Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 7. It ranks #1 of 51 party speakers by sound quality, rated 4.7/5, at $548. The Ultimate Ears Hyperboom ranks #33, rated 3.2/5, at $337.99, $210.01 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Sony ULT Tower 7 is the better-sounding, tougher pick. 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 IPX4, while the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom has no water resistance. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom 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 Ultimate Ears Hyperboom is the lighter choice. A compact party speaker with a long battery, aux and optical inputs, splash resistance, and a handle for carrying. At 13 lbs (5.9 kg) it weighs much less than the Sony ULT Tower 7 at 50.3 lbs (22.8 kg). The tradeoff: Very expensive for what it does, a bit dull and muddy sound.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 7. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $210.01 saving on the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A big, loud party speaker on wheels with punchy bass, a 30 hour battery, 360 degree sound and inputs for mics and instruments.
A compact party speaker with a long battery, aux and optical inputs, splash resistance, and a handle for carrying.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 7 | Ultimate Ears Hyperboom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $548.00 | $337.99 |
| Ranked | #1 of 51 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #33 of 51 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | No |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (lights off; manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| 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) | 7.5” x 7.5” x 14.3” (190 x 190 x 364 mm) |
| Drivers | 7 drivers: 1x woofer, 2x midrange, 2x front tweeter, 2x rear tweeter | 2x 5.66” woofers, 2x 0.98” tweeters, passive radiators |
| 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 | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) | No |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power brick |
| Removable Battery | No | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Weight | 50.3 lbs (22.8 kg) | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 55Hz |
| Charging Time | - | 2.6 hours |
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