Sony ULT Field 7 review: Is this the best portable party speaker?

The Sony ULT Field 7 aims to bring the party with a built-in light show, karaoke-ready inputs, and enough volume for a backyard crowd. It offers more than your average Bluetooth speaker but isn’t quite a full-on party box, making it a compelling hybrid for anyone who wants some party features without the bulk. So, let’s crank it up and dive into this Sony ULT Field 7 review to find out where it really lands.

What’s it like to use the Sony ULT Field 7?

The Sony ULT Field 7 walks a fine line between a high-powered portable speaker and a full-blown party box. It’s more capable than your average Bluetooth speaker but doesn’t quite reach the scale of something you’d bring to a block party. In that sense, it feels like a hybrid. Either way, the long, cylindrical design combined with an IP67 rating makes it a good fit for outdoor use, rain or shine.

While it doesn’t include a shoulder strap, Sony integrates handles into the body, and you can carry it one-handed without much hassle. That said, the speaker’s size introduces a few quirks. The rubber feet on the bottom are narrow, so you’ll need a flat and stable surface to set it down properly. You can stand it upright in a tower-like orientation, but that feels more like a workaround than something the design truly supports. Regularly doing so will also scuff the plastic.

One thing to keep in mind is that the ULT Field 7 only charges via an AC outlet. So if you’re hoping to top it up while you’re out and about, you’ll need a power bank with an AC plug. That said, it’s not an issue if you’re primarily using it around the garage or in the backyard.

What are the key features of the Sony ULT Field 7?

I recommend downloading the Sony Sound Connect app (it previously used the Sony Music Center app) to use with the ULT Field 7. It offers plenty of useful features, including EQ options. You can cycle between ULT modes or make your own preset thanks to the customizable 7-band EQ. It also offers codec switching between SBC and AAC, lighting controls, and modifying some of the speaker’s default settings, like Auto power off.

The Sony Sound Connect app also offers a “Priority on Sound Quality” and “Priority on Stable Connection” feature. When sound quality is prioritized, the app automatically selects the better-sounding codec between SBC and AAC. If the connection becomes unstable, switching to the stable mode forces it to use SBC, ensuring a more reliable stream, which is not a feature you often see.

How does the Sony ULT Field 7 connect?

The Sony ULT Field 7 gives you plenty of ways to connect, which is exactly what we want in a hybrid party speaker. It pairs wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.3, and as mentioned, it supports both SBC and AAC codecs. You also get a 3.5mm AUX input, a USB-A port with playback support for thumb drives, and a 1/4-inch input for plugging in a guitar or microphone, making the ULT Field 7 versatile enough for casual listening, DJing, or an impromptu karaoke session—bonus points: that same USB-A port can charge a device, even when not connected to AC.

When karaoke mode kicks in and your mic is connected, Sony gives you a few fun tools to tailor your tracks. The standout is ‘Key Control,’ which lets you shift the song’s pitch in real time. It’s not flawless, cranking it too high veers into Mickey Mouse territory, but adjusting by a semitone up or down works well for most songs without degrading the audio quality. A helpful feature so you can try and get a little closer to those high notes in Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”

How long does the Sony ULT Field 7’s battery last?

The Sony ULT Field 7 promises up to 30 hours of playback on a full charge, with a quick 10-minute top-up delivering an extra 3 hours. That’s more than enough for most parties. Just keep in mind that your actual battery life depends on how loud you play your music, any EQ tweaks you’ve made, and how wild your light show gets. Disabling ULT mode and turning off the lights will stretch your battery, but let’s be honest, what’s the point of a party speaker without the party?

One downside is that the ULT Field 7 only charges via AC power. So while the fast charge is convenient, you still need to be near an outlet.

How does the Sony ULT Field 7 sound?

With ULT 2 mode engaged, the Sony ULT Field 7 offers substantial bass strength that most listeners will enjoy.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the Sony ULT Field 7 was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

The ULT Field 7 pulls some impressive results in our simulated panel of listeners. It earns a high Timbre score of 4.1 with ULT 1 enabled, which is rare for a portable Bluetooth speaker. Switching to ULT 2 drops the Timbre score slightly to 3.8, but the Distortion score improves from 3.0 to 3.3. Overall, the differences are minor, and both sets of scores are solid for a speaker in this category.

Reviewer’s notes

Should you buy the Sony ULT Field 7?

The Sony ULT Field 7 might be a little too pricey for casual listeners, but if you’re entertaining often, it’s a true portable party speaker hybrid. It delivers great sound with strong low-end performance, all while remaining compact enough to take to the beach. The speaker supports a solid range of connection options for DJ gear or instruments, and its built-in light show adds a fun visual layer to the experience. If you need one speaker that can do it all and it fits your budget, the ULT Field 7 won’t disappoint.

What should you get instead of the Sony ULT Field 7?

If the ULT Field 7 feels like overkill, Sony offers a more compact alternative: the ULT Field 5 ($329.99 at Amazon). It still delivers plenty of bass, features a built-in light show, and has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, but in a much more manageable form. Sony even includes an optional shoulder strap to make it easier to take on the go, although it has no karaoke features.

Otherwise, if karaoke is your thing, again for less money, consider the Soundcore Rave 3s ($349.99 at Amazon). It comes with two wireless microphones and a unique AI feature that lets you strip the vocals from your favorite party tunes. Check out our video above to learn more about this party-starting machine.

Frequently asked questions