Short answer: the Marshall Middleton II for better sound quality, the Sony ULT Field 5 for the lower price. The Marshall Middleton II ranks #28 of 77 large speakers at $330. The Sony ULT Field 5 ranks #41 at $198, $132 cheaper.
On the Marshall Middleton II side: Very deep bass for the size/weight. Set against that: Bass boosted which drowns out the midrange.
What the Sony ULT Field 5 gets right: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. The catch: Bass not as deep as others in the category, and sound quality overall is just okay.
Buy the Marshall Middleton II 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
| Marshall Middleton II | Sony ULT Field 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $330 | $198 |
| Ranked | #28 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 9.1" x 3.9" x 4.3" (230 x 98 x 110 mm) | 12.6" x 5.7" x 4.9" (320 x 144 x 125 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625" tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 2x 46mm tweeters + 1x 79mm x 107mm woofer |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 80W | 27W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Marshall Middleton II: $330 Amazon
Pros: Very deep bass for the size/weight.
Cons: Bass boosted which drowns out the midrange. Dip around 200hz, peak at 1khz, dipped at 1.6khz. Strange frequency response through the mids.
Full Marshall Middleton II review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.1" x 3.9" x 4.3" (230 x 98 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625" tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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
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- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Sony ULT Field 5 vs Anker SoundCore Boom 2 - listening test
- Reddit Search for Sony ULT Field 5 Review
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