Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 5. It ranks #41 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $198; the JBL Xtreme ranks #52 and costs $200, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Sony ULT Field 5 side: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. Set against that: Bass not as deep as others in the category, and sound quality overall is just okay.
What the JBL Xtreme offers: 15 hour battery. Watch for: Issues with bass distortion at high volumes.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 5. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Xtreme and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony ULT Field 5 is rated for 25 hours versus 15 hours for the JBL Xtreme.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Field 5 | JBL Xtreme | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $198 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #41 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #52 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 27W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 96dB |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sony ULT Field 5: $198 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. 25 hour battery life. App with 10-band EQ. Party Connect with up to 100 speakers. USB-C in/out for charging your phone.
Cons: Bass not as deep as others in the category, and sound quality overall is just okay. ULT button makes a really loud tone when pressed. Just an okay speaker.
Full Sony ULT Field 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 27W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Danny Pops: Don’t TOUCH that ULT Button! Sony ULT Field 5 Review
- 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?
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Sony ULT Field 5 vs Anker SoundCore Boom 2 - listening test
- Reddit Search for Sony ULT Field 5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Sony ULT Field 5 vs JBL Xtreme 2
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Marshall Kilburn II
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Zealot S97
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Mifa WildCamping
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JBL Xtreme: $200 Discontinued
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 →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 63mm woofers, 2x 35mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons