Sony Stand-Out Sound Tested
For audiophiles who crave portable sound without sacrificing immersion, the Sony ULT Field 5 certainly emerges as a compelling contender in the mid-sized Bluetooth speaker arena. Launched in early 2025, this rugged, bass-emphasising beast weighs in at 3.2 kg and sports an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, making it ideal for outdoor escapades—from beach blasts to backyard bashes.
It is certainly a delightful looking speaker with its woven fabric cover and carry strap, with the speakers built in led light adding a great dimension to its appeal.
At its core, the ULT Field 5 leverages Sony’s ULT Power Sound technology, delivering a sonic profile that’s unapologetically bass-heavy yet surprisingly refined for a party-oriented portable device.
Priced at around R6,999 in South Africa, it positions itself as a premium pick, but does its audio fidelity hold up under scrutiny? Let’s dissect its performance, with nods to clarity and quality, while stacking it against two worthy rivals: the JBL Charge 5 (a bass-brawling value king) and the Bose SoundLink Max (a balanced, app-tunable alternative).
Sound Quality and Clarity: Deep Dives with ULT Flair
Hi-fi enthusiasts will appreciate the ULT Field 5’s commitment to sonic depth, particularly in its frequency response. It boasts a low-end extension down to 40 Hz, which translates to rumbling sub-bass that’s visceral without veering into muddiness—perfect for genres like electronic, hip-hop, or orchestral swells where low-frequency texture matters.
In standard mode, the soundstage feels open and airy, with mids that are forward and detailed enough to parse vocal nuances in tracks like Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me or the intricate guitar work in Dire Straits Sultans of Swing or Toto’s Hold the Line. Highs hold great clarity and emphasis, adding a layer of excitement to cymbals and strings.
The real star is the ULT button, offering two bass-boost levels: ULT1 for a moderate thump and ULT2 for party-crushing lows that can pressurize a room (or tent). At moderate volumes (30-50%), clarity shines—dialogue remains crisp, and instrument separation is commendable for a mono speaker, thanks to its dual 4.7-inch woofers and three tweeters firing in a 360-degree pattern. For hi-fi die-hards, this isn’t a sterile studio monitor like a KEF LS50, but its LDAC codec support enables high-res audio streaming over Bluetooth, preserving more fidelity than standard SBC/AAC setups.
Head-to-Head: Versus JBL Charge 5 and Bose SoundLink Max
To contextualize the ULT Field 5’s audio prowess, let’s compare it to the JBL Charge 5 (R3,999) and Bose SoundLink Max (R10,500), both portable stalwarts with similar IP67 builds but divergent sonic philosophies.
| Aspect | Sony ULT Field 5 | JBL Charge 5 | Bose SoundLink Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency Response | 40 Hz – 20 kHz (bass-heavy, open mids/highs) | 65 Hz – 20 kHz (punchy bass, aggressive overall) | 55 Hz – 20 kHz (balanced, treble-forward) |
| Sound Signature | Bass-dominant with ULT modes; good clarity at mid volumes | Louder, more visceral bass; less refined mids | Neutral with app EQ; superior treble detail and separation |
| Clarity & Quality | Excellent for bass textures; mids/highs detailed but can compress at max | Energetic, but muddier in complex tracks | Hi-fi winner for vocal/instrumental precision; least distortion |
| Max SPL (Est.) | ~105 dB (powerful, room-filling) | ~110 dB (loudest here, party beast) | ~102 dB (clean but not as thunderous) |
The JBL Charge 5 edges out in raw output and bass slam, making it a rowdier choice for EDM raves—its 65 Hz low-end hits harder in its core, but at the expense of midrange clarity, where vocals can feel recessed compared to the Sony’s more articulate delivery. The Bose SoundLink Max, however, steals the show for balanced hi-fi listening: its app offers five-band EQ for surgical tweaks, yielding superior instrument separation and treble sparkle on jazz or classical cuts.
Yet, the Sony’s ULT modes give it an edge in bass fidelity over the Bose’s subtler low-end, appealing to enthusiasts who prioritise thump without total neutrality. Overall, if your playlist skews bassy yet detailed, the ULT Field 5 splits the difference—more refined than the JBL, and punchier than the Bose.
Battery Life: Endurance for Extended Sessions
Battery performance is a strong suit, with Sony rating up to 25 hours at moderate volumes (level 18, ULT1 mode). In real-world testing, you can around expect 13-15 hours at 70% volume with bass boosts; at max with ULT2, it dips to under 4 hours outdoors. Quick charging shines—a 10-minute top-up yields 3 hours of playtime, and Stamina mode stretches it to an astonishing 68 hours at low volumes. Compared to the JBL Charge 5’s consistent 20 hours (dropping to 1.5-2 hours at max) and the Bose’s 20 hours (with similar high-volume caveats), the Sony leads in versatility, especially for all-day entertaining or events.
Sound Output: Volume and Projection
Don’t let the ULT Field5’s 3.2 kg bulk fool you—this speaker pumps out aproximately105 dB of SPL, enough to dominate a 20-person gathering with even dispersion via its 360-degree lighting and sound projection. It’s louder than the Bose but trails the JBL’s ear-splitting peaks, making it ideal for immersive, bass-rattling output without distortion at conversational levels. For hi-fi fans, the lack of stereo pairing out-of-box (though Party Connect links up to 100 units) is a minor downside with the mono still delivering a wide, cohesive stage.
Connectivity Options: Versatile and Future-Proof
The ULT Field 5 aces connectivity with Bluetooth 5.2 (including LDAC for hi-res audio), a 3.5mm AUX input for wired purity, USB-C for charging/powerbank duties, and built-in mic for clear speakerphone calls. Sony’s Party Connect app enables multi-speaker syncing and lighting sync, while voice assistant integration (Alexa/Google) adds hands-free smarts. It’s more feature-rich than the JBL’s basic Bluetooth/powerbank setup and matches the Bose’s AUX/app ecosystem, but the LDAC gives it a hi-fi connectivity nod for lossless streaming from Android devices.
Price Comparison in South African Rand
Value-wise, the ULT Field 5’s R6,999 sits squarely between the budget-friendly JBL Charge 5 (R3,999) and premium Bose SoundLink Max (R10,500). At this midpoint, it justifies the spend with superior bass extension and hi-res support, though the JBL offers better bang-for-buck volume, and the Bose commands a premium for its polish.
| Speaker | Price (ZAR) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Sony ULT Field 5 | R6,999 | Bass and sound clarity enthusiasts |
| JBL Charge 5 | R3,999 | Loud, affordable parties |
| Bose SoundLink Max | R10,500 | Balanced hi-fi tuning |
Verdict: A Hi-Fi Bass Odyssey Worth the Trek
The Sony ULT Field 5 isn’t flawless—its bass bias may demand EQ tweaks for acoustic purists, and max-volume compression tempers its party credentials—but for hi-fi adventurers seeking portable punch with clarity, it’s a sound triumph. Outshining the JBL in refinement and the Bose in low-end authority, it earns a solid 8.5/10. If deep bass and endurance fuel your sonic soul, it’s a great buy.
