There is a very large group of people for whom music is an art form that is perceived not only by the ears. They believe that music is what affects your audiovisual sensors, revealing a much wider range of feelings.
In the 1960s, a style called psychedelic rock appeared - to write it, the authors resorted to not very legal methods and means.
That is why many perceive the album as a single whole with its sound and what represents it - covers, videos, the image of the artist on stage and beyond. The most striking example of a loud image in music is Ziggy Stardust, the fictional character of David Bowie:
And I am inclined to agree: if we listened to music, perceiving it only as sound, then it is unlikely that we would be interested in the sound of each individual note and how the musicians play it, playing on each beat of the bar, overtaking it or slowing down before it.
This playing of notes affects our perception, how we will not only hear, but also feel the music.
And that's why the JBL Pulse 4 will impact your music experience so much more. But first things first.
Design and equipment
The first thing we see is a picture that changes colors under different viewing angles. The unboxing experience has not been so pleasant for a long time: everything looks nice and neat, and the box lid is magnetic and does not close with cardboard latches. The plugs and cable in the accessories department are a little strange and unusually packaged, but you can forget about it after the first unpacking.
The package includes the speaker itself, a microUSB cable, an adapter (5 V/2.3 A), two plugs and instructions.
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Pulse 3 is available in two colors: white and black. We got the second option, which turned out to be quite versatile and fit organically into various office interiors. Plus, black is practical. You can put such a speaker in the kitchen and not worry about its appearance.
70% of the speaker surface is occupied by an acrylic-coated screen. It makes the Pulse 3 look a bit like a lava lamp. Below is a panel with buttons and a grill with the JBL logo that hides the speakers. At the bottom and top there are membranes of passive radiators.
This distribution of Pulse 3 work areas immediately hints that sound is not the main thing here.
Comparison with JBL Charge 4
Those familiar with the JBL Charge 4 will likely find many similarities with our current guest - and this is true. Of course, there are differences, but the device is not revolutionary - the JBL brand takes a proven formula and improves it, gradually moving towards its ideal. Here are the main differences from the fourth version:
- Two speakers - one high-frequency, the second low-frequency;
- Higher level of protection against moisture and dust;
- Design features (the charging port is moved out from under the plug, the indicator is in the form of a strip (there were circular ones), a rubberized stand, enlarged side supports, it is easier to press the buttons);
- Removed AUX port;
- Updated technology for combining devices into an audio system;
Moreover, the cost of the speaker has not changed - both 4 and 5 versions cost $180 at the start. But you should understand that these 180 bucks in 2021 in Russia are not the same as in 2022, so at the start of sales Charge 4 cost ~11,000 rubles, and Charge 5 is already selling for ~13,500 rubles.
Dimensions and ergonomics
The speaker has grown significantly compared to the previous version: now its dimensions are 223 × 92 × 92 mm, and it weighs almost a kilogram. Pulse 3 has retained the cylindrical shape of its predecessors, but now it is more of a manifestation of continuity: you definitely don’t want to insert such a column into a bicycle bottle cage.
Water resistance has long been an almost mandatory property of such speakers, and the JBL Pulse 3 also has it. Moreover, the water resistance class is solid - IPX7, allowing short-term immersion to a depth of up to a meter. Why such a degree of protection is needed for a speaker that in all respects does not qualify as a camping one is unknown. But you can use it as a shower speaker.
At the bottom of the Pulse 3 is a panel with buttons and interfaces. In addition to the classic symbols, you can find two more: the JBL Connect+ icon and the image of the sun. The first button is responsible for connecting to other speakers from the company, and the second is for the backlight mode. Only three buttons control the player: volume settings and Play/Pause. Double-clicking on the last one plays the next track. The buttons are quite stiff and do not respond very pleasantly to pressing, so it is more convenient to control music and lighting remotely.
Above the buttons is a charge indicator. There are two inputs under the flap: AUX and microUSB for charging. There are no additional inputs for using the speaker as a battery.
Appearance, design, dimensions
Let's start our review of JBL Pulse 4 with a design that has a wow effect. In this version, the manufacturers abandoned the boring ring-shaped backlight arrangement and gave the device the maximum number of sources around the entire perimeter. The control keys are located on the upper edges. In the deactivated version, the speaker has an ordinary appearance, but it looks futuristic. These are several RGB diode strips, which are enclosed in a white case and covered with a tinted plastic cover. The LED screen is installed at the entire height of the device, and the glow is scattered in different directions. At the bottom and top there are woofers that provide excellent sound. Some manufacturers focus on bass, while JBL developers preferred to maintain a balance of all frequencies.
Despite the abandonment of the bottom ring, the dimensions of the device remained the same: 9.6 cm wide and 20.7 cm long. However, the weight of the speaker has increased by 300 grams and is now 1.26 kg, which can be a bit heavy for transporting with one hand or listening to music by weight. Also included with the device you will find a USB-C charging cable, a rectangular Type-A connector and a manual with operating instructions.
On topic: Sennheiser IE 4: review of headphones in 4 sections
Backlight
JBL knows that sound is only part of the user experience when listening to music. Indeed, almost everyone who saw the glowing column was surprised and asked how much it cost. An important nuance: the music has not yet started playing.
The backlight lights up automatically when the device is turned on. It operates in eight modes, which can be controlled using a button or the JBL Connect mobile app.
The algorithm for the movement of lights in seven modes is preset, but you can change the color of the backlight by selecting it in the palette or capturing it from the environment using the camera. The most interesting mode is custom, in which you can assign up to three backlight patterns out of nine.
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The lighting is presented as an element of a daring party, but minor and slow compositions with it are also pleasant to listen to: the lights almost always adjust correctly to the music. If you want a more accurate match, you can select the “Equalizer” mode.
Creating comfort and atmosphere is a task that Pulse 3 copes with with a bang. Just play a slow song and the speaker will pick up the song's temperament. Turn down the brightness with JBL Connect, and Pulse 3 turns into a dim nightlight that's perfect for falling asleep.
Sound
On board Pulse 3 are three active 40mm drivers with a total output power of 20W. Two passive speakers at the top and bottom are responsible for the bass. The declared range of the speaker: 65 Hz - 20 kHz. Judging by the test of the French portal Les Numeriques, this is true, but with small reservations. Firstly, a drop in amplitude is noticeable in the range from 100 to 150 Hz, and secondly, the range from 1 kHz to 10–12 kHz loses to the lower and highest frequencies of the range.
The curves display the frequency response of the speakers in different positions
The first dip slightly affects the density of low frequencies, and the unevenness of amplitudes of frequencies above 1 kHz leads to a slight overshoot of high frequencies at maximum volume.
I would like to rate the sound four out of five. Portable Bluetooth speakers always have a compromise in sound, so the JBL Pulse 3, if it loses to the flagships of the market, is only slightly. It can fill a spacious room with good sound, but it’s unlikely to pump up the crowd at a party.
But what’s really unpleasant is the delay of more than 300 ms. It won’t interfere with listening to music, but you don’t have to worry about watching movies and videos on YouTube comfortably with the Pulse 3.
Tube sound: review of a wireless portable Bluetooth speaker with a JBL Pulse 3 lamp
I once had a lamp with colorful fish floating on the walls: my brother and I looked at it for hours in the evenings, until my parents took pity and bought a TV. JBL Pulse 3 is like that lamp, only better: it not only glows mesmerizingly, but can also play music. If I had had such a column instead of that lamp in my childhood, maybe my life would have turned out differently. I managed to keep my finger on the pulse: the result is a review of a representative of the third generation of devices of the same name from the American company JBL (Harman), a secure portable Bluetooth speaker with built-in LEDs JBL Pulse 3.
The editors would like to thank the online store icases.org.ua for kindly providing the column for review
Why is JBL Pulse 3 interesting?
JBL Pulse 3 from Harman is a one-kilogram wireless Bluetooth speaker with color music. The manufacturer promises about 12 hours of continuous music playback with light, which is close to the truth. Provided that the playback is not at full volume, the brightness of the lamp is also half, and you listen to music for half an hour to an hour a day, the battery will last for a week, or even more. The charge is enough to sound a picnic outside the city from morning to evening - especially if you turn off or dim the LEDs.
The speaker uses Bluetooth version 4.2: you can connect up to two devices, has a speakerphone with echo and noise cancellation, and the ability to use the taciturn Google Assistant or chatty Siri (configurable in the JBL Connect app).
The proprietary JBL Connect+ mode allows you to create an audio system from 2 to 100 wireless JBL speakers that support this technology - with such a battery of speakers you can replace an entire gospel choir, or, at worst, provide sound at a house party. A more realistic option is to pair two JBL Pulse 3s into a stereo system. Theoretically: it was not possible to test it in practice.
The device is protected according to the IPX7 standard (protection against temporary immersion in water). At a minimum, the body can be rinsed, if necessary. The speaker is equipped with three 40 mm speakers arranged in a circle and hidden behind a “mesh” at the bottom of the device, and two passive radiators.
What's in the box and what does JBL Pulse 3 look like?
JBL Pulse 3 comes in a very beautiful, bright, large, dense box with a corrugated coating. I hope I don’t know a single person who would raise their hand to throw away such packaging. If you're looking at the Pulse 3 as a gift, it's a good choice just because of the appearance of the box. Inside: a black speaker (white is also available), an orange charger (power supply and microUSB cable), documentation.
Pulse 3 is heavy (a little less than a kilogram), two-thirds of its surface is occupied by a lamp (there are hundreds of LEDs inside), and the coating feels like acrylic. A kilogram is not a small amount: take it into account if you are going to carry it with you outdoors, for example. At home, such weight is rather an advantage: Pulse 3 is stable, like Klitschko in his best years, you won’t knock it off your feet with an awkward push. At the bottom there are speakers arranged in a circle, hidden behind bars. There is a small logo on it, on the opposite side there is a speaker control unit (power, volume, play/pause or launch a voice assistant, turn the lamp on/off, JBL Connect+ for pairing with brothers, Bluetooth). 7 buttons are hidden behind a plate indicating their functions, between them there is a compartment tightly covered with a rubber plug with microUSB ports for charging the battery and a miniJack for linear input.
Shot on LG G6
It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to press buttons by touch—be prepared to pick up the speaker every time, or control playback from a computer/tablet/smartphone. Above the power button there is a charge level indicator of 5 LEDs. At the ends there are low-frequency emitters that vibrate effectively during playback.
What does the JBL Pulse 3 sound like?
I don’t make any exorbitant demands on the sound of such devices. What an ordinary person wants: the sound is as “clean” and loud as possible, and so that there is bass. In the JBL Pulse 3, everything is fine with this: the sound is dense, rich, as for a device of this size, the low frequencies are literally felt - you just need to press your hand to the end or place the speaker on a well-resonating surface. The sound is intelligible, the volume is excellent. Of course, loudness is a relative concept: audio material with a small difference between the quietest and loudest sections (no more than 10 dB) will seem subjectively loud and at the same time intelligible. In other words, the smaller the dynamic range, the easier it is to increase the volume - exactly what audiophiles don't like, and what the average person will like. The sound spreads over 360° - no matter how you turn it, you can hear everything. In the center of the large living room is the right place for her.
Of course, the JBL Pulse 3 is not for audiophiles - but neither is any other Bluetooth-connected device. Which does not change the facts: it’s pleasant to listen to, it easily “sounds up” a large room, and at any volume the sound remains dense and clear. Life hack: place Pulse 3 on a wooden table or cabinet, the sound will become even denser and a little louder.
The speaker seemed to me a little capricious in relation to the source of the Bluetooth signal: as soon as you moved away a little or hid, for example, your phone, the sound began to be interrupted. With the laptop everything was more stable. I don’t exclude that this is a problem with my smartphone, but I recommend taking this fact into account - however, I have not yet met Bluetooth speakers that would play perfectly when connected to a smartphone. Fortunately, the JBL Pulse 3 has a line input.
