Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Sony ULT Tower 5 ranks #5 of 53 party speakers by sound quality at $448; the Sony ULT Tower 9 ranks #10 of 13 large party speakers by sound quality at $898.
Different sizes. The ULT Tower 5 is a 28 lbs (12.7 kg) party speaker with a 9 inch woofer. The ULT Tower 9 is a 65.3 lbs (29.6 kg) large party tower with front and rear drivers. Each is rated within its own class.
The Tower 5 has the more useful battery. It is removable, with a claimed 20 hours, and the speaker is IPX4. It has balanced XLR, RCA and mic inputs and ULT1 and ULT2 bass modes. It has no wheels.
The Tower 9 spreads sound in 360 degrees and claims 25 hours, with mic and guitar inputs. Its bass drops off a lot at high volume, more than even the smaller PartyBox speakers, and it has no water rating.
Both support LDAC, AAC and Auracast with a 10-band EQ.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 ($448) for a party speaker; the Sony ULT Tower 9 ($898) suits a large party speaker instead.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Sony ULT Tower 5 at IPX4 (splashing) against the Sony ULT Tower 9, which has no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | Sony ULT Tower 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $448.00 | $898.00 |
| Ranked | #5 of 53 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #10 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1” x 21.1” x 11.1” (358 x 536 x 282 mm) | 16.1” x 35.8” x 18” (410 x 910 x 456 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | 7 drivers: 1x 12.6”x12.6” woofer, 2x 4.7” midrange, 2x 2” tweeter, 2x 1.6” rear tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | Yes (10 band) |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 148W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | Yes |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 65.3 lbs (29.6 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony ULT Tower 5: