And that is indeed true for the Charge 3 and 4. There’s an unusual consistency of substance and texture throughout the mids and treble, and better than average clarity to the midrange. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. The most advanced feature is the one you are least likely to use. The JBL Charge 4 can’t deliver real sub-bass, but in the context of most songs it gets close enough to satisfy. Please refresh the page and try again. The Charge 4 has the playback buttons up top with the power and Bluetooth pairing buttons lit up. Connect+ lets up to 100 JBL speakers hook up to play the same song. It cleaned up the sound of its big Bluetooth speaker with the excellent JBL Xtreme 2, and has now done the same for the Charge range. While that obviously isn’t a huge deal, it’s not good news if you were relying on the portability of the speaker. But as time went by the Charge 3 began to rise in price for some reason, which in turn made me realize it didn’t make sense to recommend it over the newer one when you weren’t going to be saving much money anyway. Thanks to its lightweight build and carrying strap, it's easy to take with you on-the-go. https://www.gadgetreview.com/jbl-jblcharge3blkam-waterproof-portable-bluetooth-review the Charge 4 doesn’t get much louder than the Flip 5. Music supplied via phone apps for SXM, Pandora, etc.? USB-C charging There was a problem. If you can’t tell you yet, the JBL Charge 4 isn’t too different than the previous model. JBL has had a spring clean of its audio range – and that’s good news for those who really value sound quality. Whereas the JBL Charge 3 has two small active drivers, the Charge 4 has a larger single oval-shape driver. JBL Charge Portable Wireless Speaker Review. But if you liked the way the last Charge 3 sounded, you’ll like this one too. I won't be able to tell you how much better the Charge 5 sounds than the Charge 4 or Flip 5 until I … However, that doesn't mean you can't do so; in fact, one of Lily's favorite speakers to use in the apartment is the portable Bose SoundLink Micro. It’s a mid-size portable speaker with styling similar to that of the Boom range from Ultimate Ears. You should be able to throw this in a backpack with no problem. The Charge 4 has the same claimed battery life as the Charge 3, at 20 hours. In the hopes of future-proofing this part of the review for whenever you might be reading this, I’m going to say that the JBL Charge 4 is only worth the money if you can’t find a Charge 3 at a decent price (sub-$100) online or in stores. The bass is solid, it does not rock the house, but I definitely incredible for a portable speaker. It’s an iteration on an iteration, but connectivity is where things to start to split. JBL Charge 4 reviews, pros and cons, Amazon price history. This speaker isn't specifically billed as an at-home speaker since portability is one of its main features. Just like the previous model, the new JBL Charge 4 has a strong low end for its size which is no doubt helped by those passive radiators. That will take a hit though if you decide to also charge your devices via the USB-A output on the back. The sound signature and quality of the JBL Charge 4 is nearly identical to the JBL Charge 3. Great sound plus rugged design and handy features equals a top Bluetooth speaker. If you’re looking for an alternative, check out the Sony SRS-XB32. If you want to buy a refurbished speaker, you can check JBL's website, and it's common for Amazon to put JBL's products on sale. These aren’t fragile speaker cones, but much tougher resonating structures that can withstand a bit of rough treatment from the hands of unruly kids or clumsy adults. Yes, the tough waterproof fabric makes a comeback along with the IPX7 certification that lets you submerge it for up to 30 minutes in a meter of water. It’s also got an IP67 rating. This means you can use it at a higher volume without sacrificing longevity so much. By the way, unlike this situation, nothing significant was changed in Marshall Kilburn vs Marshall Kilburn IIdesign, but one can still feel the difference between their visuals. It also has an exceptionally long battery life, lasting almost fifteen hours on a single charge. Many details have changed in the new series of Charge and Flip since last models, but not in the design’s field. But at high volume, the strain starts to show a little. The bottom is a small built-in stand with five tiny LED lights that let you know how much battery life is left when you tap the power button, and around back is a rubber flap that keeps all of the ports protected from water. If you’re a lover of the high end you don’t have to worry because nothing sounds harsh and I didn’t hear any distortion at high volumes either. Well, they do have a signature design of JBL speakers. JBL Charge 4. The JBL Charge 4 is retailing for around a hundred and twenty dollars currently