These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Sony ULT Tower Max ranks #1 of 12 large party speakers by sound quality at $1499.99; the Mackie Thump Go ranks #10 of 14 battery-powered PA speakers by sound quality at $399.99.
This pits Sony’s Tower Max, a 360-degree consumer party speaker, against the Mackie Thump Go, a performer-focused battery PA. The Tower Max offers nine drivers including three 11-inch woofers, 360-degree sound, 10-band EQ with Sound Field Optimization, wheels, and RCA/XLR/USB-C/mic I/O, though it is AC-only with no battery at all. The Mackie Thump Go offers a built-in 2-channel mixer with XLR/TRS combo inputs, an 8-inch woofer, a swappable 12-hour battery, and just 8kg of weight.
Choose the Tower Max for wheels for easier transport and immersive 360-degree party sound: Its wheels also make it easier to roll between rooms or events. Its 360-degree drivers and ULT1/ULT2/EQ modes suit a living-room-to-backyard party speaker better than a performer-focused PA cabinet.
Choose the Mackie Thump Go for true multi-channel mixing at the lowest price here: It also runs on battery power at all, where the Tower Max is AC-only. Its independent-channel mixer with dedicated gain/EQ per input suits a performer or DJ better than the Tower Max’s single mic/line jack. At $399.99 it also costs less.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower Max at $1499.99 if you want a large party speaker. Buy the Mackie Thump Go at $399.99 if you want a battery-powered PA speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings and PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower Max | Mackie Thump Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.99 | $399.99 |
| Ranked | #1 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #10 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 21" x 41.8" x 18.6" (534 x 1062 x 472 mm) | 18" x 9.1" x 11.2" (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| Drivers | 9 drivers: 3x 11" woofer (2 front, 1 rear), 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 1" tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter | 8" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat / Live) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| IP Rating | Splashproof top surface | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (6.3mm) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) | No |
| Amplifier Power | 2,150W (manufacturer specified) | 200W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Chain) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) | No |
| Power Input | AC 120-240V, 50/60Hz | - |
| Removable Battery | No | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Weight | 124.1 lbs (56.3 kg) | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 50Hz |
| Inputs | - | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | - | 115dB |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | - | Polypropylene |
| Rigging | - | 35mm pole mount; monitor wedge |
| Coverage | - | 90° H x 60° V |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | Not specified |
| DSP | - | Feedback eliminator, Music Duck and voicing modes |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | Not specified |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony ULT Tower Max:
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- 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
Prices on this page were last checked September 15, 2026 at 12:52 AM 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 →
| Amplifier Power | 2,150W (manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (6.3mm) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) |
| 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) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- 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
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Sony ULT Tower 5
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Sony ULT Tower 7
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Electro-Voice Everse 12
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Mackie Thump Go: $399.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: 8-inch custom high-output woofer + 1-inch compression driver delivers powerful audio with incredible dynamic range. Built-in mini live mixer with two XLR/TRS combo inputs + 3.5mm aux. Up to 12 hours battery (5 hours comfortable gig time), removable for swapping spares. Lightweight 17.6 lbs. Balanced sound with crisp highs, tight lows, natural vocals. Pair two Mackie Thump Gos for stereo via app. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 50Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not quite as good sounding as a Everse 8 or S1 Pro. Bluetooth pairing doesn’t auto connect every time. Designed for more loudness than deeper bass. Battery latch breaks easily. Handle on top also can break off. Not very deep bass
Full Mackie Thump Go review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Not specified |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Coverage | 90° H x 60° V |
| DSP | Feedback eliminator, Music Duck and voicing modes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18" x 9.1" x 11.2" (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | Not specified |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount; monitor wedge |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- W. Weiss: Part 3 Sound Demonstration The New EV Everse 8 compared to The Mackie Thump Go
- W. Weiss: Part 3 Shootout MACKIE THUMP GO vs BOSE S1 PRO vs JBL EON ONE COMPACT Max Volume Demo A New Winner!
- W. Weiss: Part 2 NEW MACKIE THUMP GO review/sound demo VS JBL Compact & Bose S1Pro Most Popular portable PAs
- W. Weiss: The $400 Club - Budget Portable PA’s Mackie Thump Go, JBL Partybox 110, Yamaha DBR10
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