Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower Max on measured sound quality, the JBL Partybox 1000 on price. The Sony ULT Tower Max ranks #1 of 12 large party speakers at $1499.99. The JBL Partybox 1000 ranks #3 at $1099.95, $400.04 cheaper.
The Tower Max is the newer, much larger Sony flagship. Its three 11-inch woofers, 10-band EQ, 360-degree sound and RCA/XLR/USB-C connections make it a full event-speaker system. The PartyBox 1000 remains a lower-cost high-output JBL with an established 1,100W array.
Choose the Tower Max for modern connectivity and broad bass coverage: Its XLR output and inputs, app EQ and multi-woofer system are the more flexible choice for a DJ or a large room.
Choose the PartyBox 1000 for a less costly large JBL: It remains a powerful party speaker but lacks the Sony’s 360-degree layout, USB-C and XLR connectivity.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower Max if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Partybox 1000 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower Max | JBL Partybox 1000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.99 | $1,099.95 |
| Ranked | #1 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #3 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | No |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 21" x 41.8" x 18.6" (534 x 1062 x 472 mm) | 15.6" x 41.3" x 15.4" (397 x 1050 x 390 mm) |
| Drivers | 9 drivers: 3x 11" woofer (2 front, 1 rear), 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 1" tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter | 1x 12" down-firing woofer, 2x 7" midrange, 1x compression horn tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat / Live) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | Splashproof top surface | None |
| Max Volume | 110.6dBC at about 6m outdoors (AudioTribe; Flat EQ, ULT1) | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes (6.3mm) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) | No |
| Output Power | 2,150W (manufacturer specified) | 1100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Chain) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC 120-240V, 50/60Hz | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | No | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A) | Yes |
| Weight | 124.1 lbs / 56.3 kg | 75 lbs / 34 kg |
| Wifi | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sony ULT Tower Max compares with other leading options:
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 720
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Sony ULT Tower 10
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
Prices on this page were last checked September 12, 2026 at 9:50 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 Max: $1,499.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: AudioTribe measured 110.6dBC at roughly 6m outdoors with Flat EQ and ULT1 enabled, 4.4dB above the JBL PartyBox Ultimate in the same setup. Its three 11-inch woofers held about 110dB from 40-100Hz; Sony also provides 10-band EQ, Sound Field Optimization, RCA and XLR inputs, USB-C, a mic input, and XLR output.
Cons: The same comparison found it 1.2dB behind the JBL in A-weighted loudness and weaker below 40Hz. At 56.3kg (124lb) and AC-only, this is a wheeled event speaker rather than a portable battery model.
Full Sony ULT Tower Max review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | RCA input |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 21" x 41.8" x 18.6" (534 x 1062 x 472 mm) |
| Drivers | 9 drivers: 3x 11" woofer (2 front, 1 rear), 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 1" tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat / Live) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| IP Rating | Splashproof top surface |
| Max Volume | 110.6dBC at about 6m outdoors (AudioTribe; Flat EQ, ULT1) |
| Microphone Input | Yes (6.3mm) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) |
| Output Power | 2,150W (manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Chain) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) |
| Power Input | AC 120-240V, 50/60Hz |
| Removable Battery | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A) |
| Weight | 124.1 lbs / 56.3 kg |
| Wifi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Partybox 1000: $1,099.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Handle and wheels are convenient. Right up there with the Partybox Ultimate, this was the previous speaker in that size. A better value than the Partybox Ultimate. Nice waterfall lightshow.
Cons: Very large and heavy. No battery. No app.
Full JBL Partybox 1000 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.6" x 41.3" x 15.4" (397 x 1050 x 390 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 12" down-firing woofer, 2x 7" midrange, 1x compression horn tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 1100W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 75 lbs / 34 kg |
| Wifi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs Teufel Rockster 2
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox 720
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox 710
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox 520
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs Teufel Rockster
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs Sony ULT Tower 10
- See all 14 comparisons