Customer Ratings & Reviews

I purchased both the JBL Flip 6 and ULT Field 1 to compare the sound. Here’s my verdict: Both speakers sound very similar. I wouldn’t say one is a clear winner over the other. I think the JBL outputs slightly more bass with EQ on max compared to the Field 1 with ULT mode on. But it’s very close. However, I enjoy the midrange on the Sony more. Guitars and vocals sound a bit more “forward” compared to the Flip 6. Highs are very similar, can’t hear much difference. Volume is also comparable. Both speakers do a fine job filling a small room. I will probably keep both.

It strikes a balance between portability, sound quality, and durability. For its size, it has great sound quality. It does not stand out for its volume level because it prioritizes sound quality, especially in its bass tones. For this price, it was the best choice. I went looking for a JBL and I am happy with my decision to buy the Sony. I recommend.

Very good speaker. The quality of the sound for me is the best. Nice color too. And good portable size

Great portable speaker with a good long lasting battery, great for personal sound around the park and when only you need to hear the music

I like the ult button for more base, Great battery life, easy to carry with it's own strap, small but powerful speaker especially for the price. It's easy & simple to connect with any device Bluetooth range is excellent

I absolutely love this speaker it is small compact and portable. Perfect for a day at the beach or sitting by the pool. I don’t travel without this speaker.

This is the best small speaker that I’ve purchased so far that has great sound period.

Such a good speaker!! Great/appealing look and size, amazing sound quality and the bass is much better than most speakers. Waterproof and dust proof, a steal.

Good not Great. The ULT bass feature drowns out the highs at higher volumes. I’m using indoors though and it might better outside.

I wanted a small speaker to be able to take with me anywhere. This Sony ULT field speaker definitely fit that criteria. I like that it has the ULT button on the speaker; as a bass and music lover I keep this button on! It honestly delivers ultimate bass; sound quality feels as though I have a home theater sound system in a smaller size with this speaker. The volume can be either high or low and it still can be heard/felt in such a powerful way unlike other speakers I've had. I like to have music in my kitchen, bathroom, anywhere in my home. I can enjoy my music whenever I shower! Yes, I love to have music in my bathroom as I shower and my Sony ULT field is indeed water proof; of course I don't have it inside my shower with me I have it inside my bathroom and listen as I shower. With all the moisture build up in my bathroom from taking a shower; I don't have to worry about my speaker getting damage. This speaker has passed the test and I love to be able to feel as though I am in a concert while I shower! I cannot wait to take this when me on the to when summer comes; to the beach, pool and not have to worry since it's waterproof. I've noticed that some speaker can get collect dust when they put in an area. However, my Sony ULT field is on a whole another level. I have not seen any dust accumulate no matter where I place it for however long unlike other speakers that I have had/have. That to me is a great thing! The multi strap makes it super convenient to carry anywhere. The strap is very sturdy and hold my Sony ULT field speaker very well. I don't have to constantly charge my speaker as the battery life last 12 hours. I have tested this and this is indeed true! I love that I can listen to my speaker for long hours and not have to worry about the battery quickly draining. Now, when it comes to shockproof I have tested this without trying. I mean my that is that I had my Sony ULT field a little too close to the edge and had it sideways and it ended up falling and it took me by surprised. However, the speaker keep playing music as of nothing and there wasn't any bumps and scrapes. I gasped when I saw/heard it knocked down; however, then realized how powerful my speaker is when I saw that nothing happened to it! This Sony ULT field is the real deal! I love that as I'm listening to music if a call comes in for me I don't have to switch to my bluetooth headphones. I can continue to speak through my speaker and the sound is super clear on my end and on the callers end. I downloaded the music center app when I connected my Sony ULT field speaker to my phone as well as my computer. It's a great app, it's easy to navigate. It helps to optimize my audio settings and to retrieve playlist from phone and computer. My Sony ULT field speaker has it all! As a music lover that likes to have my music everywhere I love this speaker it's multi faceted. I am super happy to have this and I would recommended it anyone that's is looking for a speaker with the criteria that this Sony ULT field carries.

I've been very impressed this speaker so far. The sound is nice and full and and you can definitely tell a difference with the Ult bass mode turned on. The battery life is nice, I haven't had an issue with it so far. The speaker is light and easy to carry. The feature that is added to this that is really nice is the phone feature. Being able to make and receive calls is a nice bonus and the the quality of the phone quality has been really good. I know you can use the Sony app with the speaker, which normally when I have an option to use the equalizer I will, but the sound has been so good I haven't even used the app. You do have the option to connect 2 of these together for even a nicer immersive experience, which I'm sure I will probably do in the future, but for now the one works great!

The Sony Ult Field 1 wireless speaker stands out for its exceptional audio quality and sleek design. However, there are a few aspects that could be enhanced to make it truly exceptional. First and foremost, the sound quality of the Ult Field 1 is outstanding. Utilizing advanced Sony audio technology, it delivers clear, detailed sound that immerses listeners in their favorite music, movies, or games. The richness and depth of the audio elevate the listening experience, providing a sense of presence that's hard to beat. Design-wise, the Ult Field 1 impresses with its modern aesthetic and sturdy build. Its slim profile and minimalist design make it a stylish addition to any room, while its durable construction ensures longevity. The wireless functionality adds convenience, allowing users to place the speaker wherever they desire without being tethered by cables. A notable feature of the Ult Field 1 is its compatibility with the Sony Music Center app. This app allows users to customize the EQ settings and control various other aspects of the speaker, enhancing the overall user experience. Being able to tailor the sound to personal preferences adds another layer of versatility to the speaker. However, there are a couple of areas where the Ult Field 1 falls short. Firstly, the stereo separation could be improved. While the sound is immersive, audiophiles may find the spatial imaging lacking compared to dedicated stereo setups. Additionally, the battery life, while decent, could be extended to provide longer playback time on a single charge. Overall, the Sony Ult Field 1 wireless speaker earns a solid rating of 4 stars. Its exceptional sound quality, stylish design, and compatibility with the Sony Music Center app make it a compelling choice for audio enthusiasts. With some refinements to stereo imaging and battery life, it has the potential to be a true standout in the wireless speaker market.

Sony’s bluetooth speakers are always hit or miss for me. They often sound good, but are more expesnive than other brands while not sounding any better. Not the csse with the new Ult series. This is Sony’s new Ult rugged portable speaker. It’s rated for dust, water, and drop resistance. The built-in rope for clipping to things is a nice touch. The speaker gets loud and pumps out the bass when the Ult button is pressed. Battery life is ample and recharges via USB C. There’s not much more I can say about this great speaker.

Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen nowadays. It’s a crowded market with lots of solid options. Honestly, very little seems to separate the various speakers you can purchase - at least on paper. I’ve owned dozens of Bluetooth speakers, and the Sony brand speakers are consistently some of the best. They are durable, loud, reliable, with long battery life. Sure, there are others that fit the bill, but they’re brand name and legacy carries a lot in my book. I have several Bluetooth speakers that I use depending on what I’m doing. When I’m going outside to be with friends and not moving around, I’ll bring a larger speaker. In my house, I have one that’s not battery powered that stays plugged in. But when I’m traveling, I don’t want to carry a large speaker and I want one that has a long battery, water/sand resistant, small and light - and with enough power. The new Sony ULT Field 1, like its previous models, fits the bill and is worthy of your consideration. In the box you’ll find a small stylish speaker with a short USB-C charging cable. It’s charged via USB-C. I plugged it in after I bought it and it was fully charged within an hour or two. I haven’t drained it and timed the length it takes to get to a full charge, but that shouldn’t be much of a concern. Setting it up is like any other Bluetooth speaker. I use a Pixel 7a, and when I turned it on, a notification appears asking me to pair it. Now, I had a little issue connecting it, but my Pixel 7a, as much as I love it, has some Bluetooth issues now and then - so I chalked it up to an issue with my phone. Once it was connected I started immediately playing music. I played a mix of classic rock, pop, hip-hop and even some podcasts. It sounded pretty good. There’s a ULT button on the speaker that replaces the “EXTRA BASS” buttons of Sony products’ past, and there’s a marked difference in Bass with it on and off. With it off the sound is a little hollow, but when on, the bass is surprisingly deep in such a small package. The buttons are simple - which is appreciative and easy to understand. They basically speak for themselves. The buttons themselves are durable with a good amount of depth so you have some physical feedback when you push them in. This speaker is surprisingly loud for its small size. I was using it in my garage while I worked out in the yard and it was plenty loud - without even getting to 100% volume. The battery life seems more than adequate to get you through a long day of use. It’s rated 12 hours and while I didn’t time it, I’ve been using it off and on for several days now and the battery is still over 50%. I have no concerns taking this out somewhere fully charged and knowing that I will choose to turn it off before needing to recharge it. I don’t use my Bluetooth speakers for calls, but I did make one call to my wife using it and she reported no sound issues. She said I sounded loud and clear, although she could tell if I moved too far away from it. I don’t purposefully test the durability of my speakers. But I do have some experience with other Sony speakers made from similar materials (the fabric material that encases the speakers). And this seems similarly made. This is a great speaker to take to the beach or pool, in fact, it can get dunked in the water and still keep on going. The ends of it are made of durable rubber that will help absorb any drops. In short, this is meant to be taken with you on your travels and adventures and is up for anything. I did, however, accidentally drop it in my garage and it was no worse for the wear - no scuffs, no dents, nothing. As a side note, a comment unrelated to the performance of the speaker itself; I wanted to add that I really like the handheld strap. It’s a unique take on the handle of the speaker. I like how it doesn’t add a lot of bulk and has some flexibility. You can pull the strap out and carry it like a small purse on a handle. You can hook a carabiner in it to attach to the outside of the bag. Now, this cord comes with a knot already tied. I haven’t tried to “untie” it, although it looks possible. So you could always take it off, but honestly I like both the aesthetics and utility of it. While I haven’t tugged on it to purposefully see if the knot would come apart, it seems pretty strong.

The Sony Ult Field 1 is a great portable speaker. It almost checks all the blocks that I want in a portable speaker, while excelling in a few areas. Aesthetics are outstanding, its a great looking speaker. It doesn't look like your typical BT speaker with a drum shape, the typical speaker mesh, etc. Its got more of a semi rectangular shape with a nice cloth mesh wrapping it. On either end of the speaker is a semi cone for channeling the base the little subwoofers pump out, and it has an almost useful rope on it for carrying around (albeit its more obnoxious than useful). If I could change something with its design (something I will be doing on mine) would be the rope. I will be removing that on mine and adding a carabiner to clip it on to my gear as opposed to dealing with trying to knot it on or dealing with buckles. Looks aside, the general build of it is also pretty good. The ends act as sufficient protection to the subwoofer cones, while also acting to help funnel the base out of the little device. The sound is almost omnidirectional out of it with the only exception spinning it on the ends with the actual subwoofers. If you do that you lose some directional sound. It doesn't sound bad, but you can tell its not centered anymore. Rotating it on the body though the sound doesn't seem to distort. I haven't disassembled it to see the configuration of the speakers but they do a good job of making it appear omnidirectional. This said, because of the subwoofers if you are not centered on the speaker you can tell when you're off center. This thing pumps out a shocking amount of bass for what it is, and because of that the sound can feel directional from that perspective. I haven't done a thorough battery test on this as I've only had it a few days, but so far its doing very well. I've charged it once fully after receiving it and listened to it for a full day at work and have 40% remaining. I didn't have it max volume the entire time, but for most of it I did just for testing sake. Because my unit came with an almost full charge (70%) I didn't get to test full charge time either. It didn't take long to get to 100% from there, but I wouldn't want to give an impression based off that short 30% charge. What I do find annoying, and its not exclusive to this, the amount of devices, especially those that cost more than $50 is the lack of a charger. This comes with a very short, cheap feeling charging cable. I understand that most people already have a charger, but it would be nice to get a semi decent charging block with a cable longer than 3ft so I didn't have to reuse the same charger that came with my one device that was nice enough to include it. Finally the sound on this thing is incredible. I'm no expert on portable speakers by any stretch. My experience is limited to a few JBL speakers that others have used at work and my own JBL Clip portable speaker. That said, the sound is on an entirely different level. The Sony ULT has great range which is greatly accented by its two subwoofers. It adds depth that I always found sorely lacking in other speakers. The subwoofers really come to life if you use the ULT preset (enabled by a button click on the speaker). This mode really increases the bass. Its kind of annoying as there is a transition sound turning it on and off, as well as a pause so you should probably just leave it on. Though in Sony app you can toggle it without the pause or tone. If you love bass in your tunes, this speaker is for you. The speaker comes with some other notable features such as being ruggedized. Its supposed to be used in the field environment, on beaches, etc. I haven't had a chance to test the durability of it, but given my line of work I wouldn't really say its 'field' but more 'sport'. I feel the mesh cloth and the open ends for the subwoofer would make it more prone to damage than more hardened speakers. I think this belongs more on the basketball court or in the shower more than out camping or fishing. But I haven't tested it yet so I can't really dock it on that, just an impression. There is also an app you can download that will let you change the sound profile with an equalizer. Its pretty barebones with only the Ult preset (which sounds the best in my opinion) and it can launch your music apps. Not really worth installing, but if you like to dial in your bass/mid/high then it might work for you.

