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JBL Charge 5
JBL Charge 5
JBL Charge 5
JBL Charge 5
JBL Charge 5
JBL Charge 5
JBL Charge 5
JBL Charge 5
JBL Charge 5
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Specs / Features


Wireless
Wireless Inputs Bluetooth
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile)
Warranty (Months) 12 months
Release date 31-March-2020
Size
Weight N/A
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Reviews summary section

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

The JBL Charge 5 is an excellent addition to this line of speakers, and it takes the portability of a Bluetooth speaker to the max. It’s water-resistant, which means trips to the beach or morning dew on a camping trip won't render it useless.If that’s not enough, it can also double as a charging dock when you don’t have anywhere to charge your phone. The speaker does get loud, but reviewers warn that it’s not without distortion at max volume.

What's good

  • Works as a charging dock
  • Great battery life
  • Bass-forward sound
  • Plenty of volume
  • Water Resistant

What's bad

  • No mic
  • The speaker's app has no EQ

The JBL Charge 5 is a Bluetooth speaker that means business. It’s louder, it has more bass than its predecessors, but does it have the rest of what it takes to make it a Bluetooth speaker you can count on?

Design & Materials

The speaker is a bit chunkier in the middle and shorter in length than the other speakers in its line. It still has a mesh covering and comes in several different color schemes.

There’s a power button, volume buttons, and a play button that pauses the song with one click while two clicks move to the next track.

It’s also waterproof, which excited reviewers.

Sound

Reviewers stated that the sound on the JBL Charge 5 was louder and filled with more bass than the other speakers of its kind. The audio is clear and crisp, with an enhanced low-end response. It can get loud.

However, if you’re looking for a more natural sound, the JBL Charge 5 will probably feel overprocessed and overly bassy for you.

Still, a good DAC or equalizer can help account for these personal preferences in most cases—unfortunately, the app for the speaker includes neither.

Wireless Performance

The speaker paired quickly with the reviewer's phones and had no trouble keeping that connection from a good 50-foot distance, through walls, no less.

The JBL Charge 5 can also sync with other JBL speakers, except for the JBL Charge 4, to offer true stereo output and make the audio more spatially open and immersive.

Battery Life

The JBL Charge 5 is said to have about 20 hours of battery life, and that was accurate, according to reviewers. They saw at least 15 hours of use at a reasonable volume.

The other part to consider is whether or not you are using the speaker as an external battery pack. While it can help top off your other devices with a compatible cable, it will do so at the cost of its own battery life.

Other Features

The JBL Charge 5 is also water-resistant, allowing you to take it virtually anywhere, on the beach, hiking, etc.

The Takeaway

The JBL Charge 5 is an excellent addition to this line of speakers, and it takes the portability of a Bluetooth speaker to the max. It’s water-resistant, which means trips to the beach or morning dew on a camping trip won't render it useless.

If that’s not enough, it can also double as a charging dock when you don’t have anywhere to charge your phone. The speaker does get loud, but reviewers warn that it’s not without distortion at max volume.

Tech Radar says, “The JBL Charge 5 is an iteration on a winning formula. The Charge series of speakers is known for balanced sound, high volume, and long battery life, and that hasn’t changed in this fifth generation. However, the Charge 5 improves on just about every aspect of what made it great, making it an easy recommendation for those looking for big, balanced sound with all-day battery life.”

Sound Guys state, “Whether your season is full of trips to the beach or backyard parties, you'll need just the right speaker to DJ these events. The JBL Charge 5 gets the job done if you need something that's very loud, and quite portable. It's a little pricey though, so anyone who already has an older JBL Charge speaker shouldn't feel the need to upgrade.”


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