These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Sony ULT Tower 5 ranks #5 of 39 party speakers by sound quality at $449.99; the Soundboks 2 ranks #8 of 14 battery-powered PA speakers by sound quality at $449.
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 ($449.99) for a party speaker; the Soundboks 2 ($449) suits a battery-powered PA speaker instead.
Battery life favors the Soundboks 2: rated for 40 hours against 20 hours for the Sony ULT Tower 5.
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.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | Soundboks 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 | $449.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 39 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #8 of 14 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 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) | Not specified |
| 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 | - |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | - | Poplar plywood |
| Rigging | - | Not specified |
| Coverage | - | Not specified |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | Not specified |
| DSP | - | No |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | Not specified |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sony ULT Tower 5 compares with other leading options:
- 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 15, 2026 at 12:52 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: $449.99 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 Sony SRS-XP700
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony SRS-XP500
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony ULT Tower Max
- See all 21 comparisons
Soundboks 2: $449.00 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Built for maximum outdoor output: its two 10-inch woofers and silk-dome tweeter reach a claimed 124dB, while the removable battery is rated for up to 40 hours. It also provides aux, microphone and guitar inputs, making it a practical battery-powered option for loud parties and informal performances.
Cons: At 15kg it is large to transport, lacks weather protection, app EQ and TWS stereo pairing, and relies on an external charging arrangement. Its tonal balance and bass depth are less refined than stronger modern party speakers, and this discontinued model requires caution around used-battery condition and support. Discontinued.
Full Soundboks 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 216W (3x 72W) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Not specified |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Cabinet Material | Poplar plywood |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| Coverage | Not specified |
| DSP | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | Not specified |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 10" woofers, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | Not specified |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 124dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Rigging | Not specified |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 33.1 lbs (15 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x combo) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons