Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 5, on balance. It is IP67 rated and dustproof and water resistant at $348, though its bass is not as deep as others and the overall sound quality is just okay. The JBL Xtreme runs 15 hours at $200 but has issues with bass distortion at high volumes.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 5. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Xtreme is no longer sold new.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Sony ULT Field 5 is rated for 25 hours, the JBL Xtreme only 15 hours.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Field 5 | JBL Xtreme | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $348.00 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #49 of 93 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #63 of 93 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 5.7” x 4.9” (320 x 144 x 125 mm) | 11.1” x 5” x 4.8” (283 x 126 x 122 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 46mm tweeters + 1x 79mm x 107mm woofer | 2x 63mm woofers, 2x 35mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App + ULT button) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 27W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | - |
| Maximum SPL | - | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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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
JBL Xtreme: $200 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Xtreme 5, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5.
Pros: 15 hour battery. IPX7 water resistance. JBL Connect for pairing with other JBL speakers. Built-in microphone for calls.
Cons: Issues with bass distortion at high volumes. An older speaker outclassed by newer releases of the Xtreme. External AC power brick for charging. Discontinued.
Full JBL Xtreme review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.1” x 5” x 4.8” (283 x 126 x 122 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 63mm woofers, 2x 35mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons