Sony ULT TOWER 5 300W Portable Party Speaker - Black

This Speaker Rocks!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] My ULT Tower 5 Party Speaker arrived last week, and I could not wait for the opportunity to put it to the test. Opening the box and unwrapping the speaker I was impressed with the design, and it looked even better in the flesh than in the photos I had seen online. It has two inbuilt carry handles for ease of movability without the fear or dropping. A very sleek design and an intriguing button on the top left! Having turned the speaker on it very quicky connected to my phone with ease and I was streaming my favourite playlist to the speaker in no time at all. First impressions were what an incredible sound presence I could feel from the speaker. Crisp and clear with no distortion even at higher volumes. When I say this speaker rocks the house is an understatement it is loud! I then discovered the ULT button which you can change to mode one for deeper lower bass levels and mode two for increased power and overall energy. The front of the speaker carries LEDs around the speaker’s circumference which change in time to the music and really set this speaker off as a true party speaker. On top there are three simple buttons. On/Off, a Bluetooth connect button and a play pause button. The before mentioned ULT button also doubles up as a volume button that you turn. The rear really shows the multiple connection options that this speaker truly has. From RCA phono connection and a XLR Connection as well as USB-C and USB-A. a simple function selection on the rear for easy switching between inputs. The USB's will also charge your input device too! I am yet to try it but there is a microphone connection with a level control which will be ideal for karaoke with tone controls and Echo enhancement. I will also in the future be able to pair this with my previous Sony party speaker via the Bluetooth link which is activated from the rear. If you are looking for a class leading party speaker which ticks all the boxes, the ULT Tower 5 is for you!

Jamie293

A Pure Power Machine

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] After opening the box and unpacking the Sony ULT Tower 5 Wireless Speaker the first thing I noted was the weight of the speaker (around 13 kg). So I knew it was going to be a good solid built device. The Sony ULT Tower 5 can be mounted vertically or horizontally and has feet and handles to enable this to be done easily. It is quite compact and measures approx. 35 X 53 X 27 centimetres. It can be run from the built in rechargeable battery or mains power. The battery lasts about 20 hours between charges. This wireless speaker, once out of the box, needed no real ‘set up’ procedure and I was very pleased that I could have it up and running in a few minutes without even looking at the help guide. The first thing to do is to download the Sony Sound Connect app onto your mobile or other android/apple device depending on where your music is stored. This makes life a lot easier when using the speaker. There is also a good help guide that can be downloaded from the internet that’s easy to follow. I have my music on my pc and mobile phone, so I usually use these as the source to play through the speaker tower. I also use the speaker occasionally to play the music from my TV. When switching on there is a notification sound from the speaker that lets you know it’s switched on and the speaker lights up. When you press the light button you can change the lighting mode or stop the lighting completely. The pairing is easy because the speaker goes into pairing mode automatically when the unit is switched on. There is a Bluetooth button on the speaker top that flashes during pairing and becomes a steady blue light when paired. Once paired to a particular source the unit will automatically find that source next time it’s switched on provided the source is in pairing mode too. This Sony ULT Tower 5 Wireless Speaker is a real Sony Powerhouse with a powerful bass sound along with a crisp sharp treble that brings out the vocals and instruments without being overpowered by the bass. The powerful bass adds excitement and makes the speaker perfect for parties. In fact there is also the facility to connect a microphone if you like to have a karaoke session at your parties. On the back under the flap there is a USB-C and USB-A for a pc, phone and USB Drive along with a mic socket. There is a ULT button on front of the speaker that when turned controls the volume. If it’s pressed It also enables control of the bass, from a spine shattering deep bass on ULT 1, ULT 2 is for parties outdoors and the other position is OFF when you do not want a high bass sound. The speaker also lights up in time to music to liven up the atmosphere. For a reasonably small package the sound output from this ULT Tower 5 is superb and clear with the option to adjust the bass to suit your listening requirements. I also use the speaker outside in my garden and the sound carries well in all directions and with quality being maintained (No complaints from my neighbours.…yet). I plan to use it for garden parties when the weather improves. Another great product from Sony at a reasonable price.

