both. RTINGS measured 18.8 hours of battery from a swappable LiFePO4 pack shared with the Bromley 750, and it adds IP55 protection, two XLR/6.35mm combo inputs, USB-C audio, Auracast and physical bass and treble knobs.
Cons: It is the quietest of its rivals: both the Soundboks Mix and Teufel Rockster Air 2 play louder, and near max volume the bass recedes and the sound gets less composed. The warm tuning lacks some fine treble detail. There is no graphic EQ, only bass and treble knobs, and its stereo spreads left and right channels around the cabinet, so panned elements can land on the wrong side. At 12.3 kg it has a carry handle but no wheels.
Full Marshall Bromley 450 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 400W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Marshall Bluetooth app) |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm, RCA) |
| Battery Life | 40+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 14.4” x 19.4” x 10.3” (366 x 492 x 261 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” woofers, 4x 2” full-range drivers, 2 passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (2x XLR/6.35mm combo) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 27.1 lbs (12.3 kg) |
| Wheels | No |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x combo) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- RTINGS: Marshall Bromley 450 Review More from Rtings.com →
- M1M Tech Channel: The best in its class? Marshall Bromley 450 vs. Soundboks & Teufel More from M1MTechChannel →
- HeadphoneCheck: Marshall Bromley 450 test
- Tom’s Guide: Marshall Bromley 450 vs Bromley 750 face-off
- Smart Home Sounds: Marshall Bromley 450 review More from Smart Home Sounds →
- Storytripper HD: JBL Partybox 120 vs Marshall Bromley 450 (Indoor) More from storytripperhd →
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Bromley 450 vs Marshall Bromley 750 (outdoor)
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Woburn III vs Marshall Bromley 450
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs Soundboks Mix
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs Onn Large Party gen 2
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs Onn Large Party gen 1
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs JBL Partybox 110
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs JBL Partybox 130
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs JBL Partybox 310
- See all 13 comparisons