Have a different opinion about something we recommend? This is also where the covered ports for the micro USB charging cable and 3.5mm aux input are located. Taylor Swifts Mr. 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 hard plastic speaker grille covers. The one thing I didn't test when it comes to battery life was connecting a bunch of PartyBoost speakersI just dont have enough JBL speakers sitting around. Inputs: rear USB input, rear aux input ; Outputs: 4-channel preamp outputs (2-volt front, rear) Our Overall Review. 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. 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. It can also get louder than the Charge 5, with fewer compression artifacts at max volume, and supports voice assistants through your smartphone. It has an IP67 rating and sounds great, and if you want to integrate it into your Sonos ecosystem you can. So, as you already mentioned: F ck old-school devices that can only be connected via 3.5 jack. The JBL Charge 5 is a better speaker than the JBL Flip 5. 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. 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. The Boom 3 is rated at 15 hours. In fact, it's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, and its long battery life is suitable for afternoons outdoors. If it flashes half white and the rest of the indicator light is dark, it is half full. 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 following list of JBL speakers doesn't have an AUX input, so the only way to connect them is via Bluetooth. To protect battery lifespan, fully charge at least once every 3 months. When first booting up the Charge 5 and playing some music, I was seriously surprised by how loud it was. The JBL Charge 5 is satisfactory for podcasts. No. Even with the #5 in its name, JBL didn't bother to put a 5.0 module inside. 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. And the sound quality will be slightly less because it is analog. The Marshall Emberton II is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Charge 5, though they have different strengths. The first thing youre going to want to do is figure out the controls, and it really couldnt be simpler. It's better built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance and can also get a bit louder. The Sony SRS-XB43 is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Charge 5 though they're similar. The JBL Charge 5 is good for outdoor use. This may also have been a result of the chlorinated water, since JBL does not ensure that its speakers can withstand saltwater or chlorinated water. 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. So basically if you have a phone that has a DAC, you can use any of these cheap adapters but if you have a phone that doesn't have the DAC, you can only use the one that came in the box. Dimensions: 10.87 x 4.12 x 8 . We'll be in touch soon. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Theres no microphone, so it doesnt double as a speakerphone. The JBL Boombox 2 is a better speaker than the JBL Charge 5. There's plenty of bass and midrange support, but without skimping on higher treble frequencies either. 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. In our real-world tests, we achieved 16 hours of battery life while using the light show on and off again and at varying volume levels which is a much . 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. The only thing the Charge 5 can do that the Megaboom 3 cant is charge another device. Having six colors to choose from is nice, though this is actually a step back from the Charge 4, which was available in 12 colors. There are no racing lights, no speakerphone, and you cant plug in another audio source. You can pair two Charge 5 speakers together for stereo sound. 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 JBL Charge 5 is a Bluetooth speaker that can double as a powerbank for another device. That gives the speaker a bit more visual flair, but also causes it to lean like the Tower of Pisa if you want to stand it on one end instead of laying it flat. If your tastes run to more contemporary hits like those by Bad Bunny, Harry Styles, Kendrick Lamar, and Kate Bush, the Charge 5 sounds so good that I wouldnt be surprised to learn that contemporary mix engineers use the JBL portables as reference speakers during their mix sessions. The back of the Charge 5 has a charging port for juicing up the speaker and another one for charging your smartphone. The JBL PRV-175 is a compact, affordable, . Lee received Level II certification in TV calibration from the Imaging Science Foundation in 2013. An auxiliary input allows you to play other audio sources by connecting them through a simple audio connection like a 3.5mm jack, i.e for MP3 or portable DVD/CD player. F*ck increased battery life by not using BT connection while at home. Otherwise, what really differentiates the Charge from something like JBLs Flip line is the built-in power bank. Unfortunately, the JBL Charge 5 doesnt have an aux port so wired listening is not an option. The USB C port is likely just for charging only, not connected with a DAC or anything else except to power the device. Also, while the Marshall comes with EQ presets to adjust its sound, the JBLcomes with a graphic EQ that gives you more control over the speaker's sound. Unfortunately, PartyBoost doesnt work with older JBL speakers (like the Charge 4) that use the now deprecated Connect+ protocol. 