Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 5. It ranks #5 of 44 party speakers by sound quality (rated 4.5/5) at $448 and is still sold new; the Soundboks Go ranks #30 (rated 3.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Sony ULT Tower 5 is the better-sounding, tougher pick. 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. It is rated IPX4, while the Soundboks Go has no water resistance. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Soundboks Go lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Soundboks Go lacks. The tradeoff: It has a shorter 20-hour battery claim than the Tower 7’s 30 hours, no wheels, and only IPX4 splash resistance.
The Soundboks Go is the longer-running, lighter option. Exceptional 40-hour battery life at mid-volume (10 hours at full volume), swappable design (second battery $200 available). It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 20 for the Sony ULT Tower 5. At 19.8 lbs (9 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Sony ULT Tower 5 at 28 lbs (12.7 kg). The catch: Not as loud as the other Soundboks.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Soundboks Go is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | Soundboks Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $448.00 | $799 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth 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) | 18” x 12” x 10” (457.2 x 304.8 x 254 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | 10” woofer, 1” tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | No |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 2 x 72W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) |
| 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) | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 55Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 121dB (Manufacturer 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 310
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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
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 Power | 300W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) |
| Aux Input | RCA input |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Strap | No |
| 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 310
- 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 JBL Partybox 100
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 110
- See all 59 comparisons
Soundboks Go: $799 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Soundboks Mix, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5.
Pros: Exceptional 40-hour battery life at mid-volume (10 hours at full volume), swappable design (second battery $200 available). 7.8Ah Li-ion with external charging option and pass-through charging capability. 121dB max volume (Bass+ mode). Premium audio quality, durable ABS polycarbonate with rubberized bumpers. Portable enough for vehicle adventures. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as loud as the other Soundboks. Not as neutral or as much bass as the above Partyboxes. Not stereo. External power brick for charging. Discontinued; Soundboks has removed it from their lineup and the product page is gone.
Full Soundboks Go review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 2 x 72W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18” x 12” x 10” (457.2 x 304.8 x 254 mm) |
| Drivers | 10” woofer, 1” tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 121dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- GYMCADDY: Soundboks Go Vs Soundboks 3 - Which One Is Right For You? More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: Soundboks Go Vs JBL Partybox 310 Vs Sony XP700
- GYMCADDY: Soundboks Go Vs JBL Partybox 110 Vs Sony XP500
- GYMCADDY: Soundboks Go Vs JBL Boombox 2 Vs UE Hyperboom Vs Sony XG500
- Everyday Man: Soundboks Go Vs Turttlebox Vs EcoXGear Defender
- Head-to-Head Comparisons