Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Sony ULT Tower 9 ranks #10 of 13 large party speakers by sound quality at $898; the Soundcore Rave 3S ranks #20 of 53 party speakers by sound quality at $299.99.
The Sony ULT Tower 9 is the longer-running choice. A battery powered party tower with good sound, a long battery, karaoke inputs, and a detailed app EQ. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 12 for the Soundcore Rave 3S. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Soundcore Rave 3S lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Soundcore Rave 3S. The tradeoff: Not as deep of bass and loses more bass at high volume even compared to the lower end Partybox speakers.
The Soundcore Rave 3S is the lighter, tougher pick. A big party speaker with two wireless microphones, a remote, and a vocal removal feature for karaoke nights. At 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) it weighs much less than the Sony ULT Tower 9 at 65.3 lbs (29.6 kg). It is rated IPX4, while the Sony ULT Tower 9 has no water resistance. The catch: Some upper bass and upper mids boost.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 9 ($898) for a large party speaker; the Soundcore Rave 3S ($299.99) suits a party speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 9 | Soundcore Rave 3S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $898.00 | $299.99 |
| Ranked | #10 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #20 of 53 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (10 band) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 65.3 lbs (29.6 kg) | 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 16.1” x 35.8” x 18” (410 x 910 x 456 mm) | 21.7”H x 11.1”W x 12”D (550 x 283 x 306 mm) |
| Drivers | 7 drivers: 1x 12.6”x12.6” woofer, 2x 4.7” midrange, 2x 2” tweeter, 2x 1.6” rear tweeter | 1x 6.5” (165mm) woofer + 3x 2.5” (63mm) full-range drivers |
| Amplifier Power | 148W | 200W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 2 Included |
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