If you like the outdoors with company, active sports and fun events, then wireless speakers from JBL will undoubtedly be a good companion for your positive pastime. Today we are reviewing the new portable speaker JBL Charge 4, its characteristics and comparison with the previous generation - Charge 3.
External characteristics of JBL Charge 4
Portable speaker battery capacity
Power and sound quality of wireless speakers
Using Charge 4 as a speaker via JBL Connect
Comparison of JBL Charge 4 and Charge 3: pros and cons of wireless speakers
Appearance
Column colors – silver models, bright turquoise, red. The Charge 4 has a barrel shape.
There is no carrying handle, nor is there a case. There are control buttons on the top panel, and 5 indicators at the bottom to monitor the charge level.
Under the Jbl plug there are connectors for charging and connecting to a smartphone.
How to turn on the radio on a JBL speaker
Despite the large number of different instructions for tuning radio stations on JBL speakers, only one model is actually equipped with an FM tuner. This model is known as JBL Tuner FM. It is very easy to distinguish this speaker from all the others - it alone has an antenna, like other radio devices.
The JBL Tuner FM model is equipped with a 45 mm speaker and 5 W in power. The speaker reproduces frequencies ranging from 85 to 20 thousand Hz.
The operating time of the gadget is about 8 hours, for which the built-in battery is responsible. This speaker has a small display and a user-friendly control panel. Using the PU, you can configure the radio yourself in just a few clicks. And in order for the user to save his favorite radio stations, there are as many as five separately located buttons.
As for all other JBL speaker models, they are not capable of picking up radio signals. Although, even taking all this into account, users still purchase replicas or analogues of popular JBL brand gadgets. They also have the ability to start a radio
Sound quality
Jbl sound is high quality and loud. The bass dominates, but other frequencies also sound decent.
The Charge 4 sounds better with dance tracks or heavy music. There is an emphasis on vocal parts, but they cover the low frequencies:
- low – deep bass, powerful sound;
- middle – less pronounced, but sound smooth;
- high ones are smoothed out, not pronounced, but there is no dull sound or bass drum;
- stage - no;
- genres - dance, hip-hop, dancehall, popular music, rock;
- games, films - only for home viewing.
Jbl Charge 4 specifications table
| type | wireless mono acoustics |
| view | portable |
| power | 30 Watt |
| nutrition | autonomous |
| moisture resistant coating | IPX7 |
| compound | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| audio input | AUX |
| charge connector | Type-C USB |
| working hours | 20 hours |
| charging time | up to 5.5 hours |
| control | from smartphone/push-button |
| frequency range | 60—20000 Hz |
| signal/noise | 80 dB |
| dimensions | 220x95x93 mm |
| weight | 0.96 g |
Water protection level ipx7
The Jbl Charge 4 speaker is equipped with a degree of protection IPX7, which protects against jets of water and can withstand immersion in water for 30 minutes up to 1 m. Protection from dust and dirt is not provided.
If a portable speaker falls into the water, it will not immediately sink to the bottom, this allows you to quickly retrieve the speaker without damage.
⇡#Connection and testing
After turning on and pressing the button that activates Bluetooth, JBL Clip 4 instantly appears in the list of devices available for connection on a smartphone, laptop or any other sound source. We tested the speaker with several smartphones from different manufacturers, as well as with a laptop - there were no connection problems. In this case, the connection occurred with automatic connection of the SBC codec. No mobile applications are required for full operation of the speaker. The speaker does not have a built-in microphone, so it cannot be used as a wireless headset. But when connected to a smartphone, a call will be sent to it until you pick up the phone.
JBL Clip 4 speaker in use
The JBL Clip 4 model is really convenient to hang on a backpack or clothing. Despite its size, it is quite light and will not weigh down even a handbag. But the zippers still unfasten under its weight, so it’s better to attach it, for example, to a backpack using separate handles or loops. It’s not difficult to find a place for this speaker on a bicycle: even if you don’t have a backpack or a bike bag, the JBL Clip 4 can always be hung on the switch cables or on the handlebars. Well, you can just put it on the table or on the floor.
| JBL Clip 4 speaker in use | ||
The volume will be sufficient even in a large gym or just on the street - the speaker is really loud. In the vast majority of cases, you will not need to raise its volume level above 50%. Unless when riding a bicycle, when city noise and headwinds will greatly impair audibility, you will have to turn up the volume a little more. To be honest, we did not expect such agility from such a small speaker.
We didn’t notice any significant sound distortion at the maximum volume level, but the JBL Clip 4 plays best at closer to the average volume level. The sound is clear, smooth, with plenty of rich and spacious bass. The speaker also reproduces high frequencies without distortion, but with some limitations - after all, the bass slightly prevails over the rest of the frequency range. As expected, JBL Clip 4 reveals itself at its best when playing electronic music, jazz, and rock.
Separately, I would like to note the effective damping of vibrations when the speaker lies on a flat, hard surface. Soft rubber or silicone strips on the back of the case make the speaker itself only tremble, but the table on which it lies at this time does not tremble even at maximum sound volume. The speaker in the column is oriented with its front side up. It turns out that the bass seems to diverge from the sides and from under the speaker, where, apparently, there are also corresponding slots on the body under the fabric.
| Water permeability tests | ||
At the end of the testing, we checked the column for water permeability. The tests were carried out in the bathtub, pouring cool water into it, and also under the shower. At the same time, the speaker was connected to the smartphone, music was played. You can watch the test results in the video below. The music in the videos is not superimposed during editing, but is played through a speaker.
Like the JBL Boombox 2 speaker system we tested last fall, the JBL Clip 4 speaker turned out to be not sealed. But don’t be alarmed: its capabilities in terms of protection from dust and water fully comply with the declared IP67 standard. It just doesn't need to be airtight. All electronic components inside are protected, but the dynamics are not affected by water. Through the holes under the fabric covering, the column draws water inside, and when it floats up (yes, it does not sink in water!), it literally spits water out during operation. This beautiful effect looks great in the video above. In fact, the speaker does not stop sounding even under water - if you drop it into a pool or deep puddle, the fun will not be interrupted and the music will continue to play.
As for battery life, at an average volume level the JBL Clip 4 in our case worked for about eleven hours, which is an hour more than the value declared by the manufacturer. The result is quite decent - the average volume level is quite enough to listen to music on the street during the day, with background noise around.
Functions
Charge 4 with standard features like other portable speaker systems. Playing songs is the main purpose for which the speaker is intended.
There is no microphone or voice assistant, so you can only listen to music.
With Jbl Charge 4 you can charge smartphones, but you shouldn’t rely on constant recharge. The power is only enough to charge the phone once.
Jbl connect
The function is the ability to connect up to 100 devices of the same format to the Jbl speaker. With this connection, Jibiel gadgets will play music simultaneously.
Pairing can be done with speakers of different models, but always from JBL.
Firmware updates occur regularly, so more and more models support the JBL Connect + function.
Launching the “Street Bass” mode on a third-generation speaker
One of the most interesting features in the JBL speaker is a special mode that allows you to listen to music with enhanced bass frequencies. Few people know about it, since nothing is written about it in the instructions. To feel the difference in sound, we recommend that you now turn on a melody with bass.
This mode can also be tested with the radio on on your American JBL speaker. Now do the following: press and hold the Bluetooth and Volume Down buttons.
Press the button to turn on bass mode
Do not release them for 20 seconds. The indicators on the case should change color and glow white. This means we can try out the new regime. Play the same song to check it out.
Question about JBL Charge 4
FAQ (47)Characteristics asked 03/12/2018 15:24 04/05/2018 23:40 04/05/2018 23:41
Battery
The developers claim 20 hours of Charge 4 operation on a single charge. But this duration is achieved only at low volume; when increased, the speaker works less.
According to tests, 15 hours are observed. If you listen at maximum, which is not recommended, it takes about 5 hours.
There is no fast charging, which is why you should not discharge the Jbl Charge 4 to zero.
To prevent Charge 4 from overheating, you should not listen to the gadget at maximum volume.
Portable speaker battery capacity
For wireless acoustics, such a characteristic as autonomous operation without connecting to a charger is very important. It is worth noting here that the new model’s battery capacity has been increased by 1500 mAh and now amounts to as much as 7500 mAh. As the battery capacity has increased, so has the charging time: it is now 5.5 hours, which is an hour more than the JBL Charge 3. The total operating time at 50 percent volume is approximately 20 hours.
Note that the added battery capacity can charge the iPhone battery to almost 100%, which means that, as before, you can use the portable speaker as a portable powerbank.
