Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 1. It ranks #81 of 144 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $98; the LG Xboom Go PL5 ranks #119, rated 2.4/5, and costs $179, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the Sony ULT Field 1: IP67 rated, survives drops and 1m submersion. The catch: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble.
The case for the LG Xboom Go PL5: 18 hour battery life; IPX5 rated. Watch for: Barely any bass.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 1. It is rated higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom Go PL5 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Field 1 | LG Xboom Go PL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $98.00 | $179.00 |
| Ranked | #81 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #119 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (650 g) | 1.4 lbs (640 g) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Dimensions | 8.1” x 3” x 3” (206 x 77 x 76 mm) | 7.9” x 3.1” x 3.1” (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 71Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Sony ULT Field 1: $98.00 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Sony XB23 (rated 3.3/5) and the Sony SRS-XB20 (rated 2.8/5).
Pros: IP67 rated, survives drops and 1m submersion. Real-world battery around 28+ hours with ULT (bass boost) mode off. Stereo-pairs with a second ULT Field 1.
Cons: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble
Full Sony ULT Field 1 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.1” x 3” x 3” (206 x 77 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (650 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Grip
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LG Xboom Go PL5: $179.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: 18 hour battery life; IPX5 rated. LED lights sync to music via the LG XBOOM app; Wireless Party Link connects up to 100 speakers. USB-C charging. Measured bass extension of 71Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Barely any bass. 14kHz peak, bright on top. Soundboost mode makes the top end even harsher.
Full LG Xboom Go PL5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 71Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.1” x 3.1” (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (640 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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