Sony's New ULT Power Sound Towers Add XLR Ports, 100 LEDs and a $1,500 Bass Monster
Sony's biggest party speakers yet — the ULT Tower Max, Tower 7 and Tower 5 — bring wired USB-C, RCA and XLR connectivity, up to 100 LEDs and, on the 121-pound Tower Max, triple 280mm woofers for Sony's 'most powerful bass yet'.
OFFICIALSony has announced three new tower-style party speakers that become the largest options in its ULT Power Sound lineup: the ULT Tower Max, ULT Tower 7 and ULT Tower 5. The pitch is more of everything — more bass, more lights, and, for the first time on these, proper wired connectivity for gear that isn't Bluetooth.
WIRED CONNECTIVITY IS THE REAL STORY
The headline change for anyone who actually plays music off physical sources: all three speakers add USB-C, RCA and XLR ports on the back, so you can hook them up to mixers, instruments, DJ gear or other speakers with cables rather than relying on wireless. XLR in particular signals Sony is chasing the semi-pro and DJ crowd, not just living-room parties.
UP TO 100 LEDS
The other big upgrade is lighting. The new models use up to 100 LEDs, doing double duty: practical visual feedback for things like battery level and Bluetooth pairing, plus an animated light show synced to whatever's playing. It's the kind of feature that reads as gimmick on paper and sells the phone-in-the-air party vibe in person.
THE $1,499.99 TOWER MAX
The flagship is the ULT Tower Max — a 121-pound slab Sony all but admits is big enough to double as a coffee table. Inside are four tweeters, two midrange drivers and three 280mm woofers working together for what Sony calls the 'most powerful bass yet' in ULT Power Sound. The catch: it's only splash-proof on its top panel, so it's an indoor machine.
TOWER 7 AND TOWER 5
The step-downs are far more livable. The 50-pound Tower 7 pairs a single 280mm woofer with two midrange drivers and four tweeters, runs up to 30 hours on battery (with the LEDs off), and rolls on wheels. The 29-pound Tower 5 drops to a 230mm woofer, two midrange drivers and two tweeters for up to 20 hours of playback. Both carry IPX4 water resistance — but only when standing vertically.
THE LINEUP AT A GLANCE
How the three compare:
| Spec | Tower Max | Tower 7 | Tower 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.99 | $649.99 | $449.99 |
| Weight | 121 lb | 50 lb | 29 lb |
| Woofers | 3 x 280mm | 1 x 280mm | 1 x 230mm |
| Midrange / tweeters | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Battery | Mains-focused | Up to 30 hrs | Up to 20 hrs |
| Water resistance | Top-panel splash only | IPX4 (vertical) | IPX4 (vertical) |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes | No |
TUNABLE SOUND, FINALLY
A smaller but welcome change: for the first time, users can tweak the EQ on the speakers' default sound profiles. That includes the bass-maximising ULT1 and ULT2 modes and a Flat mode that reproduces a track closer to its original mix, without the chest-thumping low end. All three also get four redesigned handles for portability, with the Tower Max and Tower 7 adding wider wheels.
RATING
This is an official Sony launch, so the models, specs and pricing are CONFIRMED. Whether the Tower Max's bass and 100-LED light show justify $1,499.99 is the open question — but on paper, Sony has clearly aimed the new ULT towers at buyers who want a real, wired-in sound system rather than just another Bluetooth box.