Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 5, if you are buying new. The Sony SRS-XB43 measures as well as it (#60 vs #59 of 120 large speakers, 3.5/5 vs 3.5/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Sony ULT Field 5 is still sold new at $348.
The XB43’s sound is the more flattering story here. Its notes describe full, warm sound with deep, rich bass from its twin passive radiators, while the ULT Field 5’s own notes call its sound quality “just okay” and its bass “not as deep as others in the category.” That is an unusual result for the newer, pricier model in Sony’s own lineup.
The ULT Field 5 does add real upgrades. It runs Bluetooth 5.3 against the XB43’s 5.0, has a slightly longer 25 hour battery life against 24 hours, and offers a more flexible 10-band app EQ compared to the XB43’s 3-band control. The XB43 counters with a physical ULT-style feature of its own: party lights for visual appeal, plus a documented custom EQ setting from reviewer Alan Ross to flatten its bass-heavy tuning.
Everything else matches: both are IP67 rated, both support SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs, both include an aux input, a built-in microphone, USB-C power-bank charging, and Sony’s Party Connect for linking up to 100 speakers.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB43 if warmer bass and a lower price matter more to you than a newer Bluetooth chip or finer-grained EQ control.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 5 only if the longer battery life or 10-band EQ specifically matters to you, since it does not sound better by the site’s own notes.
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
| Sony SRS-XB43 | Sony ULT Field 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 Discontinued | $348.00 |
| Ranked | #60 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 120 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 | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | 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 |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| 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 5.7” x 4.9” (320 x 144 x 125 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 32W RMS | 27W |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators | 2x 46mm tweeters + 1x 79mm x 107mm woofer |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
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