These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Xtreme 3 ranks #18 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $269.95; the Sony ULT Field 3 ranks #57 of 135 medium speakers by sound quality at $148.
The case for the JBL Xtreme 3: better treble and deeper bass than the Xtreme 2, and more balanced overall than the newer Xtreme 4 - and it’s a full size class up from the ULT Field 3. The catch: boosted bass, and still not as deep or as balanced as the very top speakers in its own larger class.
What the Sony ULT Field 3 gets right: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant, a 24-hour battery, an app with a 10-band EQ, Party Connect for up to 100 speakers, and USB-C in/out for charging your phone. Set against that: sounds a bit hollow and a bit boosted in the treble, and the custom EQ can’t be used together with the ULT bass-boost button.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 3 at $269.95 if you want a large speaker. Buy the Sony ULT Field 3 at $148 if you want a medium speaker instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony ULT Field 3 is rated for 24 hours versus 15 hours for the JBL Xtreme 3.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 3 | Sony ULT Field 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.95 | $148 |
| Ranked | #18 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #57 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms | - |
| Max Volume | 105dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.83 kg | 2.6 lbs / 1.2 kg |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.4" x 5.3" (298 x 136 x 134 mm) | 10.1" x 4.4" x 3.1" (256 x 113 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters | 1x 20mm tweeter + 1x 86mm x 46mm woofer |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 100W | 27W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Xtreme 3: $269.95 Amazon
Pros: Better treble and deeper bass than the Xtreme 2. More balanced sounding than the Xtreme 4
Cons: Boosted bass. Not as deep bass as better speakers. Not as balanced as better speakers.
Full JBL Xtreme 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.4" x 5.3" (298 x 136 x 134 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 105dB |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.83 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA - Unboxing.📦 Short Test vs Xtreme 4
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sony XB43 - boombox champ?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom vs JBL Xtreme 3 LG PN7 & Minirig mk3 💯👍
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs JBL Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1 - review and sound test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus vs JBL Xtreme 3 - Extreme review!
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal.
- New Stuff TV: Sony SRS-XG300 Vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X10 vs JBL Xtreme 3, Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1! Xtreme Review 🤓
- Smart Home Sounds: Best Premium Bluetooth Speakers: Sonos Move, JBL Xtreme 3, Marshall Middleton & More…
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs JBL Xtreme 3 Sound Test 😍 Best upgrade in the history? 😂
- Audio Inside Scoop: Klipsch Detroit VS JBL Xtreme 3 Hear With Me!!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Xtreme 3 Vs Sony XG300 - Its Not Even Close
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Motion Boom vs Rave Neo - Boombox Battle!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Ortizan M8🦨 Bluetooth Speaker. Is This The Budget JBL Xtreme 3 Killer? Better Than Zealot S67?
- Danny Pops: It’s shaped like a Football - JBL Xtreme 3 Review vs Marshall Tufton and Flips Party Mode
- Reddit Search for JBL Xtreme 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony ULT Field 3: $148 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. 24 hour battery life. App with 10-band EQ. Party Connect with up to 100 speakers. USB-C in/out for charging your phone.
Cons: Sounds a bit hollow, a bit boosted in the treble. Custom EQ and the ULT bass-boost button can’t be used together - turning on ULT disables the EQ. Bass is very weak with ULT off. Lost to the JBL Charge 6 in a side-by-side comparison despite being the larger speaker.
Full Sony ULT Field 3 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 4.4" x 3.1" (256 x 113 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 20mm tweeter + 1x 86mm x 46mm 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, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs / 1.2 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons