These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The Sony ULT Tower 7 ranks #1 of 39 party speakers by sound quality at $649.99; the JBL Eon One Compact ranks #13 of 14 battery-powered PA speakers by sound quality at $699.
This pits Sony’s Tower 7, a 360-degree consumer party speaker, against the JBL Eon One Compact, a performer-focused battery PA. The Tower 7 offers seven drivers for 360-degree sound, a claimed 30-hour battery, wheels, IPX4 splash resistance, 10-band EQ and a full RCA/XLR/USB-C/mic input section. The JBL Eon One Compact offers a 4-channel mixer with phantom power for condenser mics and auto-ducking, an 8-inch woofer extending to 37.5Hz, and a swappable 12-hour battery at 8kg.
Choose the Tower 7 for longer claimed battery life, wheels for easier transport, immersive 360-degree party sound and a lower price: Its claimed 30h battery beats the JBL Eon One Compact’s 12h. Its wheels also make it easier to roll between rooms or events. Its 360-degree drivers and ULT1/ULT2/EQ modes suit a living-room-to-backyard party speaker better than a performer-focused PA cabinet. At $649.99 it also costs less.
Choose the JBL Eon One Compact for true multi-channel mixing with phantom power for performers: Its independent-channel mixer with dedicated gain/EQ per input suits a performer or DJ better than the Tower 7’s single mic/line jack.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 7 at $649.99 for a party speaker, or the JBL Eon One Compact at $699 for a battery-powered PA speaker instead.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the JBL Eon One Compact. It ranks near the bottom of the 14 battery-powered PA speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony ULT Tower 7 is rated for 30 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Eon One Compact.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Sony ULT Tower 7 at IPX4 (splashing) against the JBL Eon One Compact, which has no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings and PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 7 | JBL Eon One Compact | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $649.99 | $699.00 |
| Ranked | #1 of 39 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #13 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | No |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (lights off; manufacturer specified) | 12 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 | 13.7" x 16.6" x 28" (348 x 422 x 711 mm) | 11.5" x 10" x 15.7" (291.1 x 255 x 399 mm) |
| Drivers | 7 drivers: 1x woofer, 2x midrange, 2x front tweeter, 2x rear tweeter | 8" woofer, 1" tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | No |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) | No |
| Amplifier Power | 420W | 150W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) | No |
| Power Input | AC power cord | - |
| Removable Battery | No | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Weight | 50.3 lbs (22.8 kg) | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 37.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | - | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 6.3mm Hi-Z instrument, 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | - | Polypropylene |
| Rigging | - | 35mm pole mount |
| Coverage | - | 100° H x 50° V |
| Maximum SPL | - | 112dB |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | Not specified |
| DSP | - | 4-channel digital mixer with EQ and effects |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony ULT Tower 7:
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs JBL Partybox 330
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs Sony SRS-XP700
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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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sony ULT Tower 7: $649.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A compelling large-party value at $649.99: 420W output, an IPX4-rated 30-hour battery, 360-degree sound, wheels and four carry handles at 22.8kg. The full review praises its punchy, clean ULT1 bass, ULT2’s higher-output mode, simplified controls and unusually complete I/O: USB-C, USB-A, RCA, balanced XLR and mic input.
Cons: The reviewer notes that Auracast pairing is not backward-compatible with Sony’s older Party Connect speakers, and the hard-plastic corners lack protective rubber bumpers. IPX4 is splash resistance rather than full weatherproofing; the 30-hour claim requires lights off.
Full Sony ULT Tower 7 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 420W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) |
| Aux Input | RCA input |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (lights off; manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 13.7" x 16.6" x 28" (348 x 422 x 711 mm) |
| Drivers | 7 drivers: 1x woofer, 2x midrange, 2x front tweeter, 2x rear tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) |
| Power Input | AC power cord |
| Removable Battery | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A) |
| Weight | 50.3 lbs (22.8 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Eon One Compact: $699.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Professional 4-channel mixer with XLR/TRS preamps, phantom power for condenser mics. 112dB SPL, lightweight 17.6 lbs with swappable 12-hour battery. 8-inch woofer extends to 37.5Hz. Versatile positioning (upright PA or floor monitor). Large clear controls. Ducking feature auto-lowers music when speech detected. Handles DJ sets, vocals, guitar, corporate talks, and Bluetooth streaming. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage.
Cons: Quite distorted at full volume. Treble is quite rolled off, not much clarity. Not stereo.
Full JBL Eon One Compact review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 150W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Not specified |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Coverage | 100° H x 50° V |
| DSP | 4-channel digital mixer with EQ and effects |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.5" x 10" x 15.7" (291.1 x 255 x 399 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 37.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 6.3mm Hi-Z instrument, 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 112dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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