and it comes in 10 different colors. That’s an excellent characteristic to help render vocals lines realistically, and project them properly in the mix. Editor’s note: Sara tested a JBL Flip 4’s IPX7 rating by submerging it in a pool for about 10 seconds, and it came out broken. JBL went with a single driver over dual-drivers this time around, but besides a few minor complaints, I don’t think many people who buy this speaker are going to notice. The low-end is tasteful, not notably hyped, but with plenty of power and depth. Besides that, the Charge 4 still keeps most of the features that made the Charge 3 so great. Best price for JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth Speaker in India is sourced from trusted online stores like Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal & Tatacliq. It features a rugged design, IPX7 waterproof rated exterior and comes in a suite of cool colors. Compared to its previous version, there are only a few changes in its looks and in its sound quality. The playback controls work great and the buttons are nice and clicky, though I do wish the buttons were made of white plastic or were all lit up like the power button, as it’s hard to see which one is which when it’s dark. COPYRIGHT © 2021 SoundGuys, All Rights Reserved. Long battery life At 8.7 x 3.8 x 3.7 inches, it’s slightly shorter and a little plumper in the middle than the Charge 4. After it does this the speaker should power down automatically. Power the speaker back on. If you can’t tell yet, the JBL Charge 4 isn’t too different than the previous model. The newest in the line-up is the JBL Charge 4 speaker, but how well has it held up since the initial release? Good build NSW 2059. JBL did a thorough overhaul of the design of one of it’s most popular portable speakers when it upgraded from the But it would be wrong to call this a bass-light speaker. JBL Charge 4 Speaker. If you’re hiking, an ounce in the morning is a pound by the evening. The JBL Flip 4 is a small Bluetooth speaker with excellent water resistance and a frame willing to put up with plenty of abuse. You’ll definitely want to make sure this is closed if you’re going to be taking this to the beach or rocking out poolside. https://www.selectoguru.com/us/reviews/jbl-charge-4-vs-xtreme-2 It should enter pairing mode automatically so that you can locate it in your Bluetooth settings. Posted on February 23, 2021 February 23, 2021 Author Aruna Categories Compare Speakers Overall, it seems like JBL just focused on tuning the speaker to sound as close as possible to the Charge 3, and it’s impressive how close they got considering the move to only one driver. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for JBL Charge 4 Portable Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with up to 20 Hours of Battery Life - Black at Amazon.com. The significantly larger JBL Extreme 3 ($350) is the step-up model from the Charge 5. It has an IPX7 rating for water resistance, although we don't currently test for this. JBL's Charge sells itself as a portable wireless stereo speaker with impressive gadget-charging capabilities all rolled into one attractive and compact device. The JBL Charge 4 can’t deliver real sub-bass, but in the context of most songs it gets close enough to satisfy. It isn’t necessarily better, but does show JBL has put much more thought and effort into this update than you might assume from its exterior. It also floats for a bit if you do drop it in the water so you don’t have to worry about losing it if it falls off of a boat or a deck. “Take Charge 4 to the beach or the pool without worrying about spills or even submersion in water,” it says. The new Charge 4 is slightly bigger by roughly a centimeter in every way, but it’s also heavier by 165 grams (7.05 ounces). Or perhaps it’s the other way round. This was especially true in the song Lost on You by LP, where the vocals sounded like they were in competition with the strings and background melodies throughout the chorus. The JBL Charge is one of the more popular series of Bluetooth speakers on the market – with the Charge 4 being the latest installment. JBL customer support stated that the one year warranty had passed, and defective products out of warranty could not be replaced for free. There’s no wi-fi, no native support for digital smart assistants or proper multi-room functionality. You’ll also find a 3.5mm input and a USB Type-C input on the back, but the Type-C can only be used for charging. JBL also upgraded the battery from 6000mAh on the Charge 3 to around 7500mAh on the Charge 4. Otherwise, there isn't much difference between this and the Charge 3 before it (though USB-C charging is definitely nice). However, battery capacity has actually been substantially increased, from 6000mAh to 7500mAh. Another option we'd recommend looking into is soundbars, especially if you're planning to put a TV in