I have a confession. For many years, I have lived a speakerless woman, listening to music through my laptop, mere degrees away from a teenager blasting DnB out of a phone speaker on the back of a bus. But all that changed when I got my hands on Sony's ULT Field 5.
While I'm partial to audiophile headphones on my commute, I've never really prioritised the sound quality in my home, but this upgrade needed to tick some serious boxes. Firstly, I'm averse to faff. If it's taking an eternity to connect because I need to download an app and seek the blessing of a local priest, I'm out. Secondly, I live in a house share, so quick and easy volume control is a must to avoid a housemate cold war. Lastly, I want portability so camping trips can be blessed with a little extra vibe boost.
Most importantly, I wanted it to sound good, and I'm delighted to say the ULT Field 5 lives up to expectations. While I have some minor gripes towards my new companion, it has served me exceptionally well the past few weeks, boosting my listening habits now that my favourite songs don't sound like they're coming out of a dishwasher.
The look
Fresh out the box, the Field 5 is a beauty. It's well constructed and sturdy with clean curves and tasteful flourishes that give it a modern, slick look. When not in use, it nestles nicely in my room without being too visually brazen – a trait that I enjoy as it doesn't detract from my decor.
That is, until you turn it on. The Field 5's signature '360° Party Light' quickly became a source of frustration for me, as my sad girl indie night was transformed into an undulating light show (although admittedly it is cool that the speaker lights sync with your tunes). Deciding that I didn't want my room to feel like the embodiment of an RGB gaming keyboard, I was pleased to find that this function is easily switched off via the speaker's slick back panel. Crisis averted, peace restored.
Overall, the design radiates sleek simplicity. The buttons are large, functional and easy to navigate, panels are neatly integrated, and the speaker's 'hidden' loops are nestled covertly on top, easily flipped to allow for simple, sturdy strap attachment. All together, it's a robust yet beautiful speaker that's perfect for both homing and roaming.
The sound
The Field 5 seriously packs a punch when it comes to audio, thanks to Sony's elite ULT Power Sound. With 2 ULT modes (easily switched between via the top ULT button), you can customise your listening experience, and in my case, literally feel the beat through your floorboards. With ULT 1 for deeper, low frequencies and ULT 2 for powerful, punchy bass, the Field 5's customisable listening experience is a pure audio feast.
On the other end of the spectrum, at its quietest, it purrs along gently without being overtly loud or bassy. A lowkey evening of dulcet tunes is just as achievable as a feral bass-boosted party, which perfectly suits my day-to-day needs for this speaker.
For the tech and spec hungry among you, The X-Balanced Speaker Unit allows for a crisp listening experience, whatever the volume. According to the Sony website, "Tweeters provide crisp and spacious sound for high-frequencies. And the passive radiators are optimised to enhance bass sound." TLDR, it's a beast of a speaker perfect for bass lovers.
The functionality
I have to praise the Field 5 for its seamless functionality. From the easy strap attachment to the seamless Bluetooth pairing, it's a wonderfully stress-free experience from box to beats. I was able to connect to my device within the first few minutes of booting it up, and since then, with each use, the pairing has been almost immediate.
However, when it comes to portability, I have to deduct some points. Weighing in at approximately 3.3kg (7.3 lbs), this medium-sized speaker isn't quite the grab-and-go experience I'd envisioned. The strap certainly sweetens the deal, making it easier to transport, but its sheer bulkiness lends it to being a bit clunky in transit. Depending on your preferences, opting for a smaller model like the ULT Field 1 might be a safer bet, but if it's bass and power you're after, the Field 5 is an unquestionable winner.
Final thoughts
My experience with Sony's ULT Field 5 has been that of bliss. For such a powerful speaker, its easy connectivity makes it a great hassle-free option for everyday listening, while its customisable ULT modes really sweeten the deal. For me, it offers the best of both worlds – an elite quality casual listening speaker and a powerful crowd pleasing boombox.
If you're big into your bass or known to throw a party, the Field 5 will be a match made in heaven, and for predominantly easy listeners like myself, I'd say it's almost too powerful. Day-to-day, I'm not taking full advantage of the Field 5's capabilities, and with smaller, less potent options on the market, I wouldn't recommend this for those who just want a bit of background ambience listening experience. This one's for the music lovers who want to feel the beat radiating through their bones.
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