Looking to elevate your next party? The Sony ULT Tower 10 is a massive, portable speaker designed to deliver a concert-like experience wherever you go. With its impressive sound output, synchronized lights, and easy-to-use design, this speaker is perfect for those who want to take their parties to the next level. However, its hefty price tag may give some pause. In our in-depth review of the Sony ULT Tower 10, we see if this audio behemoth is as powerful as its size implies.
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The Sony ULT Tower 10 is a powerful party speaker that can fill large spaces with booming sound. Its 1,000W output delivers impressive volume and clarity, making it perfect for outdoor gatherings. With a variety of connectivity options, including wired and wireless, and features like LED lighting effects and a built-in wireless microphone, this speaker is designed to keep the party going. However, its large size and lack of true stereo sound are notable drawbacks to consider.
Design & Build
The Sony Tower 10 party speaker is a behemoth designed for those who embrace the philosophy of “go big or go home.” Standing 110 cm tall, 42 cm wide, and 43 cm deep, and weighing a hefty 29 kg, it is built to dominate any space it occupies. To improve portability, Sony has included a handle on the top and small casters on the rear edge, allowing you to wheel it around. However, the wheels are somewhat undersized, making it challenging to roll the speaker over thresholds or uneven terrain like grass or gravel. If wheeling isn’t an option, Sony advises enlisting a second person to help lift it. For comparison, LG’s XL9T is slightly more compact at 99 cm tall, 52 cm wide, and 48 cm deep, weighing 27.5 kg.
The Tower 10’s design prioritizes utility over aesthetics. Constructed entirely of black plastic, it foregoes flashy accents or intricate designs often seen in other party speakers. A minimalist frame stretches from the base to the top, with cutouts at both ends housing hidden LEDs. These sloped sections reflect light outward for a subtle visual effect. The central focus, however, is the speaker array: two angled tweeters near the top, two midrange drivers set deeper within, and a massive 32 cm square woofer closer to the bottom. Forward-firing ports enhance bass projection. Sony hasn’t disclosed the tweeter and midrange driver sizes, but the speaker delivers a robust frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz and up to 1,000W of power. The LG XL9T offers comparable output, featuring two 7.6 cm tweeters and two 20.3 cm woofers with the same power rating.
At the top, a flat, square control panel provides the only water-resistant part of the speaker, rated IP67 for protection against dust and water. Positioned at bar height, the panel is convenient but prone to becoming a beverage rest spot—a potential hazard. Capacitive buttons control playback, Bluetooth pairing, volume, and the LED light show, with options for specific colours or a multicolour display. While sleek, these buttons can falter when wet, which is a drawback for outdoor or poolside use. The panel also includes a slot to hold phones or tablets securely and a removable hatch concealing a quarter-inch guitar input and volume knob.
The back of the speaker features additional inputs hidden behind a rubber hatch. These include a USB-A port for device charging or playback, an optical port (with a 0.9-meter optical cable included), and a 3.5mm stereo jack. The speaker supports Bluetooth 5.2 and the AAC, SBC, and LDAC codecs, allowing high-quality wireless playback. It also includes Google Fast Pair and multipoint connectivity. However, the lack of Wi-Fi excludes multi-room audio, which is disappointing for its price range.
Karaoke enthusiasts will appreciate the included wireless microphone, which pairs effortlessly with the Tower 10. Pop-out mic holders on either side keep everything tidy. While the speaker requires AC power via a 1.5-meter cable, smaller models like the Sony ULT Field 7 offer battery-powered portability for up to 30 hours.
App Experience
The Sony Music Center and Fiestable apps, available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play, offer extensive control and customization for the speaker. The Music Center app features a 7-band equalizer for fine-tuning the sound and includes two presets, ULT 1 and ULT 2, tailored to different audio preferences. ULT 1 delivers an enhanced low bass experience, powerful enough to resonate in your diaphragm, though the switch between presets comes with a slight pause. To avoid interruptions, you can adjust the preset transitions within the app for seamless playback.