Abtria, Knaresborough

Boombastic!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This is quite the speaker. It is a large black monolithic box which weighs 12.7kg which would normally be difficult to move, but luckily includes 4 hefty built-in handles on its corners as part of its industrial design. Solid! I was initially disappointed that it only came with a 1.4m charge cable which I thought would limit its room placement but realised soon after, that the speaker has a large internal battery. So can be used untethered. The battery takes about 3.5 hours to charge but once it has, you have up to 20 hours of play. 10 mins of charge will give you 100 minutes of play which is excellent if you need an urgent play! It measures 53.4cm in height and about 36cm wide and 28cm deep. It has nice rubber feet on 2 of its sides as it can be placed vertically or horizontally. Amazingly this is the smallest in this range with a bigger model 7 and even bigger Max model, so Sony have covered big to massive rooms! The enclosure is capable of 300w of power, with a 230mm woofer for bass, and 2 x 60mm tweeters. On unpacking it, and pressing the big rubberised On/Off button on top, it immediately went in to pairing mode, accompanied by a nice deep tone and multicoloured lights around the speaker grill. My smartphone connected in seconds. You can then download the Sony “Sound Connect” app, if you haven’t already and that then gives you full control over the speaker and your linked music information. On playing music, this is the definitive party speaker. It goes very, very loud without distortion and has bundles of room shaking bass. On the front of the speaker is a large “ULT” disc, which illuminates and I thought was just a brand badge. But it works like a physical volume knob but more importantly changes the 4 main sound modes by pushing it. ULT-1 gives good bass, ideal for R&B/ hip hop. ULT-2 gives even more bass attack. Flat- tends to remove most of the bass for a more natural sound. Ideal for instrumentals or vocals and LIVE mode which gives a stadium/theatre feel. I preferred ULT-2 for most of my music and Flat for background music. My house extension is 9.5 x 4m and this speaker fills it and the rest of the house with ease with bass thumbing beats! The speaker unit has plenty of inputs/outputs on the back of the unit hidden behind a drop down rubberised flap. No HDMI but covers everything else.USB A and C sockets, analogue line ins, XLR in and outs for DJ desks. It also had a microphone input with volume control. We had a lot of fun with this and the Karaoke function. This enables you to sing along while the speaker/app functions can suppress the main vocals on the original track so you can be the main performer! The app is fully featured. It can add in sound effects like applause and cheering, sirens and funny noises and give your voice a funny sound via a microphone such as “Munchkin”. The colours emitted by the speaker can also be customised using preset colours or a track pad. What I find incredible is that you can then add another speaker at a later date to form a stereo pair or even many speakers (up to 100 speakers,apparently) to form a wall of sound. Perfect for a concert or proper stage show. When the battery runs low, you get an audible voice warning “low battery” at 20% state of charge, from the speaker. Would be better to have a notification on your phone. But you can keep a check on the battery level on your phone anyway as it is clearly shown on the main page of the control app. The speaker battery lasted 17 hours on its first charge but then I was putting it through its paces and features and using the Karaoke function a fair amount. This is an excellent speaker for the home or even bigger areas like a wedding reception or dance class as it really provides a huge sound with big bass. With its build quality, sound quality and well known Sony reliability, it is a no brainer purchase.

MarkyMark, Wales, UK

Party speakers getting serious

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Very, very easy to use throughout it's usage, from initial setup with the app, though to the simplified yet effective use of the Ult volume control dial incorporating the Ult power button. Volume on this speaker is fantastic, with no drop offs at higher levels including the bass being constant throughout the volume range. Be careful, the first ult profile has so much emphasis on sub bass frequencies it will shake the room. For the price point it sits right alongside the Ult field 7 from the previous generation of party speakers and whilst that in itself was quite magnificent for being an "outdoor party" speaker, this beast has been fine tuned for a little of everything. The key difference for me isn't the volume or the bone shaking bass, it's the quality that can be heard straight out the box, it's amazing, with every range heard quite clearly. Highs, mids and lows all are presented very well with options within the sound connect app to fine tune the audio on each profile to your own needs. The party lights are quite fun, and at default will beat alongside the beat of the music but this also can be changed to a wide range of patterns and colours within the app, the lights also show volume levels as you turn the volume dial, the lights will creep up the sides of the speaker along the top until they meet at 100% volume. Connection for me is by Bluetooth and as said can be connected by the app or by standard Bluetooth pairing on your device. I prefer using LDAC for my audio connections, but if honest I could not find a way in the app to change from AAC to LDAC but could easily do it in my phones Bluetooth connection settings. There are many more connection methods that can be accessed for this speaker giving it a more professional usage option than other party speakers out there, these are accessed via the rear panel underneath the weather protection cover and cover a range for everyone, from karaoke mics, to DJ equipment quite a few connectors are present and they show all the panels connectors, right on the box meaning potential buyers can see exactly if their required connection is present, a nice touch. Carry handles in the corners give a bit of help moving the speaker around, and feet on the bottom and side giving options for vertical and horizontal standing. This is a VERY well put together speaker, with a little of something for everyone. From a basic party, to a full blown karaoke night in with equipment connected straight to the speaker. Party's just got an upgrade.

