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. If you just connect two compatible speakers together, you can listen to music in stereo. The end caps, which house the passive bass radiators, are cut at a slight angle, similar to the JBL Flip 5. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. 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. No 3.5 aux port. The JBL Charge 5 and the Bose SoundLink Flex perform similarly. Email us and we'll compare notes. All your audio must be streamed from a Bluetooth device, most likely your phone. This should trigger a flashing light when it's in pairing mode and a solid blue light once it's paired. That doesnt mean the Charge 5 is perfect for everyone, of course. Dimensions: 10.87 x 4.12 x 8 . There's plenty of bass and midrange support, but without skimping on higher treble frequencies either. The app is also required for firmware updates to the Charge 5. The speaker ships in black, blue, camouflage, gray, red, and teal flavors. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. 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. 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. Moreover, it can connect with many devices like phones, tablets, PC, projectors, and many more. 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. . That said, the Harman can produce a slightly more extended low-bass than the JBL. The result is a basic but rugged portable Bluetooth speaker, and one that sounds good enough to contend with the best waterproof speakers. The JBL PRV-175 is a compact, affordable, . The JBL PartyBox 310 is a large battery-powered speaker with circular RGB lights. Whether I was using it inside or out, the Charge 5 provided robust sound quality with both ample volume and well-balanced frequency distribution. JBL also tweaked the shape and dimensions. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone. But other than that, the Charge 5 is single-minded in its purpose. But generally, the approach here seems to be the age-old, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" theory. It can also get a bit louder with less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. Fully waterproof and dustproof. Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. That said, the Xtreme 3 can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which sounds more immersive. The speaker has + and - buttons you can use to adjust the speaker's volume. When smartphones started removing the jack, some of them removed the DAC too, which converts the digital signals to analog signals. The Sonos Roam and the JBL Charge 5 are similar speakers, though they have different strengths. Don't forget about the Sonos Roam either. JBL is Americas sweetheart when it comes to waterproof Bluetooth speakers. 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 JBL Charge 5 and the Anker Soundcore Motion Boom are similar speakers. Depending on your preferences, you may prefer either the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 or the JBL Charge 5. JBL Flip 5 . Its soundstage performance is sub-par. The JBL's battery lasts longer than the Bose, though this can vary depending on your usage. When smartphones started removing the jack, some of them removed the DAC too, which converts the digital signals to analog signals. All rights reserved. The bass radiators do a great job of amping up the low end of your music. JBL says the Charge 5 is dust-resistant in addition to being water-resistant like the Charge 4; these are claims CR doesn't test. JBL Charge 5 SEE IT Punchy without being paunchy. Does the JBL Charge 5 have a long battery life? Taylor Swifts Mr. JBL Charge 5. You can charge any USB-equipped devicebe it a smartphone, tablet, game controller, or even some laptopsusing the Charge 5s pass-thru. Thats right, no fast charging here. It also has a power-saving feature that shuts the speaker off after it's left inactive for a while, which is nice. This speaker can withstand any rainstorm. The JBL Charge 5 is a better speaker than the JBL Charge 4. It's a portable Bluetooth speaker that's designed to bring your favorite tunes with you wherever you go. 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. While those features arent exactly standard, theyre available on the similarly priced Sonos Roam. 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. 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. Waterproof and dustproof, JBLs sweet-sounding portable speaker is ready to shine in any environment. It can also play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which sounds more immersive. Aux input for non-Bluetooth(R) devices, 1/4 in. On the road. The Marshall is smaller and offers a soundstage that can be perceived as open and spacious. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't great. once were able with improved sound quality measurements and performance plots. For an even smaller and more portable speaker, check out the JBL Flip 6 or the Marshall Willen. 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). We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. However, it's hard to notice the channel separation when passively listening due to the speaker's size. Sale. The JBL Portable app allows a user to tweak the equalization or alter the settings when the speaker is in PartyBoost mode. The JBL PartyBox 110 is the ultimate Bluetooth speaker to light up a backyard party. The 5200mAh (5.2Ah) integrated battery has a very respectable 2A input rating, although you'll need to use a charger that can output that current for the fastest charging speeds. Light rain or shower jets wont pose a threat in the slightest. However, the JBL offers a better-balanced sound profile out of the box and can produce a more extended low-bass. 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. The Bose offers a wider and more natural-sounding soundstage thanks to its 360-degree design. The sound you hear out of the box is the sound you get. Right now, you can get similar functionality, sound, and durability in JBLs standard speaker, the Flip 5, for around $80 less. Listeners who want something with an even louder output should look at the JBL Xtreme 3. New Toyota Aygo X from 15,975. It's ok for me to use Bluetooth from my phone to a speaker I but I was thinking of buying a Bluetooth speaker that can act as an external speaker also because the only time that I want to use an AUX cord is to play music from my laptop it is old and doesn't have Bluetooth so I was thinking of using an adapter since the Flip 5 doesn't have an AUX input. The biggest change is the JBL logo: its much bigger, sotheres no doubt who made this speaker. On the top, youll find buttons for power, Bluetooth and volume up/down. This means it cant double as a speaker for most desk monitors. Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. And the Megaboom 3 is a better all-around speaker, too, in terms of both sound and features. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono resulting in a more immersive soundstage. The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is a better speaker than the JBL Charge 5, though they have different strengths. 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. This, too, is more affordable than the Charge 5, despite offering Wi-Fi connectivity and voice assistant smarts. The JBL Charge 5 delivers a durable, intuitive design with all of its control buttons arranged neatly in a row on top. It also has a better-balanced sound profile than the Anker out of the box. This speaker can be used as a power bank to charge your devices via its USB-A port. The fabric covering the speaker will still get plenty wet, but once it dries everything will sound normal. The Charge 5 paired quickly with my phone. Dialogue is clearly reproduced, and relatively low latency means that you don't notice lip-synching issues. Copyright 2023 IDG Communications, Inc. It has decent directivity, meaning you can hear your audio clearly from most angles. We also recommend checking out the UE MEGABOOM 3. . It has an IP67 rating and sounds great, and if you want to integrate it into your Sonos ecosystem you can. They both offer neutral sound profiles and are well-built with IP67 ratings for dust and water resistance. It seems quite clear that the speaker (JBL Xtreme 2) contains a digital 'gate' which silences all audio below a certain loudness level. Regardless of where you are positioned around the speaker, it sounds pretty good, which makes it excellent for parties. touchscreen, nine JBL [jbl] speakers including subwoofer and amplifier, Android Auto [android_auto] & Apple CarPlay [carplay] & Amazon Alexa . Charge 5: larger in size and weight twice more than the Flip 5. The Flip 5 is nearly the same product, minus the pass-thru charging and boosted battery life, and youre paying a not-inconsiderable surcharge for those features. When hes not reviewing speakers, hes probably listening to one anyway. The speaker has an indicator light that glows white anytime its in use. I've tried a Xiaomi phone and any adapter (like the one you showed in the picture) can play the music because the Xiaomi phone already has the DAC. The Charge 5 is smaller and more portable than the Boombox 2. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Sure enough, I dunked the Charge 5 in a sinkful of water and it continued to play without problem. Our review unit came in Blueits a handsome tone, and the (huge) JBL branding on the front has a burnished look with a reddish drop shadow on the letters that almost looks like unfiltered 3D images. It features a long-excursion driver, a separate tweeter, and each side houses a passive bass radiator. That said, while the Charge 5 can connect to PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers, it can't connect to those with the Connect+ feature like its predecessor. This smart speaker is waterproof. 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 . Specs & Features. 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. Of course, it's a bit heavier and much more durable in construction. JBL Charge 4 is a portable Bluetooth speaker with a built-in power bank. This extends to your charging options, too. Depending on your use cases, its worth keeping in mind if you dont need the charging feature or dont think youll be away from a charging port for extended periods of time. In other words, it should be able to survive a trip to the beach or even a dunk in the pool. A great speaker, but not worth the upgrade if you already own the Charge 4. One of the lesser known facts: Speakerphone has completely vanished. It boasts marginal improvements, both sonically and aesthetically, over its predecessor, the five-star Charge 4. It has a slightly boomy sound profile suitable for a variety of music. WATERPROOF IP67 DUSTPROOF IP67. Theres no microphone, so it doesnt double as a speakerphone. This is also where the covered ports for the micro USB charging cable and 3.5mm aux input are located. The hefty battery life is a big part of what youre paying for. But I have to imagine that chain of connections also affects total battery life to some degree. 