Party hosts should get the JBL Charge 5 as it produces exceptionally loud sound for a portable speaker. 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. Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide, Monoprice Monolith Audition review: The magic of wired speakers, Tronsmart Halo 100 review: A bangin Bluetooth party speaker, Soundcore Rave Party 2 Bluetooth speaker review: Versatile and very loud. The JBL Charge 5 and the JBL Flip 6 have different strengths. It also has a slightly better-balanced sound profile than that of the JBL. It will take a bit to get everything fleshed out, but we will update this review (and many others!) 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. However, while the Charge 5 can get louder with slightly fewer compression artifacts at max volume, the Flip 5 has a somewhat wider-sounding soundstage. Verdict. So, if you do use the Charge 5 to power other devices, expect a reduction in play time. Description. . If you dont already have an earlier model, however, the Charge 5 is a great choice. 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. Dimensions (W x H x D): 223 x 96.5 x 94 mm / 8.7 x 3.76 x 3.67 inch. But I have to imagine that chain of connections also affects total battery life to some degree. If you really dont think you need the charging ability, you could save some money and get the Flip instead. 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). The button layout at the top stays the same, while the back features the USB-C charging port, along with a USB-A port you can use to charge other devices, basically turning the speaker into a . I'm going to say I doubt it by almost 100%. It also has better directivity, so you'll perceive its soundstage as more open and spacious than the Sony speaker. Dimensions: 10.87 x 4.12 x 8 . Sure enough, I dunked the Charge 5 in a sinkful of water and it continued to play without problem. + Weekly updates JBL Charge 5 Guide app. A rubber-capped USB input on the back of the Charge 5 allows you to charge any USB-based device, like an iPhone or tablet. This means it cant double as a speaker for most desk monitors. The following list of JBL speakers doesn't have an AUX input, so the only way to connect them is via Bluetooth. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't very good. Otherwise, there isn't much difference between this and the Charge 3 before it (though USB-C charging is definitely nice). The JBL Charge 5 is a better speaker than the Harman/Kardon Onyx Studio 6. No 3.5 aux port. While the Charge 5 has a more balanced sound profile, the Xtreme 2 can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. This should trigger a flashing light when it's in pairing mode and a solid blue light once it's paired. It offers a wider and more immersive-sounding soundstage that can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. I toted the Charge 5 on a trip to northeast Pennsylvania and enjoyed it in a spacious hotel room. JBL Flip 5 supports only wireless connectivity and there are no options for wired connection. The JBL Charge 5 is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Pulse 4. Sorry bois im a bit late to the party. When you plug the Charge 5 in, the indicator light will blink, showing you how full the battery is. The latest in the Charge lineup offers great sound and battery-life, with added durability to boot. There are plenty of very good speakers that dont offer the same fit, finish or volume that you get from the JBL Charge 5, and many of those cost a lot less. Below the large JBL logo is a single light that shows the amount of battery power left. $99.99. This speaker has an impressive build quality. Go anywhere with full, crisp sound in a lightweight, stylish design. This is worth considering if youre interested in this product: if you dont need a power bank, you could save money by buying something like the JBL Flip 5, or you could spend the same amount on a more feature-stuffed product like the Sonos Roam. As a result, it's suitable for listening to lots of different genres, and its graphic EQ allows you to switch up its sound to your liking. Unfortunately, PartyBoost doesnt work with older JBL speakers (like the Charge 4) that use the now deprecated Connect+ protocol. How to connect JBL speakers to computers and laptops? - KnowTechie It's also better built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it's dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. JBL Charge 5 Review - Rugged Power Delivered Well Beyond Use As A Speaker Inputs: rear USB input, rear aux input ; Outputs: 4-channel preamp outputs (2-volt front, rear) Our Overall Review. The JBL PartyBox 310 is a large battery-powered speaker with circular RGB lights. The JBL Charge 5 is a better speaker than the JBL Charge 4. The Boom 3 is rated at 15 hours. Audio Plus with JBL [jbl] 9-in. JBL has revised the design for the latest version of the Charge speaker, enlarging the JBL logo and making it roughly the same color as the speaker while giving the sides of the raised letters an orange tint. The JBL Charge 5 is alright for music. It's also worth mentioning again that this model only changes a couple of things compared to the previous-gen Charge 4the Charge 5 adds dust proofing and updates its Bluetooth codecso if those aren't high on your list, you can get many of the same features for less money by opting for the older model. The Ultimate Ears is smaller, more portable, and has much better directivity resulting in a more open and natural-sounding soundstage. Of course, it's a bit heavier and much more durable in construction. The JBL offers a more balanced sound profile out of the box, suitable for listening to a wide variety of audio content. The JBL's battery lasts longer than the Bose, though this can vary depending on your usage. It also has a longer battery life, lasting over 14 hours from a single charge, though this can depend on your usage. 