Customer Ratings & Reviews

So I use this for my PC and I'm amazed how easily and quickly it connects. It works for games and shows and is far more versatile than PC speakers that cost the same. Battery life is insane compared to what I had before, and I'll be honest, it gets far louder than what I would need, but the smaller Field 3 does not have an aux input where this one does and that was a must for me. Almost over kill for most cases but very well made and durable for indoor or outdoor use. Highly recommend if you want a large and durable BT speaker that actually sounds good.

I purchased this yesterday taking a chance with no reviews and demo station set up. I purchased this with a plan to get another so I can have a left and right for a better bedroom projector experience. The music playback has exceeded my expectations. The sound is full and spacious more like the ult field 7, compared to the pair XV500 I have which are known for poor directivity. Im hoping in party mode the wide range of the ult field 5 complement the poor direction of the xv500. The speaker is heavy for its size and feels very solid. It comes with a thick carrying strap. It uses the sony sound connect app which was new to me has good functionality. It also uses sonys music center app simultaneously. Setup and update was easy after a few minutes understanding what needed to be done. There is a distinct sound difference when using no Ult, Ult 1 and Ult 2. The fact that its IP67 gives a peace of mind when using them outside and around the pool. Right now I have the speaker on about 30% in another room and I can hear and feel the full range of whats being played. Its perfect!

Powerful sound. Gets extremely loud if you want to. For listening inside my workout room I set the speaker to 1/3 volumn. I use the ULT 1 preset. I find the ULT 2 preset to be too bright. It causes hearing fatigue. The ULT 1 preset is perfect. The speaker looks fantastic! I bought the black one. The lights don't really do much, but they add some atmosphere. It weighs 7 pounds, so you know it can rock! I listen to it while plugged in because that gives it a little more power. Only negative is that Sony doesn't supply a charging brick. I had to buy a 40watt USB-C wall charger which cost an additional $16.

This speaker is absolutely amazing! It’s has amazing crystal clear sounds, powerful bass and added led light music display which really gets the party started. I purchased it to take with me on vacations. Get you one Yoy won’t regret it!

The Sound A-Level 1. Bass response is Ideal. Volume capacity is Elite. Me and my wife tried it out for the 1st time out doors on our patio at minimum volume and she was afraid we'd disturb the Neighbors. So glad we made this purchase it was a very excellent choice. 5 star rating hands down.

Very happy overall with the quality and sound at the $200 I paid. I wouldn't be as happy paying full original retail.

These speaker has the power of 4 regular smaller speakers. Love it and would recomend to anybody who wants a quality Bluetooth speaker.

Bluetooth speakers are kind of ubiquitous nowadays and no longer the novelty they once were, however, a quality speaker makes ALL the difference when you're flexing at the pool, beach, tailgate, ballgame, boat, brewery or any place you want to have some tunes but don't want to have puny sound coming out of a little speaker. I have an older Sony SRS-XB32 and it was just...OK, but this ULT 5 literally blew me away from start to finish. Unboxing the ULT 5 I could tell I was in for a treat, the speaker is super hefty in a good way and the design cues are perfect. Back to Sony classic styling, the original industrial smart style harkening back to the Walkman and Discman era with clean lines, just enough curves and an iridescent metal Sony logo that shimmers in the light. I got the white unit too, which is just razor sharp looking. The speaker is wrapped in a perforated cloth/canvas material and the woofers are on either side of the speaker. The control panel is on top and super clean and easy to read and decipher. Flanking either side of the control panel are the anchors that you lift out to attach the straps. They have a cloth/canvas strap hook system and the hardware for the strap is super beefy, very high quality like you might find on an expensive duffel bag or luggage with powder coated/matching metal hooks that lock in. Given the heft of the speaker (it probably weighs 5lbs), the lack of any handles, and the relatively large circumference, you really need a strap to carry it comfortably if you don't have it in a backpack or some kind of cart. The ULT 5 is definitely heavier than you might think by looking at it, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. To me I can tell its due to some high quality magnets for the speakers and woofers as well as a large battery that gives the ULT 5 up to 25 hours of battery life. Depending how loud you play your music, how much you use the Party Lights, you will likely get less, but still, I used the ULT 5 from 60% for 4-5 hours in the backyard doing spring cleaning and it only took 20% off, so 5x5h is roughly the 25 hours they advertised. One thing I did notice however is that my iPhone 15 Pro Max was draining battery a lot faster due to the high quality BT connection being used (you can choose this in the Sound Connect App). In terms of connectivity, this really is just a Bluetooth Speaker, meaning you can connect your phone or other BT source to it and then you stream music from that device to the ULT 5. Technically you do also have Audio In via 3.5mm miniplug but for all intents and purposes, this is a BT speaker. There's no voice assistants or WiFi connectivity to pair this to the internet directly and then use a voice assistant to stream using one of your music apps, you have to do it from your phone and then stream to the ULT 5. Simplifies things, but I know there's some competitors out there that will do both. One neat feature however, is that the ULT 5 can connect to multiple Sony speakers using the Connect button to link up with other Sony speakers. This is similar to some other sound systems and also AirPlay in your home. Maybe a bit gimmicky but could be cool if you have a few other people with Sony speakers at an event to play the same music throughout the event. On to sound quality. Wow this little guy delivers, but I guess that's no surprise given its really not that little. I was impressed right away with the ULT modes, which you can cycle through by hitting the ULT button on top. This controls the bass response, ULT1 is for deep low-frequency bass while ULT2 mode gives more of a punchy blast of bass that carries rather than lingers. Both bass modes actually actuate the two panels on the side woofers....you can feel them pulsing to the bass, its awesome and impressive on such a small speaker! The Sound Connect app allows you to set custom equalizer profiles along with some other quality of life settings, like auto-off, standby, input (BT or audio in), Sound Field Optimization, Bluetooth Connection Quality (drains phone battery faster it seems), and Sound Effect (ULT1 vs 2), Light Mode, Voice Guide etc. Nothing too crazy in here for settings, its a pretty simple BT speaker and most of this can be controlled from the top control panel on the unit which is how it should be. You can also connect a 2nd BT source and toggle between them which is probably the main use of the phone App and a nice feature to include BT multi-point. There's a flap on the back that has the USB-C charging port, Audio in, Light function, Battery level voice indication and some info like the serial and model #. The whole unit is IP67 rated for waterproof, dustproof, and rustproof durability so it should look great for years to come, and its saltwater resistant too like it was designed to be taken to the beach. I was just using it around the back yard and I can't wait to take this guy to the pool and to the beach this summer. Time to retire the little brother XB32, the ULT 5 is going to drown out all the show tunes and other random music you get at the beach, and its not going to run out of batteries or require to take my charging station out on the beach either. Psyched!!!

I love Sony’s design, year over year. I was quite happy with last year’s ULT Field 1, which has been my favorite portable speaker ever since. Now with the ULT Field 5, Sony makes a great case for another take on clean design, sound and features. First off, it’s a bit bigger, but I think that’s the goal here. While my smaller speaker is great for personal listening or with a friend, I see this speaker as better for a small gathering. You sacrifice a bit of portability for more power, but also gain some nice features - like ULT 2 … and silly, but fun, party lighting. __ Sound __ All around very good. The inclusion the new second level of ULT makes the default state a bit less balanced, but both ULT levels provide plenty of bass. That doesn’t mean that I mind the default setting though, as it’s still great for podcasts - where punchy base can actually be a detriment. That said, ULT 2 does bring something new. To my ears, it mostly rebalances the EQ for punchier sound and a slightly increases volume higher than your chosen setting. I don’t know that I require it, but I do find myself selecting it more than normal level. Music felt like it was clear from all sides of the speaker, but noticeably a bit louder when listening within about 120 degrees from the front center. Like other Sony speakers, this connects to the Sound Connect app. The app allows the ability to adjust common things like EQ, check for updates, and adjust the lighting mode. Everything is mostly straightforward, but adjusting Custom EQ requires first changing to the mode from another area of settings prior to making changes. Adding or switching between speakers is also not as clear as I'd like it to be. It’s fine, but could use with some usability improvements and less navigation. __ Design __ These newer ULT models are a bit more conservative in their squared-off form. I like the look though, and at a larger size, I prefer it for the ULT 5. Placing the unit on my shelf feels like it blends into my decor a bit better than a more ‘showy’ party speaker. So much so, that I think I’ll be using it as my primary room speaker with the added bonus of its battery-backed portability when I need it. I honestly wasn’t expecting this level of versatility, but I may actually sell my office speaker as a result of getting this one. Party connect is a nice newer feature too. Unlike prior models, the ULT 5 gains a dedicated Connect button, which can make connecting other compatible Sony speakers a bit more straightforward. We also have a XV900 X-Series speaker, but despite seeing it in the list of supported models, we were not able to get it to connect. Newer speakers will likely connect just fine. Another interesting element is the included strap. You can easily pop the covers on the top of the unit and slide the rather robust strap into place. It’s feels heavy-duty and has thick metal clips. These clips feel solid and unlikely to disconnect on their own - in fact, they’re a bit hard to unattached as a result. Regardless, they’re a nice inclusion for when you want them. And when not in use, the speaker looks clean and professional with these ports closed. Party lighting is fun, and in this model it’s entirely hidden in the seams. It’s there for fun when you want it, but does not detract from the design. Personally I like to leave it on most of the time. It’s a small feature, but adds a bit of interest and fun factor while listening. On the off-white model, it feels reads as even more sci-fi/future-punk inspired. From the app, you can adjust from the default pulse mode to solid colors or slower color transitions. With a big battery, you can get enjoy more music than you’ll ever need before charging again. Sony lists 25 hours of playback with quick charging - and if you’re out, 10 minutes will add 100 minutes of listening. Like prior models, it’s also waterproof, rustproof and dustproof... and apparently saltwater resistant - not that I’ll be testing that. It’s interesting as it’s this rugged without looking the super 'rugged' in design. It’s a nice versatile design decision that makes this able to withstand the outdoors without looking over-built with more typical chunky visual elements. In other words, it looks good in a lot of different contexts. __ Summary __ Like Sony’s other recent ULT speakers, the ULT 5 has great battery life, quality sound, a clean design and rugged material features. The party lighting feels like a fun gimmick, but hey, why not enjoy adding some interest to your day? The included strap is a nice idea and very well constructed and integrated, though I’ll likely go without it most of the time. Overall, I think it’s best for a small gathering or larger room. I’ll still enjoy using Sony’s smaller models for their extra portability and personal listening. While the ULT 2 mode still can’t match the level of bass in much more expensive tower-style speakers, it’s impressive and effective. I’m very happy with discovering this one! *** The Good Stuff *** - Rugged performance hidden within a clean design (waterproof, dustproof, rustproof (salt water resistant)) - Party lighting can be fun - New connect button is simple new offering to connect your other Sony speakers - Long battery life, up to 25 hours - ULT 2 mode is an easy way to jump to a punchy sound profile *** The Less Than Good Stuff *** - The Sound Connect App feels clumsy when switching between speakers, accessing custom EQ, and some settings (at time of review). - I was unable to connect my older Sony party speaker with Party Connect, despite being listed as compatible. - Strap is a bit difficult to remove.

The following are my impressions after testing this brand new Sony ULT FIELD 5 portable speaker for some time. This speaker continues Sony's history of creating audio of great quality in a portable design, a notable improvement over the SRS-XG300 that came before it. Its most notable quality is the ULT FIELD 5's great size. Weighing almost seven pounds, this robust audio system is not a lightweight clip-on speaker rather, it is made for people who need strong sound everywhere they go. Its rectangular shape lets you choose between horizontal and vertical placement, hence you can set it up any way you choose. Sony has covered the whole device with a black fabric of great quality meant to last for a long period this is more modern and appealing, With an IP67 rating, this speaker is perfect for beach get togethers or poolside parties since it is waterproof, rustproof, and dustproof. The way this thing is built truly grabs my attention. A good feature that helps to carry the bag considerably easier is the retractable shoulder strap. Though it locks and locks tightly, the strap is not always simple to fasten or unhook. At the very top of the ULT FIELD 5 device are simple physical buttons. Play/pause, volume, power, and Bluetooth pairing are all handled by these buttons. There is a USB-C charging port on the rear that powers other devices, buttons specifically for the LED lights, and an AUX jack that might be used for headphones or other linked devices. A reasonable addition is the "Battery Care" button, which resembles the one on current smartphones and limits charging to 90% to preserve battery health over time. Furthermore, Sony's Party Connect feature lets you join several speakers to improve the general quality of the musical experience. The speaker's Bluetooth 5.3 connection promises a consistent wireless link to your electronic devices. ULT FIELD 5 is quite evident in this location. Its dedicated woofer, two tweeters, and dual passive radiators provide this speaker an outstanding bass response and a fairly balanced sound profile. Its predecessor, the XG300, which had a warmer sound profile, offered audio that was significantly more open and crisp. Pressing the ULT button, a groundbreaking new feature, lets you select between two distinct audio settings. The ULT1's sound profile is warmer with a deeper and more complete bass. While increasing the audible pressure over the whole system, ULT2 improves the "attack bass" with more intensity and vigor. ULT2 rapidly became my first pick Since it perfectly mixes strong bass with crystal clear vocals. Sony's Sound Connect software, on the other hand, offers a 10-band equalization to fix this problem. Even not running in ULT mode, the drivers could have a thin sound. Sony's X-Balance speaker technology allows the ULT FIELD 5 to reach very high volumes without showing any noticeable distortion. This method improves audio quality without restricting sound pressure. The ULT FIELD 5 distinguishes itself with its fun party lighting feature. Embedded into the passive radiators, the LED lights generate an animated light show dancing to the beat of your music. Sony has improved the projection of these lights in contrast to prior models by letting them shine on adjacent surfaces, hence creating a more immersive experience. Another great feature is Sound Field Optimization, which lets the speaker constantly track the background noise in your environment and change the output to maintain the audibility and detail of your music constant no matter where you are. The battery life allows an amazing 25 hours of playback duration with the lights off. Though it only lasts around 15 hours with the light on, for a speaker of this size and power it is still remarkable. Though the ULT settings may lower the battery life, especially at higher levels, the fast charge function is also beneficial. Ten minutes of charging time can yield one hundred minutes of play time. The premium portable speaker will give you more bang for your cash since it provides notable improvements over its predecessor. For those seeking a strong sound but not wanting to spend lot of money on a big party speaker, it is perfect since it is both portable and loud. The Sony ULT FIELD 5 is a great choice for people looking for a portable speaker that can survive a range of environments, from beach parties to backyard barbecues, given its robust construction, great sound performance, and handy features including a battery care mode and adjustable shoulder strap. Though it is heavy and is in the top category of the portable speaker market, the ULT FIELD 5 shines where it counts most. Its design is strong and party-ready, and it creates well-balanced, strong music.

Sony's newest ULT series speakers is likely to be their best to date. The new ULT Field 5 speaker is very pleasant to look at and listen to. My off white ULT 5 looks great and easily can be left out on a shelf without being a techy eye sore. Or clip the designer like branded strap into the top, and you are easily able to take it with you. In house or out, the speaker is plenty loud and clear with good bass. Aside from me worrying about getting a white speaker dirty, it also comes in black. Speaker is IP67 rated as to not fret too much about moisture or dirt ruining the speaker. Lastly, this is the first speaker I've come across that probably sounds near perfect with one of the manufactures preset sound fields, ULT 2 setting is very good. App and Functions: The Sony ULT 5 uses the Sound Connect App which syncs almost instantly with Android. After an initial firmware update. The most common connection preferences are easy to use and navigate with layout edit. ULT mode 1 and 2 as well as the 10 band equalizer is here. Even an option for the speaker to voice battery levels on startup. Party people get "DJ control" for some synthesized sounds like drums, scratch and Reggahorn. The ability to change the party lights has a tab in here too. If you choose to login to the apps Discovery/activity section. You can earn badges by allowing the app to track your use of Sony sound devices connected to the app. I logged back out of these tracking features for now. I don't feel the need for badges. Overall, its a very thorough app. Music tracks can be controlled inside the app once you start the music on the source device. You can also advance and repeat tracks with the "Play/Pause" button on the speaker. Play/Pause = 1 press, Next/Skip forward = 2 presses, Repeat/Previous track = 3 presses. Sound and appearance: Sound quality is extremely good on all listening levels. Regular volume levels all the way up to it's a party or more likely upsetting the neighbors with maxed audio levels. Indoors I could only tolerate up to about 70% of max volume, 35% volume was loud enough for most music indoors. Louder than 50% was too much for me indoors. All my music played on LDAC codec. Pop to country sounded best on ULT 2 with moderate volume levels. Just enough bright audio without loosing bass. Ult 1 seemed a bit muted with deeper tones, but better with higher volumes. The equalizer does well, but for the first time. The preset of ULT 2 sounds great to my ears for everyday use. I will say that, while the audio fills a room and all can enjoy it. At lower volume levels, you do know the speakers are aimed to the front and act much like a center channel speaker. This is not a bad thing as the speaker works great for video, youtube, tv and movies. No sync issues. I do not own the previous years ULT series speaker that was fully round and can not speak to its audio quality. I do far prefer this almost rounded rectangle styling this year. The lights leak color through slots at both ends. So you see the glow from nearly every angle. My wife definitely likes the glow of the lights with the white speaker. The detachable strap has a very nice designer look, it has "ULT POWER SOUND" embossed into the fabric with metal clips at each end of the adjustable strap. Plus it keeps hands free to transport the just over 7lb speaker. Superior to a handle that can't be removed. Battery and final thoughts: While the quoted 25 hours of battery is likely doable at lower volume and lights off. I read a few reviews online that quoted 2.5 hours under max volume with lights on. So, your mileage may vary with higher volume and lights. I used the speaker the whole weekend indoors while we played games and generally tested the speaker. It still had 30% charge after 2 days. I did notice battery care mode in the app to top off near 90% for better battery lifespan. Sony does mention 10 minutes of charge will gain 100 minutes of use (Note: no charger included, just USB-C cable) . ULT Field 5 does charge while in use. I used 65w charger and battery level increased while plugged in. Overall a great speaker for home or travel with some lights to give it a little flair if you want it. Plus a couple fun bonus features in the app for the DJ hopefuls. And you can add additional Sony "Connect" capable speakers if you own or have friends to get increased Sony audio bliss. Luckily, Best Buy often has speakers on display to test drive in store. Always best to try before you buy when possible. Think you will find the ULT Field 5 sounds great.

I'll be honest, I've been a big fan of Sony audio products for quite some time now. From their wireless earbuds, over-the-ear headphones and even their wired earbuds, they've all produced the sound I'm looking for from my audio and have yet to disappoint. That said, with this speaker, their tradition of great sound continues now from a portable bluetooth speaker. Sure, there's tons of bluetooth speakers out there from a variety of brands but this is a really nice one. The sound from this is both rich and deep so you can play any type of music you want and still get great sound from this speaker. The speaker itself is fairly small. It's a little over a foot long and about 5 inches wide. You can easily tote this around to the beach or park or even in your living room. It is a bit hefty though I'll say. I was a bit shocked at how heavy this thing was considering its small size. Even still, it's nothing too heavy that would prevent you from toting this around to your next gathering or party. The sound from this thing is fantastic. I listen to mostly EDM so I like those thumping beats and crisp highs. This speaker picks up all of them and it's crystal clear and the bass really kicks with this one. There's an Ultra 1 and Ultra 2 setting to use depending on the music you listen to. Ultra 1 is more boomy bass while Ultra 2 is more for punchy bass. Either way you can't go wrong if you like heavy bass. The speakers on both ends have some RGB so it'll look nice when the beat kicks and you get a little RGB show with it. It's nothing gaudy but just enough to give that extra little bit of ambience. And as far as toting this thing around, it's water, dust and even rust proof so you won't have to worry about the elements damaging this speaker. It comes with a USB-C charging cable (could be a bit longer) as well as a carrying strap. There's also a companion smartphone app as well where you can control it wirelessly and play straight from your phone. Overall, I really like this speaker. It's small enough for a room/dorm but provides a sound experience almost as if you had a speaker system. Battery life seems pretty good on this so no complaints there. Really, just a fantastic little speaker from Sony.

So happy with the purchase of my Sony speaker. The associates at the Best Buy store was very helpful and very knowledgeable. That’s why I like to go to that location. The staff is very friendly.

love it. s e e e. e e e e e e. e e e e e e e. e e e e e

I've been testing the New Sony ULT Field 5 Party speaker for the last week. Overall, this is an excellent premium party speaker that punches way above its size class. The mesh covering, with touches of plastic, rubber, and metal, along with the soft canvas strap, gave this speaker a premium feel. Its simple yet subtle and customizable party lights ensured an elegant design that could fit seamlessly into any environment. While the speaker was a little on the heavier side, its balanced weight and carry strap made it comfortable to carry around. The sound it produced was top-notch. The bass was punchy, and the mids and highs were crystal clear and accurate. There are three built-in EQs: ULT1, ULT2, and a custom EQ. ULT1 and ULT2 both provide a great bass boost and have different sound signatures that should appeal to most bass lovers. However, I prefer the custom 10-band EQ setting, which I can customize myself using the Sony Connect App. The volume is surprisingly fantastic. Whether I was using it indoors or outdoors, the volume easily carried over great distances. I own multiple speakers that are significantly larger than this one, and frankly, they don't get as loud or sound as great as the Field 5. Other features I love about the Field 5 are that it is water and dustproof. The Bluetooth pairs lightning fast and maintains a solid, stutter-free connection. Also, the battery charges quickly and is large enough to outlast any outing. With all that said, Sony did an amazing job with this speaker. It is the perfect balance of power, sound quality, customizable sound, and durability. This is truly going to be my go-to speaker for all my outdoor adventures.

Sony has done it again with the amazing portable speaker, the Sony ULT Field 5. This speaker delivers powerful, crisp sound that is truly top of the line. My favorite feature is the ULT mode 2, which provides a rich sound and perfect bass. I love listening to music at any time of day, and this speaker is waterproof, dustproof, and rustproof, making it perfect for showers, cooking, and cleaning. I'm the type of person who needs music to set the mood. The party lights add a great touch—after all, a party isn't complete without colorful lights flashing, right? If that's not your thing, you can easily turn them off in the app or customize the light rhythm to your liking. While the Sony ULT speaker is a bit on the heavier side, it comes with a sturdy strap that attaches quickly and can be easily removed. The battery life is impressive; after fully charging it and using it every day, it's still going strong. The app is useful but not essential. Through the app, you can customize the light sequences and control the sound settings. The Sony ULT Field 5 is worth every penny it won’t disappoint you.

The bass and loudness dissapoint for the price point. If you are comfortable with excellent sound at low to mid volume and plus the app features, the lighting, dustproof, and being waterproof, then this may be for you. In my opinion, at this price point it should be played at max volume and be bassy and not get distorted. I recommend the Harman Kardon Go+Play

The Sony ULT FIELD 5 Wireless Speaker can be described in one word: "SPECTACULAR"! The ULT FIELD 5 is a wireless speaker that stuns audiences with high-octane sound & astounding bass. The ULT button on top of the speaker selects between ULT1 Mode with deep, thumping bass & ULT2 Mode with strong bass that will fill a room. If you want even more, simply add additional Sony speakers & press the CONNECT button on each speaker. Both music & colorful party lights sync with the music! The ULT FIELD 5 is IP67 rated to withstand water & dust; it even can be used around saltwater with no worries about rust. I love its Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, because the range reaches as far as 240 meters from your phone. The Sony Sound Connect App makes you the DJ, controlling lighting & fine tuning the audio. The stylish shoulder strap matches the off white speaker (also available in black). Battery life is amazing, performing a maximum of 25 hours. The party lights can be turned off to save battery power. CONCLUSION: The Sony ULT FIELD 5 is the best sounding, most beautifully designed wireless speaker I have ever experienced. It far exceeds my expectations & is THE speaker I plan to take when getting together with friends at the pool or at parties. I highly recommend it!

Sony makes a great product that seems very well developed and well built. The new ULT Field 5 speaker lives up to the Sony name. Everything on this speaker seems very well thought out and executed. When I received the speaker, I thought it was going to be much larger and heavier, thankfully I was very wrong. For being a larger speaker, it is still pretty compact and is pretty light. The included strap is perfect for carrying the speaker around. I wore on my shoulder for an hour or so and the weight didn't bother me. I like the fact it's just an oval shaped tube, no hard corners, and comfortable to carry around. The plastic ends seem to be made of durable rubber/plastic, meaning it could handle bumps and drops without damaging the unit. The mesh over the speaker did not snag on items and seems very durable. I received the white version and while it is white, it has more of grayish white color instead of being stark white. I really like the color and the white really lets the party lights shine. I can see the white getting dirty quicker, but I still would prefer the white color. I had already downloaded the app for a pair of Sony headphones. The app was able to quickly find this speaker, but it took a pretty long time for it to add it to my devices. At one point I thought the app froze, but it really just needed time. So, I would recommend when it is saying that it's adding the device and it will take a moment to just walk away and let it do its thing. Once added there was an update that I completed before using the device. The app has different equalizer settings, light settings, etc. I also found a battery saver setting. In this setting the device is limited to a 90% charge rate to help maintain the health of your battery. There are also some DJ settings which allow you to add sound affects to your music. I found the sounds to just be annoying and not something I would ever use. The party lighting is a nice feature but isn't super bright in daylight but does look great in low light/dark settings. I struggled a little with the sound quality of this speaker. The device at max volume is very loud but still very clear to the ear. I found that I had to use ULT setting 2 to get the best sound setting, unless I wanted to play with the equalizer. ULT setting 1 sounded a little muffled to me and ULT 2 made everything bright and clear. When listening at lower volume the device was a little lacking to me. The sound was fine but not great, I have had many Bluetooth speakers and my other ones at lower volume levels provided better sound. This Sony at lower volume 10-30%, just sound like all the sounds were not in sync and sort of muddled. If your plan is to use this for outdoors, large groups, etc, then this speaker will be great. If you plan to use this in a small space at lower volume levels I would maybe consider something else. Sony makes great stuff and I'm happy to have this party speaker as part of my collection. It will work great for listening to music outside or even connecting to an outdoor projector for movies. Make sure to test it in all the different settings you plan to use it at to make sure it's a good fit for your use.

BOTTOM LINE: This Sony ULT Field 5 Wireless Portable Speaker is a compact sized speaker able to produce a full and wide sound stage audio experience. It can be pushed to extremely loud volumes indoors with respectable volumes outdoors. The “ULT2” feature is a powerful clean volume and bass boost that is hard to turn off once experienced. Excellent battery life, speakerphone capable, Sound Connect app for additional features, and IP67 waterproofing all add up to a well-designed system. The only negative is the so called “360° Party Lights” feature that in a single word is “pathetic” and just not worth engaging. RATING: After using in assorted locations, at varying volumes levels, and tweaking with the application, this Sony Power Sound Series ULT Field 5 Speaker earned itself a sold 4-Star Rating losing one Star for the inclusion of lights that do not qualify for being labeled “Party Lights”. TL; DR OUTPUT: The somewhat compact sized speaker is a real wolf in sheep’s clothing. I was not expecting the amount of overall music projection. In my electric guitar world, we call this “Pushing Air” and is something that can not only be heard, but felt. Still shaking my head in amazement while putting a large smile on my face. All this detailed musical sound emanating from only 3 somewhat small drivers: one center firing 4.2” woofer, two passive bass side radiators, and two front round 1.8” tweeters. Sony designers deserve a “Tip of the Hat” for their engineering wizardry. And I can only imagine what two of these Field-5’s, used in Stereo Pair mode, would do for my already tinnitus’ized eardrums… BATTERY: This speaker weighs in at almost 8 pounds, and no doubt the lion share of that weight is all rechargeable battery to obtain up to 25 hours of use or up to 10 hours with lighting on. A 10-minute charge can provide you up to 100 minutes of playtime; sweet! Note that being a sealed system, if/when the battery can no longer hold an acceptable charge, it renders this speaker to USB Adapter connectivity only duty. STRAP: For my personal use, I have zero need for the long “shoulder strap” and would prefer a much shorter “carrying handle” option. But I was able to fold the excess strap into its mounting end brackets to facilitate a short carrying handle. Works, but just looks cheap. At the current MSRP, I believe Sony could have easily provided both long strap and short handle options. SOUND CONNECT APP: I normally don’t bond with equipment requiring an application but will make an exception for the ULT-5. First, it self-initiated the firmware update immediately upon binding the speaker with internet connectivity. The app has an assortment of additional useful features. The Custom EQ 10-band equalizer is a nice touch and light-years ahead of the typical 3-band EQ options on other sound devices. (Note that your EQ settings are disabled in ULT1 or ULT2 modes.) System settings include Auto Standby, Battery Care, Bluetooth or Audio In selections, Bluetooth Standby, Sound Field Optimization, and Stamina to name a few. There is a DJ option that is fun to play with once, but doubtful I would use it again. PARTY LIGHTS? The “Party Light” feature is impossible to experience with any lights on in the room with minimal effectiveness with lights off. Forget about outdoors in daylight. Note that Sony does also refer to the “Party Lights” as “Ambient Lighting” that is still somewhat of a stretch, but closer to a more accurate description. (My grandson’s bedroom “night-light” would give this system’s “ambient light” a run for its money.) Since using the lighting feature decreases overall maximum battery life from 25 to 10 hours, just leave it off. This was the only negative function I encountered of this otherwise superior Bluetooth speaker. PRICE: I was initially completely turned off with what I consider an exorbitated MSRP for a speaker system in such a diminutive footprint with small sized drivers. But after 4 days of use I stand corrected, and apparently size doesn’t matter to Sony designers. You are investing in a compact and portable sound system of extraordinary sound quality that surpasses all visual size logic and aural expectations. .