If you want better Omnidirectional sound
Choose Tribit StormBox 2 Bluetooth Speaker. It scores 4.2 vs 2.0 for Omnidirectional sound, with a 4.1 overall score.
Sony ULT Field 5 Speaker Review
Bottom Line
Choose it for very loud, bass-forward party sound, rugged portability, and useful extras like AUX and phone charging. Skip it if you want the lightest carry or the most balanced, spacious sound at high volume.
Best for
People who want a loud, bass-heavy portable speaker for parties, patios, garages, and outdoor hangouts, especially if they value lighting, AUX input, and phone charging.
Not for
Listeners who want the lightest carry, the most spacious or neutral tuning, or smart-speaker and voice-assistant features will likely be happier elsewhere.
Verdict
The Sony ULT Field 5 comes through as a feature-rich portable party speaker that leans hard into loud output, bass weight, rugged outdoor usability, and expandable Sony ecosystem features. Reviews consistently praise the battery claims, quick charging, LDAC support, AUX input, LEDs, and power-bank behavior. The tradeoff is tuning: several reviewers heard strong bass, but also limited detail, constrained stereo spread, and some compression or loss of balance when volume climbs. Weight is another clear compromise. In practice, it works best as a fun, high-energy Bluetooth speaker rather than a neutral or hi-fi one.
Feature Scorecards
Pros
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Dust resistance is a clear strength, with direct IP67-style outdoor protection references.
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Water resistance is a core strength, with repeated IP67 or IP66/IP67-style mentions for outdoor use.
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High output is one of the clearest strengths, with multiple reviewers emphasizing how loud and party-ready it gets.
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Bluetooth support for SBC, AAC, and LDAC is consistently called out across reviews.
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Two-device multipoint pairing is repeatedly called out across reviews.
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Stereo pairing and large-scale Party Connect support are recurring strengths for bigger setups.
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The USB-C port can charge external devices, and multiple reviews present that as a meaningful convenience feature.
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The speaker emphasizes stable Bluetooth behavior, with a stability-first mode and positive comments about reliable connection behavior.
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LED effects are bright and customizable, adding obvious party appeal.
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Party Connect compatibility extends to older Sony portable speakers, making expansion inside Sony’s ecosystem easier.
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Review evidence frames the speaker as practical for regular indoor/outdoor use, not just occasional parties.
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Google Fast Pair support is explicitly mentioned.
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USB-C charging is explicitly mentioned for recharging the speaker.
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Lighting control, EQ, DJ tools, and sound field optimization give it a robust feature set for a portable speaker.
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Reviews generally say it stays controlled at high output, with little obvious distortion even when bass boost is active.
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A 3.5 mm analog/AUX input is repeatedly cited as a useful advantage.
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The on-speaker controls cover the main actions clearly and are easy to access.
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Direct value comments are favorable, describing the speaker as well-priced or affordable for what it offers.
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One review describes the overall sound as consistent and cohesive even if it is not the most resolving.
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Controls cover the basics well, but the dedicated ULT button feels better than the softer rubberized keys.
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One reviewer explicitly says the speaker still looked good after bumps and knocks, reinforcing the rugged-build theme.
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The lighting is designed to pulse with the music and reinforce the speaker’s party identity.
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At low listening levels, one reviewer still found the sound full and satisfying at close range.
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One reviewer explicitly describes Party Connect as more stable and easier to use than a competing multi-speaker system.
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One reviewer specifically praised the lack of smart-speaker creep from a privacy/security angle.
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Basic pairing is described as quick and uncomplicated.
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Reviews repeatedly cite roughly 25 hours in lighter-use conditions, with shorter runtime implied once output and extras increase.
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Quick charging is a real strength, with reviewers repeatedly citing about 100 minutes of playback from a 10-minute charge.
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The app provides a 10-band EQ, though reviewers note it cannot fully replace or match the built-in ULT presets.
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Range is generally described as good, though one reviewer warns LDAC does not carry as far as AAC/SBC.
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The speaker provides direct battery-status feedback, which adds convenience in daily use.
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The design is rugged and clean but visually plain to some reviewers, with finish and lighting doing much of the personality work.
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The included strap is useful and solid, but attachment convenience is mixed depending on the reviewer.
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The tuning is engaging but not neutral, with bass emphasis often overshadowing mids and highs even though some heard a fairly balanced baseline.
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Vocal clarity is serviceable but inconsistent, with some reviewers hearing good cut-through and others hearing roughness or masked mids.
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Value looks more mixed at varying street prices, with one review calling it overpriced and another calling it not too expensive.
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One review found the app mostly well-designed, while another found the setup and update flow frustrating.
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The speaker includes microphones for calls, but the reviews do not go deep on call quality.
Cons
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It gets loud, but review evidence also points to compression and reduced openness once volume is pushed harder.
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Fine detail is not a strength here, and upper-register elements can get lost in the mix.
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It offers some stereo capability, but several reviewers say separation and stereo effect remain limited.
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Multiple reviews flag the weight as noticeable, bulky, or less bag-friendly than smaller portable speakers.
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One reviewer specifically criticized the party lighting for poor power efficiency.
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One reviewer specifically notes that this is not a 360-degree or omnidirectional speaker.
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One reviewer explicitly says it is not a smart speaker, so assistant integration is essentially absent.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Portable Bluetooth Speakers, this product is above average in Power bank function, Backwards compatibility, Bluetooth codec support, below average in Energy efficiency, Omnidirectional sound.
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power bank function | 4.5 | 2.8 | +1.7 |
| Backwards compatibility | 4.5 | 2.9 | +1.6 |
| Bluetooth codec support | 4.8 | 3.3 | +1.5 |
| Wired input | 4.3 | 2.8 | +1.5 |
| Energy efficiency | 2.8 | 4.2 | -1.4 |
| Omnidirectional sound | 2.0 | 3.4 | -1.4 |
| 4.5 | 3.3 | +1.2 | |
| LED lighting effects | 4.5 | 3.4 | +1.1 |
FAQ
Does the Sony ULT Field 5 have an AUX input?
Yes. Multiple reviews explicitly mention a 3.5 mm analog/AUX input for wired listening.
Can the speaker charge a phone?
Yes. Several reviews say the USB-C port can charge external devices, so it can act as a small power bank.
Does it support multipoint pairing?
Yes. Reviews repeatedly mention two-device multipoint support.
Is it a smart speaker with voice assistants?
No. One reviewer explicitly says it is not a smart speaker, and the reviews do not describe built-in assistant integration.
How long does the battery last?
Reviews repeatedly cite around 25 hours in lighter-use conditions, but also note that lights and higher volume reduce runtime noticeably.
Consider This Instead
If you want better Weight convenience
Choose Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Speaker. It scores 4.8 vs 2.8 for Weight convenience, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better Detail retrieval
Choose Dali Katch G2 Portable Speaker. It scores 4.9 vs 3.0 for Detail retrieval, with a 3.8 overall score.
If you want better Stereo imaging accuracy
Choose Tribit XSound Plus 2 Portable Wireless Speaker. It scores 4.4 vs 2.9 for Stereo imaging accuracy, with a 4.0 overall score.
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