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. Listeners who want something with an even louder output should look at the JBL Xtreme 3. James has worked in music as a producer, A&R executive, music publisher, manager and record store clerk. The IP67 rating means you can expose this device to dust and water liberally without excessive worry. Features of JBL Charge 5 Guide app:-+ Contains many pictures to see all designs of JBL Charge 5 Guide . The Charge 5 provides warm, robust sound whether inside or out. The menacing bass and thumping drums were prominent on The Weeknds Blinding Lights but didnt overwhelm his singing. JBL says the Charge 5 will run for 20 hours, the same as previous models and the same as the Megaboom 3. Hope this helps. On notoriously low-fi recordings like Question Mark and the Mysterianss 96 Tears and the 13th Floor Elevatorss Youre Gonna Miss Me, the Charge 5 doesnt sand off the rough edges that give garage-rock classics like these their sonic teeth. Faster Charging JBL is Americas sweetheart when it comes to waterproof Bluetooth speakers. 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 has an optimized long excursion driver, a separate tweeter, and dual JBL bass radiators, all delivering impressively rich and clear audio. This speaker is advertised to last over 20 hours, but in actuality, it lasts around 14 hours. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone. The JBL offers a more balanced sound profile out of the box, suitable for listening to a wide variety of audio content. Copyright 2023 IDG Communications, Inc. The JBL Charge 5 doesn't support voice assistants. The fabric covering the speaker will still get plenty wet, but once it dries everything will sound normal. Charge 5 comes with a USB A port as well that is used to charge the phone, but that's it. New Toyota Aygo X from 15,975. There's audible feedback to indicate when you've reached max volume, too. 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. Youre getting the standard Bluetooth connectivity here (no Wi-Fi, etc.) So, if you do use the Charge 5 to power other devices, expect a reduction in play time. It also offers a wider-sounding soundstage. So, it is an ideal choice for home and outdoor entertainment. On the front, it has a big and impressive JBL logo. Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Charge 5. $99.99. JBL Charge 5 (Black) at Amazon for $179.95, Last chance! You can also pair two speakers together to create a stereo pair. You can charge any USB-equipped devicebe it a smartphone, tablet, game controller, or even some laptopsusing the Charge 5s pass-thru. 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. The Marshall is smaller and offers a soundstage that can be perceived as open and spacious. 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. Even up to 30 meters away, it sounds great sitting outside in my backyard. JBL Charge 3 is also waterproof rugged design Cons the new model is about 20 percent larger and heavier rubberised exterior will shrug off knocks and bumps the mid-range feels distinctly cold More pros & cons Key specs Bluetooth: yes Wireless network (wi-fi): no Speakerphone: yes Impedance: 80 Playback time: 20 h Battery capacity: 6000 mAh However, battery performance can vary depending on your usage, and your experience may differ. To save even more money, look into JBLs refurbished program. JBL Charge 5 SEE IT Punchy without being paunchy. has a touch screen That said, the JBL Charge 5 offers a better-balanced sound profile and has a longer-lasting 14.5-hour battery life. Toyota Yaris from 22,110. That said, the JBL is smaller than the Sonos, making it easier to transport with you when you're on the go. The first time you press and hold the power button to turn on the speaker, it will automatically enter pairing mode. On Black Pumass Fire, the horns came across bright and punchy, while the vocals were clear above the guitar and keyboards. 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. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Regardless of where you are positioned around the speaker, it sounds pretty good, which makes it excellent for parties. The JBL Charge 5 is the next generation of the JBL Charge 4. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. And the Megaboom 3 is a better all-around speaker, too, in terms of both sound and features. JBL Flip 5 JBL Charge 5 JBL Pulse 4 JBL Go 3 JBL link 20. 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. I'll revisit this shortly. 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. They have similar designs, though the JBL logo on the Charge 5 is much larger and looks more like the one on the JBL Xtreme 3. It has decent directivity, meaning you can hear your audio clearly from most angles. The JBL Flip 6s new, larger logo scuffs more easily than the Flip 5s small red badge. The JBL has a better-balanced sound profile out of the box that can produce a slightly more extended low-bass than the Anker. No 3.5 aux port. A thunderous outdoor Bluetooth speaker with stupendous bass The Sonos is smaller and more portable than the JBL. That doesnt mean the Charge 5 is perfect for everyone, of course. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio . A subreddit dedicated to everything USB-C. Press J to jump to the feed. Also, it can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, resulting in a richer and fuller sound. That said, the JBL has a longer battery life, though this can vary depending on your usage habits. It's smaller, more portable, and has a longer-lasting battery life than the Harman, though battery life can depend on your usage habits, and your experience may differ. 