Sony ULT Field 5

Sony unveiled the first of its ULT speakers last year. Designed to supersede the X-Bass range, ULT devices feature what Sony dubs ‘advanced sound technology’ for more powerful bass. Three new models have just been added to the range, including this ULT Field 5. 

A medium-sized (144 x 320 x 125mm, HxWxD) portable Bluetooth speaker, the ULT Field 5 offers 25 hours of listening time, multi-point pairing and its IP67 rating lets you know it’s durable enough to be used outside. On top of this, the speaker creates a party vibe, with LED lights around each end that pulse in time to the music.  

At £259, the ULT Field 5 doesn’t come cheap, and there’s no denying the portable Bluetooth speaker market is pretty crowded. So has Sony made it stand out?

Sound Quality

There are no real surprises when it comes to the Sony ULT Field 5’s audio quality - it offers a warm, rich presentation that’s balanced. The soundstage is fairly wide, with enough room for instruments and vocals - but while there’s plenty of clarity, I do notice small details getting lost in the mix on occasion.

The top end is crisp and bright, with very little harshness - and electronic tones in particular sound fresh and vibrant. The midrange, meanwhile, is natural and clear with vocals sounding warm and full, which creates a consistent presentation. 

However, it’s in the lower frequencies that the speaker falls a little short. There’s good variation in bass notes and they’re clearly distinguishable -  but they lack punch, and the resulting sound is a little hollow and insubstantial. 

This is where the ‘ULT’ button should come in. According to Sony it boosts the bass in two different ways: by enhancing the very low frequencies, or by increasing the sense of power. The trouble is that in both cases, even though bass is more prominently audible, the low frequencies still lack depth and richness - the sound remains somewhat flat. On top of this, the ‘ULT’ mode means the lower frequencies overpower the midrange, particularly vocals, and the result is a loss of clarity and detail. That said, there’s no distortion in the lower register when ‘ULT’ is active, which is something many speakers with similar bass-boosting modes often struggle with. 

Sony says the speaker can be placed horizontally or vertically. But when I position it vertically the sound feels less expansive than when the speaker is horizontal.

Living with the Sony ULT Field 5

The Sony ULT Field 5 features an inoffensive rectangular design with rounded edges, and a radiator on each end, surrounded by a LEDs which (along with the ‘ULT’ button on the top of the speaker) can be set to pulse in time to the music as they cycle through a spectrum of colours. It’s a feature you’ll either love or hate – it’s a little gimmicky for my taste.

Sony bills the ULT Field 5 as a portable speaker (as anything IP67-rated really ought to be) - but its dimensions and 3.3kg weight mean it’s too bulky to slip in a bag. It does come with a shoulder strap, although this is fiddly to attach - I’d have preferred a built-in handle in the style of the Sonos Move. For connections, there’s Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LDAC codec support and multi-pairing, and a 3.5mm analogue port on the back. 

Buttons on the speaker start and stop the music as well as adjust the volume and cycle through the ‘ULT’ modes - but the sound effect that’s activated when pressing buttons is less ‘Superstar DJ’ and more cheesy mobile disco. For everything else, including the ability to tweak the sound and adjust the LED patterns, there’s the ‘SoundConnect’ app. 

The built-in battery offers up to 25 hours of listening time - but if you expect to use the lights and crank up the volume, this will cut into it significantly (the lights can be switched off either from a button on the back of the speaker or in the app). A USB-C socket allows the battery to be recharged and a cable is included, in case you don’t have enough knocking around the house. 

Conclusion

The Sony ULT Field 5 is lively and warm-sounding wireless speaker, although (as is the case with some other models in this market) it lacks well-rounded bass frequencies. While it’s slightly heavier than many other ‘portable’ Bluetooth speakers, its long battery life, party-style LEDs and the ability to pair with several other Sony speakers for a louder sound, make it a fairly solid option in a very crowded space. 

Listening notes

Mark Ronson Late Night Feelings
‍The soulful vocals and electronic tones in this dance track, which takes inspiration from the heady days of disco, sound fresh and vibrant. The repetitive bass line is powerful without becoming distorted or uncontrolled, and the result is a sound that will get your shoulders swaying.

‍MKTO Classic
‍Rhythmic bass and melodic vocals happily sit side-by-side in this infectious pop track, and the Sony creates no muddiness in the sound. There’s plenty of detail in the top end too, making for a pleasant listen. 

Scissor Sisters I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’
‍This upbeat track is lively and lush when played through the Sony ULT Field 5, with the wide soundscape ensuring the bass frequencies, piano, electronic tones and joyous vocals have plenty of room to shine. As the song reaches its crescendo nothing is overshadowed either.

The Sony ULT Field 5 is a great buy if you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker that’s rugged and offers bright sound. Its LED lights that pulse in time to the music will be appreciated by anyone looking for a party-style speaker - but it’s not as lightweight as other portable Bluetooth models on the market and, as is the case with many similar models, you compromise when it comes to punchy bass with proper depth.

Any smartphone or a tablet that has a Bluetooth connection is the ideal companion to the Sony ULT Field 5, ensuring you can enjoy your favourite playlists or podcasts through the speaker at any time. Another wireless Sony speaker that supports Party Connect, such as the XV800 X-Series Wireless Party Speaker, is also worth considering - up to 100 (!) speakers can be paired together for a real party experience.