Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max for better sound quality, the Sony ULT Field 5 for the lower price. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 77 large speakers at $309.99. The Sony ULT Field 5 ranks #41 at $198, $111.99 cheaper.
The case for the Bose SoundLink Max: IP67 rated, up to 20 hours of rated battery (real-world testing found 43+ hours), deep and neutrally-tuned bass with an app EQ, a USB-C port that doubles as a device charger, and a sturdy carry handle. The catch: a big peak in the upper bass, a dipped midrange with peaks and dips above it, distortion above 80% volume, and it self-drains about 20% of its battery a week.
What the Sony ULT Field 5 gets right: IP67 rated, a 25-hour battery, an app with a 10-band EQ, Party Connect for up to 100 speakers, and USB-C in/out. Set against that: bass that’s not as deep as others in the category, sound quality that’s just okay overall, and a ULT button that makes a loud tone when pressed.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Sony ULT Field 5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Sony ULT Field 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $309.99 | $198 |
| Ranked | #17 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs / 2.2 kg | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| EQ | No | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.4" x 4.7" x 4.1" (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 12.6" x 5.7" x 4.9" (320 x 144 x 125 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5" (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79" (20mm) tweeter | 2x 46mm tweeters + 1x 79mm x 107mm woofer |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 27W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Max: $309.99 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated - dustproof and waterproof to 1m. Up to 20 hour battery; real-world testing found 43+ hours. Deep, rich bass with neutral tuning, app EQ. USB-C doubles as device charger. Sturdy carry handle.
Cons: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange. Bass not as deep as a Boom 2. Gets distorted above 80%. Self drains the battery about 20% a week.
Full Bose SoundLink Max review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.4" x 4.7" x 4.1" (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5" (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79" (20mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs / 2.2 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - indoor soundtest
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - outdoor soundtest
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Max, the worlds most overpriced speaker? its a shocker!
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - first impressions
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs. Ultimate Ears EpicBoom 🤑Big Bucks No Whammies? 💣 Let’s Find Out 😧
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit XSound Mega 😲 Can the Budget Priced Speaker Hang With the Big $ One?
- Scott’s Reviews: Bose SoundLink Max First Impressions, Unboxing, and Sound Test.
- Reddit Search for Bose SoundLink Max Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- Bose SoundLink Max vs onn Portable FM Boombox
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Dockin D Fine+ 2
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Mee audio PartySPKR
- Bose SoundLink Max vs JBL Xtreme 5
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Ultimate Ears Epicboom
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Teufel Rockster
Sony ULT Field 5: $198 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. 25 hour battery life. App with 10-band EQ. Party Connect with up to 100 speakers. USB-C in/out for charging your phone.
Cons: Bass not as deep as others in the category, and sound quality overall is just okay. ULT button makes a really loud tone when pressed. Just an okay speaker.
Full Sony ULT Field 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 5.7" x 4.9" (320 x 144 x 125 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 46mm tweeters + 1x 79mm x 107mm woofer |
| EQ | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 27W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Danny Pops: Don’t TOUCH that ULT Button! Sony ULT Field 5 Review
- Mark Ellis Reviews: Sony just changed summer sound 🤨 | Sony ULT Field 5 & 3 Review
- Dominik Reviews: Sony ULT Field 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - Outdoor Sound Test - Sony shines or not?
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Sony ULT Field 5 vs Anker SoundCore Boom 2 - listening test
- Reddit Search for Sony ULT Field 5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Sony SRS-XB43
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Marshall Kilburn II
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Mifa WildCamping
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Ultimate Ears Everboom
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Marshall Middleton
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Mee audio PartySPKR
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Klipsch Detroit
- See all 27 comparisons