Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 5. It ranks #5 of 43 party speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $448. The Onn Large Party gen 1 ranks #32, rated 2.7/5, at $100, $348 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
What the Sony ULT Tower 5 does well: 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.
The case for the Onn Large Party gen 1: A genuinely useful feature set for a compact party speaker: FM radio, 3.5mm aux, USB-A phone charging, a mic/guitar input, lights, and Party Sync pairing. Watch for: Sound is not a strong reason to seek one out.
One note: the Onn Large Party gen 1 is no longer in production and isn’t widely stocked new anymore.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $348 saving on the Onn Large Party gen 1 is not enough to make up the difference.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Sony ULT Tower 5 is rated for 20 hours, the Onn Large Party gen 1 only 13 hours.
If water resistance matters to you, the Sony ULT Tower 5 at IPX4 (splashing) holds up far better than the Onn Large Party gen 1 at no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | Onn Large Party gen 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $448.00 | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 43 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #32 of 43 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | No |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) | 13 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) | 11.1” x 21.7” x 10.3” (281 x 552 x 262 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | 8” (203mm) woofer + drivers |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | No |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Sync Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 23.1 lbs (10.5 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~60Hz |
| Wheels | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony ULT Tower 5:
- 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
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Onn Large Party gen 1: $100 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Onn Large Party gen 2, ranked higher, rated 3.9/5.
Pros: A genuinely useful feature set for a compact party speaker: FM radio, 3.5mm aux, USB-A phone charging, a mic/guitar input, lights, and Party Sync pairing. Its rolling 10.5kg cabinet, carry handle and claimed 13-hour battery make it easy to take to casual outdoor gatherings, and it can play louder than a typical small Bluetooth speaker. Measured bass extension of ~60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Sound is not a strong reason to seek one out. Reviewer comparisons find limited deep bass (about 60Hz at -10dB), uneven mids and a boxy, strained presentation at high volume. It has no app or EQ, no water rating, and is discontinued; the newer Onn Large Party gen 2 is the more sensible choice when available.
Full Onn Large Party gen 1 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~60Hz |
| Battery Life | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.1” x 21.7” x 10.3” (281 x 552 x 262 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) woofer + drivers |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Sync Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 23.1 lbs (10.5 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
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