## Design The Sony ULT FIELD 1 speaker, with its rugged design, makes for a great outdoor companion. Most of the speaker is covered in a soft, water-resistant fabric while the rest of the exterior is a rubbery plastic to help protect the unit bumps. I was also surprised at how lightweight the speaker is as it only weighs about 1.5 pounds. The lack of weight almost makes it feel cheap (but the sound does not sound cheap at all). The built-in hand strap makes it easy to hang from a tree or from your backpack, although the large size might make it feel awkward if you don't tie it down to prevent it from bouncing around. On the back, you'll find the USB-C charging port covered by a rubber flap. It has an IP67 water, dust, and rust-resistant rating, which would require you to keep the charging flap securely closed to prevent water from getting inside. Across the top/side of the speaker, you will find the controls: power, Bluetooth, play/pause, volume, and the new ULT button. The ULT lights up purple (or yellow if viewing from the side) when it is active, which enables the bass-boosting function. ## Performance Sony has focused on bass performance on the UTL FIELD 1 with the dedicated "ULT" button. And I can say that this speaker definitely has bass! As expected, it is not as strong as is found on Sony's larger speakers, but it is more than I was expecting from a speaker this size. It sounds great either on its side or standing upright. Bass is somewhat reduced when it is hanging and not against a solid surface, but it is definitely still there. The bass is also well balanced so it doesn't overpower the mids and highs. Vocals still come through clearly and they don't sound muddy. Turning off the ULT feature makes the music sound weaker, so you'll likely only want to turn it off if you're listening to spoken content, like a podcast or an audiobook. Sound can be adjusted through Sony's Music Center app with a custom EQ. The app also allows you to check the battery level, and adjust the auto power-off and Bluetooth priority settings. If you're wondering how many watts this speaker has, you'll likely have to keep wondering. Sony typically doesn't release the exact wattage of their speakers, as it doesn't always correlate to how loud the speaker can get or how well it sounds. I would say it gets loud enough to fill a medium or even large size room, but probably not an auditorium. At around 75% volume (according to my iPhone's volume slide), distortion begins to occur. I tested some voice recordings with the speaker's built-in microphone and it sounds about how you would expect a speakerphone to sound: a little distant, a little echo-y, but it gets the job done. There is no multipoint connection on this speaker, so you can not connect it two devices simultaneously. ## Battery Life The speaker can last up to 12 hours on a single charge at around 25% volume. It uses a standard USB-C connection for recharging. As is typical with pretty much everything now, there is no AC adapter included in the box (although a USB-A to USB-C cable is included). You can use the AC adapter from your phone or tablet and it should work fine to charge this speaker. ## Summary Overall, the Sony ULT FIELD 1 speaker is great for both listening at home or listening outside while camping, tailgating, or celebrating! The bass is nice a boomy and the sound quality is great. The speaker features long battery life and is light enough to carry on your adventures.

