Sony - ULT TOWER MAX High-Powered Party Speaker with XLR/RCA Inputs - Black

Here comes Sony going all out with their latest most powerful party speaker to date. The ULT Tower Max. man this speaker is no joke, this is not the type of speaker that just sits inside your house this thing is huge and heavy, it has extremely powerful bass, high volume, 360 degree sound, RGB party lighting, karaoke and even DJ style setups. Its a pricey and a Tank of a speaker, ive been messing with this speaker for about a week and it's just incredible how loud the ULT Tower Max can truly get. If you want something that can shake the room well you might have just found the right one. PRODUCT & FEATURES: The first thing that you will notice about the Ult Tower Max is its size. A 120lbs speaker is insane for a party speaker. Its technically still a portable speaker since Sony added large wheels and multiple handles, which will make moving around much easier than physically lifting it.The build quality is appropriate for something this large. It definitely has a more mature look than it does not look like a fun toy. I found the design very calm and not too flashy even though it has RGB lights around the metal grille. Inside there are three 280mm woofers, 2 two midrange drivers, and four tweeters, giving the ULT Tower Max a 2150W. Those 3 large woofers are the biggest reason this speaker can produce such enormous low end energy. But the speaker also comes with its own dedicated sound mode or ULT button. We have ULT 1, ULT 2 and FLAT, first two are bass heavy setting while FLAT is the better choice when you want something closer to the original mix. Another major upgrade is connectivity which includes bluetooth, RCA, USB C and XLR connectivity, its very flexible than a standard party speaker. The XLR input is interesting if you want to connect professional audio equipment or DJ mixer. Sony also added 360 party sound and a much more sophisticated lighting system, LED can react to the music and can also provide visual feedback for certain functions. The speaker is also design with karaoke in mind, which is perfect for a great party night. One thing to keep in mind if you're going to be outdoor near the pool Tower Max isnt the speaker id choose, its splash resistant but i honestly wouldnt chance it considering the ULT Tower Max is required to be plugged in the whole time you are using the speaker. EXPERIENCE: Ive been using the speaker for a week now and the amount of sounds this speaker produces is what truly stands out for me. I started playing through bluetooth using my phone and testing the ULT button to see how much difference each setting provides. Let me tell you about the bass isn't just something i could hear, you can actually feel it. Kick drums have a physical impact, bass-heavy hip-hop tracks sound enormous, and electronic music benefits tremendously from the extra low-end. Even at relatively moderate volume levels, the Tower Max has enough bass to make a room feel different. What impress me was that the speaker doesn't simply turn everything into a muddy wall of bass, midrange and vocals remain surprisingly clea and the tweeters give the speaker enough high frequency detail to keep music from sounding completely dominated by the sub bass. I also tested it with a DJ mixer which is where you can really appreciate the ULT Tower Max. connecting the mixer made the Tower Max feel more like a legitimate party PA system than just a giant bluetooth speaker. I love having physical audio inputs that gives you considerably more control over your setup. Specially if youre mixing tracks, using multiple sources, or want to control your music directly from a mixer. Its not a replacement for dedicated professional PA system but for home DJ setup, parties, backyard events, and casual DJ use, it has plenty of power. I also and went ahead and plug my bluetooth microphone to test it for karaoke mode, my family love singing and so far this speaker has enough power and head room for fun night with the family, these type of speaker is always a hit when it comes to karaoke and its so handy. The RGB LED light makes it feel more like a party system, i personally dont care about the lights but the kids loves it. The biggest downside is obviously the size and weight its around 120lbs so this is no joke to move around, its massive so small space might require a bit more planning on where do you this speaker to be placed. I also highly recommend downloading the Sony Sound Connect app for ULT Tower Max it will sure enhance your experience, it gives you more control over the speaker than simply using the button of the unit. You will have the ability to customize and fine tune the EQ which is useful for ULT modes. You also have the ability to customize the LED lighting and some sounds effect thats built in the app that you can press anytime. CONCLUSION: For me i think Sony has created an incredibly impressive party speaker, the biggest strength is the sound the 280mm woofers give this thing an enormous amount of low end power. The vocals remain clear during karaoke, Sony offers flexibility with its connectivity, i forgot to mention that you can even sync multiple ULT party speaker with these. There are some downsides again is the size and weight, a grown adult will be needed to move this speaker around. Also the price of the speaker is not cheap so might turn down some people, if you host party alot and doesn't listen to music on standard listening level i think thats one of the reason to own this ULT Tower Max its designed to be loud, bass heavy and to have fun so if youre not about to do any of that then this might not be the party speaker for you. Overall this is one amazing speaker to own that sure will get your experience worth.