Lord-Viridis, West Midlands

What a suprise

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Sony Ult tower 5. What a surprise! Sony have produced this quality party speaker which overall is outstanding with impressive sound and colourful lighting. Packaged very well I was impressed with the four handles for easy movement and the overall look is upmarket and fun. Mains or rechargeable battery with up to 20 hours use, I connected my iPhone very easily via Bluetooth (button on top of unit) or you can connect various kit via usb also Karaoke. After downloading the Sony Connect App I was soon up and running, so impressed with the punchy bass sound quality and volume for its size. The ULT TOWER 5 is of a size which is easy to move about the house or transport to a party or gathering, I found the quality lighting creates a fun atmosphere with BEAT WAVE and MELLOW modes and also an indication of volume control. Pressing the ULT button to select sound mode, 1 deep bass, 2 powerful bass, 3 Neutral sound, also the outer ring to adjust the volume. Overall I’m impressed with this quality speaker and lighting and would recommend.

John, South Yorkshire

A great family addition for all occasion’s….

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I took delivery of my new Sony ULT Tower 5 Power Speaker this week. You immediately realise this isn’t just another wireless speaker, or speaker system for TV’s etc. it is an all round functioning speaker with fun built in. It also weighty which adds to its reproductive performance. Firstly, after unpacking, registering online and charging the battery it was time to take in all the different functions available. All of which are clear and easy to understand and shown by the clear labelling to the rear of the speaker. After educating myself to the different functions available, I chose to use the speaker for playing back music on my iPhone and iPad. I was extremely impressed with the sound reproduction and quality of the internal speakers. The Ultra Bass has a deep, punchy output that maintains the original sound and does not distort at the maximum bass and high level volume. The individual speakers reproduce good vocals and instrumental performance which together combine to produce clear audio sound throughout. The addition of the RGB lighting around the edge of the speaker frame is a real fun bonus, which in turn adds a great atmosphere when you turn the house lights down. Our Grand Kids had great fun singing and dancing with the speakers pumping out great sounds to the lighting system. On that point of family entertainment, we all agreed on one small criticism, and that is it would have been great to include a kareoke microphone as part of the package. For a small extra cost, this might be an even bigger attraction to families looking to buy the complete entertainment package in one go. But, besides that critique, this speaker delivers a great range of audio outputs and with the fun lighting system will price great entertainment with family and friends. Another small criticism of ours was that whilst the speaker has a nice rich bass sound with ULT switched on, we all found it hard to differentiate between the sound on ULT options 1 and 2 for the fuller bass sound? For my family, this speaker would be used, regularly for playing our music libraries and entertainment with Karaoke at family and friends gatherings. Overall, it’s really hard to criticise this speaker. It delivers on all fronts/formats for sound reproduction and family entertainment.

