Sony is preparing a major update to the ULT Tower series, which will include ULT Tower 5, ULT Tower 7 and ULT Tower Max by 2026. The three speakers share a common aesthetic language, with a sturdier structure that also better resists movement, and a lighting system that follows the music. The number of LEDs increases with size: 56 on Tower 5, 72 on Tower 7, and 100 on Tower Max, up from just 8 on the previous XV500. Additionally, they can both be used vertically and horizontally. Sony has also revised the acoustics, returning to round woofers instead of the previous square X-Balanced units.: Since these speakers have a larger internal volume, they can be selected with the primary goal of getting deeper low frequencies.
Three distinct configurations, from Tower 5 to the massive Tower Max
The starting point is the ULT Tower 5, which combines two tweeters with a 230mm woofer and introduces the ULT Duct system to control airflow related to low frequencies. The ULT Tower 7 changes the setup to two front tweeters, two mid-range speakers, a 280mm rear woofer and two further tweeters at the back: this arrangement allows you to use 360 Party Sound, designed to distribute audio more evenly in the environment. The Tower Max takes the same concept to the next level, with two tweeters and two mid-range speakers at the front, two 280mm woofers at the front, an additional woofer at the back, and a second pair of tweeters at the back. Even the power numbers give a good idea of the disparity between the models: 300 watts for the Tower 5, 420 watts for the Tower 7, and 2,150 watts for the Tower Max.
Sony is also working on the speaker’s ability to adapt to the environment: the system used in the previous generation was already able to listen to room noise and correct the frequency balance through an integrated microphone; on the 2026 model, a speaker position readout was added. Therefore, the ULT tower placed in the corner can recognize the situation and automatically intervene in the sound performance.
Additionally, ULT 1 and ULT 2 modes are still present: the first mode is good for deep bass, while the second mode further adds energy and pressure to the low frequencies. However, Flat Mode makes its debut in place of the old ULT Off setting, a neutral curve designed as the basis for manual adjustments also made via Sony Sound Connect’s ten-band EQ. This setting is also suitable for use with DJ gear, while Live mode widens the stereo image, keeping the vocals centered and introducing a slight reverb to bring the output closer to a live performance.
This revision also significantly addresses the possibilities for connection and use. Auracast replaces Party Connect It also allows you to synchronize the audio and lighting of up to 100 speakers and associate them through dedicated commands; you can also create a classic stereo pair using two speakers and assign left and right channels. All three towers have XLR inputs and outputscan also be used to link multiple devices in professional installations, as well as RCA, USB-C, USB-A and microphone inputs. The karaoke feature also includes Pitch Shift, which you can use to change the pitch of the base to better suit the sound. It is therefore clear that the new generation of products has not only home music reproduction in mind, but is also suitable for parties, small events, DJ equipment and more complex configurations.
Autonomy, traffic and price differentiate three ULT towers
When portability comes into play, the difference becomes even more obvious: the ULT Tower 5 offers up to 20 hours of battery life, while the Tower 7 tops out at 30 hours, with a 10-minute charge reviving about 3 hours of playback. Both feature IPX4 certification and are suitable for use outside the constraints of internal environments. The Tower 7 also integrates wheels, which is an inevitable solution when moving to the Tower Max, which weighs about 57 kg and comes with wheels and handles for easy movement. The most powerful models, however, require no batteries at all: the 2,150 watts of available power require direct power from the mains supply.
The prices also reflect a fairly clear division into different ranges, with the ULT Tower 5 expected to be around 400 euros, the Tower 7 around 600 euros, and the Tower Max close to 1,500 euros.
