ULT (Power Sound) is the name of the new audio product range from Sony, which is designed for ULTimative bass. The Sony ULT Field 7 is the largest wireless Bluetooth speaker in the series, and our test clarifies just how ultimate it really sounds.
Technical data
| The product | ULT Field 7 |
| Audio power | 100 W (140W with BassUp 2.0) |
| Drivers | 2x tweeters (46 mm) 2x woofer (114 mm) |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Connections | USB-A; AUX; guitar/microphone input |
| Battery capacity | unknown |
| Battery life | up to 30 hours |
| Special features | IP67 certification; ULT Power Sound (2 modes), custom EQ; RGB lighting; sound field optimization; echo/sound control; multipoint; power bank function |
| Size | 512 mm x 225 mm x 222 mm |
| Weight | 6.3 kg |
| Colors | Goji black |
| Scope of delivery | Sony ULT Field 7; mains cable; manual |
| Price | € 389.00 * |
Sony ULT Field 7 Review: Simple sound tube with RGB
- quite large and heavy
- simple design
- discreet RGB lighting, good workmanship
So here it is, the Sony ULT Field 7 – the largest mobile Bluetooth speaker in the new product series. Visually, the speaker comes as a simple sound tube, which is still reasonably portable with dimensions of 512 mm x 225 mm x 222 mm and a weight of 6.3 kg, but is larger than the Teufel Rockster Cross, for example.
It has IP67 certification for protection against dust and water and is designed to sit horizontally on surfaces. However, it can also be placed vertically. In the horizontal position, there are rounded rubber feet on the underside that allow the Bluetooth speaker to rest level.
Otherwise, the design is kept very simple. There are two carrying handles at the top and bottom for transportation, otherwise there is a fabric cover with the Sony logo. The panel of controls is then located horizontally on the top, with a cover at the back under which the connections are hidden.
Sony has also given the ULT Field 7 discreet RGB lighting, which extends as a ring around the passive radiators. There are nine different lighting effects to choose from, although the lighting can also be deactivated.
Admittedly: The design is a little boring and even though there is nothing to complain about in terms of workmanship, the Bluetooth speaker is quite susceptible to dust and dirt.
At the back, protected under the flap, you will find numerous connections. In addition to the power connection, there is a USB-A port including power bank function, a 3.5 mm jack and a microphone/guitar connection.
There are also additional buttons for switching the lighting on and off, protecting the battery, an echo button and two key control buttons.
Operation, battery life and range
- simple operation via buttons
- somewhat disappointing companion app
- ULT button for different sound profiles
The Sony ULT Field 7 is operated using the elements on the top. There are the obligatory elements such as a power button, Bluetooth button, play/pause or volume up and down. On the far right is the “ULT” button, which switches between two different sound settings at the touch of a button.
Sony Music Center, which is available free of charge on iOS and Android, is used as a companion app. The basic functions can also be controlled here, and you can also make additional settings, including an adjustable equalizer, selection of audio codecs or sound field optimization.
Various music streaming services can be integrated directly into the app. Operation via the app is fine, but unfortunately it is not really appealing or fast. There is a noticeable latency, especially when switching between different apps, while it takes a few seconds for the Music Center to display the speaker again and for operation to be possible. Unfortunately, the app is not really useful.
Bluetooth multipoint and 30 hours runtime
- up to 30 hours of battery life
- Quick charge function
- LDAC and Multipoint
The Sony ULT Field 7 uses the Bluetooth 5.2 standard and supports the high-resolution LDAC codec for Hi-Res sound. Bluetooth Multipoint is also offered, allowing the speaker to connect to two audio sources simultaneously. The speaker achieves a wireless range of around 12 meters to the source.
Up to 30 hours of battery life are possible with the ULT Field 7, which is almost 10 hours more than the comparably sized soundcore Boom 2 Plus (our test). The value applies when ULT1 or ULT2 mode is switched on and RGB lighting is active, so a few more hours should be possible in the standard sound profile and without lighting. Thanks to Fast Charge, 10 minutes of charging time is also enough for around three hours of music playback.
Sound quality of the Sony ULT Field 7
- detailed, rich sound
- excellent bass response
- ULT1 mode makes bass boom quickly
“It’s all about that bass” is the name of a song by Meghan Trainor and, if you look at Sony’s promo material, this should also apply to the Sony ULT Field 7. Or should it? Yes, the bass foundation is indeed very pronounced, but the other frequencies are also pleasing.
In fact, the Bluetooth speaker scores with a very balanced and full sound that is simply a pleasure to listen to. Due to the mix, some fine details in the highs and mids are lost at the expense of the rich and detailed bass foundation, but an audiophile and neutral sound is not the speaker’s intention anyway.
By default, the Sony ULT Field 7 is set to ULT1 mode, but in my opinion this is simply too much of a good thing, as the bass comes to the fore and quickly overdrives the details, especially with electro or hip-hop tracks.
In metal, rock and other genres that are not quite so bass-heavy, ULT1 sounds much better. But even here I prefer the ULT2 mode, which gives the sound stage more space and makes the volume of the speaker appear larger.
Adjustments to your own taste are of course easily possible using the custom equalizer. All in all, the Sony ULT Field 7 delivers a very coherent, full and airy sound image in the treble range, which is not only pleasing when listening to music but also with spoken content such as podcasts.
Sony ULT Field 7 Review: Conclusion
With the ULT Field 7, Sony has not created the ULTimative Bluetooth speaker, but it is undoubtedly a very good one. Above all, the speaker does a lot right in terms of sound and scores with a detailed, high-resolution and pleasantly airy sound image.
The robust workmanship, waterproof design and long battery life of around 30 hours also speak in favor of this model, which is still reasonably portable. However, I certainly wouldn’t want to lug 6.3 kg to the nearest swimming lake.
But hey: the size naturally has a positive effect on the sound. However, the design itself is rather boring and the fabric surface magically attracts dust and dirt. In addition, the companion app deserves a general overhaul, while the ULT1 mode simply puts the bass too much in the foreground, which quickly leads to clipping. But apart from that, the Sony ULT Field 7 does a lot of things right and is a lot of fun.
Sony ULT Field 7
Workmanship
Usability
Sound Quality
Features
Value For Money
90/100
Powerful Bluetooth speaker with detailed sound and impressive bass reserves, which also scores with a long battery life and many connections.
No replies yet
Neue Antworten laden...
Gehört zum Inventar
Beteilige dich an der Diskussion in der Basic Tutorials Community →