Over the last week, I've been testing the new Sony ULT Tower MAX party speaker, and overall, this thing is absolutely incredible. Its performance is seriously at a level that I’ve only heard in professional setups—meaning clubs, DJ rigs, karaoke bars, block parties, and full-scale music venues. When listening to acoustic covers, the sound profile is warm, vocals are pronounced, and instruments sound remarkably natural. Guitar strums stay tight, and drum beats sound so realistic. The performance on Latin music is equally amazing: vocal clarity is absolute perfection, the trumpets sound lively, and the bass naturally makes you want to get out on the dancefloor. In terms of distortion, the speaker itself stays completely clean. Whether I was listening to Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock, or Techno, everything sounded club- or party-ready. The only audible distortion during testing came from room resonance—vibrating picture frames and furniture—rather than the speaker driver itself. There are four available built-in sound modes with adjustable EQs, which allow for additional flexibility based on the type of music I was playing. The Flat setting is very balanced and is best used for casual listening or when using the EQ from another source. ULT 1 is best for music with heavy bass and seems to emphasize tighter bass hits. ULT 2 is my absolute favorite to use for house parties. It works best for environments where you want to fill the room with a warmer midbass, throw the bass further, and reduce the impact of hard drum beats. Live sounded best for live music using musical instruments or a microphone for singing and karaoke. When it comes to output, the volume is simply insane. Used indoors at 25%, it will comfortably fill 1,200 square feet with loud, clear sound. At 100%, you might get a knock on the door from a neighboring house. Outdoors it sounds equally fantastic, with the music being audible multiple houses away. As for inputs, the selection compartment is illuminated and features an excellent professional port setup. It includes RCA, which is great for plugging in my DJ controller, a 1/4-inch auxiliary port for pro audio gear like the Sony ULT MIC (along with a dedicated knob for microphone volume), and male and female XLR-3 inputs for daisy-chaining speakers and equipment for reliable, wired, low-noise signal transmission. There is also a USB-C port that can power both an iPad and a DJ controller at the same time, as well as a USB-A port. On the front of the cabinet, there is a multifunction knob that controls volume and switches Sony's ULT sound fields. The built-in LED light strip looks very elegant and is customizable in the Sony Connect app. Bluetooth works great—pairing is instant, and I am able to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time. However, I would still recommend a wired audio connection for the very best sound and less risk of interference. The cabinet itself is well-balanced, making it easy to tip the unit and transport it to another location using the built-in wheels. The only minor negative of this speaker is that the corners don't have extra reinforcement in the corners, and the wheels don't work great on stairs. Their placement causes the side of the cabinet to get scratched up when moving it between floors. With all that said, this is still the best party speaker I've ever tested. If your goal is to DJ music, host a karaoke party, or just have the best outdoor speaker in the neighborhood, this speaker will deliver, and I give it my highest recommendation.

Sony wasn’t kidding when they set out to make the ultimate party speaker. The ULT Tower Max Party speaker is gigantic at almost 42” tall, 21” wide, and weighing in at a hefty 125lbs. Thankfully there’s handles and wheels integrated into the body, which is also adorned in rugged plastic with metal speaker grills to protect your investment as you’re moving it around. I don’t recall Sony ever making a PA speaker, but this might be the closest thing to it. Especially with an XLR input and output and the ¼” mic input. There’s also a USB-A and USB-C port for charging and input and of course a Bluetooth 5.3 connection for wireless playback. What’s really cool about the wireless option is if you have other Sony “Sound Connect” compatible speakers with Auracast. This lets you wirelessly daisy chain each speaker so you can have multiple angles and rooms covered. And with this speaker it’s likely other rooms, or maybe even houses, because this thing gets incredibly loud. In a 2 story single home, I can barely turn the volume past ¼ up because of how loud it is. And depending on whether you use the ULT1 or ULT2 EQ setting you’ll notice the bass shift from deep and low to punchy and powerful. To me, ULT1 is more about sound quality and ULT2 is about thump. There’s also a Live setting that adds some DSP effects and isn’t half bad. But if none of those satisfy you, the 10 band EQ also has a user programmable setting to tune it to your preference. And while sound quality generally takes a backseat priority to loudness in party speakers, I’m happy to say the ULT Tower Max sounds great as well. It doesn’t have the high fidelity and balance of studio speakers/headphones, but the highs are not shrill, the vocals sound natural, and the bass can be melodic depending on how you set it. It even sounds good at low volume, but this baddie was made to be loud. Fitted with three 11” woofers, two 4.7” mids, and four tweeters in a 360 dispersion pattern there is no shortage of thump. Just one should cover most large gatherings, but it really depends on the setting. I would say no problem for most pool parties, a ballroom, or even an auditorium. Again, it’s