Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 7. It ranks #1 of 54 party speakers by sound quality (rated 4.7/5) at $648 and is still sold new; the JBL Partybox 310 ranks #4 (rated 4.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Partybox 310’s replacement, the JBL Partybox 330, is rated 4.6/5 at $629.95.
The Sony ULT Tower 7 is the longer-running option. A big, loud party speaker on wheels with punchy bass, a 30 hour battery, 360 degree sound and inputs for mics and instruments. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 18 for the JBL Partybox 310. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Partybox 310 lacks. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the JBL Partybox 310 cannot. The tradeoff: 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.
The JBL Partybox 310 is the lighter pick. A top party speaker with remarkably deep bass and balanced sound, wheels and a handle, now discontinued but worth buying used. At 37.5 lbs (17 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Sony ULT Tower 7 at 50.3 lbs (22.8 kg). Watch for: It is very large, at 688 x 326 x 368mm and 37.5 lbs (17 kg), so it is a poor fit for small spaces or carrying far.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 7. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Partybox 310 is no longer sold new.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 7 | JBL Partybox 310 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $648.00 | $579.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #1 of 54 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #4 of 54 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (lights off; manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| 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) | 27.1”H x 12.8”W x 14.5”D (687.7 x 325.6 x 367.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 7 drivers: 1x woofer, 2x midrange, 2x front tweeter, 2x rear tweeter | 2x 6.5” (165mm) woofers + 2x 2.5” (65mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | Yes (3 band) |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) | No |
| Amplifier Power | 420W | 240W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | No | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A) | Yes |
| Weight | 50.3 lbs (22.8 kg) | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 32Hz |
| Charging Time | - | 3.5 hours |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Sony ULT Tower 7: reviews by New Stuff TV 2, postscript speaker and AudioTribe.
- JBL Partybox 310: reviews by DLX Willington, Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More and KULAS TECH SHOW.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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