Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Sony ULT Tower Max ranks #1 of 12 large party speakers by sound quality at $1499.99; the Soundboks 2 ranks #8 of 14 battery-powered PA speakers by sound quality at $449.
This pits Sony’s Tower Max, a 360-degree consumer party speaker, against the Soundboks 2, 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 Soundboks 2 offers dual 10-inch woofers rated to 124dB max SPL and a removable 40-hour battery, though it is a discontinued model without app EQ or TWS pairing.
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 Soundboks 2 for higher peak output at a lower price, discontinued caveats aside: It also runs on battery power at all, where the Tower Max is AC-only. At $449 it also costs less. It is discontinued, so check current stock and condition before buying.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower Max at $1499.99 for a large party speaker, or the Soundboks 2 at $449 for a battery-powered PA speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings and PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower Max | Soundboks 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.99 | $449.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #1 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #8 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | No |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 21" x 41.8" x 18.6" (534 x 1062 x 472 mm) | Not specified |
| Drivers | 9 drivers: 3x 11" woofer (2 front, 1 rear), 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 1" tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter | 2x 10" woofers, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat / Live) | No |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| 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) | 216W (3x 72W) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Chain) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) | No |
| Power Input | AC 120-240V, 50/60Hz | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Weight | 124.1 lbs (56.3 kg) | 33.1 lbs (15 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Charging Time | - | 3.5 hours |
| Inputs | - | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | - | 124dB |
| XLR Input | - | Yes (2x combo) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | - | Poplar plywood |
| Rigging | - | Not specified |
| Coverage | - | Not specified |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | Not specified |
| DSP | - | No |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | Not specified |
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 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
- See all 20 comparisons
Soundboks 2: $449.00 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Built for maximum outdoor output: its two 10-inch woofers and silk-dome tweeter reach a claimed 124dB, while the removable battery is rated for up to 40 hours. It also provides aux, microphone and guitar inputs, making it a practical battery-powered option for loud parties and informal performances.
Cons: At 15kg it is large to transport, lacks weather protection, app EQ and TWS stereo pairing, and relies on an external charging arrangement. Its tonal balance and bass depth are less refined than stronger modern party speakers, and this discontinued model requires caution around used-battery condition and support. Discontinued.
Full Soundboks 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 216W (3x 72W) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Not specified |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Cabinet Material | Poplar plywood |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| Coverage | Not specified |
| DSP | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | Not specified |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 10" woofers, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | Not specified |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 124dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Rigging | Not specified |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 33.1 lbs (15 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x combo) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons