Sony’s new ULT Field 7 is one of the biggest “portable” Bluetooth speakers you’ll find; it offers unrivaled volumes and floor-shaking bass.
We’d call this the boombox of the 2020s, but it’s so much more than that, with its IP67 water and dust resistance, 30-hour battery life, microphone and guitar inputs, LED lighting, USB device charging, and the ability to synchronize with other speakers.
The ULT Field 7 meets a unique need for those requiring truly big sound and don’t mind the size or heft. Fortunately, there are handles on all sides of the speaker which are a crucial addition for portability.
Design
Don’t be deceived by photos or descriptions—this speaker is portable in the sense that it lacks cords, but it’s quite large and heavy at nearly 14 lbs. It stands 20 inches tall and is almost 9 inches wide. This isn’t something you’ll toss into a backpack or casually carry down the beach. Its substantial size contributes to its impressive volume and sound quality.
The design is straightforward, and it resembles a much larger version of a cylindrical Bluetooth speaker. On either side is a large passive radiator that you can see pulsate as music plays. The radiators are surrounded by the custom LEDs.
The speaker features a few rubberized buttons on top and a water-sealed rubber cover that reveals additional ports and controls. There are short legs, so the speaker doesn’t roll away in horizontal placement, and it can also stand upright for a quicker and easier placement.
The interface is easy and intuitive. On the top, you have all the basic functions you’d want, and there are additional ports and buttons hidden behind a thick waterproof flap. You can play, pause, change tracks, and pair Bluetooth devices with large buttons.
A dedicated power button allows for quick on/off with a single press, avoiding the hassle of press-and-hold actions. The unique ULT button switches between the two enhanced bass modes.
Under the rubberized flap, you’ll find four ports: the charging port, a USB-A for charging devices like your phone, an auxiliary input, and a 6.35mm (1/4 inch) microphone/guitar input. Additional buttons control the lighting, provide battery status, adjust the echo and key, and enable the guitar.
Connectivity
The Sony ULT Field 7 offers Bluetooth 5.2 and features fast-pair and multi-point connections, which enables seamless switching between multiple devices.
It also includes an auxiliary input, ensuring compatibility with various audio sources. Unfortunately, it lacks WiFi streaming, a feature that would be beneficial given its size and potential as a permanent fixture. WiFi is uncommon in portable speakers, but this could have been an amazing way to turn ULT into a smart home-type speaker.
The ULT Field 7’s microphone and guitar inputs add a unique dimension, making it a versatile tool for karaoke, public announcements, or even as a portable guitar amp.
The toddlers love having the full-sized microphone hooked up to the ULT Field 7. It gets extremely loud, and we’re impressed they haven’t blown out the speaker by screaming into the microphone. The microphone is clear with almost no distortion. There’s a separate knob for microphone volume, so you can choose how you want it to mix with music that may be playing.
Battery
The ULT Field 7 can jam out for a very long 30 hours, but this will, of course, depend on how loud you play it. Needless to say, it should get you through any party. It charges with a standard AC cable, but it lacks USB-C charging capability. There is, however, a full-size USB-A port for charging your phone or other USB devices.
App
The Sony Music Center app, while somewhat lackluster and unintuitive, offers a crucial feature: a custom equalizer with seven adjustable bands. This lets you fine-tune the audio to your preference. The app also includes ‘Sound Field Optimization’ to adjust sound based on ambient noise.
The sweet-looking LED lights come with nine light mode presets. For full lighting customization, you can use the Fiestable app, which could also be better.
Sound
The Sony ULT Field 7 stands out for its powerful and dynamic sound quality, making it a top choice for those who prioritize bass in their audio experience. The speaker is designed to deliver deep, thumping bass that is particularly effective in outdoor settings where it can project sound over long distances.
Its two ULT modes provide different levels of bass enhancement, one with more refined depth and the other that’s louder and more intense.
Despite its emphasis on bass, the ULT Field 7 manages to maintain clarity in the mid and high frequencies. Vocals are clear and detailed, even when the bass is turned up, providing a balanced listening experience.
The custom equalizer helps you find an even more enjoyable tuning. For a loudspeaker, we have no issues listening at normal volumes in a small room, or even low volumes. That said, it gets loud enough to hear and feel throughout a large house.
The bottom line
You would choose the Sony ULT 7 for a specific reason. Either the microphone or guitar hookup is important to you, or you require a very loud sound, or you just need to feel your music.
It can shake a house with its volume and its bass, it’s heavy enough that you won’t want to be moving it around the house with you all day, and it’s nice as a stationary piece, which is why WiFi connectivity would have been an excellent addition.
The audio is high quality at all volumes, and it is particularly well-equipped for events, especially outdoors, given the volume, microphone hookup, and IP67 water and dust resistance.
The Sony ULT Field 7 speaker is currently available from Amazon for $498 — this big speaker comes with a big price, but it could be worth it for those who need its unique features.