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. This approach is bad design, and only suitable for backward compatibility. Do not expose the JBL Charge 5 to liquids without removing cable connection. Anker SoundCore 2 Bluetooth speaker review. Is this the best budget It has an IP67 rating, can be paired to another MEGABOOM 3 for a more powerful sound, and has a strong bass response. It can also get louder and can last over 14 hours from a single charge, though this can depend on your usage. For an even smaller and more portable speaker, check out the JBL Flip 6 or the Marshall Willen. The power on/off and Bluetooth pairing controls are located on a smooth strip in the middle, but each control is easy to select because the shape of the logo is ever-so-slightly depressed into the strip. Jbl Partybox 310 Portable Party Speaker & Long Lasting Battery Regarding battery life, JBL has rated the roughly 20,000mAh battery inside the PartyBox 310 to last for 18 hours, depending on the volume and audio content, and takes 3.5 hours to charge to full. Editors note: This JBL Charge 5 review was updated on December 16, 2022, to update formatting and address a few frequently asked questions. The JBL Charge 5 doesnt quite best our current Editors Choice for portable Bluetooth speakers, the Sonos Roam, which boasts Sonoss vaunted multi-room capabilities, a rugged design, and Auto Trueplay room-correction functionality for roughly the same price as the JBL. At 8.7 x 3.8 x 3.7 inches, its slightly shorter and a little plumper in the middle than the Charge 4. 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. Faster Charging Thats right, no fast charging here. Bring it from room to room, or take it outside with you, and its IP67 rating for dust and water resistance helps to protect the drivers inside. Unlike the Charge 4, which uses the older Connect+ protocol, the Charge 5 hasa PartyBoost button that you can use to pair it to other PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers like the JBL Xtreme 3. + Easy, clear and uncomplicated JBL Charge 5 Guide . If you care about the subtle touches like the well designed controls and distortion-free sound that JBL has built into its entire line of speakers, then that extra money will be well spent. This speaker comes with an aux port, which may actually make it a more attractive option for some people. 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. Finally, raised rubber strips along the bottom help keep it stable on a table, and a small, cleverly placed charge indicator beneath the JBL logo helps keep track of battery life. The JBL Charge 5 is the next generation of the JBL Charge 4. If youre looking for a single speaker to use at home and on your outdoor excursions, its easy to find a spot for the speaker on a bookcase or tabletop. New Toyota Aygo X from 15,975. 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. once were able with improved sound quality measurements and performance plots. Some people dont trust the waterproofing that IP ratings promise, and we dont blame them. Of course, a key feature of the Charge series is its ability to act as a power bank for your phone, though this draws from the same battery as the speaker itself. In addition to solid colors like black, red, teal, gray and the blue version we received, theres also a version with a camouflage finish. Its a little annoying that JBL keeps implementing new methods to connect their speakers to one anotherJBL PartyBoost is basically the same feature as JBL Connect+ in the Charge 4, but the two versions are not compatible with one another. I used it alongside a soak in a jet-equipped bathtub, and it handily delivered the sounds of lush synths, sharp percussive beats, and warbling 70s guitars even after being (purposefully) splashed with a not inconsiderable amount of water. JBL Charge 4 Review - RTINGS.com Additionally, it supports voice assistants through your smartphone and does an excellent job of understanding you from far and in noisy environments. The Ultimate Ears can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono and has an outstanding soundstage, thanks to its 360-degree design. The fabric covering the speaker will still get plenty wet, but once it dries everything will sound normal. Its durable fabric material and rugged rubber housing keep the Flip 5 safe while you let loose in the great outdoors. Unlike the Roam, theres also no wireless (Qi) charging, so cables are your only option. The good news is that anyone using the JBL Portable app for iOS or Android has the choice of using two PartyBoost speakers as a stereo pair instead of just cloning the mono output from the first speaker. That said, as a smaller speaker, it doesn't bring a lot of rumble in the low-bass. TECH SPEC. Charge 5 comes with a USB A port as well that is used to charge the phone, but that's it. The Charge 5 supports JBLs aforementioned PartyBoost feature, which allows users to pair with up to 100 speakers at once, including other JBL speakers like the Flip 5, Pulse 4, and Boombox 2 speakers.