Verdict
If you ’re see for bass part that you could feel , but still require a balanced sound elsewhere , then the ULT Tower 9 could be the political party speaker for you . It ’s big , gaudy and impactful , but with tasteful vocals and highs that the competitor sputter to match . If you ’re into karaoke , guitar or if you require a speaker system that works with your TV , this feature - packed unit has you covered there , too
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The ULT Tower 9 is Sony ’s late super - sized party verbalizer . It ’s a direct replacement for the older SRS - XV900 , and it efficaciously supercede theslightly smaller XV800that I examine in 2024 .
The ULT Tower 9 amount in two flavor . There ’s one with a built - in stamp battery , called the Tower 9 , and one that only works on mains power , dub the Tower 9AC . I have the latter model in for testing , but other than needing to be plugged into an outlet , it has the same features and sound yield as its battery - power sib .
I was impressed with the old simulation , so I ’ve got high-pitched hopes for this one . It ’s physically larger and has one of the with child solid - shaped woofer I ’ve ever seen , so all signs point to a deafening bass reply .
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The Tower 9AC retail for £ 599 , while the barrage fire - power Tower 9 will set you back £ 849 . That mean these behemoth are up against some potent rivalry from the likes of the JBL PartyBox 710,AlphaTheta Wave - Eightand Soundboks 4 .
How does Sony ’s latest elbow grease pile up ? I ’ve been annoying my neighbour for the retiring week in an effort to find out out .
Design
The ULT Tower 9 is a very big speaker ; It stands just diffident of 3 feet magniloquent and weighs almost 30 kg . Thankfully , there are large built - in grab handgrip to make it easier to manoeuvre , as well as rack on the hind end so it can be rolled behind you like a suitcase .
A chief ill I had about the XV800 was that it had lilliputian rack , so it could only roll on the smoothest of surfaces . On this model , they ’re much larger , which is a big advance .
However , they ’re still reconstruct like government agency chair wheel , so they ’re still mostly fit to surfaces like wooden floors , tiles or linoleum . If you ’re looking to drop behind a speaker into the Mrs. Henry Wood for a rave , you ’ll in all likelihood necessitate to look elsewhere .
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The speaker is only available in pitch-black , and it has an angulate , box-shaped construction . I care that each edge is now covered with a durable credit card trim , as it ’s quite easy to dent perforated metal grilles when they enfold around a corner ( like they did on the older models ) . I ’m much more confident in this loudspeaker ’s ability to handle a few knocks .
speak of lastingness , there ’s no officialIP ratingfor this one , but Sony says it has a splashproof top panel . There are also rubber bung that cover the input on the top and rearward , which should assist in this esteem . In any type , with my sample being main power , I would n’t want to risk using it in the rain .
The strong-arm controls are all found on the top , and the majority are backlit capacitive skin senses button . Only the power shift and ULT mode switching have tactile buttons . There ’s also an inset ridge that can be used to prop up a phone or a lozenge , and a thick rubber flapping that covers two 1/4 - inch microphone inputs . Each mic input has its own dedicated volume node , and one double up as a guitar stimulant , with a guitar mode switch .
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On either side of the speaker , there are concealed microphone holder that pop out if you push on them – a lot like the cupholders you find in some cars . It ’s a really courteous sense of touch , but unfortunately , I did n’t have any appropriate microphone to test it out with .
Around the back , a separate rubber flap cover the other inputs . You get a USB - A larboard , which can be used to wager song from a ovolo drive or tear other devices , as well as an opthalmic input and a 3.5 millimeter aux input signal .
All in all , it ’s a reasonably understated and professional - looking speaker . The Sony logotype has a routine of a holographical shine to it , which is a nice touch , but elsewhere it ’s a mostly lusterlessness - dark finish . When you turn the speaker system on , though , it becomes more of a drumhead turner .
Bright LED lights shine down from the snatch grip and illuminate the sweeping curve of the top instrument panel . At the bottom , you get a similar effect that give the sack down towards the undercoat . The effect is more marked than the one grow by its predecessor , as the light-emitting diode now fully encircle the verbaliser , shining light in all directions .
That say , it ’s still fairly subtle compared to the forward - firing LEDs on JBL ’s party speakers . in person , I find Sony ’s approach a little more refined , and it ’s still impactful enough to create a prissy party ambiance .
Features
The array of inputs intend that it ’s leisurely to connect almost any wire informant to the Sony ULT Tower 9 , and of course , it has Bluetooth for your earphone , pad of paper or laptop computer . What ’s a little less common is that Sony has designed this speaker to be used with a TV , too .
There ’s an optical cable supplied in the box for this purpose , and while I do n’t cerebrate the bod factor is ideal for most living rooms , Sony has clearly put some thought into this functionality .
you could either connect the utterer and have it manage all of the audio frequency , or you could activate “ TV Sound Booster ” manner . When participating , it will funnel the dialogue through your tv set ’s speakers and only utilise the woofer and rear - firing speakers to widen the soundstage and lend some more oomph to the low destruction .
It works quite well , but it ’s a small fiddly . You stop up needing to utilize the television set remote control to adjust the bulk of talks , and the app or physical speaker control to exchange the bass outturn . I ca n’t opine most citizenry will want the hassle , but if you ’re unfazed , it does sound quite good .
Another attractive feature article is the ability to employ this verbalizer as a karaoke box , PA or guitar amp . I ’ve already refer the build - in mic holders , but Sony also offers an optional wireless mic outfit . The ULTMIC1 kitis sold separately for £ 129 , but it adds two compatible wireless mics , allow you to belt out out the ballads without getting tangle .
If you detect that one of these speakers is n’t enough ( which would be astounding , because it ’s insanely loud ) , then you could wirelessly synchronize up to 99 more compatible speakers with Party Connect .
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The full inclination of stand speakers can be foundhere , but it includes the Old XV500 / 800 / 900 party speakers , as well as the entirety of the new ULT grasp , from the dry pint - sized line of business 3 to the gigantic Tower 10 .
Most of the speaker system ’s functions can be controlled instantly on the top control panel , but to get at everything , you ’ll want to use the Sony Sound Connect familiar app . It work on both Android and iOS , and it gives you access to everything from a usance 10 - stria EQ to comprehensive lighting control . On previous models , you needed to use two separate apps to get at all of the features , but gratefully , it has now been consolidate into one place .
Some of the more unusual characteristic include a DJ mode , all over with a taster and alive effects , and a karaoke way , with fundamental ascendance , echo , a voice changer and more . you could also set up multipoint connection in the app , if you want to associate the speaker to both a headphone and a laptop computer , for illustration .
Sound Quality
As you might wait from the facial expression of this speaker unit , it ’s all about the basso . That front - provoke 12 - inch square woofer kicks out a blast depressed end that you could find just as much as you could discover . It has all the energy of a pounding night club phone scheme – in a package that remains middling portable .
That say , it ’s a political party speaker unit , and to some extent , that ’s par for the course . What surprised me the most was the clarity and texture in the midrange and high frequency . While this speaker is certainly freshwater bass - forward , it ’s astonishingly well balanced elsewhere .
The unique equipment driver organisation allows for a amazingly wide soundstage , too . There are two angled tweeter on the rearward corners , which help to spread the sound in all charge . It still sounds best when you ’re in front of it , but its placement is far less decisive than with other party verbalizer , and you ’ll get a very nice sound no matter where you ’re stand .
As monetary standard , you get two sound profiles , which are labelled ULT 1 and ULT 2 in the app , and press the ULT push on the speaker toggles between them . ULT 1 is the radical - bassy mode that deliver maximal rumble , while ULT 2 has a more balanced strait . Do n’t get me wrong , it ’s still bassy , but it ’s not quite as in - your - typeface .
I screw ULT 1 for genres like DnB , House and Hip - Hop , while Rock , Jazz and Funk sound better on ULT 2 . For the most part , I was felicitous with these two presets , but there was the rum track where the bass felt too imposing . For those occasions , I switched the custom EQ , which can well be dialled in to your preference .
When it comes to volume , this speaker can get loud enough to soundtrack the most raucous parties . I was scarce ever pass 30 % volume around the house , and even that was reasonably flash . If you host large gathering , it ’s dependable to assume this speaker can keep up . Overall , I ’m very impressed with the sound lineament from the ULT Tower 9 .
Yes , it ’s bassy and boisterous , but it ’s a party loudspeaker system , and it should be . At the same time , I think there ’s enough faithfulness and refinement in the higher frequence to please a more apprehensive capitulum . To be clear , though , this speaker is for sea bass head teacher , and if that ’s not your affair , you should reckon elsewhere .
Should you buy it?
The ULT Tower 9 is design to supply a loud and live soundtrack for large party and small issue . If that ’s your use typeface , this immensely potent speaker delivers the good .
The ULT Tower 9 is self-aggrandising and heavy , and while its built - in wheels help , they ’re really only suitable for politic terrain . The top board is splashproof , but it ’s not competing with waterproofed competition , either . So , if you have adventuresome dream , you might want something lighter and more tough .
Final Thoughts
The Sony ULT Tower 9 is an impressive party speaker that ’s compact with feature article . It delivers impactful audio with a gimcrack output and a more balanced sound than many of its contender . It ’s a braggy and bulky building block that can be difficult to manoeuvre , but if you want this form of loudness and bass reply , that ’s the cost of entry .
I think the mains - power Tower 9AC might be the more compelling option . It ’s an amazing loudspeaker for the £ 599 asking price , and although you ’ll need to be near an outlet , with a speaker this gravid , that ’s improbable to be a trouble .
The £ 849 stamp battery - powered ULT Tower 9 , on the other hand , is up against very unwavering competition . I suppose a wad of people will find it surd to justify the add together price compared to a speaker like the JBL PartyBox 710 , which presently go for just £ 649 .
Still , if the ULT Tower 9 fits your specific need , the sound wo n’t disappoint . It ’s a thunderous and lively verbaliser that ’s a joy to listen to . If you ’re into karaoke , then it only get better , as thoughtfully plan feature film make it perfect for a sing - along school term .
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How we test
We try every party speaker we review soundly over an drawn-out period of time . We use industry standard tests to compare feature film by rights . We ’ll always tell you what we find . We never , ever , take money to go over a ware .
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FAQs
Yes , you’re able to wirelessly pair up to 100 compatible Sony speakers using Party Connect .
No , Sony says the ULT Tower 9 top panel is splashproof , but there ’s no prescribed IP military rank for this speaker .
Full Specs
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