The Sony ULT FIELD 7 is a portable Bluetooth speaker with party features. As part of the new ULT POWER SOUND lineup, it follows in the design footsteps of the Sony SRS-XG500 but adds two levels of switchable bass enhancement via the 'ULT' button. With up to 30 hours of advertised battery life, an IP67 rating against dust and water damage, and a mic/instrument input (with integrated karaoke effects like pitch adjustment and echo), this speaker is ready to be the life of the party.
Our Verdict
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 is a decent fit for music. It's geared towards styles of music that get the party going, so its tilted bass response (with extra bass on tap via the ULT button) adds some punch to groovy basslines and kicks. Its mid and treble reproduction are also more balanced than its predecessor, the Sony SRS-XG500, so vocals and other mid-range instruments come through clearly and naturally. You can always turn to the graphic EQ and presets in the app and 'Sound Field Optimization' to help adjust the sound to your environment, too. It can also get loud, certainly enough to elicit noise complaints, though there's a fair bit of bass-range compression as you crank the volume. While this speaker can playback stereo content, its directivity isn't the best, so the audio doesn't sound consistent from every angle.
-
Graphic EQ and presets in app.
-
Vocal/guitar input and karaoke-friendly effects.
-
Sub-par directivity.
-
Bass range compresses as you approach max volume.
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 is passable for videos and movies. Its boosted bass-range reproduction and balanced mid and treble range mean it's well-equipped to handle both cinematic effects and dialogue, plus it can get loud enough for larger watch parties. Its latency with iOS devices is quite low, too, and only slightly higher with Android devices, so you won't experience many lip-sync issues. That said, not everyone watching will experience consistent audio delivery, as its sub-par directivity can affect how the treble range is perceived from different listening angles. There's also quite a bit of compression when the volume is cranked, which can affect audio purity in the bass range.
-
Graphic EQ and presets in app.
-
Can get loud.
-
Sub-par directivity.
-
Bass range compresses as you approach max volume.
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 is good for podcasts. It features a balanced mid-range that does a great job of rendering your favorite hosts' voices in sparkling detail, plus you can always crank up the mids via EQ in the companion app. While it's quite portable for its size, its high max volume can come in handy if you'd rather keep a podcast playing when you move to a different room. That said, its directivity isn't the best, so voices will be harder to discern depending on how you're positioned around the speaker.
-
Over 10 hours of continuous battery life.
-
IP67 rated for protection against dust and water.
-
Graphic EQ and presets in app.
-
Sub-par directivity.
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 doesn't have any voice assistant capabilities and isn't well-suited for this use.
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 is good for outdoor use. It's quite portable and rated IP67, so it's well protected against the elements and can even be submerged in water for a limited time. It can also last for more than 10 hours on a single charge, which can be extended further if you lower the volume or turn off the RGB lights. Additionally, it can get loud enough to soundtrack outdoor parties, though its directivity isn't the best, and you'll hear some compression artifacts in the bass range if you crank the volume.
-
Over 10 hours of continuous battery life.
-
IP67 rated for protection against dust and water.
-
Can get loud.
-
Vocal/guitar input and karaoke-friendly effects.
-
Sub-par directivity.
-
Bass range compresses as you approach max volume.
- 7.1 Music
- 6.3 Videos/Movies
- 7.7 Podcasts
- 2.8 Voice Assistant
- 7.7 Outdoors
-
Updated Oct 22, 2024:
We've added a comparison between this speaker and the JBL PartyBox Stage 320 in the Battery section.
- Updated Aug 30, 2024: We've updated this review to clarify that this speaker does float on water.
- Updated Aug 26, 2024: Review published.
- Updated Aug 20, 2024: Early access published.
- Updated Aug 13, 2024: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Aug 06, 2024: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Jul 23, 2024: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 is available in one color variant: 'Black.' You can see our unit's label here.
If you encounter another variant of this speaker, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Speakers
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 is a portable Bluetooth speaker with party-centric features. It's the bigger sibling of the Sony ULT FIELD 1 and fits in the middle of the new ULT POWER SOUND line of speakers, as it's less powerful but more portable than the Sony ULT TOWER 10. In terms of design and features, it can be considered an evolution of the Sony SRS-XG500, with a more balanced default frequency response and two levels of switchable bass enhancement. Its powerful sound and size also put it in direct competition with the JBL Boombox 3, though the Sony has a more bass-heavy sound and can get louder. However, the JBL has a longer battery life and compresses less at max volume.
See our recommendations for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best waterproof speakers, and the best Bluetooth speakers for bass.
The JBL Boombox 3 and the Sony ULT FIELD 7 are similarly sized speakers that toe the line between being portable and party-ready. While they weigh a similar amount, feature IP67 ratings and take up the same amount of real estate in a bag, the JBL is better built overall and can even float in water. Performance-wise, the JBL edges ahead of the Sony in just about every aspect: it's got a more balanced default frequency response, compresses less at max volume, and has better directivity. Its continuous battery life is substantially longer than the Sony too. That said, if volume and bass response are what matters to you, then the Sony will be a better fit. It can get a fair bit louder than the JBL, and its overall sound is bassier, aided by the two levels of switchable bass enhancement via the 'ULT' button.
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 is essentially a revamped version of the Sony SRS-XG500. While the design essence remains the same, and both speakers feature IP67 ratings and karaoke features, there have been some upgrades that give the newer speaker an edge. It has a more balanced sound profile overall, with two toggleable levels of bass enhancement via the 'ULT' button. The ULT FIELD 7 can get louder, too, though there's more compression than the SRS-XG500 as you turn the volume up. Beyond this though, there aren't too many benefits to picking up the newer edition. The ULT FIELD 7 has a shorter continuous battery life and higher latency with iOS and Android devices, so if you can find the SRS-XG500 in stock or on sale, it could represent better value for you.
