Sony ULT Field 5 review: Party ready, but with room to improve

The ULT Field 5 is one of the latest editions to Sony’s growing ULT lineup of rugged, portable Bluetooth speakers. It steps in as the larger sibling to both the ULT Field 1 and ULT Field 3, effectively replacing the older SRS-XG300. While it is more affordable than its predecessor, it still brings a few new tricks to the table without giving up the vibrant light show.

So let’s crank up the volume, smash that ULT button for some “Powerful Bass,” and dive into this Sony ULT Field 5 review.

What’s it like to use the Sony ULT Field 5?

Weighing 3.3kg (7.27 lbs), the Sony ULT Field 5 is a bit of a beast. It quickly takes up half a backpack or more, but that’s the tradeoff when you want a portable Bluetooth speaker with decent output and solid bass response. Thankfully, Sony includes an optional adjustable shoulder strap to make it easier to carry around, although it can be a little tricky to get on and off.

Like the SRS-XG300, the ULT Field 5 features LED lighting built into its dual passive radiators. These radiators sit recessed behind plastic end caps, adding an extra layer of protection. Along with its IP67 rating, which makes it both dustproof and water-resistant, the entire rectangular unit is wrapped in a durable fabric. That said, I’d steer clear of the off-white finish if you plan to use it outdoors; it’s a dirt magnet.

Around the back of the speaker, you’ll find a well-equipped rear panel with a few handy extras. The ULT Field 5 includes an AUX input for wired listening and a dual-purpose USB-C port that handles both charging the speaker and other devices while out and about. There’s also a dedicated button to change up the LED lighting or turn it off entirely if it’s too distracting. Lastly, Sony includes a “Battery Care” button. Similar to a feature you’d find on a smartphone, this mode caps charging at 90% to help preserve long-term battery health.

What are the key features of the Sony ULT Field 5?

The Sony Sound Connect app packs a few useful tools, including a unique feature that lets you choose between “Priority on Sound Quality” and “Priority on Stable Connection.” If you choose sound quality, the app automatically chooses the best Bluetooth codec between SBC, AAC and LDAC. But if your connection starts to drop, switching to the stable connection mode forces it to use SBC for a more reliable stream.

This is also where you’ll find the EQ settings, including the option to switch between ULT 1 and ULT 2 modes or access the custom 10-band EQ. It’s worth noting that you can’t tweak the existing ULT presets with the 10-band EQ—you’ll need to start from scratch. In my testing, I found that while the custom EQ can replicate the bass response of the ULT 1 setting pretty closely, it doesn’t have enough power to match the punch of ULT 2. So, if you’re looking to fine-tune the sound of ULT 2, you’ll need to turn to a third-party EQ app, which is disappointing.

Lastly, this is also where you can adjust the lighting modes. You can change the colors, choose different patterns, or turn them off entirely to save battery life.

How does the Sony ULT Field 5 connect?

The ULT Field 5 connects to your device over Bluetooth 5.3 and supports Google Fast Pair, multipoint connection, as well as SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. The USB-C port also functions as an In/Out, charging the speaker or giving your phone a quick top-up while rocking out.

But wait, there’s more!

As mentioned, the ULT Field 5 also offers a 3.5mm AUX in for wired listening. Additionally, if you want to link up with other Sony ULT speakers, just tap the Connect button on the control strip. With Party Connect, you can sync up to 100 speakers at once if you’ve got that many friends and that many Sony ULT speakers, of course.

How long does the Sony ULT Field 5’s battery last?

Sony rates the ULT Field 5 for up to 25 hours of battery life, just one hour more than the smaller ULT Field 3. While that’s plenty for a few days of casual listening, given the larger enclosure, I expected a bit more stamina. The ULT Field 5 also offers a quick charge feature. Sony states that a 10-minute charge gives 100 minutes of playback.

How does the Sony ULT Field 5 sound?

The Sony ULT Field 5 has a relatively full sound and an enjoyable bass response when ULT 2 mode is engaged.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

Should you buy the Sony ULT Field 5?

The Sony ULT Field 5 is a capable, great-sounding speaker that lands comfortably between backpack-friendly portable models and full-sized party speakers. It has a sleek design and fun lighting effects, but if you’re someone who likes to fine-tune your sound, the limited EQ options could be a letdown. At the end of the day, plenty of more affordable boombox-style alternatives offer many of the same features and, in some cases, even more for less money.

What should you get instead of the Sony ULT Field 5?

Save a few bucks and grab the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. ($249.99 at Amazon) This party speaker delivers plenty of booming bass, offers a customizable sound, and has built-in LED lights that pulse on its passive radiators. While it doesn’t include dust protection, the Boom 2 Plus is still ready for the outdoors with its IPX7 water resistance and floatable design.

Similarly, the EarFun UBOOM X is another budget-friendly party speaker with dual built-in RGB lights. While it’s heavier (4.15kg), the UBOOM X packs a lot of value with multiple sound presets, a rugged build, and—like the ULT Field 5—an AUX input for wired playback. Snag one for $159.99 at Amazon.

Frequently asked questions