Sony ULT Field 5 review: built for parties, not precision
Sony’s ULT series is known for its bass-heavy sound, catering to party enthusiasts. The series was recently refreshed in India, with ULT Tower 9, Tower 9AC, Field 5, Field 3, and MIC1. We received the Sony ULT Field 5 for review, which sits right in the middle of the lineup. On paper, it seems to be a better choice than the Field 3 as a portable party speaker. However, with a price tag of Rs 24,990, it needs more than just powerful specs to truly justify its purchase. This is how it fared in our usage.
Table of Contents
Looks, handling, & practicality
The Sony ULT Field 5 is designed to be portable and easy to carry around. However, don’t underestimate it because of its size. Despite being relatively compact, the speaker weighs 3.3 kg. That said, its cuboid body with curved edges makes it a bit easier to handle. The top edge of the speaker features hooks that stay out of sight when not in use and can be used to attach the included adjustable strap. This lets you carry the speaker sling-style over your shoulder or simply in your hand, adding to its on-the-go convenience.
Our review unit came in the off-white finish, which certainly looks premium but feels like an odd choice for a party speaker that’s meant to be carried around. The light shade easily attracts marks and scuffs; mine picked up a few stains, even with mostly indoor, at-home use, and it wasn’t easy to clean, owing to its mesh fabric. If you plan on taking the ULT Field 5 outdoors frequently, the black variant is likely a safer bet, as it won’t show wear as quickly and should retain its appearance for longer.
Field 5 is IP67 water and dust-resistant certified, which means it can easily withstand accidental drink spills or splashes by the pool. The speaker, with its hard plastic build, also feels sturdy, and that mesh finish provides a good in-hand feel. The ‘Sony’ branding is etched right on the front, at the bottom right, whereas the controls to power the device on/off, change track, adjust volume, select ULT modes, and the Bluetooth button are at the top edge, mounted on a pill-shaped platform that sits perfectly flush to the surface.
The underside of the speaker features four rubber stoppers that provide a stable grip and prevent it from sliding around. On the back, you’ll find a neatly arranged panel, behind a flap, housing the USB-C charging port, an Aux-in, and dedicated buttons to toggle the lights or check the remaining battery level.
Intuitive app
While all essential controls are available on the speaker itself, Sony also offers a companion app, Sound Connect, for both Android and iOS. The app allows you to manage connected devices, toggle Bluetooth standby and connection quality, update the speaker’s firmware, and fine-tune EQ settings and lighting modes, among other options. Its intuitive interface makes it genuinely useful, and you can even log in to back up your customised settings to your account and apply them across other Sony audio products.
Glimpse at the features
| Connectivity | Bluetooth v5.3, Aux, NFC |
| Codecs | LDAC, SBC, AAC |
| Drivers | Woofer, two tweeters, & passive radiators |
| Audio features | ULT Power Sound, 10-band EQ, Sound Field Optimisation |
| Others | Party Connect, 360-degree party lighting, 10-band EQ |
Big bass
The Sony ULT Field 5 outputs 27W of power, driven by a large non-circular woofer positioned between the tweeters, with passive radiators on either side to round out the low end with fuller, richer bass. In my testing across different genres, the speaker proved more than capable of filling a room, easily handling an indoor gathering of around 15 people or a smaller outdoor setup of 8–10 people around a table.
While the audio remained crisp and wide enough to handle different sounds, I found the speaker lacking sharpness and definition at maximum volumes. There is a slight distortion that is perceivable as the volume goes past 80 percent, especially in rock music when the heavy percussion kicks in, like in Saadda Haq, where you have drums at various intervals, and Sweet Child O’ Mine that has a drum pattern and intricate snare fills, along with cymbal crashes, supporting the song’s powerful and dynamic shifts.
This distortion can somewhat be negated by adjusting the intensity of ULT modes. The Sony ULT Field 5 supports up to three sound modes. With Chaiya Chaiya being my go-to song, here’s what each mode does to the song:
- ULT off: This mode maintains a balanced sound without leaning too heavily on any one element. However, it doesn’t make those beats pronounced that come in around the 1:00 mark of a track to make you stomp your feet to the rhythm. As a result, the mode feels better suited to slow or romantic songs rather than high-energy party music.
- ULT 1: Hit the ULT button on top of the speaker, and the beats instantly become more prominent. This mode boosts the lower frequencies, adding weight and groove to the music. I often found myself preferring this setting, as it still keeps the vocals front and centre, perfectly matching my style of listening.
- ULT 2: If you wish to add more impact and rock the floor, hit that button again to activate the ULT 2 mode. The mode really puts the passive radiators to work, delivering a much stronger bass response. While the compact form factor means it won’t rattle your furniture, the low end still packs enough punch to energise a room with the AR Rahman music playing in the background. The same was the case while listening to Karan Aujla’s “MF Ghabru,” Diljit Dosanjh’s “GOAT,” Rubicon Drill, and other party songs. It is worth noting that the mode detracts from the authenticity of the song while emphasising the bass, so if you’re a purist who values accuracy over punch, this mode (and perhaps this speaker) may not be the right fit.
The ULT Field 5 is purely for party enthusiasts. It has RGB lights around the edges that match the energy. The lights can be customised through the companion app and pulse along with the track. That said, I would have preferred if the lights had reacted more precisely to individual beats, which would have made the experience even more immersive.
Playback time & charging options
The Sony ULT Field 5 promises up to 25 hours of playtime between charges; however, it is with limited usage: ULT mode off, no lights, and volume levels set to under 50 percent. I was getting roughly 14-15 hours of playtime, with all the settings enabled, including the party lights, ULT modes, and 70-80 percent volume levels. This is a decent battery backup for a speaker, and it can very well last longer with restricted usage. Moreover, users can play music while charging the device.
The Sony ULT Field 5 isn’t the quickest to fill up – bringing a completely drained battery to 100% can take over three hours. Thankfully, its fast-charging support comes to the rescue, delivering up to 100 minutes of playback from just a 10-minute top-up. Adding to its versatility, the speaker doubles as a power bank via its USB-C port, allowing you to recharge your smartphone or other gadgets on the go, which is handy for keeping the music (and the party) going longer.
A Type-C to Type-C charger is provided in the box.
Verdict
The Sony ULT Field 5 makes a strong case as a portable party speaker, striking the right balance between punchy sound, useful features, and rugged practicality. It shines when used in its element – parties, get-togethers, or outdoor hangouts – where its booming bass, customisable lighting, and solid battery backup come together to create the right vibe. However, for those who prefer clean, accurate sound or a more refined listening experience, the bass-heavy tuning and occasional distortion at high volumes may feel limiting. At Rs 24,990, it isn’t cheap, and while it offers versatility and portability, you’ll need to decide whether you value energy and party-focused features over fidelity and subtlety.
Editor’s rating: 8/10
Pros
- Good design
- Punchy bass, crisp sound
- RGB lighting & party Connect
- Decent battery life
Cons
- Slight distortion at higher volume
- Off-white variant attracts stains