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 offers some key advantages over the JBL PartyBox Stage 320 when it comes to build quality and frequency response. The Sony's IP67 rating makes it a more durable, all-weather alternative to the JBL, and its switchable levels of bass via the 'ULT' button ensure there's plenty of low-end oomph available to call upon. It's also quite a bit more portable and can be carried around over your shoulder using its carrying strap. That said, the JBL boasts a much longer battery life, less compression at max volume (though both speakers have similar max volumes), and slightly better directivity.
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 and the JBL PartyBox 110 are similarly loud speakers that are equipped with party-centric features, like RGB lights and mic/guitar inputs for karaoke. That said, the Sony is much more portable and features an IP67 rating, so it can be submerged in water, whereas, the JBL is only IPX4 rated for water resistance. If portability and build quality aren't big factors and you mainly plan on using it at home, the JBL will be a better choice, though. It features a similarly bass-heavy frequency response while still retaining clarity in the mids and highs. Its max volume is similar to the Sony too, but there's significantly less compression. It also has a slightly longer battery life and better directivity. Those who plan on pairing their speaker to soundtrack movies and videos might be swayed by the Sony's lower latency with iOS and Android devices, though, which results in a more lag-free listening experience.
Test Results
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 follows in the design footsteps of the Sony SRS-XG500, with its cylindrical, barrel-like shape. Its edges feature built-in carrying handles, that allow it to be transported easily from place to place, and the passive radiators on the side are surrounded by RGB ring lights. There are controls located on the top center of the speaker and rubber covers for the ports and extra controls. The speaker is designed to function both horizontally and vertically.
This speaker is quite portable. It's on the bulkier side and weighs more than many portable speakers, but there are built-in carrying handles on either side that can help you carry it to and fro. Users that prefer a smaller form factor can take a look at the Sony ULT FIELD 1 instead.
This speaker has a very good build quality. It's rated IP67, so it can be submerged in water and is fully dust-proof. It can even float, though it'll do so face down (with the controls on the bottom). It's mostly made of plastic, which feels solid and dense, though much of the chassis is covered in a mesh fabric. The ends and carrying handles also feature an anti-slip rubber coating that prevents it from slipping outside of your grasp. The only weak points in the construction appear to be the passive radiators on either side, which don't feel as resilient as the rest of the speaker.
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 has a decent control scheme that lets you alter a few functions on the fly. You can see an overview of the controls here along with the parameters they adjust. The buttons themselves are rubberized and easy to press. In addition to basic playback and pairing controls, this speaker also has a few features geared specifically towards karaoke, including key control, echo, and a button to switch the sensitivity of the guitar/mic input. There's also the trademark 'ULT' button that activates two additional stages of bass enhancement.
There's visual or audio feedback for just about every function, including backlit LEDs that indicate whether a feature is engaged. That said, feedback after inputting controls isn't always immediate. Certain toggleable controls, like the echo or pitch controls, also don't display which level they're set to, requiring you to test them out yourself to see.
This speaker has a decent frequency response accuracy. Using the 'ULT 2' mode and with 'Sound Field Optimization' (which tunes the sound to the acoustics of your space) enabled, we found that it has an even more bass-heavy sound than its predecessor, the Sony SRS-XG500. It also has a pretty balanced mid-range and good treble range reproduction, too, with minimal roll-off at the top of the range. The result is a dynamic sound that's well-suited to electronic, beat-heavy genres that benefit from the boost in the mid and high-bass. The 'ULT' button gives you some scope for altering the bass response, too, which can make the speaker more suitable for other genres. We also tested the frequency response using an analog connection and found this made no difference to the sound. It's worth noting that this connection method didn't impact the volume either.
The soundstage performance is okay. While it's capable of playing back tracks in stereo without downmixing to mono, its directivity isn't the best, so audio doesn't sound consistent from different listening angles, especially in the treble range.
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 has an alright dynamics response. It can get very loud, making it a great option for soundtracking parties, both indoor and outdoor. Sadly, there's considerable compression in the bass range as you crank up the volume, which can interfere with the clarity of audio reproduction.
The battery life performance is great, This speaker can last over 10 hours without needing to recharge. However, this is highly dependent on usage. For example, the manufacturer advertises that you can get closer to 30 hours by keeping the volume around 16 (out of 51) with the lighting off. Cranking the volume and using the lights are more likely to reduce the battery life. There's also a power-saving feature that turns the speaker off after 15 minutes of inactivity. Additionally, the manufacturer advertises a quick charge feature that can provide around three hours of playtime from a 10-minute charge. However, it lacks a swappable battery pack design, like the JBL PartyBox Stage 320, so you can't effectively double the battery life by purchasing an additional battery pack.
The Sony Music Center app is very good and allows you to dive deeper into the ULT FIELD 7's customizability. You can see a video of the app in action here. There's also another app called 'Fiestable' that allows you to control the speaker's party features, such as control over the DJ effects, lighting, and karaoke features.
This speaker has a wide variety of connectivity options, should you wish to playback audio via a source other than Bluetooth. You can use its USB-A port to connect a USB drive (formatted to FAT) and play MP3, WMA, or WAV files. Additionally, there's an AUX port for connecting a 3.5 mm audio cable as well as a mic/guitar 1/4" TS jack that you can toggle between line and instrument level.
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 has excellent Bluetooth performance. It supports Bluetooth multi-device pairing with up to two devices, so you and a friend can take turns DJing. Latency on both iOS and Android devices is quite low, too (though it's slightly higher with Android), so you won't notice any lip-sync issues if you decide to pair the speaker to a device to watch a video or movie. That said, different devices and apps compensate for latency differently, so your experience will vary.