Sony’s New ULT Speakers: A Philosophical Take on Bass and Portability

Sony expands its ULT speaker lineup with three new models, each featuring a bass boost button and improved portability, prompting a philosophical reflection on the essence of sound and mobility.

In a world that’s always sprinting to the next shiny object, Sony’s tossing three more speakers into its ULT lineup. Honestly, as someone who’s seen enough tech come and go, it makes you wonder: do we really need another gadget that vows to rattle our fillings with bass? Meet the ULT Field 3, ULT Field 5, and ULT Tower 9—Sony’s latest. They’ve all got this bass boost button, which Sony seems to think is the magic cure for our sound woes. But let’s not get swept up just yet. The ULT Field 3 (taking over from the SRS-XE300) packs a single woofer, a tweeter, and some passive radiators at the ends. It’s waterproof, dustproof, and now, rustproof. They’ve even thrown in a removable shoulder strap for those on the move, but at $200, you’ve got to ask if it’s just going to end up as another shelf ornament.

Then there’s the ULT Field 5—bigger, bolder, and $330. It’s got a single woofer and two tweeters, plus a second ULT mode for when you want your sound not just loud, but ‘powerful.’ There’s a 10-band EQ and Sound Field Optimization for the sound snobs, but those flashy lights at the ends? They’ll suck your battery dry faster than you can say ‘why?’ The ULT Tower 9 is the big kahuna, replacing the SRS-XV900. It’s got wheels (because who wants to carry a party?) and some snazzy lighting. At $900 for the wireless version, it’s a steep price tag for what’s essentially a rave in a box.

And because why not, Sony also introduced the ULT Mic—a $150 pair of wireless mics meant to pair with their party speakers. They’ve got noise reduction and a Duet Assist tool, but let’s be real: in a market already bursting with gadgets, do we really need another mic? The ULT Field 3, ULT Field 5, ULT Tower 9, and ULT Mic are up for grabs now. But here’s the kicker: do we need more gadgets, or just ones that don’t make us question our life choices?