Bluetooth Speakers / Sony ULT FIELD 3 vs Marshall Emberton III
Sony ULT FIELD 3 vs Marshall Emberton III
Sony ULT FIELD 3
Rustproof and shockproof with a real bass button — built for the beach.
Wins overall by 0.1 points
Quick Verdict
This is close. The Sony ULT FIELD 3 edges ahead by 0.1 points, but that margin is inside the noise — the Marshall Emberton III is a defensible pick on its own terms. 32+ hours, IP67 and 360-degree sound in the most distinctive body here.
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 and Marshall Emberton III are both closely matched bluetooth Speaker models, and the Marshall Emberton III is $20 cheaper than the Sony ULT FIELD 3 ($179.99 vs $199.99). On Bass, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads (8.0 vs 6.5/10) — low-end weight and extension for the size. On Battery, the Marshall Emberton III leads (9.5 vs 8.0/10) — rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume. On Durability, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads (9.5 vs 8.5/10) — IP rating, drop resistance and whether it floats. Overall, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores 7.8/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.7/10 for the Marshall Emberton III, though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Sony ULT FIELD 3 | Marshall Emberton III |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 | $179.99 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2024 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 24 | 32✓ |
| Water & Dust Rating | IP67 — dust and water, to 1m for 30 minutes, plus shockproof and rustproof | IP67 — dust and water, to 1m for 30 minutes |
| Floats | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Power Output (W) | Sony does not publish an RMS figure for this model | 76W of amplification (2x 38W Class D); note the drivers themselves are rated 2x 10W, and maximum SPL is 90dB at 1m |
| Weight (g) | 1200 | 670✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 (SBC and AAC; no LDAC) | 5.3 LE with multipoint |
| Drivers | 1x 86 x 46mm racetrack woofer plus a 20mm tweeter, with passive radiators | 2x 2-inch 10W full-range drivers plus two passive radiators, in a True Stereophonic 360-degree arrangement |
| Stereo & Multi-Speaker Pairing | Stereo pair two ULT FIELD 3 units; Party Connect chains multiple Sony speakers, though Sony does not publish a maximum | Bluetooth multipoint is confirmed; Auracast was promised via firmware because the unit is LE Audio-ready, and a dedicated two-unit stereo mode is not documented by Marshall |
| Speakerphone | Yes | Yes |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Charges Your Phone | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, Off White | Black and Brass, Cream |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Marshall Emberton III leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-point margin on tonal balance, clarity and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Bass
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.5 — a 1.5-point margin on low-end weight and extension for the size. If that is what you are buying for, the Marshall Emberton III does not close the gap elsewhere.
Battery
The Marshall Emberton III leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.0 — a 1.5-point margin on rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.5 — a 1.0-point margin on IP rating, drop resistance and whether it floats. If that is what you are buying for, the Marshall Emberton III does not close the gap elsewhere.
Portability
The Marshall Emberton III leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.0 — a 1.0-point margin on weight, size and how easily it travels. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Loudness
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.5 — a 1.0-point margin on maximum usable volume before it strains. If that is what you are buying for, the Marshall Emberton III does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 and Marshall Emberton III are level here, at 7.0/10 each. app EQ, multi-speaker pairing, charge-out and extras is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Value
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 and Marshall Emberton III are level here, at 7.5/10 each. performance and features relative to price is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Best For
Choose the Sony ULT FIELD 3 if…
- • Bass matters most to you — the Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores 8.0/10 here (low-end weight and extension for the size).
- • Durability matters most to you — the Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores 9.5/10 here (IP rating, drop resistance and whether it floats).
- • Loudness matters most to you — the Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores 7.5/10 here (maximum usable volume before it strains).
- • Your main use case is poolside or party.
Choose the Marshall Emberton III if…
- • Battery matters most to you — the Marshall Emberton III scores 9.5/10 here (rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume).
- • Portability matters most to you — the Marshall Emberton III scores 8.0/10 here (weight, size and how easily it travels).
- • You want to spend less — it's $20 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is portable or home.
Pros & Cons
Sony ULT FIELD 3
Pros
- +Rustproof construction genuinely matters at the beach or a pool, and almost nothing else here claims it
- +The ULT button gives an immediate, satisfying bass lift
- +24 hours plus USB charge-out
- +Shoulder strap included in the box
Cons
- −Bluetooth 5.2 with no LDAC, which is odd on a Sony product
- −Sony publishes no power rating
- −Audible compression when pushed loud
- −Mono unless paired
- −No lighting, unlike similarly priced party-oriented rivals
Marshall Emberton III
Pros
- +32+ hours is exceptional for a speaker this size
- +True Stereophonic gives real 360-degree presentation
- +IP67 dust and water rating
- +The most distinctive design in the category, and built to match
Cons
- −No USB charge-out
- −No aux input
- −Auracast support still depends on firmware that may not have shipped
- −Marshall does not document a true two-unit stereo pairing mode
- −The 76W figure is amplifier rating, not driver output — do not compare it directly to JBL's numbers
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Sony ULT FIELD 3 or Marshall Emberton III better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Bass, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 or the Marshall Emberton III?+
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores higher on Bass (8.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — low-end weight and extension for the size.
Which is better for Battery, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 or the Marshall Emberton III?+
The Marshall Emberton III scores higher on Battery (9.5/10 vs 8.0/10) — rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume.
Which is better for Durability, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 or the Marshall Emberton III?+
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores higher on Durability (9.5/10 vs 8.5/10) — IP rating, drop resistance and whether it floats.
Which is better for Portability, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 or the Marshall Emberton III?+
The Marshall Emberton III scores higher on Portability (8.0/10 vs 7.0/10) — weight, size and how easily it travels.
Is the Sony ULT FIELD 3 worth the price difference over the Marshall Emberton III?+
The Marshall Emberton III is the cheaper option at $179.99 versus $199.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Bass.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 is the better fit if you mainly care about poolside or party. The Marshall Emberton III is the better fit for portable or home.
What's the warranty on the Sony ULT FIELD 3 vs the Marshall Emberton III?+
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 ships with a 12-month warranty; the Marshall Emberton III ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) — $159.00
Premium Option
JBL Xtreme 5 — $399.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.