The Music Center app’s main screen displays an image of your speaker, its name, and a list of connected devices and apps, such as the optical port or Spotify, with the active connection status shown at the bottom. The app organizes its features into five categories: Sound, Power Option, Illumination, System, and Bluetooth Device Management.
- Sound options let you choose sound presets, create custom EQ profiles, apply ULT1 or ULT2 effects, optimize audio, pair with a TV, access DJ effects, and configure Bluetooth quality. DJ effects like isolator and flanger are available for microphone use.
- Power settings handle standby times and on/off sound toggles.
- Illumination controls allow you to switch between six lighting presets: Light Off, Delightful, Rave, Chill, Strobe, and Gradation. However, these presets offer only minor visual variations.
- While compatible with third-party music services like Apple Music, Spotify, and iHeartRadio, app connections can feel sluggish—directly using your preferred music app might be quicker.
The Fiestable app amplifies the fun with a vibrant interface and features like DJ Control, Illumination, Karaoke, Motion Control, Party Playlist, Party Light, and Voice Control. DJ Control offers playful sound effects (like record scratches) and tools for mic or guitar management. Party Playlist enables guests on the same Wi-Fi network to contribute tracks, fostering a collaborative atmosphere.
For LED lighting, you can either rely on the presets or customize effects with Fiestable’s Illumination tool, which includes a real-time colour wheel and blinking or strobe effects, perfect for crafting on-the-fly light shows.
While these apps aren’t essential to operate the speaker, they enhance its usability and inject fun into the experience—all without requiring an account.
Audio Performance
The Sony ULT Tower 10 delivers a sound experience that immediately energizes any setting. Its powerful bass makes an instant impression, resonating deeply enough to compel a physical reaction—like moving the speaker further from the wall or… turning the volume down to a more manageable level. Without the ULT bass boost engaged, the bass output is already substantial, and improper placement, especially near corners, can lead to an overwhelming, droning effect. Fortunately, the top-mounted handles and built-in casters make repositioning this XXL speaker relatively simple.
Once positioned optimally, the ULT Tower 10 produces impressively robust bass with a commendable level of precision for party environments. Activating the ULT-1 bass boost setting, however, can push it into overkill territory, particularly indoors. This mode works best in open outdoor spaces where reflective surfaces don’t amplify the bass excessively. In contrast, the ULT-2 setting strikes a better balance, enhancing beats and drums while minimizing booming indoors. This setting proved to be the most versatile for various music genres.
In the mid and treble ranges, Sony has opted for a pleasantly restrained tonal balance, ensuring the sound remains clear and enjoyable even at high volumes. While audiophiles with sensitive ears might detect a faint hiss at peak volumes, it’s minimal and comparable to the performance of high-end stereo systems from the late 1990s. For larger-scale setups, you can pair two ULT Tower 10 units in stereo or use Party Connect to create a multi-speaker chain, ensuring immersive sound coverage for any event.
Even with the single unit we had for review, though, the ULT Tower 10 delivers extraordinary volume, easily filling large spaces without distortion. Pushing it to extreme levels with the bass boost engaged and challenging tracks can overload the speaker, but this scenario is unlikely in typical use. At its core, the Tower 10 offers a balanced blend of dynamic bass, natural sound tuning, and impressive full-range clarity by party speaker standards.
The 360-degree sound design is another standout feature. With rear-facing tweeters and omnidirectional bass dispersion, the speaker provides an equally rich listening experience from every angle. No matter where partygoers are positioned, they’ll enjoy a full, vibrant soundscape enhanced by the LED lights pulsing in sync with the beat.
Conclusion
The Sony ULT Tower 10 is a powerful and feature-rich speaker that can transform any party into a vibrant celebration. Its impressive sound output, customizable lighting effects, and versatile connectivity options make it a compelling choice for audio enthusiasts. However, its massive size and weight limit its portability, and the powerful bass may be overwhelming in smaller indoor spaces. Ultimately, the ULT Tower 10 is best suited for those who prioritize a high-impact audio experience and have the space to accommodate its imposing presence.
