You're all set to get the latest from Reviewed. Its available for $379.95 at Amazon. Battery life will vary due to usage patterns and environmental conditions. There's a Party Mode function you can access by selecting PartyBoost in its main menu, so you can connect it to other PartyBoost-compatible speakers to play music all at once. This section is typically where we display a frequency response chart to show you exactly where the audio output shines and where its deficiencies lie. Still, you probably shouldn't bathe with itthat's just weird, right? The JBL Charge 5 (available at Amazon for $179.95) is the latest poolside- and outdoors-ready Bluetooth speaker from the portable audio maestros at JBL. The Ultimate Ears can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono and has an outstanding soundstage, thanks to its 360-degree design. What's not to like: Our testers find the Charge 5 to be. The power and Bluetooth keys are separated in the center of the other buttons in a small cutout, while the others blend in with the speakers fabric grille along the top of the device. In 2020, I tested a JBL Flip 4 that was out of warranty by submerging it in a pool and it subsequently broke, so its possible that the IP rating will degrade over time. It also has fairly low latency with iOS and Android devices, making it suitable for watching movies and videos. It's also better-built, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, certifying it to be dust-tight and immersible in a meter of water for 30 minutes. Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. The JBL has a more neutral sound profile out of the box that's suitable for listening to a wide variety of audio content. That said, the Anker can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono and offers a wider-sounding soundstage, thanks to its 360-degree design. The data pins on the USB-C go straight to the SoC and are used for servicing/firmware AND they actually do work with audio data, In JBL Displays in stores there is a special JBL USB-A+3.5mm to USB-C adapter that sends audio data to the speaker via the usb-c cable. So they do exist outside of the OEM accessories. From left to right across the top of the speaker, youve got raised, tactile buttons for PartyBoost, Volume Down, Power, Bluetooth pairing, Volume Up, and Play/Pause. There's a graphic EQ you can use to customize the speaker's sound profile to your liking. JBL Charge 5. touchscreen, six JBL [jbl] speakers including subwoofer and amplifier, hands-free phone capability and music streaming [bluetooth] via Bluetooth [bluetooth] wireless technology, Android Auto [android_auto] & Apple CarPlay [carplay . To contextualize the sound quality a bit more, the JBL Charge 5 has a louder sound than the popular Bose SoundLink Mini and Bose SoundLink Flex. The Charge 5 has a more balanced sound profile. I'll revisit this shortly. It has decent directivity, meaning you can hear your audio clearly from most angles. Aux input for non-Bluetooth(R) devices, 1/4 in. You can fully submerge it without issue and its lightweight enough to throw in your beach bag. As with the last few versions, the Charge 5 is wrapped in mesh the same as you'd get on the JBL Go 3 and has rubber end caps. The JBL Charge 4 can deliver punchy dance and pop synth beats with convincing punch, but like every speaker this size, there is a limit to its bass floor. This speaker takes a different approach to its design as it delivers 360-degree audio, but is similar to the Charge 5 in many ways. Locking my phone or opening up a different app like Instagram can also cause a rare hiccup while streaming music from Spotify. The JBL has a better-balanced sound profile and slightly longer battery life, though battery life can vary depending on usage, so your experience may differ. Even still, the 20 hours youre getting here (especially for how loud this thing is in general) is an excellent result. While Bluetooth 5.1 reads like a great feature, its main benefit is power efficiency, hence the extended playtime of the Clip 4 compared to the Clip 3. The JBL Clip 4 uses Bluetooth 5.1 and has a 10-meter range, which is typical for any Bluetooth speaker. Nothing beats the amazing JBL Original Pro Sound with deep bass. However, the overemphasis in the treble range can make its soundstage feel a bit uneven. The JBL Charge 5 has an official 20-hour battery life, which well put to the test as soon as we get the speaker into our testing chamber. It's suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content, thanks to its balanced mids, which ensure that voices and lead instruments are reproduced with clarity and accuracy. So, if you do use the Charge 5 to power other devices, expect a reduction in play time. Features JBL's PartyBoost feature. Otherwise, what really differentiates the Charge from something like JBLs Flip line is the built-in power bank. Though there are no buttons to skip backward on the JBL Charge 5, it has pretty much all the other controls youd need. Listeners who like the JBL sound but want something a bit more portable than its Charge or Xtreme line should look at the JBL Flip 6 instead ($129.95 at Amazon). Depends on the smartphone and the adapter. The JBL Charge 5 is a bit inflexible: it's Bluetooth-only (no 3.5mm input or Wi-Fi), and it can't climb treesI put it there. Use the same cord that you use to charge the speaker, but plug in the USB-A side into the speakers port under the silicone flap, and the Charge 5 battery will drain to charge up your Android phone or another device with a USB-C charging port. The only way to play music over this speaker is Bluetoothyou. The Sonos Roam and the JBL Charge 5 are similar speakers, though they have different strengths. The Sonos Roam costs about the same as the JBL Charge 5 ($358 at Amazon), and even though it is significantly smaller, the Roams price comes with a lot of smart features that the Charge 5 doesnt have. In fact, it's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, and its long battery life is suitable for afternoons outdoors. The speaker has + and - buttons you can use to adjust the speaker's volume. That said, the JBL can get louder with less compression at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volume levels. The JBL Charge 5 gets the job done if you need something that's very loud, and quite portable. This small, lightweight speaker can be carried in one hand, making it easy to take when you're on the move. It can also play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. Youre getting the standard Bluetooth connectivity here (no Wi-Fi, etc.) It's plenty loud, and maintains a balanced emphasis of bass, midtones, and trebles. Around the back, the JBL Charge 5 has a waterproof USB-C charging port as well as a flap hiding the USB-A port that can be used to charge up your smartphone. Youre not getting Wi-Fi (which means no Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay, etc.) On the road Dimensions: 10.87 x 4.12 x 8 . It comes in many different colors, so you can choose one that suits your style. We can tell you that it charges via USB-C and takes 4 hours to completely fill up. The Charge 5 has a more neutral sound profile than its predecessor and is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, meaning it's certified to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. Thick walls will get in the way and cause stuttering, which may limit the connection range for some. The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Charge 5. New Toyota Aygo X from 15,975. Otherwise, there isn't much difference between this and the Charge 3 before it (though USB-C charging is definitely nice). On its rear, there's a USB-A port in a sealed compartment and a Type-C charging port. On songs like the Byrds Mr. The Charge 5 is currently as good a sound as you can get in a portable Bluetooth speaker design for under 200 ($200, AU$300). Find out more about how we test. Well, while nearly all JBL portable speakers come with aux input port, not all of them support aux output. It also has a better-balanced sound profile than the Anker out of the box. Additionally, it supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though it doesn't do a good job of hearing you from far and in noisy settings. However, the JBL can get louder than the Sonos with fewer compression artifacts at max volume. The JBL PartyBox 310 is a large battery-powered speaker with circular RGB lights. NY 10036. The Boom 3 is rated at 15 hours. Around back, youll find the small USB-C charging port and the power banks USB, the latter of which is covered by a rubber seal to keep out dust and moisture. The JBL is better-built, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance that certifies it to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. Additionally, you can connect the JBL to other PartyBoost-compatible speakers to create a stereo pair or when you want your audio to fill a large room. The cylindrical speaker has a 20-hour battery life and you can set it up for one-touch access to your streaming service of choice. Do not expose the JBL Charge 5 to liquids without removing cable connection. You can connect two of the same speakers together to listen in Stereo Mode, or you can connect up to 100 of any compatible speakers together for Party Mode. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We tested the 'Black' variant. Michael Gowan covers soundbars, TVs, portable speakers and other audio- and video-related topics for Toms Guide. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The speaker has onboard controls, and while it doesnt include a button to skip backward a track, double-pressing the play button will skip forward. + Weekly updates JBL Charge 5 Guide app. JBL Flip 5 There is a control panel on the device body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to. The Charge 5 also has Bluetooth multipoint functionality, so if you and a friend want to take turns playing music through your speaker, you wont have to switch source devices each time. A thunderous outdoor Bluetooth speaker with stupendous bass You will need to download the Sonos app in order to access them and operate the speaker at all, though, so if youre not fond of giving apps your information, its best to look elsewhere. If you're looking for a speaker with a fantastic soundstage, check out the Sony SRS-RA3000. F ck zero lag. Additionally, it has a longer-lasting battery life, though this can depend on your usage. Yes No. Like most smaller speakers, however, there isn't much rumble in the low-bass to bring bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop to life. The MEGABOOM 3 is available for $189.99 at Amazon. At least JBL has kept the Charges namesake feature in each generation. It also has a longer battery life, lasting over 14 hours from a single charge, though this can depend on your usage. Charge 5: larger in size and weight twice more than the Flip 5. It can also play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. You can buy it directly from JBL (opens in new tab), or order it from Amazon (opens in new tab), B&H (opens in new tab) or Best Buy (opens in new tab). If it flashes completely white, the battery is full. Taylor Swifts Mr. That seems accurate enough after 15 hours of use at mostly low volume, I had about 25% battery left. Ive always loved