JBL Charge 4 review: Multi-speaker pairing Neither could be considered essential features but it stings that the Charge 4 isn’t quite as versatile as the model that came before it. Voice assistant support and the ability to use the speaker as a speakerphone for calls – both features present with the Charge 3 – have both been removed. Like the Charge 3, the Charge 4 handles higher volumes very well, with no distortion as you push it to its limit. Pop it in the corner of your living room, turn up the volume and you’ll find the Charge 4 more than capable of filling the space. Mid-range – which we said felt cold on the Charge 3 – is reproduced with clarity and detail and there’s a measured thump to the bass.Īudio is well-balanced and, for a speaker of its size, the Charge 4 pumps out a striking amount of sound. Moving to a single-channel doesn’t hamper the overall sonic experience, however.
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Whereas the Charge 3 utilised two drivers to create stereo sound, the Charge 4 delivers a mono experience via a single driver capable of outputting 30W RMS. Perhaps the biggest change comes in the audio department. Battery life has seen no change, either, with the Charge 4 offering up to 20 hours of audio playback at “moderate” volume.
There’s an AUX-in port and a USB-A port, which enables the Charge 4 to double up as a power bank that can top up your other devices. In what is a very welcome move, the micro USB port used to charge the Charge 3’s battery has been replaced with USB-C otherwise, though, the connection options remain unchanged. The base and flap that protect the speaker’s connection ports are also rubberised, making the Charge 4 cut out for any outdoors adventure. It’s well guarded against bumps and knocks, too, with tough fabric covering the majority of its exterior and rubber bumpers around the passive radiators at either end. Like its predecessor, the Charge 4 offers IPX7 waterproofing so can be submerged in water up to a depth of one metre for half an hour.
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There's no strap or handle like you'll find on some of JBL's larger offerings but it's not needed, the Charge 4 can be picked up and carried in one hand easily enough or simply slung in a bag.īest Bluetooth speaker 2021: Portable, waterproof and rugged audio devices for every occasion It now weighs 965g – 165g more than the third-gen model – but this makes no practical difference to the speaker’s portability.
Though still cylindrical, the latest model is larger, with its dimensions having been increased marginally across the board. The Charge 4 may look almost identical to the Charge 3 we reviewed in 2018 but JBL has made a number of tweaks to the speaker’s design and features. JBL Charge 4 review: How does it compare to the Charge 3? However, you’ll find most, if not all, colours available on Amazon, too, with prices starting at £109. The other colour variants - grey stone, midnight black, steel white and ocean blue, mustard yellow, forest green, fiesta red and two camo options – were all listed at their retail price of £160. At the time of writing, the dusty pink model was available on the JBL UK website for £114, with the river teal and desert sand versions priced at £115.
The price you’ll pay for the JBL Charge 4 is determined by which colour you’re after. JBL Charge 4 review: How much does it cost? The fourth-generation model excels in all three of those areas, although the removal of a couple of useful features takes a little shine off an otherwise excellent product. Positioned between them is the Charge range, which strikes a keen balance between performance, price and portability. Its Go and Clip ranges cater for those wanting ultraportable audio, while the Xtreme 2 and Boombox 2 offer far weightier sonic experiences. JBL has been manufacturing audio products for over 70 years and its current lineup includes Bluetooth speakers for just about every occasion.