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 Teufel Rockster Air 2 ranks #5 of 14 battery-powered PA speakers by sound quality at $499.99.
This pits Sony’s Tower Max, a 360-degree consumer party speaker, against the Teufel Rockster Air 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 Teufel Rockster Air 2 offers a horn-loaded compression tweeter for more even off-axis coverage than a typical front-firing party speaker, a 58-hour claimed battery, and XLR mic/instrument inputs.
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 Teufel Rockster Air 2 for the longest claimed battery in the class and wider off-axis coverage: It also runs on battery power at all, where the Tower Max is AC-only. At $499.99 it also costs less.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower Max at $1499.99 for a large party speaker, or the Teufel Rockster Air 2 at $499.99 for a battery-powered PA speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings and PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower Max | Teufel Rockster Air 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.99 | $499.99 |
| Ranked | #1 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #5 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | No |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 58 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| 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) | 12.7" x 23.2" x 13.5" (323 x 589 x 343 mm) |
| Drivers | 9 drivers: 3x 11" woofer (2 front, 1 rear), 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 1" tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter | 2-way: 1x 10" paper woofer, 1x 1" polypropylene 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 (XLR) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (360 degree Party Sound) | No |
| Amplifier Power | 2,150W (manufacturer specified) | 80W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Chain) | Yes (Party Link Stereo, 2 speakers; XLR chaining up to 10) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB charging) | Yes (USB-C) |
| 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) | No |
| Weight | 124.1 lbs (56.3 kg) | 31.2 lbs (14.15 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Inputs | - | XLR microphone, 6.3mm instrument, 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Discontinued | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 47Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | - | 103dB RMS / 115dB peak @ 1m (Manufacturer specified) |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | - | Not specified |
| Rigging | - | 35mm pole mount |
| Coverage | - | 80° H x 40° V |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | Not specified |
| DSP | - | No |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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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
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- Sony ULT Tower Max vs Sony ULT Tower 10
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Teufel Rockster Air 2: $499.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: More consistent off-axis sound than the JBL Partybox 130, thanks to its single horn-loaded compression driver. Projects sound more evenly to the sides, unlike the JBL’s narrower front-firing dispersion. Cleaner instrument separation at high volume than the JBL Partybox 130, which turns anemic and loses bass at max volume despite its bass boost.
Cons: Bass isn’t as deep as the JBL Partybox 130’s boosted bass, though the JBL’s is boomy rather than truly deep. Bass and treble aren’t perfectly controlled at maximum volume - can sound hollow or too bright unless turned down from default. Not meaningfully louder than its 3-year-old predecessor, and the reviewer found the overall tuning a bit worse.
Full Teufel Rockster Air 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Not specified |
| Battery Life | 58 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Cabinet Material | Not specified |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Coverage | 80° H x 40° V |
| DSP | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.7" x 23.2" x 13.5" (323 x 589 x 343 mm) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 2-way: 1x 10" paper woofer, 1x 1" polypropylene tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | XLR microphone, 6.3mm instrument, 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB RMS / 115dB peak @ 1m (Manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | Yes (XLR) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Link Stereo, 2 speakers; XLR chaining up to 10) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 31.2 lbs (14.15 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Teufel Rockster Air 2 vs Teufel Rockster Neo
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