Design and utility: Versatile or luxurious?
In terms of design, both speakers are optimized for portability with the ability to be placed standing or lying down. However, Sony ULT Field 1 is slightly better in terms of stability thanks to its sturdy design, especially at high volume levels. Sony’s strap can also be flexibly adjusted, bringing convenience to users who frequently move.
In contrast, JBL Flip 6 conquers users with its dynamic appearance with many color options. This makes it the ideal choice for those who love youthfulness and prominence. If you prioritize a minimalist, luxurious style, Sony ULT Field 1 scores points thanks to its simple but sophisticated color palette.
One notable difference is the material and protection of the two speakers. Sony ULT Field 1 is equipped with a plastic cover that protects the charging port, helping to increase resistance to dust and salt water – a great advantage when used in marine environments or in harsh conditions. Although the JBL Flip 6 is water and dust resistant according to IP67 standards, it is not designed to withstand shock or salt water, which makes it less durable in outdoor use situations. Besides, the Flip 6’s USB charging port does not have a protective cover, so after being exposed to water, you must wait until it is completely dry before plugging in the charging cord to avoid damaging the speaker.
Connection and features: Modern or familiar?
Both speakers support Bluetooth with stable connectivity. However, Sony ULT Field 1 stands out more with the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard and the Fast Pair feature, which helps quickly connect to Android devices and the Stereo Pair feature to connect 2 speakers together. With JBL Flip 6, even though it only uses Bluetooth 5.1, it has the advantage of the PartyBoost feature, allowing connection to many other JBL speakers, creating a powerful multi-channel sound system.
A significant difference is the built-in microphone feature on the Sony ULT Field 1. This makes it an attractive choice for users who regularly meet online or need to use the speaker to make calls. JBL Flip 6 is not equipped with this feature, making it more suitable for pure entertainment needs.
Sound quality: Subtle or explosive?
Sound quality is an important factor that determines the value of a speaker, and both products demonstrate outstanding ability in the bass range.
The Sony ULT Field 1 offers variety thanks to the integrated ULT button, allowing users to easily switch between two sound modes. In default mode, the speaker delivers balanced sound with clear mid and treble, ideal for soft music genres such as acoustic or classical. When activating the ULT button, the bass range is boosted, bringing a more vibrant and powerful feeling, suitable for music genres such as EDM or hip-hop. ULT Field 1 is also a new generation bass speaker product that Sony replaced the previous Extra Bass line.
Meanwhile, JBL Flip 6 focuses all its efforts on bass with strong characteristic sound quality and bright high range. This makes the speaker a great choice for parties or when listening to music in open spaces. However, the lack of sound customization capabilities can make the JBL Flip 6 a bit less flexible than the competition, especially with music that requires balance between sound ranges.
Battery life: half a kilo for someone eight ounces
Both Sony ULT Field 1 and JBL Flip 6 have a battery life of up to 12 hours, enough to meet the user’s all-day usage needs. Even if used at a moderate volume level below 50%, these two speaker models can last much longer. In fact, after I used it for more than 5 hours at a volume level mainly around 25%, both Sony JBL ULT Field 1 and JBL Flip 6 still had up to 75% battery left according to the battery indicator of the two speakers.
The recharging time from when the battery is depleted is almost the same for both, taking about 2.5 hours. USB-C charging cable is provided in the box.
Conclusion: What is the choice for you?
Sony ULT Field 1 and JBL Flip 6 are both excellent products in the portable Bluetooth speaker segment with a price range of 2 million. The final choice depends on your personal style and needs.
If you are looking for a versatile speaker that can be used in many different situations, from entertainment to work, the Sony ULT Field 1 is the ideal choice. Balanced sound, durable design, bass-boosting ULT button, and features like a microphone make it a reliable travel companion.
On the contrary, if you love youthfulness, strength and are only interested in a lively music experience, JBL Flip 6 is the right choice. With powerful bass and dynamic design, it will definitely satisfy your entertainment needs at parties or outings.
No matter which product you choose, both Sony ULT Field 1 and JBL Flip 6 promise to bring memorable hours of relaxation, turning your space into an inspiring world of music. Currently, Sony ULT Field 1 is priced at about 2.4 million VND and JBL Flip 6 is priced at about 2.59 million VND.