![Sony Ult Field 1](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EZT9XDELo5t28KaBRQSu57-415-80.jpg)
Sony has revealed a whole new audio series from the acclaimed Japanese brand: its Ult range (pronounced 'alt', but stylised in caps as 'ULT') comprises three speakers and one pair of headphones at initial launch.
All have one thing in common: an 'ULT' button that takes bass levels up to bassier and beyond*. That's the USP with this range: bass is the aim of the game and Sony has gone all-out to deliver an abundance of the low-end across these products.
At launch there are the following speakers: the Sony Ult Tower 10, a massive party speaker with integrated lights and a built-in mic; the Sony Ult Field 10, a large-scale portable to rival the Sonos Move 2 or various large-scale JBL portables; and the Sony Ult Field 1, which is a bass-focused Sonos Roam rival mini Bluetooth portable speaker.
On the headphones side of things there's just the one release, the Sony Ult Wear, which is like a spiritual successor to the 'Xtra Bass (XB)' range of headphones, except this model has a lot in common with the top-end Sony WH-1000XM5 that'll make it massively appealing if you're seeking the best travel headphones without the huge asking price.
T3's Tech Editor has tried out the Ult Wear already, which proved to be impressive straight out of the box thanks to their XM5-like credentials and fantastic active noise-cancelling (ANC), but also the cut-price positioning.
The Ult Wear also fold down in size, which will be great for those seeking the best travel headphones, although the ULT bass settings do go from 'sensible' (off) to 'unnecessary' (ULT1, known as 'Deep Bass') to 'obscene' (ULT2, known as 'Attack Bass'). But each to their own: if you want seas of bass then this is the product line for you.
In terms of pricing, the Sony Ult Tower 10 will be on sale for £1,000 in the UK; the Ult Field 7 will cost you £400; the Field 1 will set you back £120; and the headphones are around half-price compared to the XM5 over-ears, at £180. At the time of writing other regional pricing is to be announced.
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It's an interesting and eclectic cross-section of products, which relies on its heritage - Japan loves a party speaker! - whilst also relying on breaking new ground and taking on the oft-praised Sonos best portable Bluetooth speaker market and dousing it in a bath of bass.
*note: the Ult Field 1 only has two ULT settings: Power Sound on, Power Sound off. There's no Deep or Attack for this smaller-scale speaker.
Mike is the Tech Editor at T3.com. He's been writing about consumer technology for 15 years and, as a phones expert, has seen hundreds of handsets over the years – swathes of Android devices, a smattering of iPhones, and a batch of Windows Phone too (remember those?). But that's not all, as a tech and audio aficionado his beat at T3 also covers tablets, laptops, gaming, home cinema, TVs, speakers and more – there's barely a tech stone unturned he's not had a hand on. Previously the Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint for 10 years, he's also provided work for publications such as Wired, The Guardian, Metro, and more. In addition to his tech knowledge, Mike is also a flights and travel expert, having travelled the globe extensively. You'll likely find him setting up a new mobile phone, critiquing the next MacBook, all while planning his next getaway... or cycling somewhere.
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