The ULT Tower Max, ULT Tower 7, and ULT Tower 5 unveiled Monday replace the Tower 10, XV800, and XV500 respectively, and now sit at the top of the lineup in both size and price.
All three include USB-C, RCA, and XLR ports for wired connections to DJ gear and other audio equipment, alongside compatibility with Sony's ULT MIC1 microphone for karaoke.
The catch is that Auracast works only among these new models, so owners of older ULT speakers cannot join the chain.
Four tweeters, two midrange drivers, and three 280mm woofers - including a rear-facing unit - combine with the company's 360-degree Party Sound technology to project audio throughout a space.
The Tower Max carries only a splash-proof rating on its top panel, meaning it is best kept indoors despite its party credentials.
A new generation of Sony party speakers is pushing the company's ULT Power Sound line into larger territory, with three tower-style models that add physical audio inputs, customizable EQ, and wireless multi-room chaining for the first time.
The ULT Tower Max, ULT Tower 7, and ULT Tower 5 unveiled Monday replace the Tower 10, XV800, and XV500 respectively, and now sit at the top of the lineup in both size and price. All three include USB-C, RCA, and XLR ports for wired connections to DJ gear and other audio equipment, alongside compatibility with Sony's ULT MIC1 microphone for karaoke.
Perhaps the most significant addition is Party Chain, a feature that lets multiple speakers link together over Bluetooth Auracast to create synchronized audio across different rooms. The technology has previously appeared in Sony's headphones but is new to its speaker range. The catch is that Auracast works only among these new models, so owners of older ULT speakers cannot join the chain.
Each speaker also gains four dedicated EQ buttons on the body. ULT1 and ULT2 emphasize bass at different intensities, while FLAT aims for a faithful reproduction of the original mix. A new LIVE mode attempts to recreate the atmosphere of a concert performance, and users can adjust these profiles on the fly without reaching for an app.
The flagship: ULT Tower Max
At $1,499.99 and 121 pounds, the Tower Max is the largest and most powerful option, with dimensions substantial enough that Sony's product imagery suggests it could pass as furniture. Four tweeters, two midrange drivers, and three 280mm woofers - including a rear-facing unit - combine with the company's 360-degree Party Sound technology to project audio throughout a space. Sony characterizes the bass output as "the most powerful bass yet" in the ULT Power Sound collection.
The Tower Max carries only a splash-proof rating on its top panel, meaning it is best kept indoors despite its party credentials. It also features wider wheels for easier transport across floors.