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. If the near-$200 price tag of the JBL Charge 5 scares you, wed recommend looking at the older JBL Charge 4. Download the JBL Portable app to access JBL PartyBoost and firmware updates. So not only are you getting a robust, dust-and-waterproof Bluetooth speaker, youre also essentially buying a portable battery pack. However, battery performance can vary depending on your usage, and your experience may differ. If you're looking for a speaker with a fantastic soundstage, check out the Sony SRS-RA3000. The JBL Charge 5 is the next generation of the JBL Charge 4. It also has better directivity, so you'll perceive its soundstage as more open and spacious than the Sony speaker. 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 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. It's smaller, making it a bit more portable. Compared to the Charge 4, you can alsoconnect it with other PartyBoost+ speakers to enjoy sound all throughout your room. 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 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. Its incredibly loud for its size and far easier to stuff in a backpack than other footlong outdoor speakers. *Shipped and delivered from Dubai within 3 3 to 5 working days. The JBL Charge 5 will set you back 160 and is available in a vast array of colours, including red, blue, white and great. It's a little pricey though, so anyone who already has an older JBL Charge speaker shouldn't feel the need to upgrade. On its rear, there's a USB-A port in a sealed compartment and a Type-C charging port. You can control this feature in its companion app. it still had of the full charge. We added you to the list. It's popular for its compact, simple, and high-quality design. If you want to futureproof yourself and get the new JBL Connect+, then this is the way to go for sure. 20 hours of playtime The fun doesn't have to stop. Verdict. We can tell you that it charges via USB-C and takes 4 hours to completely fill up. Description. The JBL Charge 5 is a better speaker than the JBL Clip 4 overall, though you may prefer one over the other depending on your listening habits. If Id had the Charge 5, I wouldnt have had to fret so much. Though there are no buttons to skip backward on the JBL Charge 5, it has pretty much all the other controls youd need. The PartyBoost button pairs two JBL speakers together in stereo mode or multiple speakers in party mode to spread the sound more widely. JBL has embraced a single-use philosophy for the Charge 5. 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. You can pair it to your devices via Bluetooth by pressing the dedicated Bluetooth button. It\\'s suitable for musicians as it has a mic and guitar input alongside bass, treble, and . The JBL Charge 5 is a great buy if you dont already have a previous iteration of JBLs Charge line. 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. TECH SPEC. Learn more. 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 . It wont interface with any of your smart home gear either. The JBL Charge 5 is a premium speaker that sounds great, has remarkably well designed controls, and boasts an iconic design. Lastly, there are horizontal dots at the bottom of the speaker that light up to indicate the speaker's battery level. 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+ . It's plenty loud, and maintains a balanced emphasis of bass, midtones, and trebles. It will take a bit to get everything fleshed out, but we will update this review (and many others!) This doesn't affect our editorial independence. If you want to sometimes use the Charge 5 by itself, set it as the secondary speaker. Also, it can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, resulting in a richer and fuller sound. I toted the Charge 5 on a trip to northeast Pennsylvania and enjoyed it in a spacious hotel room. The Charge 5has a more neutral sound profile, and longer battery life, though the latter can vary depending on your usage habits. While the Charge 5 has a more balanced sound profile, the Xtreme 2 can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. You can fully submerge it without issue and its lightweight enough to throw in your beach bag. Thanks to its portable design, you can carry it with you from room to room, which is great for longer episodes. The JBL Charge 5 pictured with a soda can for scale. The Charge 5s ability to charge up another device may earn it its namesake, but it wouldnt be worth much if it didnt sound good while doing it. 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. The back of the Charge 5 has a charging port for juicing up the speaker and another one for charging your smartphone. The JBL Charge 5 is a portable Bluetooth speaker similar to the JBL Charge 4. If I recall correctly, the standard and majority implementation is to not have a DAC onboard the phone and instead to use USB-C to transfer sound digitally to an external DAC. A subreddit dedicated to everything USB-C. Press J to jump to the feed. 