Sony ULT Field 3: Premium Portable Speaker Review

When discussing premium portable speakers, the Sony ULT Field 3 in Forest Grey stands out remarkably. Priced at Rs 24,990 in India, it resides in a unique category—not exactly a party speaker, yet more than a tiny portable. This review explores how effectively it maintains that balance.

Unboxing & Build Quality

Inside the package, there is the speaker, a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, user instructions, and a detachable branded shoulder strap complete with metal buckles. Sony supports fast pairing, such as Google’s Fast Pair for Android, which functioned flawlessly upon initial use.

The Forest Grey finish exudes style, being both elegant and unobtrusive. The front grille conceals the drivers, while rubberised material on the sides ensures a secure grip. The top features rubber buttons, each marked with a raised icon and LED indicators. A battery button provides insight into battery life and has a battery preservation mode, which restricts charging to prolong battery lifespan. The ULT Power Sound button showcases an under-glass colour-shifting icon that lights up when active.

A water-tight flap on the rear hides the USB-C port, allowing you to charge without needing to dry it first after exposure to water. This USB-C port also doubles as a power-out port, enabling phone charging. The rubberised feet on the sides minimise vibrations and shield against shocks.

Sony claims dual ingress protection: IP66 (resistant to water jets) and IP67 (able to withstand submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes). During testing near pools and beaches, the unit resisted splashes and dust without any issues. The strap hooks are a clever feature—permitting users to carry it over their shoulder or hang it, making it a practical choice for travel.

Sound Architecture & Modes

The internal design of the Field 3 consists of a mid-bass woofer, a 20 mm tweeter, and two passive radiators, each situated on the sides to enhance bass output. Sony advertises this as a two-way active design. In standard mode without the ULT functionality, the audio remains clear with vocals sharp, a natural midrange, and adequately airy treble, though the bass tends to be moderate.

Engaging the ULT mode amplifies low frequencies, making it particularly appealing for genres like electronic, hip-hop, and dance music. While it enriches the mids slightly, it surprisingly maintains vocal clarity, which is impressive given its category. The enhanced bass adds excitement for social gatherings and provides extra punch outdoors.

Sony has also integrated room correction and sound field optimisation through its Sound Connect app. This feature enables the speaker to analyse acoustic reflections and adjust the equalisation, effectively enhancing fullness and diminishing harshness in echo-prone spaces.

Volume, Clarity & Performance

At a calibrated volume of 22, which is well below the maximum, the Field 3 is sufficiently loud for small rooms or outdoor environments up to approximately 3 metres. Vocals maintain their clarity. When at full volume (50) with ULT mode activated, the speaker can project sound over distances of more than 10 metres, although the maximum levels start to compress dynamics. This compression results in diminished separation during complex tracks. Nonetheless, it delivers commendably for its size. RTINGS observes that peak loudness isn’t substantially higher than its smaller counterparts, and compression does become evident.

Midrange and vocals excel with consistent clarity. Bass only becomes prominent when ULT mode is activated. For viewing videos or movies, its performance is adequate but not remarkable; the dynamics of the audio track can occasionally feel flat.

Additionally, Sony has incorporated multipoint Bluetooth pairing (BT 5.2), allowing simultaneous connection of two devices, along with a built-in microphone featuring echo and noise cancellation for calls. The microphone also assists with sound field optimisation, and the clarity in calls was decent, although not of studio quality.

Battery & Charging

Sony reports a potential playback duration of up to 24 hours with ULT mode active and volume set to 22. In real-world usage, it is possible to come close to this figure, though it may not always be achievable. When played at maximum volume with ULT mode engaged, the battery life declines significantly—lasting perhaps 5 hours at peak volume. A quick 10-minute charge yields roughly 2 hours of playback (again, at volume around 22). These metrics align with Sony’s advertised values.

The battery care mode, which limits charging to 90%, enhances battery longevity if users do not require full capacity every time.

Final Verdict

At a price of Rs 24,990, the Sony ULT Field 3 ranks among the most attractive premium portable speakers available in India. It finds a rare equilibrium: compact for travel yet powerful enough for outdoor use, complemented by intelligent features and durable construction.

For those prioritising extreme loudness or room-filling capacity with zero compromises, a larger speaker may be a better option. However, for individuals seeking a versatile speaker for travel, beach outings, or balcony relaxation, the Field 3 stands out impressively. The ULT button offers the flexibility of a cleaner sound when desired or a thumping bass when the mood calls for it.

Should Sony enhance volume headroom or address compression in future firmware updates, this model could easily become a preferred portable choice. At present, it provides significant value justifying its price for the right user group.