essentially a 2,150 watt Sony PA speaker. The XLR and ¼” mic inputs are great for plugging a microphone or guitar directly and also works great connected to a mixer. There’s also an XLR output for a wired daisy chain connection. What might be my favorite touch though is the little LED light that illuminates the ports when you open the panel. A lot of times, connections have to be made or adjusted in the dark so kudos to Sony for understanding and improving on AV tech issues. If you’re looking for the ultimate party speaker, or one bluetooth speaker to do it all… this is it. It’s literally called the ULT Tower Max and all three of those words are fitting. It’s the closest thing I’ve seen to Sony making a PA speaker and like most of their high end products, this did not disappoint. It’s ridiculously loud, will shake the house, and you can even use the Sound Connect app on your phone to add some DJ sound effects and play with the light effects. Great job Sony! PROS - LOUD - Heavy bass (3x 11” woofers) - 360 sound - Multitude of ports (XLR input, XLR output, ¼” mic port, RCA input, USB-A, USB-C) - Customizable EQ - Essentially doubles as a PA speaker - Light action is fun - Karaoke tools - One speaker to do it all - Rugged enclosure with metal grates - Integrated wheels and handles - Can wirelessly daisy chain compatible speakers with Auracast CONS - Large - Heavy at 125 lbs - No battery, must be plugged in

The Sony ULT TOWER MAX is easily the biggest and most powerful speaker I’ve ever owned. I had expected a lot of bass, but I wasn’t quite prepared for what this massive speaker was going to throw at me! It gets incredibly loud, and will shake the entire room and everything in it, at the upper volume setting. It has a lot of useful connections, and feels like something I could actually take to an event and get some good use out of. You’ll notice the size before you even open it. The shipping box is enormous and heavy to move on your own, so I would definitely recommend having someone help you. Sony’s instructions have you open the top, take out the power cord and paperwork, flip the box over, and lift the box off the speaker. That worked well, but I would have liked more cushioning around the speaker during shipping. Once I got the beast unboxed I was instantly impressed by how much thought went into moving around a speaker this heavy. There are very sturdy handles at all four corners, with enough room to get a good grip or share the load. They make a huge difference when two people need to lift it. The wheels on one side are also very handy. I was able to tip it back and pull it up a couple of steps in my house to an upper floor, almost like using a dolly. That being said, I would still appreciate a second set of wheels on the other side, preferably something able to lock, so I could roll it around more like luggage. But that’s just a suggestion for improvement on a future model, because the handles and wheels Sony included already make it much easier to move than I expected. I also like that it has rubber feet for using it upright or on its side to keep it in place when the bass is thumping. Getting the speaker setup was about as easy as it could be. I plugged it in, turned it on, pressed the Bluetooth button, and paired my phone without any trouble at all. The Sony Sound Connect app picked it up quickly too and I really like the app. I like that it walks you through the speaker when you first connect it. From there, you can adjust the 10-band equalizer, change the lighting colors, and explore features like Party Pad, listening history, badges, and achievements. There’s quite a bit in there, but the app does have a lot so it might seem a little overwhelming at first, but that will pass quickly. The sound on this speaker is seriously impressive. I’ve owned speakers with a lot of bass before, but nothing like this. At just above halfway volume, it was shaking my house, and me too! I’ve only taken it to around three-quarters volume so far because anything beyond that is more than I need indoors. The preset ULT bass settings are a lot of fun and can make the right song feel like an event. You really can feel the music as much as you can hear it. That much bass isn’t what I want for every song, though. Some tracks sound better in FLAT mode, where the mids and higher details have more room to come through. The sound remains generally clean when I turn it up, but with the bass boosted, some of that finer detail gets covered up. But I really like that Sony gave us an easy choice with its own button. If I want the whole place thumping, I can do that with just a touch. If I want to listen more closely, I switch modes or make a few adjustments in the EQ. Connecting the ULT Tower Max with other Sony ULT speakers as a left and right Stereo Pair, or a party chain of up to 100 speakers, has been one of my favorite experiences with them. You press the pairing button on one, press it on the other, and they find each other. Each speaker even announces whether it’s the left or right channel. The sound with both playing in stereo is amazing, and it fills the space in a way one speaker can’t quite match. I also like that when I turn one off, both power down. When the speakers are spread apart, that saves me a walk across the room just to press another button. What really made me excited about these speakers was connecting my DJ controller. I create my own music and have been getting into mixing, so I wanted to see how the TOWER MAX would feel as part of a DJ setup. Connecting the controller was straightforward, and once I had music playing, I could concentrate on mixing. The volume and bass made it feel like I had a real party setup in front