Sony Ult Field 3 & 5: The small one for travelling, the big one for the living room - or the garden?
9/4/2025
Translation: machine translated
Sony is expanding its Bluetooth speaker family with the Ult Field 3 and Ult Field 5, both of which do a good job for people who can't get enough bass. While the Ult Field 3 is the classic portable Bluetooth speaker for travelling, the question with the Ult Field 5 is: Where exactly will it be used?
The Ult family has a new addition. After the Japanese company introduced the cute, ultra-portable Ult Field 1 and the bass virtuoso Ult Field 7 last year, the two «sandwich children are now arriving», which are positioned between the two previously launched speakers in terms of size. Ult Field 3 and Ult Field 5 are the new additions to the modern, bass-emphasised speaker line. Sony wants to attract young listeners in particular to the brand. It's clear from the start: Sony wants to set itself apart from the grey monotony of speakers.
A classic for on the go and a hunk for the garden party
With dimensions of 32 × 14 × 12 centimetres (L×W×H) and over three kilos, the Ult Field 5 is not necessarily a candidate for a big expedition. I wouldn't even want to take it on an evening stroll. It's too bulky and too heavy for that. Even the carrying strap that Sony includes in the scope of delivery doesn't change this fact. It's therefore unclear to me in which scenario Sony envisages the speaker being used. The Ult Field 3 is a different story. It looks like the Mini-Me of the 5 Series. It measures 25.5 × 7.7 × 11 (L×W×H) centimetres and weighs around 1.1 kilos. So I'm ready for a campfire by the lake or a picnic on a mountain top.
Despite the unwieldy size of the 5, both speakers are anything but ugly. I personally like the angular cuboid design better than last year's two models. It is not visually intrusive and blends in well with the interior of my home. Fortunately, the semi-rhythmic flashing of the LEDs, which nestle around the twitching bass cone, can be switched off. Sony has dispensed with the party lighting completely on the Ult Field 3.
The branding on the front is unusually present and shiny - emphasising the bird-of-paradise image of the speaker series «ULT». On the other hand, the control panel on the surface is tone-on-tone. Except for the Ult button, which shimmers in colour even when the speaker is not running.
The two drivers on the sides are square and rubberised. They have to be, because the speaker is IP67 waterproof. Specifically: temporary submersion in water up to one metre deep for a maximum of 30 minutes.
The compartment on the back is also rubberised. There are two buttons on the Ult Field 5. One is used to switch the LED ring on and off. The second is labelled «Battery» and activates a voice that tells you the battery charge status. It's cool that there are two special buttons for this. Whether you use them often in everyday life is another question - especially as the charging status of the box can also be seen in the app. There is also a USB-C port that you can use to charge devices.
Last but not least, Sony has provided its speaker with an audio-in (3.5 millimetre jack). You can connect a microphone here, for example, to use the Ult 5 as a speaker. That's pretty cool - for speeches or a hobby singing interlude, for example. Or an audio player if you want (or have to) do without Bluetooth. You'll also find this compartment on the 3 Series. There, Sony limits itself to the battery button and the USB-C port.
The inner workings: Less is more
As far as the inner workings are concerned, Sony has rethought the Ult Field 5. Instead of two subwoofers, they have only installed one, but it is significantly larger. Sony has also increased the size of the tweeters. By a factor of 2.8 compared to its (unofficial) predecessor XG300. There the diameter was 20 millimetres. Now it is around 56 millimetres. As a result, they cover a wider frequency range in the mid and high frequencies. This allows the subwoofer to focus on reproducing the low bass.
The interior of the Ult Field 5 contains a rechargeable battery that is said to offer up to 25 hours of battery life.
The Ult Field 3 gives you around one hour less - 24 hours. The Field 3 also comes with the Sound Field Optimiser, which measures ambient noise and adjusts the volume. Another indication that the Field 3 was designed more for outdoor activities than its big brother.
Sound: It's all about the Ult mode
Sony completely redesigned its range of speakers last year. Ult - or ULT, as the company's own spelling is - stands for particularly bass-heavy power sound. Sony reinforces this idea by adding an additional button to the control panel instead of just pushing the sound signature in a bass-heavy direction. This button differs from the other control elements on the control panel in terms of shape, colour and a special high-gloss coating. In addition, a small drum roll always sounds when it is pressed. So that everyone knows: Attention, the Ult button has been pressed. Now the heather is shaking.
To enjoy the 10-band equaliser (7-band EQ on the Field 3) or sound optimisation, get the Sony Connect app. Even if it's a bit annoying: a Sony account helps if you really want to try out all the features. What also works without an app: Connect. This allows you to connect several Ult speakers (even of different sizes). This allows you to create music that reverberates in different directions (or plays in several rooms at the same time).
I have selected three tracks for you to listen to:
«God's Plan» by Drake
The track has a deep, rich bass. A so-called 808 bass, which is already used deliberately in the production of the track. On the Ult Field 5, I perceive it as noticeable and present.
«Get Lucky» by Draft Punk
In «Get Lucky» there is both rhythmic guitar playing and a lot of hi-hat use. These benefit from the fact that the Ult Field 5 slightly boosts the treble, making the song feel airy despite the dominant bass.
«Blinding Lights» by The Weeknd
The song is mixed so that vocals are in the upper mid-range, while the deep bass and brilliant highs dominate. The lowered mids are particularly noticeable here, the vocals are almost somewhat drowned out by the variety of instruments and electronic elements. They sound as if the singers were standing behind a speaker.
In the end, I can say that the sound characteristics of the speakers are very bass-emphasised - which is what Sony wants. The bass range is emphasised by special driver designs (see above) and targeted tuning, while the mids are slightly reduced. The highs, on the other hand, are boosted to give the sound more brilliance. With this tuning, Sony is targeting music genres that emphasise a pronounced bass response - i.e. electro, hip-hop or pop.
The overall result is a powerful, room-filling sound. Depth and volume are prioritised, fine tonal resolution or neutrality are less important. In short: less subtlety, more boom. Bass and high-frequency sounds (e.g. hi-hats on drums) take up a lot of space, while more melodious instruments and human voices take a back seat.
In a nutshell
They deliver what they promise
Sony doesn't let itself down. The Ult Field 5 appeals to me aesthetically, is top-quality and reliable. The target group in terms of music style is clear: electro and hip-hop enthusiasts who want a little more bass to go with their bass. So if you're looking for something balanced with precise reproduction, you don't even need to think about the Ult. This makes the Ult Field 5 a niche product, but the niche is quite large. The same applies to the Ult Field 3, although it will probably enjoy a larger future fan base due to its smaller size.
The only thing I can't really answer is: Is the carrying strap on the Ult 5 used often? Even though the device is roughly the same size as the JBL Xtreme 4, it weighs a full kilo more. For me, that calls for stationary use at a fixed location.
Pro
- Well processed
- Good bass
- USB-C charging function
Contra
- heavy (Ult Field 5)
Header image: Florian Bodoky
I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.
