Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 5. It ranks #49 of 93 large speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5) at $348 and is still sold new; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 ranks #58 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
What the Sony ULT Field 5 gets right: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. The catch: Bass not as deep as others in the category, and sound quality overall is just okay.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony ULT Field 5 is rated for 25 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4.
Water resistance is not close: the Sony ULT Field 5 is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 at no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Field 5 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $348.00 | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #49 of 93 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #58 of 93 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (HK Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 5.7” x 4.9” (320 x 144 x 125 mm) | 11.4” x 11.4” x 5.1” (290 x 290 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 46mm tweeters + 1x 79mm x 107mm woofer | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes (App + ULT button) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 27W | 60W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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 5: $348.00 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Sony SRS-XB43 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the Sony SRS-XG300 (ranked lower, rated 3.1/5).
Pros: A tough 3.3kg portable with IP67 protection, LDAC/AAC support, aux input, a 10-band app EQ, Party Connect, USB-C power-bank output and a claimed 25-hour battery. Reviews find it energetic and dynamic with substantial bass, enough volume for a yard, and two ULT modes that let bass-focused listeners choose a deeper or punchier presentation.
Cons: It prioritizes bass and loudness over fidelity: reviews find the upper mids and highs subdued, with limited stereo separation and soundstage depth. Deep bass is less authoritative than the enclosure suggests, and the loud confirmation tone when pressing the ULT button is an unnecessary annoyance. Use the app EQ and audition it before buying for detail-focused music.
Full Sony ULT Field 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 27W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 5.7” x 4.9” (320 x 144 x 125 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 46mm tweeters + 1x 79mm x 107mm woofer |
| EQ | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Danny Pops: Don’t TOUCH that ULT Button! Sony ULT Field 5 Review More from DannyPops →
- 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? More from Dominik Reviews →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Sony ULT Field 5 vs Anker SoundCore Boom 2 - listening test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Mateusz Cholewa: SONY ULT Field 5 vs BOGASING S8 PRO MAX More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4: $100 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, rated 4.1/5.
Pros: Balanced sound quality with deep resonant bass and crisp treble, large dynamic range. Multi-host Bluetooth connectivity for 2 phones, daisy chaining up to 100 speakers. Elegant modern design with smooth curves and premium materials.
Cons: 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others. Not as deep of bass as the newer Onyx. External AC power brick for charging. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (HK Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 11.4” x 5.1” (290 x 290 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Zealot S97
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Tronsmart Halo 100
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs JBL Xtreme 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs JBL Xtreme
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Doss Soundbox XL
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs W-King D8
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Sony SRS-XB43
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Klipsch Detroit
- See all 38 comparisons