Sony’s ULT Subject 5 speaker is definitely my new favourite transportable Bluetooth speaker of 2025. It is one of many best-sounding Bluetooth audio system I’ve examined in its measurement class, with massive quantity, thumping bass and an ideal design.
This speaker is normally $330, however proper now you may seize it for $195 on Amazon, or $198 at Walmart, for Black Friday. That is a forty five% drop in worth, making it considerably extra reasonably priced, and the proper time to seize a speaker and put together for all the adventures 2026 has in retailer for you.
ULT is brief for final or, as Sony says, “The final word step into the evolution of its transportable audio merchandise.” Energy represents “dynamic sound stress and deep bass.” Sound interprets to “as when you have been within the entrance row at a live performance.”
Watch this: Cease Overpaying: Worth-Examine Earlier than You Purchase on Black Friday
Prior to now, I assumed Sony’s Bluetooth audio system have been first rate sufficient however not nice. With the ULT collection, Sony has considerably improved the sound high quality of its Bluetooth audio system.
The Sony ULT Subject 5 (left) in comparison with the ULT Subject 3 (proper).
I additionally like the brand new designs of the ULT Subject 3 and ULT Subject 5, which may stand vertically or lie horizontally. Each audio system are totally water-, dust- and rust-proof, with an IP67 certification.
Each embrace a brand new detachable shoulder strap, which I ended up utilizing extra with the heftier ULT Subject 5 than the lighter ULT Subject 3. The ULT Subject 5 weighs 7.27 kilos, whereas the ULT Subject 3 weighs 2.65 kilos, simply over a 3rd as heavy. (Learn my hands-on first tackle each ULT audio system.)
The ULT Subject 5 with its detachable shoulder strap connected.
The ULT Subject 3 delivers extra bass and quantity than you’d count on, given its comparatively compact measurement (and it gives higher readability and bass efficiency than its predecessor, the SRS-XE300). However the ULT Subject 5’s soundstage is noticeably wider, and the speaker performs louder with noticeably fuller, richer sound. It additionally has built-in celebration lighting with a USB-C cost in-out port so the speaker can be utilized as an influence financial institution to cost your gadgets. Battery life is rated at as much as 25 hours at average quantity ranges or 10 hours with the celebration lighting activated.
Learn extra: Greatest Bluetooth Audio system of 2025
Do not count on actual stereo separation from both the ULT Subject 5 or ULT Subject 3. To get true stereo separation, you will have to hyperlink two of them collectively, making a stereo pair (Sony has made it simpler to hyperlink its ULT audio system in each Social gathering Join mode and stereo mode). Not all people can afford one among these audio system, not to mention two, however it helps that they are now on sale.
BLUETOOTH SPEAKER DEALS OF THE WEEK
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Sony ULT Subject 5 key specs
- Weight: 7.27 kilos
- Drivers: 1 woofer, 2 passive bass radiators, 2 tweeters
- EQ: ULT1 Mode (deep frequencies), ULT2 Mode (highly effective sound), 10-band EQ, sound subject optimization
- App management: Sound Join app (iOS and Android)
- Worth: $330 (on sale now for $195)
- Colours: Obtainable in black and off-white
- Predecessor: SRS-XG300
- IP67 waterproof, dust-proof, rust-proof and shock-resistant
- Social gathering lighting
- Detachable shoulder strap
- As much as 25 hours of battery life (10 hours with lighting on)
- Speakerphone (built-in microphone)
- In-out USB-C cost, so the speaker can be utilized as an influence financial institution
- 3.5mm audio enter
- Hyperlink a number of audio system with Social gathering Join or stereo pair
To see how this mannequin compares to others, take a look at our checklist of the greatest Bluetooth audio system obtainable now.
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