![]() More importantly, our review philosophy or process does not change whether we're evaluating a basic, budget Bluetooth speaker from an unknown brand or a high-end, premium model from a class-leading brand.Īll products are judged on a performance-per-pound basis and, as part of the process, put up against the current class leader(s) at that price point to see how they compare and to help us settle on a star rating. Our team is filled with some of the most notable experts in the audio world, with over 100 combined years of reviewing experience between them, and they work tirelessly to assess each product on its merits – without prejudice.īesides the sound quality of a Bluetooth speaker, which we test with every genre of music from classical to hip-hop, we scrutinise every aspects of its design, including battery life, the robustness of its Bluetooth connection, how easy it is to use and set up, and finally how well built it is. ![]() We have complete control over the testing process from start to finish, and we review products as a team as opposed to individually, ensuring that no opinion goes unheard. How we test Bluetooth speakersĪt What Hi-Fi? we review hundreds of products every year at our state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath. If 12 hours of battery life suffices, and you have a portable charger, then the lighter Flip 6 might be a better option. They share a lot of the same skills too, with Bluetooth 5.1 and PartyBoost present and correct on both devices.īut if you want eight hours more battery life, the ability to charge up your mobile or tablet and richer sound, the Charge 5 is for you. The Flip 6 and Charge 5 are very much alike – they look very similar, have similar sonic components, and will withstand the elements to the same degree. Two JBL Bluetooth speakers two mighty fine prospects. Overall, the heftier, more powerful Charge 5 sounds that much richer and is more forgiving when it comes to the top end. ![]() During Curtains, the Flip 6 presents a surprisingly accurate sense of each band member’s position within the soundstage, too. There’s plenty of oomph and energy across the frequencies, with any perceived bloatedness melting away once the speaker has been properly run in overnight to reveal a surprisingly full-bodied low end.Īt the outset of Amateur Theatre Group’s Feed Me To The Lions there’s a pleasingly three-dimensional feel to the pensive keys, kick drum and lilting guitar. The Flip 6 puts on a zippy, agile and fun show for us. We cue up British Sea Power’s melancholy soundscape, Tiger King, an are treated to detailed and accurate cymbals and drum crashes, proving the Charge 5 is capable of delicacy and nuance as well as oomph and bass clout. The Charge 5 delivers an agile sonic performance – tracks have plenty of impact, vocals are energised and feel well-placed in what is an expansive mix for a portable speaker of this size. Having spend many hours with both the Charge and Flip 6, we can vouch for their abilities, although there are some subtle differences. What Hi-Fi? test regularly tests the world's most advanced (and expensive) hi-fi loudspeakers, so we know a thing or two about exceptional sound. This expands the wireless range from 10 metres to about 40, which is quite some improvement. It’s a neat feature, although some existing JBL owners may be irked by PartyBoost’s lack of support for JBL's older Connect+ tech.īoth speakers have the same Bluetooth 5.1 wireless tech, up from Bluetooth 4.2 on their predecessors. ![]() We press the PartyBoost button on the Charge 5 and on the Flip 6, and sound dutifully comes from both, clearly and with no notable lag. Both feature separate bass drivers and tweeters, and both have the same PartyBoost feature (which lets you wirelessly pair them with other JBL speakers for a louder sound). They both have impressive audio specs, too. So if you're heading to the beach, pool, or, er, desert, they can happily go along for the ride. Its battery is also smaller, delivering 12 hours of run time before needing a charge.īoth share the same rugged build and the same IP67 rating – this means they're dust-tight, and can withstand being submerged in up to 1m of water for 30 minutes. It even has a USB-A port that can be used to charge up your mobile devices – handy if you get caught with a low battery far from home. It gives you enough juice for 20 hours of playing time. The main selling point of the Charge 5 is its battery. ![]()
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