JBLs portable Bluetooth speaker design, and thats no different for the Charge 5. You can use an audio cable to plug it into the aux input. JBL Charge 5 SEE IT Punchy without being paunchy. Instead, it has a 3.5mm AUX line-in port for plugging in an audio source such as a laptop, phone, or tablet. The Sony offers a wider-sounding soundstage thanks to its 360-degree design and can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. The app is also how you manage PartyBoost, to connect to another JBL speaker in stereo mode or party mode. A great speaker, but not worth the upgrade if you already own the Charge 4. See also our recommendations for the best JBL speakers, thebest Bluetooth speakers, and thebest outdoor speakers. If you often find yourself shying away from using your phone to play music on outings due to the threat of its battery dying, the Charge 5 makes for an extra-helpful companion: not only does it sound oodles better than your smartphone, but it also can handle charging it back up while it blasts tunes, too. Its always nice to open up a new audio gadget to see that it has at least a bit of battery charge in it, and the Charge 5 lets you dive right into music listening. You can connect it to two devices at once, which can come in handy when you need to switch between audio sources quickly. The JBL Charge 5 is good for outdoor use. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? You can tell its meant to fill an outdoor space such as at the beach or the forest on your next hike with plenty of sound: it was almost too much for my rather cramped office. Other than its power-bank ability and the proprietary JBL PartyBoost option, the Charge 5 doesnt deliver some of the features you might expect for what youre paying. The XB23 is IP67 waterproof, rustproof, dustproof and shockproof, with up to 12 hours of battery life, so your music never gets left behind. It's a little pricey though, so anyone who already has an older JBL Charge speaker shouldn't feel the need to upgrade. The Charge 5 has an official IP67 rating, which means it can withstand dust and handle submersion in up to 1 meter of tap water for up to 30 minutesthis squares with our experience. No. nor any built-in voice assistant compatibility. However, this particular speaker comes with this support, and you can easily get another speaker to connect with it using an aux cable so that they produce the same sound concurrently. That said, it doesn't get very loud, so you'll want to stay closer to the device while listening to your favorite tunes. The Sony can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Inputs: rear USB input, rear aux input ; Outputs: 4-channel preamp outputs (2-volt front, rear) Our Overall Review. But I have to imagine that chain of connections also affects total battery life to some degree. Lee was Reviewed's point person for most television and home theater products from 2012 until early 2022. Unlike the Charge 5, the Xtreme 3 has an aux input for those of you looking to hard-wire your connection. Its sound profile is also more balanced and a bit smaller, making it easier to transport. Light rain or shower jets wont pose a threat in the slightest. At a more reasonable 85 dB, the distortion disappeared and it was still loud enough to be heard over the din of a party or traffic. The Charge 5 received a fairly significant redesign from the Charge 4. That said, the JBL has a longer battery life, though this can vary depending on your usage habits. If you want to sometimes use the Charge 5 by itself, set it as the secondary speaker. It is equipped with high bass drivers. You can pair two Charge 5 speakers together for stereo sound. Its also worth noting that tracks from services that offer lossless streaming (such as Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz, and Amazon Music) sound noticeably better on the Charge 5 than the lossy tracks available from Spotify or YouTube Music. That price is the same as its predecessor's at launch and the new. When you plug the Charge 5 in, the indicator light will blink, showing you how full the battery is. A hard plastic speaker grille covers. We tested the 'Black' variant; you can find its labelhere. Answered 6 years ago by James Helpful ( 22) Unhelpful ( 2) Answer this question The Charge 5 is better-built, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, certifying it to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. Whether your season is full of trips to the beach or backyard parties, you'll need just the right speaker to DJ these events. I was able to get PartyBoost to work with the Charge 5 and a Flip 5, but strangely, not a Charge 4. Theres also no AUX or USB input, so you cant plug in another music source. TECH SPEC. That said, it doesn't offer a Multi-Room function, so you can't use it to play different content on different speakers in different rooms at once. The Charge 5 supports Bluetooth 5.1 along with the A2DP 1.3 and AVRCP 1.6 streaming profiles. 20 hours of playtime The fun doesn't have to stop. What you do get is a speaker that gets incredibly loud for its size without distorting, solid battery life, easy-to-use controls, and excellent protection against dust and water. You can charge any USB-equipped devicebe it a smartphone, tablet, game controller, or even some laptopsusing the Charge 5s pass-thru. It is a little bit bulky, so if you want a portable speaker, check out the JBL Flip 5its essentially a shrunken version of the Charge 5 for $99.95 at Amazon. In addition to solid colors like black, red, teal, gray and the blue version we received, theres also a version with a camouflage finish.
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