The ULT-imate 1

Tom Grainger, Wolverhampton Sony Centre

So, I’ve been using Sony’s new speaker for almost a week now, so I’d say I’ve got to know it well. One of the things that stood out most about the ULT Field 1, is how much of an improvement it is over previous Bluetooth® speakers from Sony. Not only its sound quality, but its compact size and feature set.

I opted to take the orange colourway, my personal favourite, and I have to say I’m thoroughly impressed with it. After using it in the garden, I wasn’t worried about it getting wet or dirty thanks to its water and dust-resistance - handy if I were at the beach, by a pool, or in the shower, I needn’t worry about damaging the speaker. Even when I picked it up with not so clean hands, a quick wipe with a damp cloth left it looking brand new. With the included strap, I easily hung it up in various places as I moved around the garden.

Now, I mentioned it before so let’s talk about the sound quality. The ULT Field 10 is fitted with a tweeter, woofer and ULT POWER SOUND that takes richness to a whole new level. Your music will feel more alive, no matter the genre. I took it into the garden, but whether you’re taking it to the local park or relaxing at home, you’ll enjoy every moment.

The colourful ULT button on the top of the unit is also very useful. Having the ability to change the preset from extra bass to a wider sound stage, I found very useful. Using the BRAVIA Home app, I could change the EQ to exactly what I wanted for any given style.

I love the buttons on the top also – they presented all the options I needed, so I could quickly play/pause the music without having to think about which one to press. You can even take phone calls on it, thanks to the ULT Field 1’s built-in microphone, so you’ll no longer have to disconnect your device if someone gives you a ring.

Rated at twenty-four hours battery life, even using it for a couple of long days meant it powered through the musical marathon I was running, without me having to charge it. It comes with a USB Type-C cable in the box and using a fast charger, which are gaining popularity, you can get three hours of playback on only a ten-minute charge. Using a power bank, I charged it via that whilst driving to work, and it lasted me my whole shift. Brilliant work, Sony!

I genuinely couldn’t find a better speaker than this one right now. The mix of sound quality, sleek design and battery life is perfect for anyone. It’s light and rugged enough to just chuck it in a bag and take it with you, which is why it’s a winner in my view. To grab one for yourself, check out the range online at www.centresdirect.co.uk, or pop into your local Sony Centre to experience it in person.