of me. It honestly got me thinking that I’m ready to have people over and play a set, or maybe even take this setup on the road to an event. The rear connection area is especially well designed for that kind of use, in a party setting. Under the protective cover are the RCA and XLR connections, USB-A and USB-C ports, and a microphone input with its own level control. There’s also a small light inside that illuminates the connections. That might sound like a minor detail until you’re behind a large speaker in a dark room trying to find the right place to plug something in! The input selector also lights up as you turn it, so you can see what you’ve selected without pulling out your phone for a flashlight. I really appreciate that Sony thought about what it would be like to use these controls at a party or in a dark club. Another thoughtful addition is a recessed spot on top for a phone or tablet. Its wide enough to hold my phone securely even with its case on. I tried the microphone and karaoke features as well, although my only audience so far has been myself and my dogs, lol. It was a lot of fun to use and I can’t wait to try it out with friends. Between the mic controls, echo and key adjustments, lighting, and all that volume, I can see using this to sing with friends or make announcements at an event. I haven’t hosted that party yet, but testing the features has made me want to. My biggest practical concern for this speaker is the size. This is a very heavy speaker, it needs an outlet, and moving it to another location will take some planning.. As for the sound, the bass modes can be too much when I’m trying to hear every detail in a song, though switching to FLAT takes care of that pretty easily. Overall, I’m extremely happy with the Sony ULT TOWER MAX. It’s powerful, surprisingly manageable for its size because of how it was built, easy to set up, and a lot of fun to use. The DJ connections and illuminated controls are what make it particularly useful to me. I started out wanting a great speaker, and now I’m thinking about the party I could put on with it. If you have the space and want serious volume and bass for music, DJing, or events, I think you’ll be very impressed with this speaker.

Allow me to start off my review by saying HOLY COW! Sony has knocked it out of the park with this speaker. Never have I owned or operated a portable speaker that puts out sound quite like this one. First of all, it comes loaded to make noise! There are two subwoofers on the front of the speaker, and one on the back. It has multiple high and mid range speakers too. The very first time I plugged it in and connected it to my smartphone's Bluetooth, I didn't even have the volume up half way and the walls of my home were RATTLING! My oldest son was nervous that items hanging on his wall would fall if I kept the speaker running! That is just how powerful this speaker is! It is freakishly large in size as well! If you have it standing upright, it comes up to my stomach/chest area. To give you some comparison, I am 6' 3" tall! I like that it can also be laid over on its side though, as it has foot pads on the side for it to rest on. Speaking of size, it is no slouch in the weight department either. This speaker weighs around 130lbs! Don't expect it to be super easy to load/unload by yourself. It can be done, but I would highly recommend having assistance loading it in/out of a vehicle. Once it is on the ground, it has wheels! It rolls super easy to move it wherever you want it to go! The speaker also has metal handle bars on each side making lifting and maneuvering the speaker a breeze! The speaker's build quality in general feels VERY sturdy. I am impressed, as it feels like a premium product, especially with the up front cost of this speaker. Lets talk inputs now! The speaker is Bluetooth, which is great for using a smartphone or tablet to play music. It also has XLR connections, USB-C/A connections, RCA connections, and a mic/guitar input too! You can literally use this thing for so many different events, from DJing parties to playing live music gigs! And, if somehow one of these speakers isn't enough, you can pair up to 100 compatible speakers to it with Sony's Party Chain! I like that you can use a charging cable right from the speaker's connections to charge your device as well. The speaker also has built-in LED lights around the rim of the speaker cage on the front side. You can customize the lights using the Sony app on your smartphone. The volume button, which is a wheel with the letters "ULT" on it, is placed on the front of the speaker. It lights up as well and doubles as a sound mode button when pushed. Sony has multiple sound modes that can be selected, from ULT1, ULT2, FLAT, and LIVE. After my first usage inside my house, I took this speaker outdoors to really see what it could do! I transported it to our youth football practice. I rolled it onto the field using the built in handles and wheels, all while receiving odd looks from parents and coaches alike. I plugged the speaker in (it is NOT battery powered) and connected my phone to Bluetooth. I immediately turned it all the way up and hit play! As soon as the first note hit, everyone on the field and off the field turned and looked! It was commented several times how impressed everyone was with not only the sound quality in general, but also specifically how much bass the speaker puts out! It has more bass than our football stadium's sound system! The top panel of the speaker is listed as "splash resistant" but the speaker is not listed as "waterproof." I would certainly be careful and ensure that it is covered if there is a possibility of using it during inclement weather situations.