Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 1 for better sound quality, the Tribit Xsound Surf for the lower price. The Sony ULT Field 1 ranks #76 of 136 medium speakers at $78. The Tribit Xsound Surf ranks #79 at $26, $52 cheaper.
On the Sony ULT Field 1 side: IP67 rated, survives drops and 1m submersion. Set against that: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble.
The case for the Tribit Xsound Surf: Rugged rubberized frame with a metal grille. The tradeoff: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others, strange midrange peaks.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 1 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Tribit Xsound Surf if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Field 1 | Tribit Xsound Surf | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $78.00 | $26 |
| Ranked | #76 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #79 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Likely Yes (based on Tribit pattern) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 650 g | 1 lbs / 440 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | aptX HD, aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 8.1" x 3" x 3" (206 x 77 x 76 mm) | 7" x 2.2" x 2.1" (178 x 57 x 54 mm) |
| Drivers | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator | 40W: 2x drivers with passive radiator |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 12W RMS |
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- Tribit Xsound Go vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Soundcore 2
- Tribit Xsound Go vs LG Xboom Grab
- Tribit Xsound Go vs Sony ULT Field 1
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Tribit Stormbox 2
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony ULT Field 1: $78.00 Amazon
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 |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 650 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Grip
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Tribit Xsound Go
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs KEF Muo gen2
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Sonos Roam
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
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Tribit Xsound Surf: $26
Pros: Rugged rubberized frame with a metal grille. About 20% louder than the XSound Go at the same volume. IPX7 rated, USB-C charging, and pairs with a second Surf for stereo.
Cons: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others, strange midrange peaks
Full Tribit Xsound Surf review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Likely Yes (based on Tribit pattern) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7" x 2.2" x 2.1" (178 x 57 x 54 mm) |
| Drivers | 40W: 2x drivers with passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 12W RMS |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1 lbs / 440 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit XSound Surf vs. XSound Go (Upgraded Model) Bluetooth Speaker Sound Comparison.
- Aphid Tech: Tribit XSound Surf vs Soundcore 2 - With Sound Comparison!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Zealot S61 🦨 Bluetooth Speaker Review & Sound Comparison to Tribit XSound Surf. Another Zealot dud❓
- Reddit Search for Tribit Xsound Surf Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Tribit Xsound Go
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Soundcore 2
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs LG Xboom Grab
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs JBL Grip
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Tozo PE1