Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 5. It ranks #5 of 51 party speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $348. The Ultimate Ears Hyperboom ranks #33, rated 3.2/5, at $337.99, $10.01 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Sony ULT Tower 5 is the better-sounding, tougher pick. A powerful party tower with deep bass, a removable long battery, and mic and XLR inputs for karaoke or DJ use. It is rated IPX4, while the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom has no water resistance. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom lacks. Watch for: It has a shorter 20-hour battery claim than the Sony ULT Tower 7’s 30 hours, no wheels, and only IPX4 splash resistance.
The Ultimate Ears Hyperboom is the lighter pick. A compact party speaker with a long battery, aux and optical inputs, splash resistance, and a handle for carrying. At 13 lbs (5.9 kg) it weighs much less than the Sony ULT Tower 5 at 28 lbs (12.7 kg). Watch for: Very expensive for what it does, a bit dull and muddy sound.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $10.01 saving on the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A powerful party tower with deep bass, a removable long battery, and mic and XLR inputs for karaoke or DJ use.
A compact party speaker with a long battery, aux and optical inputs, splash resistance, and a handle for carrying.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | Ultimate Ears Hyperboom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $348.00 | $337.99 |
| Ranked | #5 of 51 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #33 of 51 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 | 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) | 7.5” x 7.5” x 14.3” (190 x 190 x 364 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | 2x 5.66” woofers, 2x 0.98” tweeters, 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 (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | No |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power brick |
| 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) | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 55Hz |
| Charging Time | - | 2.6 hours |
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