Bose SoundLink Plus vs Sony ULT Field 3: Battle of the mid-sized Bluetooth speakers

The Bose SoundLink Plus and Sony ULT Field 3 are both relatively new entries in the portable Bluetooth speaker market, offering a mid-sized solution for listeners who want more power than a compact speaker can deliver, yet still small enough to toss in a bag. So, which one’s the better companion for your next adventure? Let’s break it all down in this Bose SoundLink Plus vs. Sony ULT Field 3 comparison.

What’s it like to use the Bose SoundLink Plus compared to the Sony ULT Field 3?

The Bose SoundLink Plus and Sony ULT Field 3 are rugged Bluetooth speakers in the medium size category. They’re larger than their smaller siblings, the Bose SoundLink Flex and Sony ULT Field 1, but not quite as big and bulky as their larger counterparts, the SoundLink Max and ULT Field 5.

The SoundLink Plus features a short, stout design with a fairly deep enclosure. It’s wrapped in a durable rubberized silicone finish and is the heavier of the two, weighing around 1.5 kilograms. The ULT Field 3, on the other hand, is covered in tough fabric and has a slimmer profile, although it’s slightly longer than the Plus. It’s also lighter in weight, coming in at just 1.2 kilograms.

In terms of durability, both speakers are built to handle the outdoors with an IP67 protection rating, which means they’re both dustproof and waterproof. The SoundLink Plus has a chunky rope attachment for carrying, while the ULT Field 3 includes an adjustable shoulder strap. When it comes to durability and outdoor use, I’d say it’s a wash here, but the ULT Field 3 is a bit more packable due to its slimmer design and lighter weight.

How do you control the Bose SoundLink Plus and Sony ULT Field 3?

Both the Bose SoundLink Plus and Sony ULT Field 3 operate via physical controls. Below is a breakdown of their operation.

Bose SoundLink Plus:

Sony ULT Field 3:

Does the Bose SoundLink Plus or the Sony ULT Field 3 have more features?

The Bose app offers the basics. You get a 3-band EQ to customize the sound of your speaker, the ability to assign your shortcut button (choose between Spotify Tap or auto-pairing mode to connect a second Bose speaker), and, of course, access to firmware updates.

In the Sony Sound Connect app, you can switch between “Priority on Sound Quality” and “Priority on Stable Connection” Bluetooth modes, which will prioritize the AAC or SBC codec accordingly. You can also pair a second ULT Field 3 for stereo playback and access the 7-band equalizer. That said, there’s one major drawback.

You have to choose between the ULT Sound preset and your custom EQ settings. You cannot modify the ULT preset in any way, and unfortunately, the custom EQ can’t deliver the same level of bass as the ULT mode, which is incredibly frustrating if you’re someone who likes to tweak.

How do the Bose SoundLink Plus and Sony ULT Field 3 connect?

Is battery life better on the Bose SoundLink Plus or Sony ULT Field 3?

The Bose SoundLink Plus advertises 20 hours of playback off a single charge, while the Sony ULT Field 3 promises 24 hours of playback. But how do they actually perform? It’s no contest here.

In our testing at a consistent 80dB volume, which is a little closer to party volume, the Bose SoundLink Plus ran for 20 hours and 55 minutes. Not bad!

However, the ULT Field 3 fell quite short of its promise of 24 hours, lasting only 13 hours and 15 minutes. While that’s still a decent amount of listening time, if battery life is your priority, your search may end right here.

Does the Bose SoundLink Plus sound better than the Sony ULT Field 3?

Looking at the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS), both speakers land in the same ballpark but get there in different ways. The SoundLink Plus earns an overall score of 3.3, thanks to a solid Timbre score of 3.7, but it’s held back by a Distortion score of 2.6 and an Immersiveness score of 2.6.

In contrast, the ULT Field 3 edges ahead slightly with a 3.4 overall score. It matches the SoundLink Plus in Timbre but performs significantly better in Distortion with a score of 3.6, even though it lags in Immersiveness with a score of 1.9. Either way, these scores are so close it’s basically a wash. For Bluetooth speakers, these are perfectly acceptable results.

What we heard

While both the SoundLink Plus and ULT Field 3 are mono speakers and offer similar output, enough volume for a smaller to medium-sized gathering of friends. Neither speaker is a window rattler, and there are some key differences in their stock tuning to note, as well as some limitations.

In my testing, the SoundLink Plus’s sound signature sticks closely to the rest of the Bose SoundLink lineup, with boosted bass, treble, and a recessed midrange. You get solid low-end presence and clear treble that helps highlight detail in vocals and piano keys, but instruments like guitars and snare drums tend to take a step back in the mix. Out of the box, it delivers a well-balanced sound that works across a range of genres. You can tweak the sound using the Bose app, but you’re limited to just Bass, Mid, and Treble sliders, so your customization options are fairly basic.

The ULT Field 3, on the other hand, also leans into an exaggerated bass and treble profile when ULT mode is engaged, but emphasises those frequencies even further. This can work great for genres like rock, where the kick drum sounds punchy, and the snare really pops with a solid “snap,” but listening to any synth wave or EDM, that boosted treble starts to sound shrill and sharp, especially hi-hats and cymbals, which can get fatiguing during longer listening sessions. It’s not ideal.

Normally, this is where you’d turn to the custom EQ to tame those over-emphasized high-end frequencies, but as mentioned, unfortunately, Sony’s 7-band EQ isn’t strong enough to replicate the bass impact of ULT mode. So yes, you can dial back the treble, but you lose almost all of your low-end in the process. Honestly, it’s a real bummer, and it feels like a deliberate move by Sony to keep users locked into ULT mode.

Ultimately, the ULT Field 3 shows a lot of potential, but its limited EQ options hold it back. It ends up being a bit of a one-trick pony that you can’t really customize.

Should you get the Bose SoundLink Plus or the Sony ULT Field 3?

If you want a great-sounding speaker right out of the box in a rugged package and are okay with the price, the Bose SoundLink Plus is the safer bet. Its tuning is better suited for everyday listening, no matter the genre, and while the EQ is basic, it doesn’t get in the way of a good listening experience. You also get aptX Adaptive support for Snapdragon devices and excellent battery life.

The ULT Field 3, meanwhile, is all about impact. If you mostly listen to rock or hip-hop and want a punchy kick drum and plenty of snap in a snare drum, ULT mode delivers. Just know that it comes at the cost of customization. Sony’s app limits your ability to dial in EQ without giving up that signature low-end power, which makes the ULT Field 3 feel less flexible overall.

Go with the SoundLink Plus if you want consistency and broader appeal. Choose the ULT Field 3 if you want that extra punch, but only if you’re okay with the extra treble.

What should you get instead of the Bose SoundLink Plus and Sony ULT Field 3?

Consider the JBL Charge 6 as an alternative to both the SoundLink Plus and ULT Field 3. It’s priced similarly to the ULT Field 3, but thanks to a 7-band EQ that actually works, you can dial in the sound to suit your preferences. Combined with its drop-proof build and IP68 protection rating, the Charge 6 is a durable speaker that truly delivers. Snag one for $149.95 at Woot!.

Otherwise, if you want that boom on a budget, check out the affordable Soundcore Boom 2. This budget-friendly speaker offers up to 80W of stereo playback, floats on water, and even features built-in beat-synced lights on its passive radiators. Find one for $89.99 at Amazon.