Slappy007, Warfield Bracknell

Bass, lights & fun!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I've been really impressed with the Sony ULT TOWER 5. I love having music on at home, and this speaker definitely brings something extra to the experience! The first thing that stood out to me was the sound quality. The bass is deep and powerful, and you can really feel it when playing songs with a good beat. I also like that you can adjust the ULT sound settings to give the music that extra punch when you want it. Whether you're listening to your favourite songs or turning the volume up for a bit of a dance, it delivers a really enjoyable sound. The lights are another great feature and add to the whole experience. My kids absolutely loved them and were dancing away to the music, enjoying the bass and watching the lights as they changed with the beat. It was lovely seeing them having so much fun, and it definitely brought a bit of a party atmosphere into the house! Connecting my phone via Bluetooth is straightforward, which makes it easy to put some music on without messing around with wires. The speaker itself looks smart and feels like a quality product. It is quite a substantial speaker, though, so it's worth bearing in mind that it takes up a fair bit of space compared with a smaller portable speaker. The carry handle is useful for moving it around, but I wouldn't describe it as something you'd casually pop in a bag and take anywhere. The battery life is another positive, with Sony advertising up to 20 hours depending on usage and settings. I also like the water-resistant design, which is handy for outdoor use in suitable conditions. The karaoke and DJ features are a nice extra for anyone who enjoys entertaining, although I think the main selling points for me are the sound, bass and lighting. If I had to pick a few things that could be improved, I'd say the size might not suit everyone, particularly if you don't have much room at home. I'd also like to see a little more flexibility with the lighting options, so you can easily adjust the brightness or create a more subtle atmosphere when you don't want the full party effect. At times, having such powerful bass might not suit every type of music, so being able to fine-tune the sound to your own preference is useful. Of course, this will come down to personal taste. The price is also something I'd consider before buying. It's not just a basic speaker, as you're paying for the powerful sound, lighting and extra party features, so whether it's worth the money will depend on how often you see yourself using everything it offers. Overall, I genuinely love the Sony ULT TOWER 5. The sound is powerful, the bass is fantastic, and the lights make listening to music more fun. The fact that my kids loved it too was a real bonus, and it's been great seeing them dancing away and enjoying themselves. It's not the smallest or cheapest option out there, and there are a few things I'd like to be able to customise further, but the overall experience has been really positive. For anyone who loves music, enjoys a proper bassline and wants to bring a bit more fun into their home or garden gatherings, I think it's definitely worth considering. It's a speaker that makes you want to turn the music up and enjoy yourself and deserves the 5/5 rating

crump5911, Cheshire

Crystal clear yet powerful

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The sony ULT tower 5, is a sleek simple yet powerful party speaker to impress friends, family and yourself. I was truly blown away by the size to performance ratio. It has two tweeters that produce crystal clear sounds with a whopping Subwoofer offering massive epic bass punching well above it's size, also offering a massive 300w. I genuinely use this in my house, or outside, to which I can experience the full capability. It's quite portable, with having two handles to carry and not weighing too much. I can imagine that to some it could possibly be a struggle to pick and move. It features 3 options for the ULT button. UlT1 deep bass, ULT2 increased power to ULT1 and ULT 3 being flat keeping the sound at it's original level. I do wish it had a light or a function to which it would show what ULT setting it was on. The ULT button also has a turn knob for volume up and down which was a nice feature. However, a remote would be a nice touch for when your away from the speaker. Ultimately, you can control this from your phone, or TV if it's connected through Bluetooth. The remote is a minor critique and just a personal preference. The speaker has 3 options for lighting being beat, wave and mellow. To save on consumption I'd hit the stamina mode button which will obviously save on battery, although a full charge should last around 20 hours give or take settings and lighting. You also have an option for party chain allowing you to connect 100 compatible speakers, which I can only imagine to be shatteringly amazing to witness and hear. On the back it is packed with some features from usb type C, Usb A, for a usb drive which i felt was handy specially the type C for charging my phone whilst using the tower. It has a mic option, with a key control button allowing pitch & key/echo & reverb making it ideal for karaoke and my personal use for the occasional beatbox. It also has a line1, 2 and line out for dj users, which i will be intending to use in the near future when i get a dj controller. All in all, I was blown away with sony once again, from the sleek yet simple design, compact power and friendly features thinking of most if not all occasions. If your looking for something slightly smaller in the medium size range, yet packs a punch, This is for you. The possibilities are endless for a fun and entertaining occasion. A must have for people who love to listen, karaoke and dj. My personal preference with the ULT tower 5, is the bass and clarity. And the itch is definitely scratched. It's a fantastic bit of kit.

Smallvile, Nottingham

Really surprised 1st time User

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have to admit I’ve never really owned a speaker of this this, apart from a subwoofer I used to own years ago as part of a sound system. As always outside and inside the box the packaging and ease of use of everything is always great with Sony. Initial impressions it’s of great quality as always from Sony. I was surprised it has its own battery, so you can plug in and charge and take it to the beach for example. Also there are light options from the pictures and also the in app where there are a range of features from setting it up for karaoke to adjusting the highs and lows to how you want it. A great feature which I love was the big ULT button, works same way as the headphones and will add base if that’s your thing. In terms of outputs it has a range for all uses. The one draw back I would say it improvement is coming back to what I said to the beginning, maybe through the app in the future you can connect your Sony soundbar and this speaker and it can act as a entertainment system.

Kingeman7, London