Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony SRS-XV500

Last updated: September 26, 2026

Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 5. It ranks #5 of 40 party speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $448. The Sony SRS-XV500 ranks #15, rated 4.0/5, at $310, $138 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.

Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony SRS-XV500

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. The catch: 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 Sony SRS-XV500: RTINGS measured a slightly warm sound with plenty of bass punch, and found it gets very loud for outdoor parties. The tradeoff: RTINGS measured poor directivity, so the sound changes noticeably as you move off to the sides.

Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $138 with the Sony SRS-XV500 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 at Amazon ($448.00) →Buy the Sony SRS-XV500 at Amazon ($310.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

Sony ULT Tower 5 Sony SRS-XV500
Price$448.00$310.00
Ranked#5 of 40 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#15 of 40 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYes (Sony Sound Connect)-
Aux InputRCA inputYes
Battery Life20 hours (manufacturer specified)25 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC-
Bluetooth Version5.35.2
Built-in MicrophoneNo-
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)-
Dimensions14.1” x 21.1” x 11.1” (358 x 536 x 282 mm)22.2”H x 10.6”W x 11.6”D (564 x 269 x 294 mm)
Drivers3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter2x 140mm woofers + 2x 60mm tweeters
EQYes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat)-
Guitar InputNoYes
IP RatingIPX4IPX4
Microphone InputYesYes (two 6.3mm inputs)
OmnidirectionalNo-
Amplifier Power300W-
Party ModeYes (Auracast)-
Power BankYes (USB-C charging)-
Power InputAC power cord-
Removable BatteryYes-
StereoYes-
TWSYes (Stereo Pair)-
USB PlaybackYes (USB-A and USB-C)-
Weight28 lbs (12.7 kg)24.7 lbs (11.2 kg)
Wi-FiNo-
LightsYesYes
StrapNo-
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 at Amazon ($448.00) →Buy the Sony SRS-XV500 at Amazon ($310.00) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony ULT Tower 5:

Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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

Sony ULT Tower 5 ranking card

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 Power300W
AppYes (Sony Sound Connect)
Aux InputRCA input
Battery Life20 hours (manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)
Dimensions14.1” x 21.1” x 11.1” (358 x 536 x 282 mm)
Drivers3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter
EQYes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat)
Guitar InputNo
IP RatingIPX4
LightsYes
Microphone InputYes
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C charging)
Power InputAC power cord
Removable BatteryYes
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes (Stereo Pair)
USB PlaybackYes (USB-A and USB-C)
Weight28 lbs (12.7 kg)
Wi-FiNo
Check current price at Amazon ($448.00) →Search eBay for Sony ULT Tower 5 →

Sony SRS-XV500: $310.00 Amazon eBay

Sony SRS-XV500 ranking card

Older model: the Sony SRS-XP500 (rated 4/5).

Pros: RTINGS measured a slightly warm sound with plenty of bass punch, and found it gets very loud for outdoor parties. Two 140mm woofers and two 60mm tweeters in a bass reflex cabinet, with a claimed 25 hours of battery life and a 10 minute quick charge for about 2.5 hours of play. Two 6.3mm inputs switch between microphone and guitar, with karaoke controls for key, echo and per-input volume, plus a 3.5mm aux input. IPX4 splash resistance and built-in lighting.

Cons: RTINGS measured poor directivity, so the sound changes noticeably as you move off to the sides. Bass compresses and pumps as you approach maximum volume. At 11.2 kg it is heavy to carry, and IPX4 only covers splashes.

Full Sony SRS-XV500 review and specifications →

Aux InputYes
Battery Life25 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth Version5.2
Dimensions22.2”H x 10.6”W x 11.6”D (564 x 269 x 294 mm)
Drivers2x 140mm woofers + 2x 60mm tweeters
Guitar InputYes
IP RatingIPX4
LightsYes
Microphone InputYes (two 6.3mm inputs)
Weight24.7 lbs (11.2 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($310.00) →Search eBay for Sony SRS-XV500 →