Sony ULT Field 5 Review: Thumping bass and premium design for music lovers

Design and build quality

Firstly, the ULT Field 5 I use is in an off-white shade with its eye-catching party-lighting system. It slots neatly between the Field 3 and Field 7 in Sony’s ULT Power Sound lineup. This rectangular speaker weighs slightly above three kilograms. It has a portable form that you can carry around wherever you move.

The first thing I noticed is its impressive build quality; the ULT Field 5 is wrapped entirely in a premium mesh fabric. And the matte plastic accents endow it with a rugged finish. Within the form is a woofer flanked by two tweeters for stereo separation. It comes with two passive radiators on the sides, and the drivers are front-firing, which is ideal for sound projection.

Sony’s ULT Field 5 shows off its clean mesh finish and rugged build—ready for music indoors or out. (Image: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

I was captivated by the thoughtful design details of the speaker. It comes with a carrying strap that can be attached to the speaker through a clever mechanism. On top of the speaker, there are two small slabs that, when flipped, reveal the hook attachments. When not in use, the hook remains hidden, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the speakers. The control island on the speaker is simple, with buttons for power, Bluetooth, Party Connect, track and volume controls, along with the ULT button that allows you to switch between various sound modes. At the back, a sealed compartment houses the USB-C DC in/out port, audio input, battery care button, and light system toggle. The light system toggle can be switched off when you need to stop the RGB light that throbs with the track.The speaker comes with IP66 and IP67, meaning it can handle dust and water submersion up to one metre for about 30 minutes. 

What about the party lighting feature?

One of the standout features of the ULT Field 5 is its customisable party lighting system that syncs with your music. It can also be controlled with Sony’s companion app. Although I am no fan of such lighting arrangements, it does add to the visual element, especially when you are hosting a house party. 

When it comes to connectivity, the speaker supports Bluetooth 5.3, offering stable, long-range connections. It also includes LDAC, SBC, and AAC codecs. With LDAC you can stream high-resolution audio. Besides, you can connect two devices at the same time, which is ideal if you plan to be DJ for the night. It features Sony’s Sound Field Optimisation that uses in-built mics to adjust sound based on the surroundings. Also, the Party Connect functionality allows you to link up multiple compatible speakers. It is also integrated with the Sound Connect app, allowing you to control EQ, lighting, and firmware updates. 

The ULT Field 5’s sturdy strap and simple control layout underscore its portable, party-ready design. (Image: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

Sound quality

During my use, I found the sound quality to be pretty solid. I tested numerous songs across genres and volume levels, and the output has been impressive. I tried the ULT modes too; while the ULT 1 adds more thump, the ULT 2 offers more detail and overall impact. 

The ULT modes work as advertised: ULT 1 adds more bass and thump, while ULT 2 provides additional presence, detail, and overall impact. At moderate volumes the speaker sounds quite good; however, when you push beyond the normal threshold, you may spot some limitations. At higher volumes, it sounds decent, but not great. Once you cross 60 per cent volume, you may notice some compression, especially on tracks with heavy bass or songs heavy on percussion. In short, the speaker loses clarity at high volumes, likely due to its modest 27-watt power output.

A closer look at the premium mesh fabric and control buttons that keep the ULT Field 5 both stylish and functional. (Image: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

I have been running through assorted playlists with tracks by Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Doja Cat, Tyga, and more. As a party speaker, the ULT Field 5 delivers plenty of thump and bounce, doing justice to hard-hitting beats. Although I’ve mostly moved on from hip-hop and now find comfort in R&B, a few songs – like Wiz Khalifa’s “We Dem Boyz”, Drake’s “Started From the Bottom”, and Kodak Black’s “ZEZE” featuring Travis Scott and Offset – really showcased the speaker’s punch. At the other end of the spectrum, it handled dreamy shoegaze beautifully, letting me sink into the lush vocals of Cigarettes After Sex and Sufjan Stevens.

What about battery life?

While Sony claims up to 25 hours of battery life, I found it to be satisfactory. You can definitely make it last 25 hours if the ULT is off and the volume is about 36 per cent with lights off. So it is a combination of volume, ULT, and light settings that can keep the speaker running for long. It needs to be noted that the party lighting consumes a considerably large amount of battery life when it is enabled. However, you can still get six hours at 75 per cent volume with all features turned on, which is good enough. When it comes to charging, the speaker can charge from 0 to 100 per cent in about 3.5 hours. There is also quick charging support, with 10 minutes of charge yielding 100 minutes of playback. Besides, the USB-C port can also reverse charge connected devices, which is a nice touch. Moreover, the Battery Care mode caps charging at 90 per cent to preserve long-term battery health.

Verdict

The Sony ULT Field 5 is built solid, looks premium and is portable. The party lighting adds a dash of excitement to any setting. With its thoughtful design and premium finish, the ULT Field 5 is a great choice for anyone who is looking for a compact speaker that is ideal for parties and gatherings. Two main shortcomings are its limited power output at 27 W and poor energy efficiency, especially with the party lighting system. Having said that, the ULT Field 5 can be an enjoyable addition to smaller spaces with moderate volumes.

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