Connection
Connection to a smartphone is standard, like the entire line of JBL devices.
The Bluetooth button on the speaker is pressed, Charge 4 is found in the list of those found on the phone, and pairing begins.
There is no support for high-definition codecs, only SBC. There is also no option to play music from media.
Control
The control layout is simple, and the keys are easy to switch. Location from left to right:
- JBL Connect+;
- volume reduction;
- turning on/off the device;
- Bluetooth search mode is required to connect to a smartphone;
- increase volume;
- pause/play – press once;
- Press twice to switch to the next track.
How to use
Control is concentrated on the control panel of the Jbl speaker or using a smartphone. The middle buttons are backlit for ease of use.
The developers did not provide the Charge 4 speaker with a microphone, so it cannot be used as an intercom.
Calling the voice assistant is also not supported.
How to properly set up the radio on JBL Xtreme
To explain how you can turn on the radio, it is worth considering the popular JBL replica - this is a copy of the JBL Xtreme speaker. The first thing you need to do is connect a wire to the gadget (it will serve as an antenna) that receives the signal. For this you can use the included AUX or ordinary headphones that have a standard 3.5 mil minijack output.
After this, you need to press the Bluetooth enable button. You should not do this too quickly - just maintain a gap of 1-2 seconds. The first press will switch JBL to AUX, and the second press will switch to radio mode.
Near the Bluetooth icon there is another button - the Connect JBL button - this button looks like a pair of triangles. In order to start tuning radio stations, you need to click on it.
- How to connect 2 or 3 JBL speakers together
An important point: when you turn on the radio for the first time, the speaker will take some time to set up and search for a radio wave.
In order to start the setup, you need to press the Play/Pause key several times. After this, the speaker will begin automatically searching and saving radio channels. To stop the search, press the pause key again.
If you need to switch from one radio station to another, you need to use the volume keys to do this. You need to press the buttons quickly, since if you press them for a long time, it will not change the radio station, but the volume level.
Connection
Charge 4 connects to a smartphone using Bluetooth 4.2. Communication is stable within 10 m.
If there are no barriers to the signal in the form of concrete walls, then the signal radius may be greater.
It also supports connecting two smartphones at the same time, but you can use them one at a time.
Whether at home or outdoors, the signal will be high-quality, without interruptions. In addition, Jbl Charge 4 is suitable for indoor use.
Entrails
For high-quality, powerful sound, manufacturers changed the output power of the device's emitters to 30 W.
It is not recommended to listen at high volume for more than an hour; there is a risk of damaging the Jbl speakers. In addition, the battery capacity has increased from 6 to 7.5 thousand mAh.
But the manufacturers did not provide the Charge 4 with an additional power supply. Using a USB cable, charging is carried out much easier through a power outlet.
It allows you to charge the speaker in 4 hours. Charge 4 also supports charging portable devices.
Equipment
The equipment is standard for such speakers. In colorful packaging with a designer insert, the speaker fits in a special compartment.
The set includes the speaker itself, a USB Type C cable and documentation, including a warranty card.
pros
- design;
- autonomy;
- sound;
- volume reserve;
- the ability to use Charge 4 to charge a smartphone;
- assembly;
- package.
Recommended reading: Jbl Charge 3 review.
Playing radio using the app
Most Android devices have standard applications such as FM radio. In order for it to work, just like with a speaker, the user will need either regular headphones or an AUX cable.
The program's interface is very simple - it is made up of a whole list of both existing and saved radio stations, as well as from the area in which the wave is tuned. That is, this is a standard interface, similar to an ordinary radio.
- 2 ways to connect JBL to a Windows 7 computer
The method of using the application is suitable only in cases where the Bluetooth speaker is not capable of supporting radio broadcasting. Otherwise, the easiest way is to insert the wires into the speaker, and into the speaker, and then set everything up without using a smartphone.
And the last common method is to download the application not just for the radio, but for the selected favorite station, and then put the station’s gadget on your phone’s desktop. Today, many radio stations have their own applications for mobile devices, about which there is information on the pages of the official website. Also, advertisements about this may be shown during broadcasting.
Particularly interested users continue to explore their column in search of new functions and how they work. Today we will tell you how to turn on, turn off and find radio stations on a speaker from the American JBL brand. And also about other features of this wonderful portable device.
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