your lounge. Editor’s note: This review was updated on April 21, 2021, to update pricing and formatting. For the average person, I doubt it matters much. Visit our corporate site. The JBL Charge 4’s single forward-facing active driver also makes sure there’s a definite, if acceptably wide, listening sweet spot. The JBL Charge 3 was an awesome Bluetooth speaker that won praise from online publications and received thousands of 5-star reviews… Again it comes at the expense of the size, or at least shape, of the bass, but this too is largely deliberate. Personally, I never want a mic on my speaker and always ended up fumbling to disconnect my phone every time I got a phone call, so this is actually a positive thing for me but I can see how that can be a deal-breaker for some. No microphone for phone calls. There’s a chunky rubber foot on the bottom and the front and back are covered with a rugged, water-resistant fabric. It may make a good marketing video, but won’t be of much use unless you can get your hands on multiple JBL speakers. During our testing, we managed to get the Charge 4 to pump out music for 13 hours and 46 minutes straight. JBL has options at basically every price point, but for the price one of their best speakers has always been the Charge series. Like the last generation, you can also use the JBL Charge 4 to charge your phone or tablet – in fact anything that will charge over USB from a 5V supply. The good news is that it doesn’t matter. If you happen to have a mansion, this would be a cool party trick. Go into the Bluetooth settings of your source device and delete the Charge 4 from your paired devices. JBL Charge 4 Speaker review: Bigger, Better. You have to use the USB-A port for everything charging related. Vocals were still discernible, but they sounded like they were taking the backseat to some of the instrumentation of the song. JBL Connect+ is a better version of the older JBL Connect, and lets you connect up to 100 JBL speakers together instead of one or two. Compared to JBL charge 3 and JBL Flip 4, the texture and substance help out on the vocal lines, but the power and depth are really not bombastic. The Good The JBL Charge is a compact portable Bluetooth speaker that sounds very good for its size and is designed to be used horizontally or vertically. But unlike the UE Boom 3, this speaker sits on its side, rather than upright. You will receive a verification email shortly. is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Would two paired JBL Charge 4's be an acceptable stereo wireless speaker option for a one car garage converting to a man cave. The sound won't be as big and powerful as, say, bookshelf speakers because of the sheer size difference, but it should be fine for casual listening. Considering JBL is a company whose big selling point is their waterproofing, this was disappointing. Check JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth Speaker specifications, ratings, reviews … JBL’s Charge 3 is a USB phone charger with a Bluetooth speaker built in. Honestly, that’s beyond the point because what really matters is what’s happening between JBL Flip 5 v… It’s not really the equivalent of a Sonos system, but if you’re having a party it could definitely get the job done. © The biggest difference is only useful to 0.1% of people. A handy white LED indicator on the front shows the battery level. To do that just follow these steps: On the stand there are tiny LED lights that let you know how much juice you have left. IPX7 water resistance means the Charge 4 can handle being submerged in water to a depth of 1.5m. That said, it shouldn’t really make a practical difference in everyday activities. Future Publishing Australia ABN: 96 734 906 323 | PO Box 1077, Mount St, We expect all next generation technology to get smaller, faster, lighter – it’s the smartphone effect. But in the case of the just launched Charge 4 Bluetooth speaker it’s quite the opposite. So if you and a few friends are going to splurge on 100 of these and throw a “Project X” style party, this could be a feature that you might be interested in. It’s an iteration on an iteration, but connectivity is where things to start to split. 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. If you want to futureproof yourself and get the new JBL Connect+, then this is the way to go for sure. Sign up below to get the latest from What Hi-Fi?, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox! The speaker still produced sound, but the sound was shrouded by a loud crackling. The differences between the two are minor, and if you can save cash by going with the older model than by all means go for it. If you’re in the market for a Bluetooth speaker, one brand tends to come up more often than others. If you use the Charge 4 in a barn, yard, or garage: the sound will drop a little bass emphasis and sound a little more pleasing to you.