Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 5 on measured sound quality, the Samsung MX-ST50B on price. The Sony ULT Tower 5 ranks #5 of 39 party speakers at $448. The Samsung MX-ST50B ranks #21 at $300, $148 cheaper.
What the Sony ULT Tower 5 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Samsung MX-ST50B offers: A 240W sound tower with two 6.5-inch woofers and two tweeters, IPX5 protection, app EQ, aux and USB playback, karaoke input and Samsung Group Play for linking up to 10 speakers. Hands-on reviews find it capable of clear, punchy sound and impressive output for indoor parties, while its 18-hour claimed battery supports more casual use away from mains power. Watch for: Output drops sharply to 90W on battery, so it needs mains power for its full impact. Bass is not as deep as stronger dedicated party speakers, and at 11.9kg its tall enclosure is less convenient to carry. It lacks TWS stereo pairing, so the Group Play feature favors shared party coverage rather than a conventional stereo image.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Samsung MX-ST50B if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | Samsung MX-ST50B | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $448.00 | $300 |
| Ranked | #5 of 39 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #21 of 39 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| 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) | 13" x 26.2" x 11.9" (329 x 665 x 301 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9" woofer, 2x 2.4" tweeter | 2x 6.5" woofers, 2x 2.5" tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 240W (AC) / 90W (battery) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Samsung Group Play up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | Yes |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | Yes |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 26.2 lbs (11.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to 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 Club 120
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 130
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony ULT Tower 5: $448.00 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 →
| Amplifier Power | 300W |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 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
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Zealot PT21
- See all 35 comparisons
Samsung MX-ST50B: $300 Amazon eBay
Pros: A 240W sound tower with two 6.5-inch woofers and two tweeters, IPX5 protection, app EQ, aux and USB playback, karaoke input and Samsung Group Play for linking up to 10 speakers. Hands-on reviews find it capable of clear, punchy sound and impressive output for indoor parties, while its 18-hour claimed battery supports more casual use away from mains power.
Cons: Output drops sharply to 90W on battery, so it needs mains power for its full impact. Bass is not as deep as stronger dedicated party speakers, and at 11.9kg its tall enclosure is less convenient to carry. It lacks TWS stereo pairing, so the Group Play feature favors shared party coverage rather than a conventional stereo image.
Full Samsung MX-ST50B review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 240W (AC) / 90W (battery) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13" x 26.2" x 11.9" (329 x 665 x 301 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" woofers, 2x 2.5" tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Samsung Group Play up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 26.2 lbs (11.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Samsung MX-ST50B vs Klipsch Gig XXL
- Samsung MX-ST50B vs LG XL7
- Samsung MX-ST50B vs Ultimate Ears Hyperboom
- Samsung MX-ST50B vs Soundboks Mix
- Samsung MX-ST50B vs W-King T12
- Samsung MX-ST50B vs Soundcore Rave 3S
- Samsung MX-ST50B vs W-King T9 Pro
- Samsung MX-ST50B vs Onn Large Party gen 2
- See all 28 comparisons