Short answer: the Soundboks 2 for peak output on a budget, the Sony ULT Tower 5 for features and app EQ. The Soundboks 2 claims 124dB from dual 10-inch woofers and a 40-hour removable battery at $449, beating the Tower 5’s 20-hour claim, but it is discontinued with no app EQ or TWS pairing. The Tower 5 counters with ULT1/ULT2 modes, 10-band EQ and RCA/XLR/USB-C in a compact living-room-to-backyard cabinet. The Soundboks 2 is discontinued; its replacement is the Soundboks 4.
This pits Sony’s Tower 5, a compact consumer party speaker, against the Soundboks 2, a performer-focused battery PA. The Tower 5 offers a 9-inch woofer with dual tweeters, a removable 20-hour battery, IPX4 splash resistance, 10-band EQ with ULT1/ULT2 modes, and RCA/XLR/USB-C inputs for DJ and karaoke use. The Soundboks 2 offers dual 10-inch woofers rated to 124dB max SPL and a removable 40-hour battery, though it is a discontinued model without app EQ or TWS pairing.
Choose the Tower 5 for big-room output and app EQ modes: Its ULT1/ULT2/EQ modes and compact footprint suit a living-room-to-backyard party speaker better than a performer-focused PA cabinet.
Choose the Soundboks 2 for higher peak output at a lower price, discontinued caveats aside: Its claimed 40h battery beats the Tower 5’s 20h. At $449 it also costs less. It is discontinued, so check current stock and condition before buying.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 ($348) for a party speaker; the Soundboks 2 ($449) suits a battery-powered PA speaker instead.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Sony ULT Tower 5 at IPX4 (splashing) against the Soundboks 2, which has no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings and PA & Live Sound rankings.
A powerful party tower with deep bass, a removable long battery, and mic and XLR inputs for karaoke or DJ use.
A loud outdoor party speaker with two 10 inch woofers, a removable 40 hour battery, and mic and guitar inputs.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | Soundboks 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $348.00 | $449 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 51 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #13 of 17 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | No |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | 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) | 25.6” x 17” x 13” (650.2 x 431.8 x 330.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | 2x 10” woofers, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | No |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 216W (3x 72W) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | No |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cord |
| 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) | 33.1 lbs (15 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| Passive | - | No |
| Charging Time | - | 3.5 hours |
| Inputs | - | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | - | 124dB |
| XLR Input | - | Yes (2x combo) |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | - | Poplar plywood |
| DSP | - | No |
| Rigging | - | 35mm pole mount socket |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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