A long time ago, the thought occurred to me, why don’t they combine speakers with portable batteries. After all, the idea is on the surface. However, we didn’t have to wait long and JBL made the dream come true in its JBL Charge gadget. Today we have in our hands the third version of this device, JBL Charge 3. It was shown last year at MWC, but it is still relevant today.
Specifications
- Sound: stereo
- Speaker power: 2×10 W
- Power: battery
- Frequency range: 65 - 20000 Hz
- Number of AC bands: 1
- Wide range speaker: 50 mm
- Working time: 20 h
- Inputs: linear (mini jack connector)
- Interfaces: Bluetooth, USB Type A (for charging)
- Features: waterproof housing
- Dimensions: 213x89x87 mm
Equipment
JBL Charge 3 is sold in a healthy box. To be honest, you won’t even immediately think what it is portable acoustics. However, the dimensions of the speaker itself are smaller than the box in which it comes.
As soon as you open it, you'll know this is a party gadget. Some kind of disco is depicted here, the speaker itself is not visible, it is hidden from view by a dense and thick piece of foam rubber. However, to hell with the preludes, let's look at the equipment.
As you can see, the set here is very modest, one might say, gentlemanly. Included with the speaker itself - there it is, on the left, mint color - is a power adapter (orange for some reason), a pair of adapters for different countries, including for Europe. And also a cable with a microUSB connector, which can be used to charge both the speaker and a smartphone, if you have such an interface, of course.
Appearance
JBL Charge 3 has several changes compared to the second version. Firstly, the sizes have become more significant. Secondly, a textile covering was added, this grille is actually fabric, not metal.
Previous versions were very scratched in a backpack, but this one is not afraid of such troubles. And thirdly, the buttons on the speaker have become more convex and are easy to find even by touch, in case you decide to listen to Led Zeppelin in complete darkness.
On the opposite side there is a very massive plug, under which the AUX, microUSB and USB connectors for charging the smartphone are hidden. And on the cover itself the name of the device is written. And this, by the way, is the only place where it is written. In addition, there is only a red JBL nameplate and a brand indication on the end-mounted passive speakers.
The secret of this plug is simple. It is needed to prevent water from getting inside. After all, this speaker is protected according to the IPX7 standard. This means that the gadget is not afraid of dust at all, and it can be immersed in water to a depth of 1 meter and for no more than 30 minutes.
No, seriously, you can just take the speaker with you when you go swimming in the river or sea. Of course, you don’t need to dive with it, and you won’t hear anything there. But throwing it on the mattress and sailing behind the buoys is a nice thing. There is no one around, only seagulls and fish, and you have the latest Gorillaz album playing, isn’t it wonderful?!
Possibilities
The main secret of JBL Charge 3 is hidden in the name. However, I have already spoken about him several times. In general, there is a 6000 mAh battery installed here, which can be used not only to power the speaker itself, but also to charge any external devices. Those that can be connected via USB, of course. The battery lasts for 20 hours of listening to music, but how long the device will charge the phone depends on the remaining charge and the connected gadget.
The sound is in perfect order here. Of course, HARMAN makes premium devices and the JBL brand is no exception. Frequency range in new version Charge became from 65 Hz to 20 kHz. In addition, Bluetooth has been updated to version 4.1, which allows you to save battery power and improve the quality of the transmitted sound.
It's hard to find fault with anything in this column. It is as simple as possible, but that is its advantage. What else do you need on vacation other than a charged phone and good music. There are no special settings, no unnecessary accessories. Column, wire and adapter. Turn it on, connect it and listen. It's beauty.
Results
9.3 Very comfortably
I love it when some ideas that are in the air are picked up by famous manufacturers and made into a convenient device (or service). JBL managed to make a multifunctional gadget that is really useful on the road or outdoors. Well, you always need charging, but the speaker will never be superfluous. It somewhat reminds me of a gadget for fishermen from the early 00s, which had a radio, a flashlight, a lighter and much more. Only Charge 3, of course, is relevant for current years. In general, the thing is very convenient. And it’s definitely worth the money (and the price of JBL Charge 3 is about 10 thousand rubles). Throw one of these in your car or backpack and you'll always have something to entertain your friends with.
Design 10
On the eve of the summer season, the JBL brand announced the youth ultra-compact speaker Go. According to the developer, this model is ideal for schoolchildren and students. If necessary, you can take it on a picnic, on a hike or to the beach. Well, the price of 2,000 rubles looks quite high for this category of consumers. Let's figure out whether JBL Go is worth attention and money?
This time our editorial team has one of the smallest speakers available on the market. We're talking about JBL Go. It's inexpensive bluetooth speaker with speakerphone. The target audience is young people. Actually, for this reason, there are already 8 body color options on sale: black, white, red, yellow, blue, light blue, orange and pink. I tested the most boring option - black.
First impressions. Dimensions and scope of delivery
id="sub0">Since JBL Go is one of the cheapest price category(in retail the speaker costs 1990 rubles), the packaging here is simple. This is a transparent plastic box in which the speaker is placed. Inside the cardboard cover you can find a charging cable that connects to the computer. The kit also includes instructions and a warranty card.
Contents of delivery:
- JBL Go
- USB cable for charging
- Documentation
In terms of size, the JBL Go is very compact. Dimensions are 68.3 x 82.7 x 30.8 mm, weight 130 grams. In terms of mobility, the performance is simply excellent. The gadget is so light that you can carry it with you all the time.
Appearance and controls
id="sub1">JBL Go has a minimalist appearance. The speaker is a kind of box, the body of which is made of rubberized plastic.
The top panel contains control buttons. There is a volume key, a power button, a call answer button, and a Bluetooth wireless pairing button. On the left side there is a recess with a partition for a strap. This will allow you to mount the speaker on the handlebars of a bicycle or somewhere else.
On right side JBL Go you can see connectors for charging micro-USB and connecting an audio cable, as well as a microphone. The front part is covered with a metal grille that protects the speaker and a small LED indicator.
Functionality
id="sub2">With this speaker you can listen to music by connecting it to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth; in addition, there is a 3.5mm jack.
I tested the column with Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, iPhone 5S, MacBook Pro 13. The gadget is quickly identified and starts playing music.
To start pairing, you need to press the Bluetooth button on the top of the speaker. Will happen sound signal. Next, you need to find the column in the list of available wireless devices and confirm the connection.
In addition, the speaker can be used to communicate on the phone by speakerphone. There is a built-in microphone here. The quality of voice transmission is not bad, but it cannot be called ideal. There is no noise cancellation, so the voice is not as good as it usually is during phone conversations. However, as an option it is a plus.
Sound quality
id="sub3">If speak about technical specifications, then JBL Go is capable of reproducing sound in the range of 180 Hz - 20 kHz. Signal to noise ratio - 80 dB.
The sound quality is good, but there is a lack of power that more advanced models have. This is especially noticeable at maximum volume. The volume itself is high, but the quality suffers. The column begins to wheeze and rattle. Once you turn down the volume a little, everything returns to normal.
Low frequencies are poorly transmitted. Apparently it's a matter of size. The compact and miniature model cannot convey the “bottoms”.
At the same time, I can’t say that JBL Go is bad. It is suitable for listening to music while cycling, it is nice to take it on a country trip or watch a movie on your tablet if the standard volume is not enough. It’s just that the range of uses of the gadget is limited.
Battery life
id="sub4">The manufacturer claims 5 hours of music listening time. In practice, I got something like 4.5-5 hours. This is a decent level for a speaker with such compact dimensions. In addition to the original cable included in the kit, you can use a USB cable for charging. It will take 2 hours to fully charge via microUSB. Indicators will tell you the charging level.
Results
id="sub5">For its audience, JBL Go is good. It is compact, well assembled, inexpensive, and has a built-in speakerphone. The sound, of course, is not ideal (no low frequencies), but as a hiking option, cycling, picnics it is 100% suitable.
Advantages
- Small size, compactness
- High quality build
- Bright appearance
- Built-in speakerphone
Flaws
- Flat sound
- Wheezing at maximum volume
On the day of publication of the test review, the JBL Go speaker could be purchased at a price of 1,990 rubles.
In the summer of 2016, JBL introduced an updated version of its popular Charge 3. Its characteristics are slightly different from the previous version, as well as some features. In today's review we will take a closer look this device, in order not only to refresh your memory, but also to talk about another important topic - how to distinguish an original column from a fake. Let's begin!
Description
JBL Charge 3 replaced the no less popular Charge 2 bell and immediately began to gain popularity. The main advantage of the new model was not only improved characteristics and a larger battery, but also the appearance of the IPX7 protocol, which allows you to take the speaker with you to the sea, pool or jacuzzi - it is not afraid of moisture and water. Now let's talk about everything in order.
Contents of delivery
The JBL Charge 3 speaker is sold in a small cardboard box with a pleasant matte finish. On the top of the package there is a large image of the speaker itself, which floats in water. The packaging also indicates the characteristics of the model and its main features.
Inside the box you can find the following kit:
- Charge 3.
- USB-microUSB cable for charging.
- Charger adapter.
- 3 additional wiki attachments for the power adapter for the desired outlet.
- Instructions.
- Quick user guide.
- Warranty card.
Compared with previous version, there is no branded case here, but, in principle, it is not needed, since now there is complete moisture protection. As for the equipment, I would like to thank the manufacturer for the additional plugs for the required socket. Not every manufacturer offers something like this.
Design and appearance
JBL Charge 3 looks very interesting and recognizable. The traditional “barrel” shape has been preserved, as well as big choice colors for every taste. The material from which the speaker body is made is a dense rubberized fabric that slightly resembles a metal mesh. It is this fabric that prevents water from penetrating inside the device. In addition to fabric, soft-touch plastic is also used here, from which the side edges are made.
There is a corporate logo on the front of the device, and a charge level indicator is located closer to the bottom. The controls are on the top: Bluetooth button, volume down, power on, JBL Connect, volume up and start/pause. Only 2 central buttons are backlit.
At the back of the speaker there is a rubber plug, behind which a 3.5 mm, USB and microUSB connector is hidden. At both ends of the Charge 3 there are passive radiators of silver color with iridescence. They also have the brand logo.
Characteristics of JBL Charge 3
JBL Charge 3 has a pair of built-in 10 W speakers, for a total of 20 W - not bad. frequency range the speaker is quite wide, and even wired computer speakers may envy it - 65-20,000 Hz. Among the differences from the previous model, it is worth noting the appearance of more powerful battery, which added a little weight, but now the speaker can play up to 20 hours from a full charge without any problems.
The proprietary JBL Connect function allows you to combine several speakers into one, i.e. you can easily take 3-4 JBL speakers with support for the JBL Connect function, and they will play as one system. The effect is very cool and difficult to describe in words. In addition, Charge 3 supports simultaneous connection of up to 3 control devices, and it does not matter whether it is a smartphone or a laptop. Thus, the company solved a popular problem when at parties or in some other situation only 1 person controlled the music.
As for moisture protection, it allows you to immerse the speaker in water to a depth of 1 meter for no more than 30 minutes. But this only applies to diving - you can swim with the speaker all day long.
In general, the characteristics of the JBL Charge 3 are better than those of the previous model, which is good news.
Sound quality
The sound quality of the JBL Charge 3 is the highest level. This is not the first time the company has confirmed that it really specializes in audio equipment. There are no complaints here. The bass is excellent, the mids are very audible, high frequencies also leaves no questions. At all, this model can be safely set as a standard among portable acoustics. A lot of manufacturers should pay attention to how JBL makes their devices.
There is also a volume reserve, and it is very decent. According to general feelings, the maximum volume is enough to easily fill a room of 35-40 square meters with sound. What’s also important is that when the volume level increases, the sound quality does not drop, and no distortion or rattling appears.
Appearance
JBL Charge 2 has a cylindrical shape, which is familiar to us from the first model. It is worth noting that new column somewhat longer and wider.
Now it has 2 full-fledged bass speakers, which are visible on the sides of the device.
At the front there are mid- and high-frequency speakers, which are hidden under a metal mesh.
Additional column control buttons appeared on top, which were not present in the previous generation.
All connectors are now located at the rear. These include a micro-USB connector, a 3.5 mm jack and a USB connector.
If we talk about the quality of plastic, then it is at its best! It is immediately clear that the designers and engineers tried to create a truly high-quality device.
Absolutely all plastic parts have a rubberized surface.
The buttons are protected from moisture, which makes it possible to operate the device outdoors or, for example, in the bathroom.
In terms of weight, JBL Charge 2 exceeds the column of the first series. Apparently this is due to the reinforced built-in battery.
Principle of operation
Let's take a look at how this thing works. For this we need a speaker and a sound source. This source can be any device that supports Bluetooth or has a headphone output. The most standard option is a smartphone. The “Bluetooth” button on the speaker must be turned on. The column becomes available to all devices. The smartphone must be connected to the JBL Charhe 2 device.
After successful pairing, all devices are ready to use. Now all sounds will be transmitted to the speaker.
Functional
In addition to playing sound, JBL charger 2 is capable of charging other devices via a USB socket. Hence the name “Charge” - charge. Thanks to capacious battery 10000 mAh, the speaker can produce sound and charge the device at the same time.
In technical terms, the difference between the first and second models, in addition to size and appearance, is a whole set of new features. Among the main ones we can highlight receiving a phone call directly from the speaker, i.e. Hands-Free. Plus, in addition to volume control, you can now pause music. Also, it became possible to connect to three devices at once.
Autonomy
There are no complaints about autonomy. Thanks again for powerful battery. JBL Charge 2 works quietly for 8-10 hours at medium volume. The supplied charger is used for charging. Charger at 2.4 A.
Conclusion
After using the speaker for a long time, I had an ambivalent impression. On the one hand, you are holding in your hands a high-quality thing that makes a great sound. But on the other hand, there is one big drawback to this sound. Dear readers, look carefully at the production date of the speaker, it is indicated on the box! The fact is that when playing bass, the sound begins to wheeze a lot. All speakers in 2014 will be defective!
Agree, it will be very disappointing to hear the wheezing of the speakers when buying such an expensive thing. Therefore, it is worth looking carefully at the date. In the new 2015, this problem was solved, so take devices released since 2015!
The device I'm reviewing was released in 2014 and it wheezes. There is a lot of information on the Internet about this problem. And if you encounter this defect, then you should contact service center, where everything will be fixed for free.
In conclusion, I would like to add that despite this controversial drawback, I was delighted with the JBL Charge 2. I have never heard better quality portable sound.
Half of summer has already passed, but the holiday season is just gaining momentum. It's time to think about not parting with your favorite music anywhere. Miniature will help with this JBL GO speaker. Portable sound everywhere: on the beach, while fishing, and just when riding a bike. Let's figure out what else interesting JBL is offering this time.
The speaker's equipment is simple, as is the functionality of the device itself. Inside the transparent packaging, the future owner will find a bright orange Micro USB cable and accompanying documentation. That's all.
It would be nice if the manufacturer also included some brightly colored cord in the package for attaching the speaker to a backpack or jeans. Approximately what the reader can see in the introductory image to this review. This would be a completely logical step, given that we are dealing with a very portable device, and the name itself speaks of the adventurous nature of the gadget.
Design
The entire range of colors that JBL uses in its latest products is clearly aimed at a youth audience. Indeed, the colors of the speakers are bright, stylish and toy-like. A bee-bee mood is also present in the design of the hero of today’s article. JBL GO is found in nature in blue colors, as well as black, gray, orange, pink, red, turquoise and yellow color. Only the white tint has disappeared somewhere, but, of course, you can live without it and, moreover, very well.
The device control buttons are placed on the top surface and are flush with the body. They flex slightly when pressed and have excellent response.
On the right wall there is a Micro USB connector for charging the device, a microphone hole and a 3.5 mm audio input. It is also strange that the gadget is not equipped with a cable with a mini-jack on both ends for a wired connection of the speaker to the sound source. As a result, the user must purchase such a wire, which, by the way, is an additional hassle. Oh no no no!
On the left side there is an impressive size loop for attaching a lanyard for carrying the speaker. It is recessed into the body, each corner of which, by the way, is straight and not smoothed out in any way.
Now the trend is slightly rounded corners in all places where it can be applied. However, in the case of JBL GO, this design approach that breaks this rule looks very organic. In your hands, the speaker feels like a brick, and coupled with the Soft-Touch surface, you get real pleasure from using the gadget. There is no cheap gloss or plastic angled to resemble specially processed metal, as is found in cheap Chinese crafts.
Everything is stylish, high quality, but at the same time frivolous and relaxed.
Below on the surface are pushed aside various, uninteresting Technical information regarding the product. It does not stand out from the general outline of its appearance.
On the front side we see a metal mesh covering the speaker.
JBL GO Specifications
- Bluetooth 4.1
- supported profiles: A2DP v. 1.2, AVRCP v. 1.4, HFP v. 1.6, HSP v. 1.2
- Bluetooth transmitter power 0 - 4 dB/mW
- frequency range of signal transmission 2 402 - 2480 Hz
- driver (1) 40 mm
- rated power 3 W
- operating frequency range 180 - 20,000 Hz
- signal-to-noise ratio 80 dB
- battery (li-ion) 600 mAh
- connectors, Micro USB, 3.5 mm
- Dimensions 82.7 x 68.3 x 30.8 mm
- weight 130 g
Connection and operating nuances
The gadget is connected in two ways: via Bluetooth or via a regular 3.5 cable at both ends. The operating time from the built-in battery in such cases does not differ much from each other, so it makes no sense to try to save power by connecting the device via wire. Still, the data transmission version is 4.1, which means very low power consumption.
The process of connecting the speaker to a new sound source (smartphone, tablet, computer, etc.) is very quick and simple. No dancing in the tambourine: I turned on the visibility mode on both devices (press the Bluetooth key on the speaker once) and after 10-15 seconds the connection will be established.
During operation, no communication errors or random breaks were noticed. Keep the sound source nearby (up to about 5 meters), do not create obstacles in the signal path (walls, other wireless connections) and everything will be fine.
If the speaker starts to turn off periodically and you have to turn it on again, then most likely this means that the built-in battery will quickly discharge. By the way, this is also accompanied by a flashing red LED under the metal mesh of the speaker on the front side. During playback mode, the indicator lights up solid blue.
Acoustics can also act as a Handsfree device. The subscriber's speech is heard from the main and only speaker, and the built-in microphone with noise reduction function is designed to capture the voice of the owner of the speaker. The microphone perfectly picks up voices at a distance of up to 30 centimeters. You can communicate at a greater distance from the speaker, but the caller will hear the voice worse.
By the way, the gadget is connected to only one sound source. Connecting to two or more devices at the same time is not what JBL GO does.
Sound quality
The 40mm speaker produces an audio output of 3W. This is quite enough to inform the entire street about your presence if the speaker is with you on a walk or while riding a bicycle. In addition, sound can fill an entire apartment (not even a room) with a footage ranging from 120 to 150 meters. I can’t vouch for larger rooms, I haven’t tried them.
It’s gratifying that at maximum volume there are no wheezing, whistling, etc. extraneous noise from the significant voltage of the converter.
The speaker is quite good for listening to simple and medium-complex styles of music.
Hard rock, metal or dubstep are not worth listening to. Of course, you won’t be able to hear all the juice of such compositions. In general, this is typical for any device classified as portable.
If you install the speaker on some flat, resonating surface (wooden shelf, parquet, etc.), you can hear something like this low frequencies. Of course, you won’t be able to extract normal bass, but the JBL GO can still boom a little.
Autonomous operation
The manufacturer claims 1.5 hours of charging the device and 5 hours of continuous music playback. In what mode and with what settings is not specified. Perhaps it is worth supplementing this information with real review about JBL GO.
At the maximum volume, connected to the sound source (iMac 27’’) via Bluetooth, the speaker lasted 2 hours 38 minutes. Then the constant interruptions in the wireless connection began, which I already mentioned above. Probably, for some time it would be able to reproduce sound through the cable, but in this case you shouldn’t count on any serious time for playing music. We put the speaker on charge and wait 1 hour 39 minutes - the time that the gadget needs to charge the built-in battery 100%. I charged using the included cable from the USB connector of a desktop computer. If used network block power supply with a current of about 2A, the charging speed is expected to increase.
If you set the volume to the average value, you can count on an autonomy indicator close to that declared by the manufacturer.
Bottom line
Now JBL GO can be bought for 1,990 rubles. The price is clearly slightly higher than the average amount that is usually paid for such gadgets. However, there are devices on the market that are both significantly cheaper than our acoustics (Chinese noname crafts) and things that are many times more expensive (products from Dr. Dre and other brands). The owner of JBL GO receives a bright design and a recognizable name on the case speaker system. From the point of view of sound quality and volume, our system still does not provide any obvious advantages.
Typically, such devices are purchased as a gift. And what? It looks stylish, is relatively inexpensive, the brand is famous, it sounds good, and it will still come in handy on the farm someday.
On the other hand, you can purchase a speaker for yourself. Just recently I saw a man aged 60+ riding a bicycle on the street, who had a small portable acoustic system attached to his frame. The music plays, and the cyclist calmly goes about his business. And you know, this picture is inspiring. An eco-friendly, free commute in good weather can be further enhanced by your favorite music. And then people turn around, smile and nod their heads respectfully.
Already on sale Price: 1,990 rubles
Loading...
