STEREO GUIDE verdict
Ideal for anyone looking for a mobile speaker with powerful bass, long battery life and great suitability for everyday use. Apart from the heavy weight, it is well suited for outdoor use or simply enjoying loud music.
Pros
- High volume reserves and powerful bass
- Practical features: fast charging, power bank, stereo pair
- App control and equalizer
- Analog AUX input
Cons
- Mid-range reproduction slightly harsh at high volume
- A little heavy for traveling (3.3 kg)
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Tonal balance / transparency8
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Bass / Dynamics8.4
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Usability / Connectivity9.2
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Price/Performance9
Conceptually, the new Sony ULT Field 5 is a two sizes larger version of the ULT Field 1 reviewed last year, but the Japanese have turned the round into the square as far as the shape of the housing is concerned. Accordingly, the two side bass radiators were also given an angular shape. The integrated LED lighting effects can be controlled via a button under the flap for the rear connection panel or via the app. However, the 3.3 kilogram Bluetooth speaker only makes for a very discreet party. You shouldn’t expect a real light-organ feeling like the larger XV800 or even the Sumo party speaker ULT Tower 10 from the side LED lights of the ULT Field 5, which is available in black, white, orange and gray.
Technology: Drivers, bass system & protection class
The 32 x 14.4 x 12.5 cm housing of the Sony ULT FIELD 5 houses a powerful 2-way system. At its heart is the so-called X-Balanced Speaker Unit – a specially shaped, non-circular bass-midrange driver measuring 7.9 x 10.4 centimeters. This design maximizes the cone area and thus reduces distortion, which is particularly noticeable at high volumes. The driver is complemented by two separate 4.6 centimeter tweeters. The bass range is supported by two laterally integrated passive radiators which, like a bass reflex system, make the bass range appear more voluminous. As far as the usual question of wattage is concerned, Sony has kept a discreet silence on this Bluetooth speaker.
The battery life is up to 25 hours – depending on the light, volume, sound mode and connected device. The integrated quick-charging function delivers a usage time of around 100 minutes within just 10 minutes of charging – a practical advantage for spontaneous use. The playback time can be extended even further with the Stamina mode. The price for this is less bass. In addition, the LED light function and the sound effects, including ULT POWER SOUND, are deactivated.
The housing itself is wrapped in a resistant mesh fabric that looks robust. While Sony remains silent about the amplifier performance, the Japanese company specifies two values for water and dust resistance in the technical data on the website: protection class IP66 and IP67(you can find more on this topic here). The correct rating is IP67, i.e. temporary submersibility (1 meter) and dust resistance. Two silicone flaps on the top of the Bluetooth speaker conceal sturdy eyelets for attaching the supplied carrying strap – a practical detail for mobile use.
Bluetooth and connectivity
The ULT FIELD 5 is equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 and supports Google Fast Pair for a particularly fast and uncomplicated connection with Android devices. Depending on the compatible hardware, audio is transmitted via the SBC, AAC or LDAC codecs, with the latter transmitting Hi-Res audio at up to 990 kbit/s. The Sony even has a 3.5 mm jack connection for analog connections under the flap on the back.
Another convenient feature is the ability to pair two Bluetooth sources simultaneously. The speaker automatically recognizes which device is currently transmitting a signal – for example, in the case of incoming calls or media playback – and changes the source accordingly without manual switching.
The ULT FIELD 5 is charged via a USB-C port, which also functions as an output. The speaker can therefore be used as a mobile power bank to supply smartphones or headphones with power, for example.
Sony offers two options for larger setups: On the one hand, the speaker can be paired with a second ULT FIELD 5 in stereo mode to create true two-channel sound. On the other hand, it is part of the Party Connect system, which allows up to 100 compatible speakers to be synchronized with each other – completely without an app, just via a dedicated button on the device.
