Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen for better sound quality, the Sony ULT Field 1 for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen ranks #33 of 135 medium speakers at $129.99. The Sony ULT Field 1 ranks #76 at $78, $51.99 cheaper.
The case for the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen: not much of a change from the 1st gen, for better or worse - it sounds nearly identical. The catch: not stereo, warm sounding with overly boosted bass that drowns out midrange detail, and it self-drains about 10% of its battery a week.
What the Sony ULT Field 1 gets right: IP67 rated and survives a 1m dunk, real-world battery runs 28+ hours with ULT bass boost off, and it stereo-pairs with a second Field 1. Set against that: an upper-midrange peak and rolled-off treble.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Sony ULT Field 1 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | Sony ULT Field 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $78.00 |
| Ranked | #33 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #76 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 586 g | 1.4 lbs / 650 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 8.1" x 3" x 3" (206 x 77 x 76 mm) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | AAC, SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | - | No |
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen: $129.99 Amazon
Pros: Pretty much identical sounding to the 1st gen
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail. Self drains the battery about 10% a week.
Full Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 586 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Flex
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen - sound demo
- Tô Thái Trí Hùng: Unbox & Sound Test - Bose Soundlink Flex 2
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen & Soundcore Motion 300 sound test
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech!
- CEONTHEMAKING: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd Gen VS Marshall Emberton III - What’s NEW??
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Small speaker, mighty sound, The Flex gen 2 shatters physics!
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Soundcore Boom 3i
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- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bogasing M4
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- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs W-King D320
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Harman Kardon Luna
- See all 21 comparisons
Sony ULT Field 1: $78.00 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, survives drops and 1m submersion. Real-world battery around 28+ hours with ULT (bass boost) mode off. Stereo-pairs with a second ULT Field 1.
Cons: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble
Full Sony ULT Field 1 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.1" x 3" x 3" (206 x 77 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 650 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons