If you want to futureproof yourself and get the new JBL Connect+, then this is the way to go for sure. Disappointed. Flip 4 and Charge 4 (the previous models) had aux input, which was removed during redesigning. Vocals are clear thanks to the driver setup inside the speaker. 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. The only way to play music over this speaker is Bluetoothyou. There's Bluetooth 5.3, a 3.5mm aux input, and the same Powerbank and PartyBoost features as other models (though linking two of these might . Products purchased from the refurbished program still have the full 1-year warranty and should not be distinguishable at all from a brand-new product. The light fades as the power decreases a slick-looking way to see the battery life left, though its not as easy to get an accurate read as the five lights on the Charge 4. A great speaker, but not worth the upgrade if you already own the Charge 4. 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. The Marshall is smaller, making it more portable. When smartphones started removing the jack, some of them removed the DAC too, which converts the digital signals to analog signals. Fully waterproof and dustproof. The speaker can stay connected over a decent range too, easily handing the walk from my dining room to outside my house. It can be paired to two devices at once via Bluetooth and has outstanding battery life, though this can vary depending on your usage habits, so your real-world experience may differ. 3.5 mm AUX cable Input. but no, This is not actually the case. You're all set to get the latest from Reviewed. The JBL Charge 5 adds a silicone foot on the bottom of the speaker, which is nice and helps it stay put on flat surfaces. The Bose SoundLink Revolve II is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Charge 5. Sound effects. The JBL Charge 5 is a portable Bluetooth speaker similar to the JBL Charge 4. The Charge 4 has lower latency with iOS and Android devices, though some apps compensate for latency differently, so your experience may vary. The Charge 5 gets loudlike, really loud. It'salso better built and is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance. Even with the #5 in its name, JBL didn't bother to put a 5.0 module inside. UEs Boom & Megaboom app, by comparison, offers a five-band equalizer with several presets, as well as other features like an alarm and the ability to set a one-touch playlist. Speaking of dust and moisture, the Charge 5 is well-equipped to keep them at bay: its rubber-capped ends keep it safe from imminent destruction if you have the misfortune of dropping it, and help it to float in water to boot. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't great. That said, the Clip 4 is smaller and more portable thanks to its built-in carabiner hook. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't great. Good build Gets loud Long battery life. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono resulting in a more immersive soundstage. That puts the Charge 5 in a somewhat in-between slot. . When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. You can connect it to two devices at once, which can come in handy when you need to switch between two audio sources quickly. Even after a firm dunk in a bucket of water, the Charge 5 sounds just as good as when its dryjust make sure the charging port flap is securely closed. Includes: Two rear USB ports . The JBL Charge 5 and the Anker Soundcore Motion Boom are similar speakers. The JBL Clip 4 uses Bluetooth 5.1 and has a 10-meter range, which is typical for any Bluetooth speaker. Its also worth noting the varied color schemes available. At 8.7 x 3.8 x 3.7 inches, its slightly shorter and a little plumper in the middle than the Charge 4. Still, if youre a fan of the JBL sound, want that power bank functionality or simply prefer its looks, the Charge 5 is a solid choice for a portable (and waterproof) Bluetooth speaker. But other than that, the Charge 5 is single-minded in its purpose. That said, it was a close call. 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. If you do happen to break the speaker in a manner covered by its warranty within 1 year of buying it, JBL will send you another one. However, it also ends up more expensive than even better-sounding speakers with more features. 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. The JBL Charge 5 is a better speaker than the Harman/Kardon Onyx Studio 6. No 3.5 aux port. We tested the 'Black' variant. You can pair it to your devices via Bluetooth by pressing the dedicated Bluetooth button. It doesnt have many frills, aside from being able to charge another portable device, but it delivers impressive vocals and bass, and it can withstand the elements. If you dont already have an earlier model, however, the Charge 5 is a great choice. For an even smaller and more portable speaker, check out the JBL Flip 6 or the Marshall Willen. The JBL Charge 5 has a list price of $179.95, and as a new product youre unlikely to find it for much less than. That said, the JBL can get louder with less compression at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volume levels. Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available. To be completely fair, its a slight oversimplification to say that the JBL Charge 5 is only good for one thing; after all, the speaker can also charge a second device via a rear USB charging port thats hidden beneath a flap. It also has a better-balanced sound profile than the Anker out of the box. The Charge 5 is smaller and more portable than the Boombox 2. It's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, meaning it's certified to be fully dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. It's a portable Bluetooth speaker with a solid build, so it can withstand some exposure to the elements. Its play and pause button can also be double-pressed to skip to your next track. 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. It supports voice assistants through your smartphone too. You can also pair it to up to two devices at once, so you can easily switch between audio sources. If the Nano does not have bluetooth, the answer is still yes. 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. Yes, you are able to use the speaker while its charging. As mentioned, The Charge 5 is now dustproof, and has also received an upgrade to its Bluetooth version (from 5.0 to 5.1). It has a longer-lasting battery life. 