#Biggest jbl speaker upgrade#
#Biggest jbl speaker portable#

Right now, you can get similar functionality, sound, and durability in JBLвЂ™s вЂњstandardвЂќ speaker, the Flip 5, for around $80 less. YouвЂ™re paying a good bit for the big battery Unlike the Roam, thereвЂ™s also no wireless (Qi) charging, so cables are your only option. While the included USB-C cable is on the longer side, thereвЂ™s no wall adapter included, which means if you need to charge while on a trip (or road trip), you need to either find your own or bring something like a laptop along. This extends to your charging options, too. It wonвЂ™t interface with any of your smart home gear either. This means it canвЂ™t double as a speaker for most desk monitors. The only way to play music over this speaker is Bluetooth-you canвЂ™t even plug in an auxiliary audio device like an MP3 player, as thereвЂ™s no 3.5mm input jack. The JBL Charge 5 is a bit inflexible: it's Bluetooth-only (no 3.5mm input or Wi-Fi), and it can't climb trees-I put it there. There's plenty of bass and midrange support, but without skimping on higher treble frequencies either. Whether I was using it inside or out, the Charge 5 provided robust sound quality with both ample volume and well-balanced frequency distribution. The Charge 5вЂ™s ability to charge up another device may earn it its namesake, but it wouldnвЂ™t be worth much if it didnвЂ™t sound good while doing it. But generally, the approach here seems to be the age-old, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' theory. In addition, the speaker has received some minor cosmetic changes.

#Biggest jbl speaker upgrade#

Otherwise, what really differentiates the Charge from something like JBLвЂ™s Flip line is the built-in power bank.ДЄs mentioned, The Charge 5 is now dustproof, and has also received an upgrade to its Bluetooth version (from 5.0 to 5.1). YouвЂ™re getting the standard Bluetooth connectivity here (no Wi-Fi, etc.) as well as JBLвЂ™s вЂњPartyBoostвЂќ feature, which allows you to chain connections to other JBL PartyBoost-equipped speakers, creating a multi-speaker setup. Just like the Charge 4 and Flip 5, the Charge 5 doesnвЂ™t overcomplicate things-itвЂ™s fairly frills-free as features go.

Special features: PartyBoost, built-in powerbank.Speakers/drivers: 52x90mm woofer 20mm tweeter.Battery life: Up to 20 hours per charge.Colors: Black, Blue, Grey, Red, Teal, and Squad (Camo).Width x Height x Depth: 8.7 x 3.76 x 3.67 inches.JBL's Charge 5 gets its name from its ability to charge USB-based devices like a smartphone while it plays music. Regardless, the Charge 5 is an excellent Bluetooth speaker in every respect, and the latest version's new dust-proof design should make it the most rugged in the lineup to date. In addition, it only makes minimal improvements over the more affordable Charge 4, so if you want this functionality at a bit of a discount, that's worthy of consideration. If you really donвЂ™t think you need the charging ability, you could save some money and get the Flip instead.

The Flip 5 is nearly the same product, minus the pass-thru charging and boosted battery life, and youвЂ™re paying a not-inconsiderable surcharge for those features. That doesnвЂ™t mean the Charge 5 is perfect for everyone, of course. A rugged, waterproof option that delivers a robust, bass-forward take on music and has enough battery life to last for extra-long outings and charge the device youвЂ™re playing music from, keeping the jams jamming to the jamth degree.

#Biggest jbl speaker portable#

The latest in the Charge lineup offers great sound and battery-life, with added durability to boot.ДЄs you may have guessed, the Charge 5 marks JBLвЂ™s fifth iteration in the Charge line of portable Bluetooth speakers, and this is the best version yet.