Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower Max. It ranks #1 of 13 large party speakers by sound quality (rated 4.8/5) at $1,498 and is still sold new; the Sony SRS-XV900 ranks #12 (rated 3.7/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Sony ULT Tower Max is the better-sounding pick. 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. The tradeoff: The same comparison found it 1.2dB behind the JBL in A-weighted loudness and weaker below 40Hz.
The Sony SRS-XV900 is the battery-powered, lighter choice. It can get slightly louder than a JBL Partybox 310. Its battery is rated for 25 hours, while the Sony ULT Tower Max needs an outlet. At 58.6 lbs (26.6 kg) it weighs much less than the Sony ULT Tower Max at 124.1 lbs (56.3 kg). The tradeoff: Not as deep of bass and loses more bass at high volume compared to the Partybox 310 and every other speaker on this page.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower Max. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sony SRS-XV900 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower Max | Sony SRS-XV900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,498.00 | $900 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #1 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #12 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 21” x 41.8” x 18.6” (534 x 1062 x 472 mm) | 16.1” x 34.6” x 17.3” (410 x 880 x 439 mm) |
| Drivers | 9 drivers: 3x 11” woofer (2 front, 1 rear), 2x 4.7” midrange, 2x 1” tweeter, 2x 1.6” rear tweeter | 9 drivers: 1x 12.6”x12.6” woofer, 2x 4.7” midrange, 2x 2” front tweeter, 2x 1.6” side tweeter, 2x 1.6” rear tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat / Live) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | Splashproof top surface | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (6.3mm) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) | No |
| Amplifier Power | 2,150W (manufacturer specified) | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Chain) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC 120-240V, 50/60Hz | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A) | Yes |
| Weight | 124.1 lbs (56.3 kg) | 58.6 lbs (26.6 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Inputs | - | Optical |
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 1000
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Teufel Rockster 2
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 720
- JBL Partybox 710 vs Sony ULT Tower Max
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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: $1,498.00 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 | Yes |
| 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 |
| Strap | No |
| 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 Teufel Rockster 2
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 720
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 710
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox Ultimate 2
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox 520
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- See all 29 comparisons
Sony SRS-XV900: $900 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Tower 9, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Pros: It can get slightly louder than a JBL Partybox 310. Nine drivers, including side and rear tweeters, spread sound around the room, and it adds a battery rated for 25 hours, LDAC and AAC Bluetooth, an optical input, mic and guitar inputs and Party Connect linking. A handle and wheels make the 26.6 kg cabinet easy to move.
Cons: Not as deep of bass and loses more bass at high volume compared to the Partybox 310 and every other speaker on this page. Discontinued; Sony replaced the XV line with the ULT Tower series.
Full Sony SRS-XV900 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.1” x 34.6” x 17.3” (410 x 880 x 439 mm) |
| Drivers | 9 drivers: 1x 12.6”x12.6” woofer, 2x 4.7” midrange, 2x 2” front tweeter, 2x 1.6” side tweeter, 2x 1.6” rear tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Optical |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 58.6 lbs (26.6 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Sony SRS-XV900 vs JBL Partybox 310 - Can the JBL Middleweight 💪🏽 Compete With The Sony Heavyweight? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Partybox 710 ☣️ vs Sony SRS XV900 ☢️- Basement Brawl Speaker Comparison. Can XV900 Top the 710❓
- GYMCADDY: Sony XV900 Review - Finally, A Good Speaker From Sony! More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs Sony ULT Tower 10
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs Marshall Bromley 750
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs Teufel Rockster
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs JBL Partybox 520
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate 2
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs JBL Partybox 710
- Sony SRS-XV900 vs JBL Partybox 720
- See all 17 comparisons