Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 5 for the higher ranking, the Sony SRS-XB43 for the lower price. The Sony ULT Field 5 ranks #40 of 75 large speakers at $198. The Sony SRS-XB43 ranks #41 at $150, $48 cheaper.
The case for the Sony SRS-XB43: Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. The catch: Not as loud as others in the category.
What the Sony ULT Field 5 gets right: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. Set against that: Bass not as deep as others in the category, and sound quality overall is just okay.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB43 if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Sony ULT Field 5 if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB43 | Sony ULT Field 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $198 |
| Ranked | #41 of 75 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #40 of 75 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partyconnect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs / 2.95 kg | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 12.8" x 4.8" x 4.6" (325 x 123 x 117 mm) | 12.6" x 5.67" x 4.92" (320 x 144 x 125 mm) |
| Output Power | 32W RMS | 27W |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators | 2x 46mm tweeters + 1x 79mm x 107mm woofer |
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XB43: $150
Pros: Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. Twin passive radiators deliver Extra Bass impact. IPX7 waterproof and rugged. Up to 24 hour battery (14 hours with lights on). Party lights for visual appeal.
Cons: Not as loud as others in the category. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Setup: Try out +3 +6 +3 as an EQ to get it as flat as possible as mentioned in the Alan Ross video
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 12.8" x 4.8" x 4.6" (325 x 123 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Output Power | 32W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partyconnect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs / 2.95 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sony XB43 - boombox champ?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Boom vs Sony XB43 - a step to far? 🤪
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb33 vs xb43 vs Soundcore Motion Plus speakers test
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal.
- Links
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.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 5.67" x 4.92" (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 |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
- 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs JBL Xtreme 5
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Marshall Stockwell 2
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Mee audio PartySPKR
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Sony SRS-XG300
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Teufel Rockster Cross
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Ultimate Ears Everboom
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Bogasing S8 Pro
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs LG PN7
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Marshall Middleton
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Ultimate Ears Epicboom
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Dockin D Fine+ 2
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Klipsch Detroit
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Marshall Kilburn II
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Mifa WildCamping
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Minirig mk2 with subwoofer
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Minirig mk3 with subwoofer
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Minirig mk4 with subwoofer
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Treblab HD-Max
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.