Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 7. It ranks #1 of 40 party speakers by sound quality, rated 4.7/5, at $649.99. The Sony SRS-XV500 ranks #15, rated 4.0/5, at $310, $339.99 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
What the Sony ULT Tower 7 does well: 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.
The case for the Sony SRS-XV500: RTINGS measured a slightly warm sound with plenty of bass punch, and found it gets very loud for outdoor parties. The tradeoff: RTINGS measured poor directivity, so the sound changes noticeably as you move off to the sides.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 7. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $339.99 you would save on the Sony SRS-XV500 does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 7 | Sony SRS-XV500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $649.99 | $310.00 |
| Ranked | #1 of 40 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #15 of 40 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | - |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (lights off; manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Dimensions | 13.7” x 16.6” x 28” (348 x 422 x 711 mm) | 22.2”H x 10.6”W x 11.6”D (564 x 269 x 294 mm) |
| Drivers | 7 drivers: 1x woofer, 2x midrange, 2x front tweeter, 2x rear tweeter | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 60mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | - |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes (two 6.3mm inputs) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 420W | - |
| 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) | 24.7 lbs (11.2 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | - |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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 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 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
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs Zealot PT21
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Sony SRS-XV500: $310.00 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Sony SRS-XP500 (rated 4/5).
Pros: RTINGS measured a slightly warm sound with plenty of bass punch, and found it gets very loud for outdoor parties. Two 140mm woofers and two 60mm tweeters in a bass reflex cabinet, with a claimed 25 hours of battery life and a 10 minute quick charge for about 2.5 hours of play. Two 6.3mm inputs switch between microphone and guitar, with karaoke controls for key, echo and per-input volume, plus a 3.5mm aux input. IPX4 splash resistance and built-in lighting.
Cons: RTINGS measured poor directivity, so the sound changes noticeably as you move off to the sides. Bass compresses and pumps as you approach maximum volume. At 11.2 kg it is heavy to carry, and IPX4 only covers splashes.
Full Sony SRS-XV500 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 22.2”H x 10.6”W x 11.6”D (564 x 269 x 294 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 60mm tweeters |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (two 6.3mm inputs) |
| Weight | 24.7 lbs (11.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs Onn Large Party gen 2
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs Soundcore Rave 3S
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs Zealot PT21
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs W-King T12
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs JBL Partybox 110
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs JBL Partybox 130
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- See all 11 comparisons