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. That said, like many Sony speakers we've tested, the Sony has a ClearAudio+ feature advertised to adjust the speaker's sound according to your audio content and can get louder than the JBL. While those features arent exactly standard, theyre available on the similarly priced Sonos Roam. It has decent directivity, meaning you can hear your audio clearly from most angles. Learn more. JBL also tweaked the shape and dimensions. DAC is necessary for the signals to flow so the phones that removed the jack AND the DAC, they had to send an adapter, which has a DAC built-in, along with the phone in the box. We tested the 'Black' variant; you can find its labelhere. Features of JBL Charge 5 Guide app:-+ Contains many pictures to see all designs of JBL Charge 5 Guide . The app also offers a basic equalizer that has studio-style sliders to control bass, mid, and treble frequencies. The Charge line has improved its ruggedness with each iteration. It has a slightly boomy sound profile suitable for a variety of music. Lastly, there are horizontal dots at the bottom of the speaker that light up to indicate the speaker's battery level. That said, the JBL has a better-balanced sound profile that can produce more extended low-bass than the Ultimate Ears out of the box. However, the Flip 6 is smaller and has a removable carrying strap, making it a bit more portable than the Charge 5. To save even more money, look into JBLs refurbished program. It also has a power-saving feature that shuts the speaker off after it's left inactive for a while, which is nice. However, the JBL offers a better-balanced sound profile out of the box and can produce a more extended low-bass. It wont interface with any of your smart home gear either. Otherwise, there isn't much difference between this and the Charge 3 before it (though USB-C charging is definitely nice). However, the JBL can get louder than the Sonos with fewer compression artifacts at max volume. Hes written about music and technology for more than 20 years for a raft of publications including Wired, Mens Journal, PC World and Macworld. Tambourine Man, the Charge 5 delivers exceptional detail and separation between voices and instruments, whereas lesser speakers tend to turn the midrange into an indistinguishable wall of sound. The JBL Charge 5 is a very good Bluetooth speaker. jbl charge fast charge JBL Charge 4 JBL Flip 5. That said, the Pulse 4 comes with customizable RGB lights and offers a more natural-sounding soundstage, thanks to its 360-degree design. The Flip 4 is smaller, making it easier to carry around with you when you're on the go. Verdict. The speaker is fairly small and is meant to be placed horizontally on its base. 10.5-in. The Charge 5 is a tubed-shaped speaker that weighs 2.11 pounds and measures 8.7 x 3.76 x 3.67 inches (WxHxD), with a slight discrepancy in height due to the rubber strips that act as feet for the speaker. The JBL Charge 5 delivers a durable, intuitive design with all of its control buttons arranged neatly in a row on top. Depending on your preferences, you may prefer either the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 or the JBL Charge 5. That said, the Xtreme 3 can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which sounds more immersive. The JBL Charge 5 is a great buy if you dont already have a previous iteration of JBLs Charge line. The speaker has a USB-C in/out port and USB-A out portso you can either charge two external devices simultaneously, or charge the speaker while charging an external device. However, battery performance can vary depending on your usage, and your experience may differ. It can also get slightly louder, though there's some compression at max volume that may affect the clarity of your audio at louder volumes. You can buy it directly from. See also our recommendations for the best JBL speakers, thebest Bluetooth speakers, and thebest outdoor speakers. Links on SoundGuys may earn us a commission. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio . 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. On Apples 60s Rock Essentials playlist, the Charge 5 consistently impresses. The JBL has better directivity, resulting in a wider and more open-sounding soundstage, while the Sony's sounds a bit more muffled. A hard plastic speaker grille covers. In addition, the speaker has received some minor cosmetic changes. Just select the Charge 5 from your devices Bluetooth settings and you should hear the signature sound of a JBL speaker being connected. Sale. The JBL Charge 5 is the latest evolution in the long-lived Bluetooth speaker line. JBL Charge 5 (Black) at Amazon for $179.95 The JBL Charge 5 has a list price of $179.95, and as a new product you're unlikely to find it for much less than. 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. Ive been using the Charge 5 as a general-purpose speaker over the past few weeks, streaming baseball games via the MLB app, audiobooks via Audible, my college radio airchecks that someone posted on YouTube, and playlists on Apple Music. 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. At least JBL has kept the Charges namesake feature in each generation. As you may have guessed, the Charge 5 marks JBLs fifth iteration in the Charge line of portable Bluetooth speakers, and this is the best version yet. 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. The Anker Soundcore Motion+ is a better speaker than the JBL Charge 5. Toyota Audio Multimedia and 11-speaker JBL [jbl] Premium Audio $1410 10.5-in. Sorry bois im a bit late to the party. The Ultimate Ears can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono and has an outstanding soundstage, thanks to its 360-degree design. 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 JBL offers a better-balanced sound profile that can produce a more extended low-bass than the Anker out of the box. Unlike the Charge 5, the Xtreme 3 has an aux input for those of you looking to hard-wire your connection. Download the JBL Portable app to access JBL PartyBoost and firmware updates. He also reviewed headphones, and has a background in music performance. It seems quite clear that the speaker (JBL Xtreme 2) contains a digital 'gate' which silences all audio below a certain loudness level. When you plug the Charge 5 in, the indicator light will blink, showing you how full the battery is. The back of the Charge 5 has a charging port for juicing up the speaker and another one for charging your smartphone. This should trigger a flashing light when it's in pairing mode and a solid blue light once it's paired. However, the JBL gets a touch louder than the Marshall, with much less compression present at max volume, so your audio doesn't degrade as much as you bump up the volume. Beach-goers can take advantage of the IP67 dust and water-resistant rating. Transducer: 52 mm x 90 mm woofer, 20 mm tweeter Rated output power: 30 W RMS for woofer, 10 W RMS for tweeter Frequency response: 65 Hz - 20 kHz Signal-to-noise ratio: > 80 dB Battery type: Li-ion polymer 27 Wh (equivalent to 3.6 V/ 7500 mAh) Battery charge time: 4 hours (5 V / 3 A) Music play time: up to 20 hours (dependent on . The hefty battery life is a big part of what youre paying for. Features JBL's PartyBoost feature.