Photo comparison of original and fake jbl charge speakers

JBL speakers are manufactured by Harman International Industries. On November 14, 2016, it was absorbed by the Samsung Electronics concern and turned into one of the divisions. The brand's products are distinguished by excellent sound, reliability and long battery life. Replicas cannot boast of this. Therefore, it is important for every music lover to know how to distinguish a JBL speaker from a fake.

Package

It is recommended to start identifying a fake by inspecting the box. The original packaging is made of durable cardboard. All its ribs are symmetrical. No printing defects or spelling errors are acceptable.

Packaging inspection

On the JBL Xtreme branded packaging there is the name of the manufacturer - Harman. The fake does not have this signature.

Manufacturer JBL Xtreme

There is a brand logo on the column. The replica has a red square instead.

No brand name

Counterfeits often have stickers on the packaging. They serve to ensure that copyrights are not violated during the delivery process.

Prying off the sticker

Tearing off a sticker

View under the sticker

Sticker

The bottom of the JBL Xtreme packaging provides basic information. For replicas, the bottom of the box is empty.

Bottom of the box

The back of the box provides information about the characteristics and capabilities of the JBL wireless speaker. The copy's data is unreliable or is present in limited quantities.

JBL Xtreme Specifications

When examining the back of the package, it is recommended to read the labels. The original language is English. The replica additionally contains Chinese characters.

Chinese characters

The box of a fake is often disassembled in a strange way. It may have several layers of low-grade cardboard.

Packaging opening

Packaging comparison

The JBL portable speaker is additionally packaged in a plastic bag. Recently, scammers have taken this feature into account. Therefore, there are many replicas with additional packaging of the column in a package.

A JBL speaker carelessly placed in a cardboard box without using a plastic bag is almost always a fake.

Poorly packaged JBL Charge 3

JBL Charge 2 wireless speaker design

The appearance of Charge 2 is practically no different from the previous model and is focused only on mobile and general use. The original JBL Charge 2 looks like a cylinder, making it easy to attach, for example, to a bicycle frame using a standard holder.

The large battery had a negative impact on the weight of the speaker: it exceeded half a kilogram. Perhaps this characteristic of the JBL Charge 2 is the only one that can cause inconvenience to the user.

The body is mostly made of rubberized plastic. One of the distinctive characteristics of JBL Charge 2 is the thoughtful shape of the case, in which the speakers are covered with plastic grilles recessed into the base material. The full-range speakers are located on the manufacturer's logo side, while the second grille is installed only for symmetry in the design.

The grilles are separated at the top by a control panel equipped with backlit keys. The buttons are not touch-sensitive, as is common on modern devices, but pressable. This characteristic of JBL Cherge 2, such as the absence of protruding parts, is a good advantage, especially if the acoustics are used in extreme conditions. You can distinguish the buttons tactilely, blindly, the volume swings are embossed. Next to the tube there is a small hole - a microphone.

Passive radiators are located at the ends of the column. They are not protected by anything, but at the same time they are recessed quite deeply into the body, due to which, as users especially note in their reviews of the JBL Charge 2, there is no impact on them. During operation, the emitters vibrate quite noticeably.

On the right side of the case there are small legs that allow you to install the speaker in a vertical position. In the JBL Charge 2 acoustics, a characteristic indicating the battery charge level is a special indicator located under the volume buttons.

Under the grille located on the back of the speaker, three connectors are hidden: for charging third-party devices - a high-ampere USB input, for connecting sound sources - TRS 3.5 mm, and for charging a gadget - microUSB.

Due to the elongated base, the column does not have sufficient stability, which is why it easily tips over. Despite this, in the reviews, users note that this does not threaten the acoustics, since after several swings its speakers remain pointed upward.

Complete set of original and replica

It is recommended to check the package contents with the documentation. There should definitely be no carelessly thrown trains. All elements of the original are placed in a special compartment or box.

Carelessly stacked elements

The branded charger has inscriptions confirming that it belongs to the brand and indicating the main technical characteristics. The replica has no inscriptions or is in Chinese.

Charger

The original train is laid neatly and is of sufficient length. A fake cord is tied with wire and is often short.

Plume

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Appearance

At first glance, the original JBL Bluetooth speaker and the Chinese counterfeit are very similar in appearance. However, if you look closely at the details, the branded product shows itself to be head and shoulders above any replica.

It is recommended to begin the inspection with the appearance of the passive radiator. In replicas it is made with minor defects, for example, nicks.

Charge 3 passive radiator

Xtreme Passive Radiator

Passive Speaker Comparison

Asymmetrical spelling of the brand name is another clear sign of a fake.

Checking symmetry

The JBL Charge 3 portable speaker has a model indication directly on the body. Low-grade fakes give themselves away as poor quality inscriptions. It has unclear outlines or contains spelling errors.

The sticker on the passive speaker should not have any air bubbles underneath it. Any distortions also give away a replica.

Air bubbles

To ensure stability of the portable speaker, a specially shaped stand is used. Fraudsters often copy it incorrectly. As a result, the fake has poor stability and the column tips over from any touch.

Stand

It is recommended to check all joints. In the replica they are not uniform and have a significantly larger gap compared to the branded product.

Gap

In lower-grade fakes, glue and other debris can be found in the gaps.

Glue in the gap

Even lower-quality fakes have errors in the writing of the model. So, for example, instead of JBL Boombox it can be written Boobox.

Boobox inscription

Boombox inscription

The original logo is firmly attached. For replicas it is fixed with glue or double-sided tape. Because of this, it is easy to tear it off with a fingernail. Upon inspection, it is noticeable that the logo of the fake protrudes significantly above the body.

Logo

Logo protrusion

The JBL Xtreme portable speaker has strap mounts. They must be durable. The presence of any play is a sign of a fake.

Strap Attachment

Advantages of a copy of JBL Charge 2 over other speakers:

Bluetooth support

Connect via Bluetooth to any device

Splash protection

Now you don't have to worry about sudden rain.

High capacity battery

Provides more than 10 hours of continuous listening.

Power Bank

Can charge devices via USB

Loud call

Can be used as Hands Free

As you can see, according to measurements, JBL Charge 2 is slightly louder than the Sound Blaster Roar. When preparing the article, an inexpensive Philips portable speaker also turned up at the right time and place, and in its main position, in terms of sound pressure level, it turned out to be almost identical to our hero (which, by the way, cannot be said about the sound quality, where the difference is significant).

Sound

Comparative listening of the JBL Charge 2 and the reference Creative Sound Blaster Roar revealed the competitive advantages of each speaker system. The JBL sounds noticeably more open and, in many cases, louder than the Sound Blaster Roar. The Creative product responds with better detail in the lower and upper registers, which allows the Sound Blaster to better convey the nuances of the sound of many instruments.

An additional feature of the JBL Charge 2 is the ability to pair up to three devices simultaneously. According to our observations, when working together, priority is given to the one that was connected first: until playback on it is paused, other “party participants” will not be able to join. When you press a button on the speaker, priority goes to the currently connected device.

JBL Charge 2 was tested as a wireless headset. The main drawback in this scenario was the low sensitivity of the microphone: in order for the interlocutor to hear us, we had to move almost close to the speaker. But the timbre of the voice was reproduced practically without distortion, although the maximum volume was low.

Autonomous operation

We connected the speaker system to the tablet and continuously played music, varying the volume around the average value. In this mode, the column lasted until completely discharged for about 18 hours. Starting with this review, for convenience, we will summarize the data on measurements of the autonomous operation of “decorative acoustics” into a single table.

Passive radiator

For JBL Boombox, Charge, Xtreme models, the passive radiator is located on the sides. It serves to enhance low frequencies.

Passive radiator

If you pull on the passive radiator of the replica, it will not create any noticeable resistance. The suspension will begin to bend and fold like an accordion. The return to previous forms will occur slowly.

Impact on passive speaker

Pulling out the suspension

JBL Boombox has a torn sticker

Boombox has a dented passive radiator

Pulling the passive radiator from the original

No damage

When removing the passive radiator from the JBL Xtreme and its replica, you will notice a number of differences:

• the proprietary speaker is denser;
• in a fake, the emitter consists of several parts;
• putting the replica back together is much more difficult.

JBL Xtreme driver and replicas

Front side of the passive radiator

Why fight counterfeit?

Of course, the financial issue is decided here: the manufacturer simply does not receive money from buyers who chose fakes. But if you think about it, in reality it’s not so simple: will a person buy Harman/Kardon acoustics if he can’t afford them? Very unlikely. Most likely, the buyer will pay attention to products from other manufacturers.

On the other hand, Harman has JBL in its portfolio of brands. And it is precisely this that is counterfeited most often - low price, high recognition. And it is with JBL that the manufacturer faces maximum damage. According to Harman estimates, those same 37 thousand items in Russian online stores caused damage to the company in the amount of about 260 million rubles. Agree, the figure is impressive.

Buttons

The buttons on the original have a smooth movement. They don't protrude too much, so it's nice to run your hand over them. The replica buttons have different gaps and heights.

Buttons on the original Boombox

Buttons on a fake

Different height

Indicators

It is easy to identify a fake by looking at the charge indicators of the JBL Boombox. In the original, the LEDs are located clearly opposite the holes. They only shine through one hole each. The replica's light is scattered into adjacent holes.

Charge indicator

Upon careful examination of the indicator, it is easy to notice that the LEDs shine not only into the holes, but also through the plastic. In this case, you can even see the board itself with resistors.

Translucent plastic

Connectors

Access to the connectors varies depending on the model. At the same time, all columns must have basic information on the cover.

Cover for JBL Boombox

Lids comparison

JBL Xtreme portable speakers have a zipper. It is easy to spot a fake by the smooth movement of the dog. Any jamming is unacceptable in the original.

JBL Xtreme zippers

Connectors

The connectors on the branded speaker are all labeled. This prevents problems with one port or another. Replicas often have unclear captions and use of Chinese.

Purpose of connectors

The presence of a slot for a micro SD card is a clear sign of a fake.

Invalid micro SD slot

Distinctive features of acoustics

As mentioned above, the main feature of JBL Charge 2 is the mentioned Social Mode, that is, the ability to charge third-party gadgets. Using a standard USB cable, you can connect any device - smartphone, tablet, player - to the portable speaker and charge it while listening to music. This function is very beneficial and useful and will serve well in situations where it is difficult to access the network to fully charge the gadget.

JBL Charge 3 - see what's inside the original and fake

When disassembling the fake JBL Charge 3, you can notice a copious amount of glue, which was applied in a homemade way. The original has everything attached neatly. There is glue, but it is applied using special equipment.

There are also differences in the speakers. The fake ones have paper ones. The original has polypropylene speakers that are not afraid of exposure to water.

Speaker comparison

Speakers

Polypropylene speakers of the original

Replica paper speaker

The fake has a good 4 ohm ferrite speaker. It has a power of 8 W. The original uses a neodymium magnet. This reduces the weight and size of the speaker.

The back side of the speakers

There is a significant difference in batteries. In the original it is placed in a separate block. The replica has a battery of unknown capacity.

Battery

Battery

In the branded speaker, the use of foam rubber is noticeable. The replica uses epoxy resin, which complicates the repair and replacement of elements.

Foam rubber

Epoxy resin for fixing the battery