Sony has added two new portable and one new tower model to its ULT Power Bluetooth speaker lineup, originally introduced a year ago.
New to the line are the ULT Field 3 ($199) and ULT Field 5 ($329) portable models and the ULT Tower 9 ($899), now capable of supporting two wireless microphones ($149.99 each). The ULT Field 1 ($129), ULT Field 7 ($499), the ULT Tower 10 ($1,199), and the ULT Wear headphones ($199.99) were unveiled a year ago. The squarish ULT Field portables replace the company’s previous tube-shaped Bluetooth portable speakers.
“[ULT] was a new branding effort that Sony launched last year mainly for wireless speakers,” Kevin O’Bryant, Sony’s portable audio product marketing director, explained. “It was a long-term strategy to completely redesign our whole umbrella of speakers.”
ULT Field portable models include a new ULT button that boosts bass in two modes: ULT1 for deeper, lower frequency bass, ULT2 for a more powerful, punchier bass, and bands of ambient LED lights that flash in color along to the music’s rhythm. To withstand the rigors of outdoor party play, the two new ULT are IP67 water- , dust- , and even rustproof, and shockproof up to a one-meter drop.
A pair of individual Field speakers can be paired to create stereo, and their Party Connect mode enables connection of up to 100 speakers. All ULT Field speakers can be remotely controlled via the Sony Sound Connect smartphone app, include a carry shoulder strap, can be oriented vertically or horizontally, and can act as a speakerphone.
New ULT Field 3 and 5 Speakers
Individually, the new ULT Field 3, which replaces the SRS-XE300, incorporates one woofer, one tweeter, and two passive radiators at either end. Pressing the ULT button provides access to both sound field optimization, which detects and automatically adjusts sound settings to local noise in between tracks to keep music clear, and a 7-band EQ. Battery life varies between 6 and 24 hours, depending on volume and ULT mode, with a 10-minute quick charge supplying around two hours of sound. It’s available in black, forest gray, or off-white.
The larger, more powerful ULT Field 5, $20 cheaper than the previous SRS-XG300 model, is packed with one woofer, two tweeters, and two passive radiators with both ULT1 and ULT2 bass boost modes. Battery life varies between 2.5 and 25 hours, depending on volume and ULT mode, with 10 minutes of quick charge supplying around 100 minutes of playback. Also IP67 protected, the ULT Field 5 offers a 10-band EQ and sound field optimization, mixed color LEDs, and is available in black or off-white
New ULT Tower 9
To cover larger indoor or outdoor spaces with all-encompassing 360-degree sound, the ULT Tower 9 is equipped with one woofer, four tweeters, and two mid-range drivers. Two bass-boosting ULT modes feature a 10-band EQ and sound field optimization, as well as a variety of LED lighting effects. A TV Sound Booster can turn the ULT Tower 9 into a TV soundbar.
The ULT Tower 9, which replaces the previous SRS-XV900, can run on AC or powered by battery from 2.5 to 25 hours, depending on ULT mode and volume, and a 10-minute quick charge supplies around 180 minutes of play time. Equipped with handles and larger wheels than its predecessor for easier movement and placement, the control panel of the shockproof ULT Tower 9 is splashproof, and enables separate USB device charging.
Also new to the ULT line is the ULT Mic wireless PA and karaoke microphone, compatible with the ULT Field 7 and both the ULT Tower 9 and ULT Tower 10, as well as the previous Sony XV900, XV800, XV500, XP700, and XP500 speaker models. Unlike the ULT Tower 10, however, the ULT Tower 9 can be paired with two microphones, which are shockproof up to one meter to withstand the inevitable mic drop.
