Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 7. It ranks #1 of 43 party speakers by sound quality, rated 4.7/5, at $649.99; the Marshall Bromley 450 ranks #23, rated 3.7/5, at $649.95. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
Why pick the Sony ULT Tower 7: A compelling large-party value at $650: 420W output, an IPX4-rated 30-hour battery, 360-degree sound, wheels and four carry handles at 22.8kg. 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.
Why pick the Marshall Bromley 450: A balanced, warm sound with a flat midrange that keeps vocals and instruments clear, plenty of bass rumble and enough treble for energetic vocals, per RTINGS’ lab tests. The tradeoff: It is the quietest of its rivals: both the Soundboks Mix and Teufel Rockster Air 2 play louder, and near max volume the bass recedes and the sound gets less composed.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 7. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $0.04 with the Marshall Bromley 450 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 7 | Marshall Bromley 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $649.99 | $649.95 |
| Ranked | #1 of 43 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #23 of 43 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes (Marshall Bluetooth app) |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes (3.5mm, RCA) |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (lights off; manufacturer specified) | 40+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 13.7” x 16.6” x 28” (348 x 422 x 711 mm) | 14.4” x 19.4” x 10.3” (366 x 492 x 261 mm) |
| Drivers | 7 drivers: 1x woofer, 2x midrange, 2x front tweeter, 2x rear tweeter | 2x 6.5” woofers, 4x 2” full-range drivers, 2 passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP55 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes (2x XLR/6.35mm combo) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 420W | 400W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Weight | 50.3 lbs (22.8 kg) | 27.1 lbs (12.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 42Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Charging Time | - | 3.5 hours |
| XLR Input | - | Yes (2x combo) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Sony ULT Tower 7: $649.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A compelling large-party value at $650: 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 | Yes |
| 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 |
| Strap | No |
| 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
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs JBL Partybox 330
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs JBL Partybox 310
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs Sony ULT Tower 5
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs JBL Partybox 130
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs JBL Partybox 110
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- See all 59 comparisons
Marshall Bromley 450: $649.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A balanced, warm sound with a flat midrange that keeps vocals and instruments clear, plenty of bass rumble and enough treble for energetic vocals, per RTINGS’ lab tests. Drivers on all four sides keep the tonal balance nearly the same from any angle, and M1M Tech Channel found it more open and airy than the Soundboks Mix and Teufel Rockster Air 2, with deeper bass than both. RTINGS measured 18.8 hours of battery from a swappable LiFePO4 pack shared with the Bromley 750, and it adds IP55 protection, two XLR/6.35mm combo inputs, USB-C audio, Auracast and physical bass and treble knobs.
Cons: It is the quietest of its rivals: both the Soundboks Mix and Teufel Rockster Air 2 play louder, and near max volume the bass recedes and the sound gets less composed. The warm tuning lacks some fine treble detail. There is no graphic EQ, only bass and treble knobs, and its stereo spreads left and right channels around the cabinet, so panned elements can land on the wrong side. At 12.3 kg it has a carry handle but no wheels.
Full Marshall Bromley 450 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 400W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Marshall Bluetooth app) |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm, RCA) |
| Battery Life | 40+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 14.4” x 19.4” x 10.3” (366 x 492 x 261 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” woofers, 4x 2” full-range drivers, 2 passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (2x XLR/6.35mm combo) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 27.1 lbs (12.3 kg) |
| Wheels | No |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x combo) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- RTINGS: Marshall Bromley 450 Review More from Rtings.com →
- M1M Tech Channel: The best in its class? Marshall Bromley 450 vs. Soundboks & Teufel More from M1MTechChannel →
- HeadphoneCheck: Marshall Bromley 450 test
- Tom’s Guide: Marshall Bromley 450 vs Bromley 750 face-off
- Smart Home Sounds: Marshall Bromley 450 review More from Smart Home Sounds →
- Storytripper HD: JBL Partybox 120 vs Marshall Bromley 450 (Indoor) More from storytripperhd →
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Bromley 450 vs Marshall Bromley 750 (outdoor)
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Woburn III vs Marshall Bromley 450
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs Soundboks Mix
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs Onn Large Party gen 2
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs Onn Large Party gen 1
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs JBL Partybox 110
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs JBL Partybox 130
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- Marshall Bromley 450 vs Sony ULT Tower 5
- See all 13 comparisons