Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 1. It ranks #100 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.1/5) at $138 and is still sold new; the Soundcore Flare 2 ranks #134 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Sony ULT Field 1 is the better-sounding option. IP67 rated, survives drops and 1m submersion. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Soundcore Flare 2 lacks. Watch for: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble.
The case for the Soundcore Flare 2: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Sony ULT Field 1. The catch: Rolled off treble.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 1. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Soundcore Flare 2 is discontinued.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Field 1 | Soundcore Flare 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $138.00 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #100 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (650 g) | 1.3 lbs (600 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 8.1” x 3” x 3” (206 x 77 x 76 mm) | 3.5” x 3.5” x 6.3” (89 x 89 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 56Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sony ULT Field 1:
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs EarFun Uboom L
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Sony ULT Field 1
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Sony ULT Field 1
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Minirig 4
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony ULT Field 1: $138.00 Amazon $138.00 eBay
Older models: the Sony XB23 (ranked higher, rated 3.3/5), the Sony SRS-XB20 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5), the Sony SRS-XB21 (ranked lower, rated 2.7/5) and the Sony SRS-XE200 (ranked lower, rated 2.5/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Same family: the Sony ULT Field 7 (larger model, rated 3.2/5), the Sony ULT Tower 10 (larger model, rated 3.9/5), the Sony ULT Field 3 (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5), the Sony ULT Field 5 (larger model, rated 3.5/5), the Sony ULT Tower 5 (larger model, rated 4.5/5), the Sony ULT Tower 7 (larger model, rated 4.7/5), the Sony ULT Tower 9 (larger model, rated 4.2/5) and the Sony ULT Tower Max (larger model, rated 4.8/5).
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 →
| Released | Apr 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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
- Techder Audios: Sony ULT Field 1 VS Teufel Rockster Go 2 “CLOSE CALL?” More from techderaudios →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 4 vs Sony ULT Field 1 😧 $200 vs $128 Cylinder Bluetooth Speaker Matchup More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Storytripper HD: Huawei Soundjoy 2 vs Edifier ES60 vs Sony ULT Field 1 More from storytripperhd →
- New Stuff TV 2: Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Flip 6, JBL Charge 5 & Soundcore Motion 300 More from NewStuffTV1 →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Grip
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Treblab HD77
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Tribit Xsound Go
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Tronsmart Mirtune S100
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs KEF Muo gen2
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Tronsmart Mirtune C3
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Tribit Xsound Surf
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Sonos Roam
- See all 140 comparisons
Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.5” x 3.5” x 6.3” (89 x 89 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (600 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tronsmart T6 Plus upgraded edition vs Anker Motion Plus and Flare 2 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Mifa Wild camping Lantern portable bluetooth speaker reviewed by an old geezer!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Flare 2 - mega 360 degree speaker shootout!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Glow: best budget 360 degree speaker or get the Bose Revolve+? 1 hour of fun!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Marshall Emberton III
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- See all 74 comparisons