Sony ULT Field 3 Review

With the ULT Field 3, Sony targets users who refuse to compromise between sound power and environmental resilience. The Japanese brand expands its ULT Power Sound series (which includes the ULT Wear headphones and compact ULT Field 1 speaker) with a portable speaker that embraces a rugged aesthetic and promises muscular performance. Positioned as a direct competitor to JBL's best-sellers (notably the Charge series) and other portable speaker brands under £199, it stakes its claim with a distinctive design and unique sound processing approach.

Sold at a launch price of £199, it targets customers who want to enjoy music outdoors without fearing water splashes, sand grains, or occasional impacts. The question remains whether this armour conceals genuinely capable performance. The key question is whether the rugged construction is matched by capable sound indoors and outdoors.

First impressions of the ULT Field 3 are striking. The speaker adopts a rather massive, rectangular silhouette - far removed from the rounded curves of some competitors. It measures 256mm long, 113mm high, and 79mm deep, weighing approximately 1.2kg. A format that remains transportable but won't go unnoticed in a rucksack.

Sony prioritises robustness in materials. The speaker is clad in dense mesh fabric across the entire front, framed by hard plastic ends that reinforce shock resistance. The ensemble exudes solidity and instantly inspires confidence. Sony announces IP67 certification, meaning the speaker resists not only dust and sand but also temporary water immersion.

To facilitate transport, the speaker comes with a detachable metal shoulder strap terminated by two clips. The accessory proves very useful for carrying or hanging the speaker, but the attachment system isn't easy to manipulate. A more fluid clip system would be preferable, especially for rapid, frequent adjustments. Sony offers three colourways: black, forest grey, and off-white.

The ULT Field 3 doesn't seek sophistication in controls. The speaker groups all buttons on the top surface, easily accessible even without looking. The usual suspects are present: power, Bluetooth pairing, volume control, play/pause, and a dedicated button for activating ULT mode.

The buttons are physical and well-textured, offering definite feedback when pressed. However, the absence of controls for skipping to the next track or going back is a genuine shortcoming. You'll need to use your smartphone, which isn't always practical, especially whilst hiking or during sports sessions.

A Connect button is also present to enable networking multiple speakers in the range. This Party Connect function synchronises up to 100 compatible Sony speakers to fill a large space or create an immersive atmosphere at events.

At the rear, a waterproof cover conceals a USB-C port used for recharging the speaker and also for charging a smartphone thanks to the integrated powerbank function. This dual function is welcome, especially when travelling. Some may regret the absence of a 3.5mm mini-jack input, which limits wired connection possibilities.

The Sony ULT Field 3 uses Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint support, allowing simultaneous connection of two devices. Google's Fast Pair function is also supported, simplifying pairing with recent Android smartphones. However, there's no compatibility with high-quality audio codecs like aptX or LDAC. Only SBC and AAC codecs are supported, which is somewhat disappointing from Sony. No Auracast either to connect models from other compatible brands.

Software-wise, everything goes through the Sound Connect application. The interface has been recently redesigned to group the brand's audio products. The speaker integrates well, with several available options: ULT mode activation, 7-band equaliser, multipoint management, firmware updates, and sound mode settings (Standard, Stamina, ULT...).

The app also enables stereo activation if you own a second ULT Field 3, or launching a Party Connect session. One black mark however: the equaliser and ULT mode are incompatible. As soon as ULT mode activates, the custom equaliser automatically disables. And vice versa. This technical choice is frustrating, as it prevents truly adjusting sound to your preferences whilst enjoying reinforced bass.

The ULT Field 3 is designed to deliver an impactful listening experience, and it shows. The speaker delivers powerful, ample, and well-projected sound. ULT mode, activated on demand, significantly reinforces bass frequencies with very physical rendering. This will undoubtedly please fans of hip-hop, electronic music, or powerful rock. At moderate volume, bass is deep and well-controlled without encroaching on vocals.

Midrange frequencies are clear and detailed, allowing good distinction of voices, acoustic guitars, or pianos. On pop or folk tracks, the speaker performs very creditably, even if the rendering sometimes lacks a bit of warmth.

Treble, meanwhile, sits somewhat back. At low volume, the lack of brilliance becomes apparent. At high volume, it can become aggressive, with perceptible distortion on certain tracks rich in cymbals or high-pitched voices. The speaker remains mono, which limits sound immersion. Certainly, sound projects well in width, but it's far from stereo rendering.

The speaker can reach very high volume levels, ideal for filling a terrace, beach, or small outdoor gathering. Nevertheless, at full volume, the soundstage loses precision and distortion becomes more pronounced, particularly on bass.

One of the ULT Field 3's major selling points is its battery life. Sony announces up to 24 hours of listening with Stamina mode activated at moderate volume. In practice, the speaker easily achieves this duration in normal use without ULT mode activation. This is excellent performance for a speaker of this size.

If you activate ULT mode and push the volume, battery life drops to approximately fifteen hours, which remains acceptable given the power deployed. It's therefore possible to string together an afternoon at the beach or an outdoor evening without recharging.

Another asset: fast charging. Ten minutes of charging suffices to obtain approximately two hours of listening. Enough to help out if you're in a rush before departure. The USB-C port also allows using the speaker as an external battery to recharge a smartphone, a real plus for nomadic users.