If your current Bluetooth speaker disappears the second people start talking, this is the kind of upgrade that changes the whole vibe. The Sony ULT Tower 9 (SRSULT900) is a full-size wireless party speaker built for big, room-filling sound, deep bass, and all the lights-and-effects drama you’d expect at this price. With the current deal dropping it to $699, about 22% off, it finally feels like something you can justify for parties, backyard hangs, and even day-to-day listening.
This is not a bookshelf speaker that happens to be loud. The ULT Tower 9 is a tall, floor-standing unit with multiple drivers, serious low-end, and a design built to project sound across a big space. It’s meant for living rooms, basements, rec rooms, and open-plan areas where you actually want to feel the music, not just hear it in the background.
You’re getting wireless connectivity, so it works like a normal Bluetooth speaker for phones, tablets, and TVs, plus physical inputs for more permanent setups. As a party speaker, it leans into the experience: built-in lighting effects, punchy bass, and tuning that makes playlists, DJ mixes, and concert videos feel more alive. It’s the kind of setup you can roll out for a party and leave in place as your main music system the rest of the time.
At full price, the ULT Tower 9 sits in “statement piece” territory. At $699, it becomes a lot more attractive if you host often, have a big space to fill, or want one speaker that can handle everything from background music to full-on party mode. You’re getting the scale and presence of a small PA system without needing to learn mixer menus or deal with pro-audio gear.
Because it’s wireless and self-contained, setup is easy: plug it in, pair your phone, and you’re done. No amps, no receivers, no separate subwoofers or satellites to hide. If you already live inside the Sony ecosystem, it’s even easier to integrate with other gear, but it works just fine as a standalone centerpiece too.
If you’ve been wanting a proper party-ready system that actually feels like an upgrade from a soundbar or portable speaker, this Sony ULT Tower 9 at $699 is worth a serious look. You’re getting big, room-filling sound, party-friendly features, and a genuine centerpiece speaker for roughly $200 off the regular price.
Amazon has unveiled a new Alexa lineup featuring the Echo Show 16, Echo Time smart clock, and Alexa Photo Frame. Two speakers join them: an upgraded Echo Dot with a built-in smart home hub and the Echo Studio with Home Camera, which lets Alexa+ see its surroundings. Both are available now for $99.99 and $249.99, respectively.
The Echo Dot does more than play music
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.