These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The Sony ULT Tower Max ranks #1 of 12 large party speakers by sound quality at $1499.99; the Soundboks 3 ranks #7 of 14 battery-powered PA speakers by sound quality at $699.
This pits Sony’s Tower Max, a 360-degree consumer party speaker, against the Soundboks 3, 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 3 offers the same dual-10-inch, 126dB, IP65-rated design as the Soundboks 4 and a removable 40-hour battery, though it is now discontinued with only third-party resale stock available.
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 3 for higher peak output at a discounted resale price: It also runs on battery power at all, where the Tower Max is AC-only. At $699 it also costs less. It is discontinued, so check current stock and condition before buying.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower Max at $1499.99 if you want a large party speaker. Buy the Soundboks 3 at $699 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 | Soundboks 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.99 | $699 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #1 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #7 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 40 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) | 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" (254mm) woofers + 1x 1" (25mm) compression tweeter with horn |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat / Live) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | Splashproof top surface | IP65 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (6.3mm) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) | No |
| Amplifier Power | 2,150W (manufacturer specified) | Not specified |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Chain) | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) |
| 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) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Weight | 124.1 lbs (56.3 kg) | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 52Hz |
| Inputs | - | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | - | 126dB |
| XLR Input | - | Yes (2x combo) |
| SKAA | - | Yes |
| 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 | - | App EQ |
| 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
- See all 20 comparisons
Soundboks 3: $699 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Tied for the loudest battery powered speaker. Removable 40 hour battery. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Very large. Not as neutral or as deep of bass as the above Partyboxes. Not stereo. External power brick for charging. Discontinued; no longer sold by Soundboks, only third-party resale stock remains. Discontinued.
Full Soundboks 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | Not specified |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Not specified |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Cabinet Material | Poplar plywood |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| Coverage | Not specified |
| DSP | App EQ |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | Not specified |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 10" (254mm) woofers + 1x 1" (25mm) compression tweeter with horn |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | Not specified |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Rigging | Not specified |
| SKAA | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x combo) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons