Short answer: the Xtreme 5 for sound, the ULT Field 5 to save money. The Xtreme 5 ranks #2 out of 120 large speakers, the ULT Field 5 ranks #59, and the gap in price between them is $51.95.
The sound quality gap here is real and well documented. Our notes call the Xtreme 5 a fantastic sounding speaker with excellent off-axis dispersion and bass reaching well below 40Hz, describing it as a big step up from older JBL portables. The ULT Field 5’s own notes are blunter: bass not as deep as others in its category, and sound quality overall described as just okay. The Xtreme 5 does have its own rough edge, a hole in the mid-upper bass that our reviewers say can’t be EQ’d out, and its default EQ presets are weak enough that it needs a custom EQ to sound its best.
The ULT Field 5 answers with water resistance and features. It’s IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant, where the Xtreme 5 is IP68 but marginally so, and it adds a built-in microphone, an aux input, and LDAC support that the Xtreme 5 doesn’t have. The Xtreme 5 counters with a removable battery, which the ULT Field 5 lacks, plus USB-C digital audio input and a newer Bluetooth 6.0 radio versus 5.3 on the Sony.
Everything else is close: both run around a full day of battery life, both include a companion app and a party mode that scales to multiple speakers, and both charge and output power over USB-C.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5 if sound quality is the priority, since it ranks near the top of its class and the ULT Field 5’s own notes concede it’s only just okay.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 5 if the price difference matters more to you than the sound quality gap, or you specifically want the built-in microphone and LDAC support.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | Sony ULT Field 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.95 | $348.00 |
| Ranked | #2 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 6.5” x 6.1” (346 x 165 x 155 mm) | 12.6” x 5.7” x 4.9” (320 x 144 x 125 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 2x 46mm tweeters + 1x 79mm x 107mm woofer |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 1 x 90W RMS Woofer + 2 x 20W RMS Tweeter (AC power mode) 1 x 60W RMS Woofer + 2 x 15W RMS Tweeter (Battery mode) | 27W |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
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