Sony ULT Field 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4: Best portable party speaker?

Looking for a powerful portable speaker that can fuel your next outdoor gathering? Two of the best contenders in the premium portable speaker market are the Sony ULT Field 5 and the JBL Xtreme 4. Both speakers promise to deliver robust sound in a rugged package, but each has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Let’s compare these two party-ready speakers to help you decide which one deserves a spot at your next gathering.

Editor’s note: This is the first version of this article, which was published on April 22, 2025. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Sony ULT Field 5 compared to the JBL Xtreme 4?

First off, the Sony ULT Field 5 is significantly heavier at 3.3kg (7.27 lbs) compared to the JBL Xtreme 4’s 2.1kg (4.6 lbs). This weight difference makes the Xtreme 4 more portable, although both speakers try to compensate for that weight with adjustable shoulder straps. The Xtreme 4’s strap is a bit more comfortable and has the added benefit of a built-in bottle opener—a nice party-friendly touch. Both speakers can be awkward to pick up with one hand without the straps, as they lack a dedicated handle.

Both speakers also feature robust builds with IP67 ratings, making them dustproof and water-resistant to handle the elements wherever you lug them around. The ULT Field 5 includes customizable LED lighting built into its dual passive radiators, adding visual flair to your music experience. The JBL Xtreme 4 does not have any lighting effects, and instead maintains its classic cylindrical design with some additional rubber bumpers to protect its passive radiators. For indoor use, the Sony ULT Field 5 looks cleaner and more stylish. With the straps detached, it has rubber covers to hide the strap hooks.

How do you control the Sony ULT Field 5 and JBL Xtreme 4?

Sony ULT Field 5: Controls are located on top of the speaker with simple, straightforward buttons for power, Bluetooth pairing, connecting with other ULT speakers, play/pause, volume controls, and cycling through ULT modes.

JBL Xtreme 4: The Xtreme 4 splits its controls into two mini-strips. One row contains backlit power, Bluetooth, and Auracast buttons, while the other includes raised (but non-backlit) playback controls. The raised design makes them easier to find by touch, but the lack of backlighting can make them difficult to see in low-light conditions.

Should you use the apps of either Sony ULT Field 5 or JBL Xtreme 4?

Both speakers offer companion apps that are worth downloading to access their full feature sets.

• Sony Sound Connect: The app lets you choose between “Priority on Sound Quality” and “Priority on Stable Connection” for Bluetooth streaming. It also provides access to the 10-band EQ and lets you switch between ULT 1 and ULT 2 modes, though you can’t customize the ULT presets themselves. Additionally, you can adjust the LED lighting patterns and colors.
• JBL Portable: The app offers four EQ presets and a 5-band customizable EQ, which is an upgrade from the 3-band EQ available for previous models. It also allows you to connect to other Auracast-supported JBL speakers like the Clip 5 and Go 4.

How do the Sony ULT Field 5 and JBL Xtreme 4 connect?

The ULT Field 5 connects via Bluetooth 5.3 and supports Google Fast Pair, multipoint connection, and SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. It also features a 3.5mm AUX input for wired connections. The Party Connect feature allows you to sync up to 100 compatible Sony speakers.

The Xtreme 4 also uses Bluetooth 5.3 and offers multipoint connectivity to switch between two devices, but it only supports the basic SBC codec. Unlike its predecessor, it lacks an AUX input. However, it can connect to other Auracast-supported JBL speakers through the JBL Portable app. Overall, the Sony ULT Field 5 has the advantage here with its support for higher-quality Bluetooth codecs and the inclusion of an AUX input.

Is battery life better on the Sony ULT Field 5 or the JBL Xtreme 4?

The Sony ULT Field 5 offers up to 25 hours of battery life, while the JBL Xtreme 4 claims 24 hours. Both speakers provide quick charging capabilities, with the ULT Field 5 offering 100 minutes of playback from a 10-minute charge, and the Xtreme 4 providing 90 minutes from the same charging time.

While the battery life is nearly identical, the JBL Xtreme 4 introduces a unique swappable battery pack feature, allowing you to purchase additional battery packs ($99 each) for extended listening sessions. The ULT Field 5 counters with a “Battery Care” button that caps charging at 90% to preserve long-term battery health.

It’s worth noting that the JBL’s “PlaytimeBoost” mode, which claims to add an extra 6 hours of playback, achieves this by eliminating bass frequencies, significantly affecting sound quality.

Does the Sony ULT Field 5 sound better than the JBL Xtreme 4?

The Sony ULT Field 5’s ULT 2 mode provides a particularly impressive bass response with a satisfying punch that works well across various music genres. The speaker delivers clarity in the highs and mids, especially in ULT 2 mode, which lifts the treble and improves vocal clarity.

The JBL Xtreme 4 offers strong bass performance but falls short in stereo separation. According to the review, it provides a somewhat confined and narrow soundstage that can sound almost mono-like, with instruments seeming to pile on top of each other rather than having distinct spatial placement.

Another consideration is that the JBL Xtreme 4 only delivers its full 100W output (2x 30W woofers and 2x 20W tweeters) when connected to AC power. On battery power, which is how these speakers are typically used outdoors, the output drops to 70W (2x 20W woofers and 2x 15W tweeters).

Sound Modes and Customization

• Sony ULT Field 5: The ULT Field 5 offers three sound settings: standard, ULT 1, and ULT 2. The ULT 2 mode provides the most impressive bass response and enhanced treble. While the speaker includes a 10-band EQ, it can’t fully replicate the punch of the ULT 2 setting, and you can’t customize the ULT presets themselves.
• JBL Xtreme 4: The Xtreme 4 provides four EQ presets through the JBL Portable app and a 5-band customizable EQ. It also has the PlaytimeBoost mode for extended battery life, though this significantly reduces bass response.

Should you get the Sony ULT Field 5 or JBL Xtreme 4?

Ultimately, this showdown comes down to value. At $329.99 at Amazon the Sony ULT Field 5 is $50 cheaper than the JBL Xtreme 4 (on the product's website) while offering several advantages:

• Better codec support
• AUX input for wired connections
• Customizable LED lighting
• More consistent sound quality
• 10-band EQ vs. 5-band EQ

The JBL Xtreme 4 counters with:

• Lighter weight
• Swappable battery option
• Slightly more rugged design

For most users, the Sony ULT Field 5 represents better value with its lower price point and additional features, particularly if sound quality and connectivity options are priorities. The ULT 2 mode’s powerful bass response and better stereo separation make it the superior choice for audio performance to power a party or gathering. However, if outdoor portability is your primary concern, the lighter JBL Xtreme 4 is worth considering, especially if you find it on sale.

What should you get instead of the Sony ULT Field 5 and JBL Xtreme 4?

• Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus ($249.99 at Amazon): This rugged speaker delivers powerful 140W stereo output with LED party lights, better stereo separation, and a 10-band EQ at a significantly lower price point.
• EarFun UBOOM X ($159.99 at Amazon): This similar speaker offers RGB lights, multiple sound presets, and an AUX input at less than half the price of the JBL Xtreme 4.