Sony ULT Field 3 review: Compact, loud and ambitious

Upon unboxing the Sony ULT Field 3 in its sleek Forest Grey color, the first impression is that of a high-end travel speaker rather than a cumbersome desktop model. Priced at Rs 24,990 in India, it occupies a unique space in the market—somewhere between a compact speaker and a full-fledged party device. Let’s dive deeper into its features and performance. The package includes the speaker, a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, user documentation, and a detachable shoulder strap with sturdy metal buckles. Sony has incorporated fast pairing options, such as Google’s Fast Pair, which worked seamlessly upon initial setup. The tasteful Forest Grey finish is both stylish and neutral. The front grille conceals the drivers, while the sides are wrapped in rubber material for enhanced grip. The top features rubber buttons, each clearly marked with raised icons and LED indicators. A unique battery care button allows users to monitor battery life and activate a mode that limits charging to prolong battery life. The ULT Power Sound button glimmers with a color-shifting icon when active. At the back, a water-tight flap secures the USB-C port, allowing for worry-free charging even after exposure to water. This port also doubles as a power output to charge other devices. The speaker is designed with rubberized feet to minimize vibrations and protect against impacts. With dual ingress protection ratings of IP66 and IP67, it can withstand water jets and can be submerged up to one meter for 30 minutes. During tests near pools and beaches, the Field 3 showed resilience against splashes and dust. Internally, the speaker features a mid-bass woofer, a 20 mm tweeter, and two passive radiators, enhancing the bass output. Sony promotes this model as a 2-way active design. When the ULT mode is disabled, the sound profile is clean, with clear vocals and a natural midrange, though the bass remains moderate. Activating the ULT button significantly amplifies low frequencies, enhancing the auditory experience for genres like electronic and hip-hop music. While the mids slightly thicken, vocal clarity remains impressive for a speaker of this size, making it an excellent choice for outdoor gatherings. Sony has integrated room correction technology through its Sound Connect app, allowing the speaker to adjust its equalization based on acoustic reflections. This feature improves sound fullness and reduces harshness in echo-prone environments. At a calibrated volume level of 22, the Field 3 can comfortably fill small rooms or outdoor spaces up to about three meters away. At maximum volume (50), it can project sound over distances exceeding ten meters, although some dynamic range may be lost at extreme levels. The speaker includes multipoint Bluetooth pairing (BT 5.2), enabling connections with two devices simultaneously, and a built-in microphone with echo and noise cancellation for clear calls. Although call clarity is decent, it doesn't reach studio quality. Sony claims a playback time of up to 24 hours with ULT mode activated at volume level 22. In real-world usage, this estimate is achievable with moderate use, but battery life diminishes significantly at maximum volume. A quick 10-minute charge can provide around two hours of playback at volume 22. In conclusion, the Sony ULT Field 3 stands out as a compelling choice among premium portable speakers available in India. It strikes a remarkable balance between compact design and powerful sound output, making it ideal for travel, beach outings, or casual gatherings. While those seeking maximum volume may prefer larger speakers, the Field 3 offers versatility with its ULT mode, delivering either pristine sound or enhanced bass as desired. With potential firmware updates to improve volume compression, this speaker could become a top contender in the portable audio market.