Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower Max if sound quality matters most, the JBL Partybox Ultimate if price matters most. The Sony ULT Tower Max ranks #1 of 12 large party speakers at $1499.99. The JBL Partybox Ultimate ranks #2 at $1399.95, $100.04 cheaper.
These are flagship AC-powered party speakers. AudioTribe measured the Tower Max at 110.6dBC at about 6m outdoors with Flat EQ and ULT1, versus 106.2dBC for the PartyBox Ultimate in the same test. The Sony was stronger from 40-100Hz, while the JBL held an advantage below 40Hz.
Choose the Tower Max for mid-bass output and professional connections: Three 11-inch woofers, 10-band EQ, RCA/XLR inputs and XLR output suit high-output DJ and event use. It is also dramatically heavier at 56.3kg.
Choose the PartyBox Ultimate for deeper sub-40Hz bass and JBL features: It is lighter, costs less, and adds Wi-Fi streaming and JBL’s two mic/guitar inputs.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower Max if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the JBL Partybox Ultimate if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower Max | JBL Partybox Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.99 | $1,399.95 |
| Ranked | #1 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #2 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 21" x 41.8" x 18.6" (534 x 1062 x 472 mm) | 17.9" x 41.3" x 17.3" (455 x 1049 x 440 mm) |
| Drivers | 9 drivers: 3x 11" woofer (2 front, 1 rear), 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 1" tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter | 2x 9" subwoofer, 2x 4.5" midrange, 2x 2.75" tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat / Live) | Yes (3 band) |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | Splashproof top surface | IPX4 |
| 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) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| 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 | 86 lbs / 39 kg |
| Wifi | No | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sony ULT Tower Max compares with other leading options:
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 1000
- 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 Ultimate vs Teufel Rockster
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 Ultimate: $1,399.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A true large-venue party speaker: its 1,100W system, dual 9-inch woofers and six-driver array produce exceptionally deep, authoritative bass and very high clean output. Independent reviews praise its unusually clear, articulate sound at extreme levels. Wi-Fi streaming, app EQ, inputs for two mics/guitar, USB playback, Auracast, a polished light show and wheels make it unusually complete for karaoke and DJ-style use.
Cons: At 39kg and more than a metre tall, this is not casually portable despite the wheels. It needs AC power, has no battery and only IPX4 splash resistance. Reviews also note that its bass-heavy presentation can obscure fine detail and overwhelm a small room; its size and cost only make sense for very large spaces or frequent events.
Full JBL Partybox Ultimate review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.9" x 41.3" x 17.3" (455 x 1049 x 440 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 9" subwoofer, 2x 4.5" midrange, 2x 2.75" tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 1100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 86 lbs / 39 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox Ultimate Vs SOUNDBOKS 4 & Sony XV900 - Is It Worth It? More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox Ultimate Vs Partybox 710 - They’re Both Crazy, But There Is A Clear Winner
- Flossy Carter: JBL PartyBox Ultimate VS JBL PartyBox 1000 - Which Speaker is The BEST? More from FlossyCarter →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- GYMCADDY: Sony ULT Tower 10 Vs JBL Partybox Ultimate & JBL Partybox 710
- M1MTechChannel: Vorsicht LAUT ⚠️ | Teufel Rockster 2 vs JBL Partybox 720 / Ultimate More from M1MTechChannel →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs JBL Partybox 1000
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs Teufel Rockster 2
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs JBL Partybox 720
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs JBL Partybox 710
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs JBL Partybox 520
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs Teufel Rockster
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs Sony ULT Tower 10
- See all 14 comparisons