These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Sony ULT Tower 7 ranks #1 of 53 party speakers by sound quality at $648; the JBL Partybox Encore 2 ranks #4 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality at $330.
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 15 for the JBL Partybox Encore 2. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Partybox Encore 2 lacks. The catch: 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 Encore 2 is the lighter pick. A compact karaoke party speaker with two wireless mics, better balanced sound than the original and a long battery. At 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) it weighs much less than the Sony ULT Tower 7 at 50.3 lbs (22.8 kg). The catch: It still lacks some upper-bass punch and cannot match the scale of the larger PartyBoxes.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 7 at $648 if you want a party speaker. Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2 at $330 if you want a boombox speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 7 | JBL Partybox Encore 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $648.00 | $330 |
| Ranked | #1 of 53 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #4 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (lights off; manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Dimensions | 13.7” x 16.6” x 28” (348 x 422 x 711 mm) | 12.6” x 13.3” x 10.4” (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) |
| Drivers | 7 drivers: 1x woofer, 2x midrange, 2x front tweeter, 2x rear tweeter | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) | No |
| Amplifier Power | 420W | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A) | Yes |
| Weight | 50.3 lbs (22.8 kg) | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 2 Included |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 42Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sony ULT Tower 7: