JBL Charge 5
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JBL Charge 5 Review


Are you looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker that can withstand the elements and still deliver great sound? JBL has just released the fifth generation of its Charge speaker, which now features a dust seal and improved waterproofing to protect against the elements.

In addition to these improvements, the Charge 5 also boasts a set of finely tuned drivers that provide impressive audio quality.

JBL Charge 5 speaker

But with so many portable Bluetooth speakers available at this price point, what sets the JBL Charge 5 apart? Its sound signature is characterized by big bass and a stylish design aesthetic. Whether these features make the JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth speaker a winning choice for you will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and needs.

Unboxing

The JBL Charge 5 wireless speaker is a feature-packed portable Bluetooth speaker that is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. The front of the package highlights the improved water resistance of the Charge 5, which has an IP67 rating and is ideal for use at the beach or in other wet environments. In addition to being waterproof, the Charge 5 is also dust-proof, so you can use it outdoors without worrying about dirt or debris getting inside.

JBL Charge 5 box

One of the standout features of the JBL Charge 5 is its impressive battery life. On the back of the package, you’ll find a brief introduction to the four main features of the Charge 5, including its ability to play for up to 20 hours on a single charge. This makes the Charge 5 a great choice for hikers or anyone who needs a portable speaker that can keep going all day long.

Located on the side of the package, you’ll find a brief description of the JBL PartyBoost function. This feature allows you to connect multiple speakers that support JBL PartyBoost, creating a more stereo sound that is perfect for use at large gatherings or parties.

JBL Charge 5 unbox image

Inside the package, you’ll find the JBL Charge 5 speaker, as well as a USB Type-C cable, a quick guidebook, and a warranty. These items are everything you need to get started using your new portable Bluetooth speaker. Whether you’re using it to enjoy music at home, or taking it on the go, the JBL Charge 5 is sure to be a valuable addition to your audio setup.

Design

The JBL Charge 5 wireless speaker maintains a similar design to the Charge 4, with a textured fabric mesh surface and a prominent JBL logo on the front. The speaker itself is cylindrical in shape, with a range of buttons located on the top for easy access.

From left to right, these buttons include the JBL PartyBoost activation button, volume down button, power button, Bluetooth button, volume up button, and pause button. These physical buttons are clearly labeled and intuitive to use, making it easy to control your music playback and adjust the volume as needed.

In addition to its convenient control layout, the JBL Charge 5 also utilizes the fast and stable Bluetooth 5.1 version to play music without interruption. Whether you’re using it at home or on the go, the JBL Charge 5 is a reliable choice for enjoying your favorite tunes.

JBL Charge 5 unbox

Located below the JBL logo on the front of the Charge 5, you’ll find a power meter that lights up when the speaker is turned on. This meter shows you the remaining battery life of the Charge 5, which boasts an impressive 20 hours of use on a single charge. Even if you’ve only got half of the battery power left, you should still have enough power to get you through a full day of use.

The charging port for the JBL Charge 5 is a USB Type-C port, and the package includes a cable for charging the speaker. In addition to being able to charge itself, the Charge 5 also has a USB charging port located under a waterproof hole next to the main charging port.

This port can provide charging output (5V/2A) to your mobile device, thanks to the Charge 5’s battery capacity of 7500mAh. Whether you need to keep your phone or other device powered up while on the go, the Charge 5 has you covered.

One of the main selling points of the JBL Charge 5 is its rugged design, which is improved over the previous Charge 4 model. The Charge 5 has an IP67 rating, which means it is fully water resistant up to a depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. This makes it ideal for use at the beach, pool, or any other wet environment.

JBL Charge 5 speaker review

If you enjoy spending time at the beach or participating in water activities, you may have wished you could bring your Bluetooth speakers with you, but many models aren’t waterproof and could be damaged by water exposure. The JBL Charge 5, on the other hand, has been upgraded to an IP67 rating for both waterproof and dustproof protection, making it easy to use in a variety of environments.

The water resistance of the Charge 5 is excellent, and it can withstand a small drop of water bouncing off its surface or even a full glass of water being spilled on it without being damaged. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or participating in water sports, the JBL Charge 5 is a reliable choice for listening to music in and around water.

In addition to its water resistance, the JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth speaker also offers complete resistance to dust ingress, thanks to its “Level 6” dust resistance rating. While this feature may not be a major concern for everyone, it is nice to know that you can use the Charge 5 at the beach or anywhere else without worrying about dust getting inside and potentially damaging the speaker.

Overall, the rugged design of the Charge 5 makes it a reliable choice for use in a variety of outdoor settings. This review is from HiFiReport.com.

Although the JBL Charge 5 is cylindrical in shape, its sound output is not a true 360-degree experience. However, this shouldn’t be an issue as you can still enjoy excellent audio quality regardless of the position of the speaker. The Charge 5 also has newly designed rubber “feet” with diagonal raised lines that help to keep the speaker in a consistent position and prevent it from rolling around on your desk or other surfaces.

JBL Charge 5 Review

One of the benefits of the Charge 5 is its use of Bluetooth 5.1 technology, which provides reliable connectivity and does not drop out. This newer protocol also offers greater transmission potential, ensuring that your music playback is always uninterrupted, even if you are listening from a distance or if there are walls or other obstacles between the speaker and your device. Overall, the Charge 5 offers a dependable and enjoyable listening experience.

The Driver

When it comes to sound quality, the JBL Charge 5 delivers impressive audio that far exceeds its compact size. This is thanks in part to the intelligent layout of the speaker’s drivers, which provide solid audio no matter what type of music you’re listening to.

One of the standout features of the Charge 5 is its cylindrical shape, which allows the ends of the speaker to be “open.” This allows the bass radiator to move freely and deliver powerful bass, as you can see the ends of the speaker wobble to handle the low-end output.

In fact, the JBL Charge 5’s audio output is so powerful that it was able to vibrate the table and floor in our testing. Overall, the Charge 5 delivers impressive sound for a small speaker.

JBL Charge 5 bluetooth speaker

Sound Performance

One new feature that has been added to the JBL Charge 5 is PartyBoost, which allows you to connect two speakers with the same function to create a stereo sound or enhance your music listening experience.

Many people have tried out the PartyBoost function and have found that it works well, allowing two speakers to connect and play music at the same time, just like using a stereo system. This can be a stunning and immersive listening experience, especially when two Bluetooth speakers are working together to play your favorite songs.

It’s worth noting that in order to use the PartyBoost function, both speakers must support this feature and be within close proximity to one another. Once connected, you can easily switch between the two speakers to create a more dynamic and engaging listening experience.

Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to enjoy your music with a more immersive sound, the PartyBoost function on the JBL Charge 5 is a great way to do it.

JBL Charge 5 bluetooth speaker review

To use the PartyBoost function, simply press the dedicated button on each of the speakers you want to pair. It’s worth noting that the Charge 5’s PartyBoost function replaces the old JBL Connect+ feature that was available on the Charge 4, so you won’t be able to use PartyBoost with Connect+ speakers.

The JBL Charge 5 offers a well-balanced sound quality that is suitable for a wide range of genres. With an impactful and punchy low-end, combined with crisp highs, the Charge 5 delivers an energetic, detailed, and accurate audio performance.

The speaker is also very loud and easily fills a room or even a house with sound. It is capable of cutting through the noise of a busy park or other crowded environments, and although it may not make the walls shake, it does pack a strong punch for a small, portable speaker.

One potential downside to the JBL Charge 5 is the lack of equalizer settings in the JBL portable app. While the app does allow you to check the battery level and manage the PartyBoost function, it does not offer any way to customize the sound to your liking. It would be a great addition to having more control over the sound, and it would give users the ability to fine-tune the audio performance to their preferences.

JBL Charge 5 wireless speaker

Conclusion

The JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth speaker is the perfect choice for anyone who is looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker that sounds great and is rugged enough to handle the elements. Its water-resistant design and dust seal make it ideal for use at the beach or pool, and its long battery life means you can enjoy your music all day long without worrying about running out of power.

The PartyBoost function allows you to connect two speakers together for an immersive stereo sound experience, and the built-in power bank is perfect for charging your phone or other devices when you’re on the go.

In addition to its impressive features and performance, the Charge 5 has a stylish design that is available in a choice of nine colors. Its textured fabric mesh surface and striking JBL logo make it a visually appealing choice, and the orange plastic bottom prevents slippage for added convenience.

Whether you’re hosting a party, enjoying a day at the beach, or just listening to your music at home, the JBL Charge 5 is the perfect choice for all your audio needs. So why wait? Get your JBL Charge 5 today and start enjoying great sound wherever you go!