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. 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 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. The speaker is nice to look at and hold, and it has the shape and approximate weight of a football. However, it's hard to notice the channel separation when passively listening due to the speaker's size. The MEGABOOM 3 is available for $189.99 at Amazon. On the road. There is no auxiliary input to connect to a stereo in case we want to listen . It's popular for its compact, simple, and high-quality design. 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. That said, the Harman can produce a slightly more extended low-bass than the JBL. 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. 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. Unlike the Roam, theres also no wireless (Qi) charging, so cables are your only option. 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. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't very good. Everything is wrapped in a woven fabric cover with smooth silicone accents. Some people dont trust the waterproofing that IP ratings promise, and we dont blame them. It also has a bit less compression present at max volume, so audio sounds cleaner at louder volumes. It features a long-excursion driver, a separate tweeter, and each side houses a passive bass radiator. Charge 5: larger in size and weight twice more than the Flip 5. In my case, I'm sending the audio signal to the speaker from a DAC with a line level output (this is a weaker signal than you get from a headphone output). At $179, its list price is lower than that of the Megaboom 3 but UEs speaker has been out for much longer, and often sells at a much lower price despite the MSRP. The JBL PartyBox 310 is a large battery-powered speaker with circular RGB lights. 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 . On Apples 60s Rock Essentials playlist, the Charge 5 consistently impresses. The speaker has built-in 4800 mAh battery, providing 12 hours playtime and can be fast-charged with Type-C charging port. 3.5 mm AUX cable Input. This, too, is more affordable than the Charge 5, despite offering Wi-Fi connectivity and voice assistant smarts. But generally, the approach here seems to be the age-old, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" theory. Links on SoundGuys may earn us a commission. Thanks to the PartyBoost feature, it can be paired with other compatible speakers for an even louder sound. Toyota GR Yaris from 32,110. Battery life will vary due to usage patterns and environmental conditions. No, the JBL Flip 5 does not have a USB port. The serial number on our speaker begins with 'TT,' and some users have reported differences in the performance and build of variants of this speaker depending on the first two letters preceding its serial number. Right now, you can get similar functionality, sound, and durability in JBLs standard speaker, the Flip 5, for around $80 less. It uses the JBL Connect app, as opposed to the Charge 5 that uses the JBL Portable app. However, there isn't a way to skip to your previous track. That said, the JBL can get louder with less compression at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volume levels. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't great. And the Charge 5 doesn't include features like auxiliary inputs or Siri/Google Assistant voice input found in a more expensive model, like the $350 JBL Extreme 3 or $299 Bose SoundLink Revolve+ . Speaking of keeping track of battery life, you fortunately wont need to be too fastidious: the advertised 20 hours of battery life are legitimate (give or take depending on mediators like overall volume and how long/often youre charging another device). Personalize Now Specs & Downloads Item# JBLFLIP5GRENAMCSTM Description General Specifications Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. The result is a basic but rugged portable Bluetooth speaker, and one that sounds good enough to contend with the best waterproof speakers. That said, the Anker is smaller and can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. 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 . . The app doesnt let you make any kind of sound adjustments. Battery charge time (hrs): <3.5 . The company puts out several new products every year, and theoretically, they keep getting better. Plus, as you crank up the volume, there's some more compression in the mix, which impacts the clarity of audio reproduction. No, the USB-C port is only for charging the JBL Charge 5. This approach is bad design, and only suitable for backward compatibility. Under Party Mode, all speakers will play audio in mono. Its an elegant and useful design touch. The only way to play music over this speaker is Bluetoothyou cant even plug in an auxiliary audio device like an MP3 player, as theres no 3.5mm input jack. The Charge 5 paired quickly with my phone. In addition to solid colors like black, red, teal, gray and the blue version we received, theres also a version with a camouflage finish. But other than that, the Charge 5 is single-minded in its purpose. Instead, it has a 3.5mm AUX line-in port for plugging in an audio source such as a laptop, phone, or tablet.