I love this speaker. Going in, I thought I would like it, but as I’ve used it, it just hits so many positive notes. Like the many Sony bluetooth speakers that have come before, this offers a great sound and plenty of bass in a small package, but it’s the design that really rounds it out. ** Design: At first sight, I wasn’t fully sold on the design language, its slightly concave sides felt unnecessary, but I was very wrong. In person, those subtle curves feel, well, more subtle than marketing images and help keep the speaker off dirty or wet surfaces - resting instead at the side edges. This is true whether you stand it upright, hang it from its strap, or lay it horizontally. The weave on the speaker grills is clearly designed for its everything-proof goals, and it shows. It remains a nice tactile fabric, but it’s locked in place and easy to rinse and dries quickly. The other thing you’ll notice are the visible, rubber subwoofer covers inset at the sides, which really get moving while playing music, especially when the bass is boosted via the ULT button. This button has a nice iridescence to it, which is an appreciated aesthetic touch that shines in bright sun or is complemented when back-lit. The multi-use rope is nice, and I’ve found myself using it both to hang it vertically in the shower and just for added support while carrying with my hand through the loop, with the rope resting at the back of my hand. In my ideal world, it would be just a bit shorter. Either way, it’s never really in the way and I like it. ** Sound: But how does it sound? - Great. As you’d expect, Sony did a great job getting big, quality sound out of this small-ish speaker. It feels really well rounded. The real test for me is whether I’m excited to hear a song on the speaker over my headphones, and this one does that to me all the time. It’s just more exciting to hear it from a quality source, improving the impact of listening. When compared next to my (much-much larger) Sony party speaker, it holds up well. Similar quality, slightly less Oomf, but that’s the power difference, and at normal volume levels the difference is surprisingly less obvious. I came away feeling that both provided really great sound. Surprisingly, I didn’t find the sound any better or worse when placed vertically or horizontally, but when used in a shower, sound is best when the speaker is not placed within a shower niche (i.e. echoes) - I found the rope useful to hang on an existing shower hook, and also found success by just placing the speaker on the shower seat. It got wet, but sound remained great and it also rinsed/dried easily. ** App: I’m not unfamiliar with the Sony Music Center app, and it serves well here too. Not a ton of settings to mess with, but everything you’d want. ** Other Features: I have not had a need for echo-cancelling that this touts, should you receive a call on it, but it’s nice that it’s there. Similarly, I only have one speaker, so I have not tried the stereo-pair option, but again, nice feature to have if you were to set up a few of these at a campsite or similar. Overall, I’m impressed. I already have access to so many bluetooth speakers, but this one excels far beyond all of them and is my top choice. From the design and the feel in the hand, to its quality sound, It’s a real winner.

The ULT Field 1 was 80 percent charged right out of the box and paired very easily so I was able to start using it right away. The Sony Music Center app is not required for play, but I highly recommend it to help keep the speaker’s software up to date and for the additional performance and control functions. With the app, you can equalize the output to your liking, let it serve as ‘one-stop’ access for your music and music apps, and control the speaker remotely. This speaker does get quite loud, but I’d mostly use it in small to medium sized rooms with ceilings no taller than 12 feet, and intimate outside areas. The sound quality isn’t as loud at its loudest settings in larger rooms or too wide of an outside range, but that’s what I’d expect from what I consider a personal speaker. With its signature Sony bass, sharp midi-tones and clear treble, if you paired two of these speakers together, then that’d be a whole other story! When depressed to on, the “ULT” button definitely gives you that bass that you can really feel, especially with certain genres of music. As for battery life, I left the speaker playing music overnight starting around 7pm and at 8:30am the next morning, it was at 20 percent. I didn’t start with a full charge, so I’d say Sony’s 12-hour claim is a valid one. Standing vertically, the Sony ULT Field 1 is the same height as my 24-ounce insulated water bottle and just barely wider so I can hold it in my hand easily. In its horizontal position, it’s no wider than the width of a standard letter envelope and no taller than the average bottle of nail polish. The included adjustable (and removable) nylon cord is thick, sturdy and securely knotted so there’s no worry that it’ll wear thin or snap anytime soon. And it supports the speaker’s weight without stretching whether it’s being used as a carrying strap or hanging from a hook. Though I’d have preferred the Field 1 in black, the forest gray color looks very nice with the speaker’s design. The construction seems very durable with solid endcaps and a rubberized material protecting the radiators, the USB-C charging port, and the control buttons that I believe helps the claim that the speaker is waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof. Final verdict: I think the ULT Field 1 is a great portable speaker that’s aesthetically pleasing and well-constructed with a more than decent battery life. And the best part for me is that Sony didn’t skimp on the Bass!

