Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Go 4 ranks #25 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $49.95; the Sony ULT Field 1 ranks #81 of 144 medium speakers by sound quality at $98.
Why pick the JBL Go 4: A little more bass than the Go 3 and they fixed the strange mids peak. Watch for: Not much bass at all, especially with electronic/bass-heavy tracks pushed past ~50% volume.
The case for the Sony ULT Field 1: IP67 rated, survives drops and 1m submersion. Watch for: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble.
Buy the JBL Go 4 ($49.95) for a small speaker; the Sony ULT Field 1 ($98) suits a medium speaker instead.
Battery life favors the Sony ULT Field 1: rated for 12 hours against 7 hours for the JBL Go 4.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 4 | Sony ULT Field 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.95 | $98.00 |
| Ranked | #25 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #81 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~82Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (190 g) | 1.4 lbs (650 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 3.7” x 3” x 1.7” (94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm) | 8.1” x 3” x 3” (206 x 77 x 76 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 45mm | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator |
| Amplifier Power | 4.2W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (detachable strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Go 4:
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs JBL Go 4
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs JBL Go 4
- Minirig Mini 2 vs JBL Go 4
- JBL Go 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- JBL Go 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Go 4: $49.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the JBL Go 5, rated 3.2/5.
Pros: A little more bass than the Go 3 and they fixed the strange mids peak. Measured bass extension of ~82Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not much bass at all, especially with electronic/bass-heavy tracks pushed past ~50% volume. Midrange can sound grainy and treble a bit sizzly; loses clarity at higher volumes.
Full JBL Go 4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 4.2W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~82Hz |
| Battery Life | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.7” x 3” x 1.7” (94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (190 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Stereo Specs: JBL GO 4 vs JBL GO 3 : Is there more bass or not?Unboxing,Features,Specs,Sound Test & Comparison !
- StereoSpecs: JBL GO 4 vs JBL GO 3 : Worth the upgrade?
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Go 4 - first impressions (how to waste your money) More from Oluv’Sone →
- Storytripper HD: JBL GO 4 vs TRIBIT MICRO 2 vs KLIPSCH AUSTIN vs SONY SRS-XB100 More from storytripperhd →
- GYMCADDY: Soundcore Select 4 Go Vs JBL Clip 5 And JBL Go 4 More from GYMCADDY →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony ULT Field 1: $98.00 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Sony XB23 (rated 3.3/5) and the Sony SRS-XB20 (rated 2.8/5).
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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (650 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- See all 113 comparisons