JBL Charge 4 Review

JBL is a famous American audio brand that was founded in 1946. It has a long history of technical experience and its product line covers a wide range of use scenarios, including cinemas, recording studios, and cars. However, despite the technical emphasis of its products, many consumers still prefer to choose big brands when making their purchases.

In order to appeal to a wider audience, JBL has also developed a number of civilian-grade speaker products that are designed to keep up with the times. These products offer the same high-quality sound as their more technical counterparts but are more accessible and affordable for the average consumer.

Overall, JBL’s combination of technical expertise and consumer-friendly products make it a trusted and respected brand in the audio industry.

JBL has a diverse range of speaker products for sale, with each one designed to suit different occasions and functions. Its Bluetooth speaker product line is particularly rich, with a wide variety of options to choose from. While this wide choice can be a benefit to consumers, it also means that products that are not popular are quickly eliminated from the market.

One such product that has managed to stand the test of time is the JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth speaker. This speaker, which is already in its fourth generation, has proven to be a popular choice among consumers. But what is it about the Charge 4 that has allowed it to remain popular all the way through to its fourth generation?

One key feature of the Charge 4 is its versatility. It is designed to be used in a variety of different settings, including indoor and outdoor events, and it is durable enough to withstand rough handling. Additionally, the Charge 4 has a long battery life, allowing it to play music for hours on end without needing to be recharged.

The speaker also has a number of convenient features, such as a built-in power bank for charging devices, and the ability to connect to other Charge 4 speakers for an even bigger sound.

Overall, the Charge 4’s combination of versatility, durability, and convenient features has made it a popular choice among consumers and has helped it to remain successful all the way through to its fourth generation.

Design

The JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth speaker has a cylinder design, which is a common style on the market and is used consistently in the Charge series. The cylindrical design has several benefits. Firstly, it breaks away from the traditional, dull image of square speakers and provides a more dynamic appearance. Secondly, it is more convenient to carry, allowing users to enjoy music anytime and anywhere.

At 220 × 95 × 95mm, the JBL Charge 4 wireless speaker is indeed easy to carry. It can easily fit into a backpack and be taken out and played wherever the user goes. The speaker has Bluetooth capabilities, allowing users to play music with just a few simple steps. The Charge 4 also has excellent sound quality, making it a pleasure to listen to.

In addition to its convenient size, the Charge 4 also has a number of color schemes to choose from. There are 10 different options available, giving consumers the ability to choose the one that best fits their personal style and preferences. This attention to detail and customization is in line with the current trend of consumers demanding a wide range of color options for their digital products.

The JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth speaker has an IPX7 rating, which means that it is water-resistant and can withstand being splashed or even accidentally dropped in water. This makes it an ideal choice for use at beach or pool parties, where it can continue to work without fear of damage.

To achieve its IPX7 rating, the JBL Charge 4 has been designed with both tight sealing and the use of water-resistant materials. The entire case of the Charge 4 is wrapped in fine fiber material, which effectively repels larger water droplets. Even if there are some water droplets left on the speaker after it gets wet, a gentle shake is usually enough to remove them completely. Overall, the Charge 4’s waterproof feature is quite effective and reliable.

The ends of the JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth speaker are made of silicone material and are surrounded by a circle of the same material. This design serves two purposes. Firstly, it effectively absorbs the vibration generated by the speaker when it is playing in an upright position, minimizing harmonic distortion. Secondly, it provides cushioning in the event that the speaker is accidentally dropped.

To enhance the vibration absorption effect, JBL has used an irregular design for the shape of the silicone ring. The seemingly random shape is actually carefully crafted to effectively increase the energy absorption effect. This helps to ensure that the Charge 4 delivers clear, distortion-free sound even when it is playing at high volumes. Overall, the silicone ring design is an important feature of the Charge 4 that contributes to its excellent sound quality.

To ensure that the JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth speaker provides a satisfactory user experience, JBL has increased the battery capacity from 22.2Wh in the Charge 3 to 27Wh in the Charge 4. This is equivalent to 3.6V 7500mAh, and it allows the Charge 4 to reach a battery playtime of up to 20 hours.

This extended battery life means that users can enjoy the Charge 4 for longer periods of time without having to worry about running out of power. Overall, the increased battery capacity is a significant improvement over the Charge 3 and helps to make the Charge 4 an even more convenient and reliable device.

Control and Connection

The operating area of the JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth speaker is located on the side of the body, which can also be considered the top when the speaker is placed horizontally. To make it easier to operate and to fully embody the waterproof concept, JBL has equipped the Charge 4 with isolated protruding keys. These keys are combined with the fabric material of the speaker, creating a waterproof and durable design.

This design ensures that the Charge 4’s keys will not be damaged by accident and will remain fully functional even when exposed to water. It is a practical and reliable feature that helps to enhance the overall durability of the speaker. Overall, the Charge 4’s isolated protruding keys are an important aspect of its design that contribute to its usability and longevity.

The keys on the JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth speaker are arranged from left to right in the following order: JBL Connect+, Volume Down, On/Off, Bluetooth Pairing, Volume Up, and Play/Pause. These keys provide all of the basic functions that users need on a daily basis.

Since the keys are isolated and hard, they require a bit of force to press and provide clear feedback when they are pressed. This design is easy to understand and use, even if the speaker is operated blindly. It is not prone to misoperation, making it a convenient and reliable feature of the Charge 4. Overall, the keys on the Charge 4 are designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy to control the speaker and access its various functions.

The JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth speaker is equipped with several useful ports, including a Type-c charging port, an AUX audio input port, and a USB output port. These ports are all available in one device, making it easy to use and suitable for a wide range of scenarios.

One particularly useful feature of the Charge 4 is its Type-c charging port, which allows the speaker to act as a rechargeable battery in case of emergency. This can be a valuable feature in situations where power is limited or unavailable, further enhancing the user experience. Overall, the Charge 4’s various ports make it a versatile and convenient device that can be used in a variety of different situations.

Sound Performance

In terms of design and functionality, the JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth speaker is easy to use and suitable for a wide range of occasions. But how does it perform in actual use?

One of the standout features of the Charge 4 is its ability to connect to up to three devices at the same time and play music in turn. This is a convenient feature that allows users to easily switch between different music sources and keep the party going.

In addition, users can also use the JBL CONNECT+ APP to connect multiple JBL Bluetooth speakers in tandem and play music at the same time. This creates an even more impressive sound experience, with the multiple speakers working together to deliver a bigger and more powerful sound.

Overall, the Charge 4’s ability to connect to multiple devices and speakers makes it a versatile and convenient device that can provide a great listening experience in a variety of different settings.

To ensure a high-quality sound effect, the JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth speaker is equipped with a 50mm diameter passive woofer on each side. Together with the main speaker inside the speaker, the Charge 4 has a total output power of 30W, allowing it to make a big noise in a small cabinet. This is particularly useful for outdoor environments, where the Charge 4 can deliver powerful sound even in open spaces.

To evaluate the Charge 4’s performance, we used the main Bluetooth connection to listen to a variety of popular music, as well as some jazz and classical music. Overall, the Charge 4 delivers clear and powerful sound that is well-suited to a range of different music genres. Its ability to produce loud and dynamic sound makes it an ideal choice for outdoor events or other situations where a big, bold sound is desired.

Those who are familiar with JBL’s audio products may have noticed that the company has a relatively uniform sound style. In order to better match the interpretation style of current pop music, many of JBL’s audio products boost the low and middle frequencies, resulting in fuller vocals and instruments.

However, JBL’s low frequencies do not feel overly loud or boomy. Instead, they are clean and clear, with a modern and sophisticated taste that is well-suited to electronic and rock music. This is achieved by carefully tuning the speakers to ensure that the low frequencies are accurately reproduced, resulting in a lively and energetic sound.

Overall, JBL’s audio products are designed to deliver a powerful and dynamic sound that is well-suited to a wide range of different music genres. Whether you are a fan of pop, electronic, or rock music, JBL’s audio products are likely to provide a satisfying listening experience.

The JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth speaker has a classy and refined sound that sets it apart from many other mainstream speakers. It has an unusual consistency in the mids and treble, with good clarity in the midrange. This helps it to accurately render vocals and project them properly in the mix, making it an excellent choice for listening to music with prominent vocals. This post is from HiFiReport.com

While the Charge 4 may not be the best choice for those seeking big, bombastic bass, it is not a bass-light speaker. Its low-end is tasteful and powerful, with plenty of depth. It can deliver punchy dance and pop synth beats with conviction, but like any speaker of its size, there are limits to its bass floor. It cannot produce real sub-bass, but in the context of most songs, it comes close enough to satisfy.

Conclusion

The JBL Charge 4 wireless Bluetooth speaker continues the design of its predecessor, featuring a simple and recognizable cylindrical appearance. It is available in a range of colorways, offering a rich and personalized choice for users.

The internal structure of the Charge 4 is well-made and detailed, with components connected by sockets and protected by sealing gaskets. It is equipped with a 30W speaker unit and two low-frequency radiation diaphragm units to enhance the sense of volume in the lows. It also has a Texas Instruments TPA3128D2 Class D amplifier, a PCM5121 audio digital processor, and two Runestone RS622 low-noise operational amplifiers to minimize the impact on the signal source and ensure high-quality sound.

The Charge 4 has an upgraded charging interface, switching from Micro-USB to Type-C, and an increased battery capacity of 7500mAh, providing a long-lasting battery life of up to 20 hours. The battery is equipped with a circuit protection board, with a circuit protection IC and NMOS tube fixed inside a plastic insulated bracket. It also has a USB-A interface, allowing it to act as a rechargeable battery for charging phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in an emergency.

Playing different styles of music through Bluetooth speakers to suit different occasions has become a common way to add atmosphere to daily life for many people. Bluetooth speakers that can adapt to different occasions need to have unique features in their appearance, functional settings, and sound quality performance.

As an evergreen model in the JBL Bluetooth speaker line, the JBL Charge 4 has shown many shining points during our test. It has not only allowed us to understand why it has stood the test of time through four generations, but also made us feel that it is indeed an indispensable part of daily life for many people.