Initial Impressions: I pulled this out of the box with with high expectations being a Sony product and was not disappointed. The overall construction feels really solid - I.e. it will take a beating in my daypack or on a bike out to a camping site. I charged it up - That took about three hours so given the rated charging time ( 5hours ) I would guess it arrived at about 60 percent. The bungee style cord and fabric like covering both feel durable and are not likely to hold water. The rubberized surfaces are great and provide a nice grip. Connectivity: I connected this to iPhone, A New flagship model Android Tablet, an old android tablet and Windows PC. Pairing was simple and the device connected without issue to everything I tried it on. All newer devices were able to reconnect without issue. I always test this as I have had a few devices in the past that were just difficult, required re-pairing or had to otherwise be "rebooted". I had no such issues with this speaker. It worked as expected. Audio: Lows are especially good for a speaker of this size with the ULT feature enabled. Overall volume and clarity is excellent for a monoaural speaker that's the size of an energy drink. Clarity of voice for audiobooks and speech is very high with or without ULT enabled. This is an area that many small speakers fall short in - this one does not. Battery Life: I ran this in my garage with ULT turned off for most of the day, over a standard weekend. I left it on intentionally just to see how long it would last. It exceeded the rated 12 hours with ULT enabled by 5 hours and still had power left. This is about double the battery life of my prior Bluetooth portable speaker ! It's rated at 12 hours 50 percent volume with ULT disabled. The sound level at 40-60 percent with ULT should yield around 8-9 hours of playback which is more than enough for me. Buttons: The control buttons are recessed behind a rubberized panel and include exactly what is needed: Power/Pairing Mode/Play-Pause-Call End/Vol -/Vol +/Ult Boost What I love - Great for a conference / group call ! Rust, Dust and water resistance, overall tough design ! Room for improvement - The included travel charging cord is incredibly short. I would prefer one 2-3 times the length.

My first impression was that this speaker is built like a tank. The rubber sides make it seem bigger than it actually is, and I wondered how portable it would be. Actually, it is slightly bigger than my 16oz coffee tumbler and fits in my bookbag’s water bottle pocket, albeit a bit tight. The adjustable string allows for carrying in one hand and can be hanged virtually on any peg. I was a bit afraid to get it wet, but I tested it and am happy to report that it is safe to do so. The tactile controls are easy to figure out and the covered USB-C charging port is well protected. My Android phone immediately recognized it and was ready to go. Using the Sony app, which I strongly suggest downloading, adds more options and features, in addition to controlling the speaker remotely. Initially, the sound is pleasant and full. The speaker can get quite loud, and at its highest may lose some fidelity. I found that 40-60% is good enough for small-medium rooms. I wouldn’t recommend it for a large park gathering, but in an intimate setting, it’s great. The speaker can be placed horizontally or vertically, and this does not seem to affect sound quality much. On default, the bass has some impact, the mids are sharp, and the treble clear without being harsh. Now, this being from the “ULT” series, which I assume means “ultimate bass”, once the button is pressed, the bass becomes deeper and has that subwoofer feel. It certainly makes certain genres like hip-pop, R&B, and pop rock much more exciting. However, it does drown some tracks a bit which may require clarity such as classical, live, and ballads. In these situations, simply deactivate “ULT” and it becomes much more enjoyable. The speaker does not provide stereo sound on its own. However, you can pair two of them if stereo is needed. The battery life is pretty good. I’ve been using this for a few days and haven’t had the need to charge it. Sony says 12 hours, and I am inclined to believe it. In the end, I am very pleased with this portable speaker as it provides enough punch for small, casual outdoor and indoor settings. In addition, it is very well priced in my opinion.