A small speaker is an audio accessory that I use at home, especially in the kitchen when cooking and also on the balcony to hang clothes. Speakers on smartphones are not loud enough to hear favorite songs clearly. In this situation a small but powerful speaker is needed. Through the Sony ULT Field 1 I feel I have found a speaker that not only has a high volume but is very easy to use.
Specifications
Sony ULT FIELD 1
Mono speaker type
Woofer driver 83 x 42 mm
16mm tweeter
Microphone 1 microphone
12 Hour Battery
USB-C charging port
Bluetooth 5.3 connection
CODEC AAC, SBC
All operating systems are supported
Virtual assistant support None
Power button
Adjust the audio
Music control
Bluetooth
ult
IP67 waterproof capability
Sale Price RM 629
The design of the ULT Field 1 resembles an aluminum water can that may have been deliberately designed to fit in the side pocket of a bag or water holder on a bicycle. Because of the same size it is also comfortable to hold in the hand. There is an additional strap that allows it to be hung on the wrist or a hook when used outside. This long strap allows the ULT Field 1 to be attached to a chair, hook or nail on the wall.
At the end there are two hollow covers that allow the audio from the two radiators to direct the audio to the sides. The end part made of plastic also allows the speaker to be placed upright. It is quite boxy so it can prevent the speaker from rolling when placed horizontally.
The body is made from a rough canvas material that is often used in portable speakers. It is just the same as the finish on the Huawei Sound Joy that was reviewed before. This finish has a rough texture that makes the speaker can still be held neatly even when wet. Owners don't have to worry if the ULT Field 1 gets wet because it passes the IP67 standard. So this is the reason why I dare to use it in the kitchen near the sink. This speaker is also shock resistant according to Sony as long as it is from a height of 1.2 meters.
On the top there is a power button, bluetooth, music control, audio volume adjustment and ULT. The buttons are placed on a soft silicone surface which actually worries me a little. Based on personal experience, this kind of soft silicone will sag after a few years of use.
The USB-C charging port is placed on the bottom behind a rubber door. This square-shaped door will prevent water from entering the charging port. Unlike the ULT Tower 10, Sony did not include a flashing LED light system on the ULT Field 1. Probably to reduce battery consumption.
The speaker is of the mono type with one woofer and one tweeter hidden behind the canvas speaker grill. Supported codecs via bluetooth are only SBC and AAC. In addition to the audio driver, the ULT Field 1 also comes with a built-in microphone.
Use and Software
The first thing I noticed was how easy it was to dock the ULT Field 1 to a smartphone. For Android users, there is Google Fast Pair support. The first time the speaker was turned on, I received a notification on the smartphone asking if bluetooth tethering was to be performed. Press yes and then Fast Pair will suggest I download the Sony Music Center app from the Play Store. On an Apple device, press not bluetooth once and the blue light will flash indicating it's ready to pair.
The power and bluetooth buttons are very responsive. Bluetooth tethering using the ULT Field 1 is also the fastest I've ever experienced. Usually when using bluetooth I have to wait 2-3 seconds before the speaker connects to the phone. ULT Field 1 did it almost overnight.
The Sony Music Center software is quite limited in terms of features. Just can change the equalizer, choose the mode of use (with Stamina to extend the battery life) and even combine two ULT Filed 1 to work in stereo. Unlike Sony's headphones, I felt there was no real need to download an app.
For music control, it's the same as all other portable speakers on the market. Press the Play button once to pause, twice to step to the next song and three times to step to the previous song. The Play button can also be used to answer phone calls and ULT Field 1 can be used to answer phone calls.
Audio Quality
This is a mono speaker so in terms of audio quality it already has one significant drawback. Audio noise will not provide the best audio experience. But the majority of bluetooth speakers in the same category as the Huawei Sound Joy are also mono. So I will judge the ULT Field 1 with speakers in the same category.
Although the resulting mono audio is satisfactory. Diaphragm-pounding bass especially if ULT mode is activated. Without ULT, the sound that is thrown is lifeless and feels thin. Treble is satisfactory with the sound of guitar licks sounding shrill. At the highest setting the sound emitted is clear but if ULT is activated it starts to get a little noisy. ULT Field 1 is more suitable for use in small spaces because its size is not large enough to fill a wider space.
I prefer listening to instrumental music and jazz using these speakers because the audio feels more balanced without the strong bass drowning out other elements of the music. Mid audio on ULT Field 1 becomes unclear whenever ULT mode is activated. For podcast fans, voice audio is clear even at the highest volume settings.
Although it can be tethered to a TV, I cannot recommend the ULT Field 1 to be used as a replacement for TV speakers because the audio is only mono. As I said above there is stereo support if there are two ULT Field 1 speakers. In this mode the audio produced feels more satisfying because the left and right channels are well separated.
After being paired, the speaker will remain in stereo working mode. Therefore if paired to another device such as a TV or tablet, I only need to tether the left speaker of ULT Field 1 to a TV and stereo audio can be enjoyed without having to tether both speakers to the TV. Then to turn off the speaker after use, only one needs to be turned off. The system is smart enough to turn them both off at once.
Battery
The battery is advertised to last up to 12 hours which when compared to other portable speakers is quite short. In a week-long test, on average I was able to use the ULT Field 1 for up to 8 hours at medium audio settings and with ULT mode turned off. It drops to around 3-4 hours on higher audio settings and ULT enabled. Charging takes about 5 hours which I feel is too slow.
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In the box
Here's what you get with every device purchase in Malaysia.
1x Sony ULT Field 1
1x USB-A to USB-C charging cable.
1x manual.
Conclusion
The Sony ULT Field 1 is a loud and compatible speaker to use in situations where you're looking for a durable portable speaker for outdoor use that's easy to take anywhere. The strength lies in the attainable audio volume as well as the IP67 waterproof capability. For Android users, the Fast Pair system makes tethering easy. Users of the Android ecosystem also have an advantage as Android tablets and TVs can detect the ULT Field 1 when it is nearby. The process of tethering to Android TV for example only requires one button to be pressed on the remote control.
The only downsides in my opinion are mono audio, not-so-long battery life and somewhat limited software. In Malaysia, the Sony ULT Field 1 is sold at a price of RM629 in a choice of black, white, orange and green.
Pro
Compact design and comfortable to hold.
IP67 waterproof.
Fastest bluetooth tether ever seen.
Google FastPair support.
Audio is loud and clear.
Durable design.
Cons
Mono audio.
Short battery life.
Slow charging.
The app lacks features.