There are very few audio devices that can double up as gym equipment. The Sony ULT Field 7 unapologetically falls in that category. It’s a cylindrical speaker designed to take the beating of an all-nighter party without the need to be plugged into a wall socket. It’s also fully loaded with connectivity options, but does all this justify its eye-watering price of Rs 49,990? My review answers it all.
Design and Build Quality
The ULT Field 7’s cylindrical form is both unique and practical, allowing for 360-degree sound dispersion. It’s not a new design, though. I had the pleasure of reviewing its spiritual predecessor, the Sony SRS XG500, in my previous gig. And that brings back a lot of fond memories.
The build quality is exceptional, with a rugged exterior that suggests it can withstand the rigours of outdoor parties or poolside gatherings. The choice of materials feels premium, and the overall construction exudes durability. There’s a fabric mesh surrounding the middle of the speaker, whereas the rest of its body is moulded of high-quality plastic. The sides of the speaker have passive radiators. I wish there were a few more colours to choose from, other than black, which isn’t bad per se.
The novelty here is you can fill the radiators with water and observe unique patterns emerging on the surface. That’s Sony’s way of advertising the water resistance here, and I quite like it.
Within the fabric mesh, you’ll also spot the physical buttons that let you interact with your music and toggle the ULT mode.
There are a few more buttons at the rear of the speaker along with a bunch of I/O options. You can plug in a mic or guitar via the quarter-inch port and adjust its gain with the knob above it. You can add an echo effect to the input and adjust its pitch with the key control buttons. And because it houses a giant battery capable of 30 hours of playback (no official capacity figures), you can also use it as a power bank. Cute.
Unlike the XG500, the Field 7 doesn’t have a giant handle to carry it around. Instead, it has two smaller handles on the ends of its body. In theory, you can move it, but given its weight, most people are going to place it as a centrepiece and call it a day. Or you could follow my cue and finish your arms workout at home.
The LED light show, a staple in Sony’s party speaker line-up, is present here as well. While it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it undoubtedly adds to the party atmosphere. The controls are intuitive and well-placed, making it easy to adjust volume, lighting, and other settings on the fly. You can also turn it off if you’re not into it using the button on the rear lid.
Sound Performance
The heart of any speaker is its sound quality, and the Field 7 delivers in spades. Equipped with dual tweeters and passive radiators, it produces a soundstage that is both wide and immersive. The bass is deep and punchy without overpowering the mids and highs. Whether you’re listening to electronic dance music, rock, or classical, the Field 7 handles it with aplomb.
Feature | Specification |
Speaker Type | Woofer (L/R)/Tweeter (L/R) |
Number of Speaker | Tweeter Unit: 2, Woofer Unit: 2 |
Speaker Size | Tweeter Unit: Approx. 46 mm, Woofer Unit: Approx. 114-114 mm |
Sound Modes | ULT POWER SOUND: 2 (ULT1/ULT2), Volume Step: 51, custom EQ band: 7 |
Frequency range | 20-20,000 Hz (44.1kHz sampling) |
Codecs supported | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
It can get incredibly loud without sacrificing sound quality. It can effortlessly fill large outdoor spaces with clear and powerful audio. For those who prefer a more customised listening experience, the speaker supports various sound modes, allowing you to tailor the audio to your preferences.
On a normal day, I found myself listening to the speakers at 30-40 per cent volume. But, during parties 80–90 per cent was more than enough. Because I’m not into earning a terrible reputation among my neighbours, I couldn’t really unleash the speaker’s maximum capacity, but I can comfortably recommend this for pool parties.
The ULT button has three intensities – off, medium and knock your socks off (not the official term, but you get the point). The max option can really distort the music you’re playing but also adds a bit of a unique thump.
I love how the ULT Field 7 handles external wired inputs. Since it doesn’t require AC power, there’s no hum or buzz when I plug in my guitar. It’s powerful enough to be a great practice amp and even handles karaoke sessions perfectly. I recently connected it wirelessly to my TV and used a handheld mic for a fun family karaoke night.
Sony’s Party Connect feature allows you to pair multiple Field 7 speakers for an even more immersive audio experience. This is ideal for large gatherings or for creating a multi-room audio setup. The speaker also comes with a built-in microphone for hands-free calls, making it a versatile device for both entertainment and communication.
Battery Life
A portable speaker is only as good as its battery life, and the Field 7 excels in this department. I was able to run a week without charging it, using it for about 2-3 hours every day. It could also easily last two back-to-back house parties, that went all the way till 3 in the morning. Do note that this is just a reference to how long the speaker can last, and not a recommendation for partying two nights straight.
Charging it is also not that difficult. A 10-minute charge can make the speaker last for a couple of hours, and it takes about three hours for a full charge.
Verdict
The Sony ULT Field 7 is undoubtedly a premium product that comes with a premium price tag. However, if you’re in the market for a powerful, versatile, and visually striking speaker, it’s definitely worth considering. Its exceptional sound quality, robust build, and impressive feature set make it a standout in its category.
Its immediate competition should be the JBL Xtreme 3, which is about 10 grand cheaper, but also has lower battery backup. You also have the Marshall Tufton, which is slightly cheaper but doesn’t come with any serious water resistance.