App control & additional functions
Further settings can be made via the Sony Sound Connect app . These include the 10-band equalizer with a range of sound presets and control options for the integrated lighting. There are also DJ sound effects, as we know them from the review of the larger ULT Tower 9AC.
A special feature is the automatic sound field optimization. With its measuring microphones integrated into the Bluetooth speaker, it optimizes the frequency response during music playback to adapt to the surroundings – living room or green meadow. It is activated ex works, but can be switched off in the app.
What annoyed me about the app: First had to click my way through what felt like an endless series of license agreements and sometimes irritating requests for access rights. For example: “Can Sound Connect record your activities in apps and on websites of other companies?”
Only to be slowed down when I tried to install the update that is now standard for new devices. Although the battery still had some charge left, the app available for iOS and Android devices reminded me to connect the Bluetooth speaker to a charger. Once that was done, I still couldn’t get started because even the 20%+ battery power of my iPhone wasn’t enough for Sony to let me start the update. I had never experienced this in such a concentrated form before.
Sony sound test: Bass is a must
The sound test quickly revealed that the Sony ULT Field 5 is not only quite heavy for its size. It also plays surprisingly rich and sonorous for its class. Its sound volume in the bass range is reminiscent of much larger speakers. Even at very high volumes, it remains relatively relaxed and doesn’t start to fade out the bass and scream as soon as the volume reaches the middle of the range. In a medium-sized room, you can easily fill a party with sound – especially if you also pair two of these Bluetooth speakers to form a stereo pair or even operate several Sony speakers in party mode.
In terms of bass, the Sony not only offers plenty of volume. It also offers a certain degree of precision. If you select the ULT1 setting, it even goes one better in terms of bass volume. Depending on the type of music, level and installation location, however, this can quickly be too much of a good thing and can cost precision. You still have plenty of volume reserves. With the ULT2 setting, however, it sounds a little thinner at the bottom and instead emphasizes the upper bass for a feeling of good punch with electronic beats. This setting is intended to allow you to play particularly loudly, but – and of course Sony can’t outsmart physics here – it costs a lot of sound volume at the very bottom. Depending on the situation, however, this can be a sensible compromise to avoid booming. In any case, the standard setting sounds best, i.e. most balanced.
Bass is clearly the Sony’s best feature. As far as vocals are concerned, it is definitely in the green zone within its price range. However, the portable speaker falls a long way short of its remarkable bass qualities. Voices, whether from men or women, sound a little rough and therefore a little artificial as the volume increases. At room volume, however, the mid-range and treble reproduction leaves little to be desired.
Wide stage extending beyond the box
What the ULT Field 5 does extremely well, however, is to detach the entire sound from the cabinet very well, with the sound stage extending beyond the speaker on both sides. The sound is at a level that some competitors would describe as surround sound. This underlines the extremely lively sound impression, which could be casually summarized as follows: The Sony really kicks ass. Recordings of live concerts sound very lively and really come out of the speaker and dance music with synthesizer effects really comes to life. There is no other loudspeaker of this size whose sound is so lively and captivating.
Sony ULT Field: Conclusion and alternatives
Finally, the question remains: Forwhom is the Sony ULT Field worthwhile? 5? For anyone looking for a mobile speaker with powerful bass, long battery life and high everyday usability. Ideal for outdoor fans, spontaneous parties or simply enjoying loud music and for those who don’t want to compromise on workmanship. In addition to the JBL Xtreme 4, which is on a comparable level in terms of price and functionality, it is worthwhile for price-sensitive people to take a look at the Tribit Stormbox Blast, which will be available at many retailers at a much lower price after its successor is released.
Technical specifications: Sony ULT Field 5
- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: 300 Euro
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 32 x 14.4 x 12.5 cm
- Weight: 3.3 kg
- 5Battery life up to 25 hours
- Special features: waterproof and dustproof in accordance with protection class IP67, 1 x USB-C, 1 x 3.5 mm jack, stereo pairing, party mode, app control. LED light rings, carrying strap
- More at: www.sony.com
