Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 5 for better sound quality, the Zealot S97 for the lower price. The Sony ULT Field 5 ranks #41 of 77 large speakers at $198. The Zealot S97 ranks #46 at $65.86, $132.14 cheaper.
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.
On the Zealot S97 side: There is nothing else for $48 with that deep of bass and a reasonable tuning. Set against that: Doesn’t get very loud compared to other speakers in this class.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Zealot S97 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony ULT Field 5 is rated for 25 hours versus 12 hours for the Zealot S97.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Field 5 | Zealot S97 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $198 | $65.86 with coupon YZZL10 |
| Ranked | #41 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #46 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 5.7" x 4.9" (320 x 144 x 125 mm) | 12.6" x 7.3" x 5.9" (321 x 185 x 151 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 46mm tweeters + 1x 79mm x 107mm woofer | 2x 76mm (3") woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App + ULT button) | 3 EQ presets |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX6 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
| Output Power | 27W | 80W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
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- LG Xboom Bounce vs Sony SRS-XB43
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Zealot S97
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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
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Sony SRS-XB43
- 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 Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Mifa WildCamping
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Ultimate Ears Everboom
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Marshall Middleton
- See all 34 comparisons
Zealot S97: $65.86 with coupon YZZL10 Aliexpress
Pros: There is nothing else for $48 with that deep of bass and a reasonable tuning
Cons: Doesn’t get very loud compared to other speakers in this class. Short battery life. Pretty heavy. Many say the S67 has deeper bass, but also gets more distorted
Full Zealot S97 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 7.3" x 5.9" (321 x 185 x 151 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm (3") woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | 3 EQ presets |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons