Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 5 for better sound quality, the Soundcore Rave for the lower price. The Sony ULT Tower 5 ranks #5 of 39 party speakers at $448. The Soundcore Rave ranks #34 at $220, $228 cheaper.
What the Sony ULT Tower 5 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Soundcore Rave offers: 20,000mAh battery for 24-hour claimed playtime. Booming bass and crisp vocals with colorful LED light show. IPX4 waterproof design for poolside/beach/outdoor use. AI-assisted karaoke removes vocals in real-time via Soundcore app. Wireless microphones included, eight preset lighting modes. Can link multiple speakers together. Long battery life, fun light patterns synced to music. Watch for: Pretty big lack of deep bass, treble rolled off
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Soundcore Rave if the price is the priority over sound quality.
The Soundcore Rave is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 39 party speakers; there are better options higher up.
Water resistance is not close: the Sony ULT Tower 5 is rated at IPX4 (splashing), well ahead of the Soundcore Rave at no water resistance.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | Soundcore Rave | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $448.00 | $220 |
| Ranked | #5 of 39 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #34 of 39 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | No |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| 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) | - |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9" woofer, 2x 2.4" tweeter | 60W: Multiple drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | No |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | Yes |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~60Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony ULT Tower 5:
- 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 16, 2026 at 12:41 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sony ULT Tower 5: $448.00 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 JBL Partybox 110
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Zealot PT21
- See all 35 comparisons
Soundcore Rave: $220 Soundcore eBay
Pros: 20,000mAh battery for 24-hour claimed playtime. Booming bass and crisp vocals with colorful LED light show. IPX4 waterproof design for poolside/beach/outdoor use. AI-assisted karaoke removes vocals in real-time via Soundcore app. Wireless microphones included, eight preset lighting modes. Can link multiple speakers together. Long battery life, fun light patterns synced to music. Measured bass extension of ~60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Pretty big lack of deep bass, treble rolled off
Full Soundcore Rave review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 60W: Multiple drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons