This yr, Sony launched a brand new line of hyper-bass-focused audio merchandise underneath the ULT POWER SOUND moniker. The ULT Field 1 is the smallest of the three ULT POWER SOUND Bluetooth audio system the corporate provides now, however don’t let its diminutive measurement idiot you! Sometimes, massive issues are available in little packages; you’ll discover that the ULT Field 1 is one such “little package.” Want one thing extremely cell however giant sufficient to broaden your cellphone’s sound for a visit to the park or seaside? The ULT Field 1 could also be simply what you are in search of.Today’s greatest Sony ULT Field 1 offersSony ULT Field notes(Image credit score: Tshaka Armstrong)This eight-inch lengthy or tall (it may be used mendacity on its aspect or standing on finish) Bluetooth speaker helps Bluetooth 5.3 and some Bluetooth audio codes like SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. For a mono speaker setup, the one tweeter and single woofer models produce a satisfying quantity of readability and heat audio with ULT enabled. That’s the backlit button on the highest of the speaker, the place you’ll additionally discover the opposite controls. The energy button and Bluetooth pairing buttons even have standing indicator lights; subsequent to these, you might have the play/pause/name button and the amount buttons. There’s additionally a useful carry strap on the unit’s prime edge, which might broaden if vital. The rear of the machine has a rubber plug/cap, which helps it keep that IP67 score and maintain water and dirt out of the USB-C port.(Image credit score: Tshaka Armstrong)With an IP67 score, you’ll be able to simply take Sony’s ULT Field 1 to the seaside and on different dusty, soiled excursions worry-free. However, I’d suggest shopping for it in one of many different colours as a result of the off-white will look “well-traveled” fairly rapidly. Those different colours are black, forest grey, and orange.(Image credit score: Tshaka Armstrong)Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategorySony ULT Field 1ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, LDAC supportDimensions8 inches x 3.03 inches x 2.99 inchesWeightApprox. 650 gDurabilityIP67Battery lifeRoughly 12 hours (prolonged with ULT off)Phone name/MicrophonesYes. Hands-free helpThe speaker helps multipoint connections (two at a time) and can be utilized as a stereo pair when related to a different ULT Field 1 unit utilizing Sony’s Music Center app. And talking of that app, it is truly fairly fundamental right here. Its most necessary options would be the means to regulate the sound and make a stereo pair when you have two models.(Image credit score: Tshaka Armstrong)Controlling the sound is fairly fundamental in comparison with the choices you get with the ULT WEAR headphones. In this case, you’ll be able to solely flip ULT on or have it off and use your personal customized sound by way of the three-band EQ. However, since you may probably be outside with this small speaker, the nuance you’ll be able to management with an EQ with extra bands will probably be misplaced to the ether and inaudible.Sony ULT area take a look at(Image credit score: Tshaka Armstrong)Let’s set up one thing from the beginning: this isn’t a celebration speaker on your nation barn summer time soiree or sundown seaside bonfire. This is a “personal speaker” with sufficient quantity for a small group of some friends to hit the seaside and have a kickback or to take to the park and chill out to some Coltrane. Maybe you pack it, take it to the AirBnB you and your buddies rented on your week-long getaway, and use it within the yard. Enough to supply some environment and transfer your booties however nowhere close to loud sufficient to elicit “disturbing the peace” calls to the police from neighbors.To take a look at the audio high quality, I took the speaker to some parks and to the seaside. I used it alongside my JBL Charge 4, which is presently my and my spouse’s favourite take-along transportable speaker. After my testing, the ULT Field 1 will completely be our new go-to.I went to 1 park subsequent to a busy fundamental road the place a live performance was continuing in one other part of the park. I attempted to get as far-off from that as doable, however the music coming from that part was nonetheless audible. Here, I walked about 30 ft away from the speaker earlier than the audio was masked by site visitors and different noise.(Image credit score: Tshaka Armstrong)The second park I visited was throughout the morning, round 10 a.m. The native personal colleges use it for his or her PE area, and it simply so occurred that there have been round 50 highschool college students there that morning. Here, I used to be in a position to get roughly 50 ft away from the speaker earlier than the vocals grew to become considerably indecipherable.(Image credit score: Tshaka Armstrong)Comparing the FIELD 1 to the Charge 4, I can let you know that the ULT operate undoubtedly makes a distinction. I ought to word that the Charge 4 makes use of a much less dynamic Bluetooth codec, SBC, whereas throughout my testing, the Field 1 used AAC, which has extra “resolution.” I can even let you know that the ULT Field 1 sounds higher when that operate is activated than when it is not. The sound is flatter with ULT off, however turning it on instantly imbues presence and depth to the sound, making the music fuller and extra strong close-up and at larger distances like 50 ft.The ULT Field 1 does help LDAC, which is a pleasant addition, however I used to be unable to get it to work with that codec utilizing a Pixel 7 Pro and a Galaxy S22 Ultra, which each help LDAC. You might have higher luck than me.We’ve mentioned “auditory masking” in different articles right here, so maintain that in thoughts when utilizing a speaker like this outside. At the seaside, the sound of the waves will compete with the upper frequencies in a few of your music. Orchestral music, for instance. Bottom-heavy songs sounded nice once I listened to my music within the park, and instrumental music like R&B, which nonetheless had extra mids and bottoms, additionally sounded nice. However, music from the Chevalier rating misplaced components of the combination at 50 ft away within the park. Soft sections of violins have been inaudible at that distance, so that you’ll wish to be nearer if classical is your jam.The solely problem I discovered with the sound output from the Field 1 was that while you flip the amount as much as its max and play a monitor with a very heavy backside finish, like Skrillex’s “Mumbai Place,” I bumped into a good quantity of distortion. That mixture was a bit an excessive amount of for this small unit.Aside from music, the speaker will also be used for cellphone calls, video calls, and no matter audio is output out of your cellphone. I discovered the amount glorious, and the particular person on the opposite finish mentioned I sounded clear. What can be clear is the accuracy of the battery life that Sony claims you’ll get. I let the speaker play with ULT activated the amount degree set to 25 (it has 50 steps of quantity), and the Field 1 lasted slightly below 12 hours. Turning ULT off will get you extra playback time must you want it.Should you purchase the Sony ULT Field 1?The Sony ULT POWER SOUND sequence of audio system brings the BOOM! But, on this case, that “BOOM” truly interprets to a fuller sound for out of doors use. Couple that with an IP67 score for water and dirt ingress, stable battery life, and a small footprint with good sound output, and you’ve got a speaker properly price contemplating on your summer time out of doors shenanigans.You can take a look at our roundup of the very best Bluetooth audio system when you want one thing bigger than what this provides, however for many informal get-togethers, the Sony ULT Field 1 is a good possibility for transportable Bluetooth audio.
Small speaker, respectable sound output
Need a speaker that straightforward for journey and your pockets? Sony’s ULT Field 1 is each, and has a bassy additional which truly improves the sound high quality total for these jamming outside.
Sony ULT Field 1: Price Comparison