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. Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Its sound profile is more customizable, thanks to the bass and treble adjustments featured on its companion app. Thanks to the PartyBoost feature, it can be paired with other compatible speakers for an even louder sound. 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. New York, So they do exist outside of the OEM accessories. For your use, I would get an amp and some bookshelf speakers, feel free to message me back about that. Cover your outdoor party with 160 watts of JBL's big pro-level sound. JBL's Charge 5 gets its name from its ability to charge USB-based devices like a smartphone while it plays music. 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. AUX-IN and charging port. The JBL Charge 4 can't deliver real sub-bass, but in the context of most songs it gets close enough to satisfy. 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. Do JBL Bluetooth speakers have aux input? The Boombox 2 can produce deeper bass and can get louder than the Charge 5. It also has a much longer battery life, though this can vary depending on your usage. The Sony SRS-XB33 is a slightly better speaker than JBL Charge 5. The JBL Boombox 2 is a better speaker than the JBL Charge 5. The Charge 5 provides warm, robust sound whether inside or out. 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. Personalize Now Specs & Downloads Item# JBLFLIP5GRENAMCSTM Description General Specifications If the Nano does not have bluetooth, the answer is still yes. If you dont already have an earlier model, however, the Charge 5 is a great choice. Youre getting the standard Bluetooth connectivity here (no Wi-Fi, etc.) However, the Sony can produce slightly deeper bass, and its battery life lasts almost three hours longer. When first booting up the Charge 5 and playing some music, I was seriously surprised by how loud it was. Now granted this only proves that units in demo/aux mode are confirmed to support it however A bit of research on the tube shows that JBL Speakers can be put into this mode via holding Play+Bluetooth while plugged into a computer via USB to in which the unit will accept PC audio via the USB-C Cable :O, Sourced from here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olkOpfYQi8Q&t=136s,. The Flip is one of JBL's most successful bluetooth products. That said, this performance is still impressive, and since battery life can vary depending on usage, your real-world experience may vary. + Easy, clear and uncomplicated JBL Charge 5 Guide . Karaoke function. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. The JBL Portable app is very good. 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. 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. So, if you do use the Charge 5 to power other devices, expect a reduction in play time. Do not expose the JBL Charge 5 to liquids without removing cable connection. The play button can also pause a track, or with a double click, advance to the next song. It also has fairly low latency with iOS and Android devices, making it suitable for watching movies and videos. The speaker is fairly small and is meant to be placed horizontally on its base. 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. On Black Pumass Fire, the horns came across bright and punchy, while the vocals were clear above the guitar and keyboards. CHARGING. If you come across any other variants of this speaker, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review. JBL's portable Charge 5 speaker delivers surprisingly powerful Bluetooth audio from a compact, waterproof frame, making it the ideal travel companion for going just about anywhere. The JBL is 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. It has a Bass Boost feature to add even more thump and punch, and you can customize its sound to your liking using the graphic EQ in its companion app. Its audio quality is really good for a Bluetooth speaker and Im impressed with its volume output. Yes, the CHARGE4 has similar problems, and sometimes, due to driver compatibility issues, the AUX does not work very well. The JBL Charge 5 is a better speaker than the Sony SRS-XE200, though they perform similarly. Beyond what the JBL Connect app offers is the Charge 5s power bank functionality. The JBL Flip 6s new, larger logo scuffs more easily than the Flip 5s small red badge. He also reviewed headphones, and has a background in music performance. The Marshall is smaller, making it more portable. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.soundguys.com/usb-audio-explained-18563/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olkOpfYQi8Q&t=136s. 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. Otherwise, there isn't much difference between this and the Charge 3 before it (though USB-C charging is definitely nice). Additionally, it has a longer-lasting battery life, though this can depend on your usage. 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. Music-synced Lightshows. It's also battery-powered, so you can take it outdoors with you without needing to connect it to an outlet.