Pulse 3 can be used to talk on the phone (or whatever you connect it to). The interlocutor can hear well, there is no echo, no extraneous noise.
What does the JBL Pulse 3 backlight look like?
When you turn on the JBL Pulse 3, approximately two-thirds of the speaker effectively comes to life with the soundtrack. At first I turned the speaker on and off several times, it looks so cool. There are several preset lamp modes to choose from: different patterns, with the effects of “fire”, “sea wave”, “fireworks”, “equalizer”, etc. If you connect the speaker to a smartphone with the JBL Connect application installed, you can customize any effect , choose its color, or create your own. The preinstalled ones were enough for me - the color scheme is pleasing to the eye, especially since during music playback, all this beauty shimmers and changes in the music. Also, with the help of light, an indication of the speaker volume status is implemented: you pressed a button, and the lamp was colored by the appropriate percentage: simple, beautiful and convenient.
In general, it’s better to see it all once: here’s a commercial for JBL Pulse 3, it all looks exactly like this.
Is it possible to turn off the lights and just listen to music? You can: long press the button with the image of a “sun”. It turns on by briefly pressing the same button. Brightness can only be adjusted from the JBL Connect app.
Competitors JBL Pulse 3
JBL Pulse 3 is part of a long line of JBL portable acoustics; it costs about 7,000 UAH in Ukraine. In terms of price, it is between JBL Charge 3 (cheaper) and JBL Extreme (more expensive). What sets Pulse 3 apart from them is the ability to organize a disco with color music (or a romantic night under the soft light of a night light). At the time of writing this review, the previous “pulse” is on sale - JBL Pulse 2. It costs a little less, about 5500 UAH. The obvious advantages of Pulse 3 over its predecessor are better body security and lighting capabilities; Whether giving up these savings opportunities is worth UAH 1,500 is up to the buyer to decide.
Several competitors under other brands at a similar price:
Marshall Loudspeaker Kilburn (loud, with a carrying handle, no backlight and no water protection);
Marshall Portable Loudspeaker Stockwell (loud, with two amplifiers, relatively compact, without protection or backlight);
Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay A1 (omnidirectional, loud, with a carrying loop, afraid of water, no lights);
Harman Kardon GO+PLAY Mini (loud, with handle, without protection and light);
Beats Pill+ (loud, stereo, can be paired, charge a smartphone or tablet from it. No protection from water or flashlights).
And a whole host of Chinese speakers: on their side is the cost, on the side of the JBL Pulse 3 is good sound quality for this class of devices, protection against water getting inside the case and excellent lighting capabilities. If this is important to you.
Bottom line
JBL Pulse 3 is a good backlit speaker, or a night light with the ability to play sound. With equal success, the speaker will take up space on the bedside table and become the center of a party in the living room. Protection from dust and water may be a strong buying argument for some, as well as long-term operation on a single charge, but still the main “feature” of the JBL Pulse 3 is the light. If you need a device like this just for the sound, you can consider other devices from the company.
3 reasons to buy JBL Pulse 3
- You need a Bluetooth speaker so you won't be embarrassed to put it in the living room
- I would like to add high-tech romance by the pool/bathroom
- An excellent universal option for a gift - it will be appropriate and everyone will like it
3 reasons not to buy JBL Pulse 3
- You definitely don't need a column light.
- Are you an audiophile and are offended by Bluetooth sound?
- You need an SD card, FM radio and (for example) a toaster in a portable speaker
| JBL Pulse 3 Specifications | |
| Speakers | 3 pcs. (40 mm) |
| Power | 20 W |
| frequency range | 65 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | < 80 dB |
| Switching | Bluetooth 4.2, miniJACK 3.5 mm |
| Self-powered | Up to 12 hours with backlight (depending on volume level and content), 6000 mAh Li-ion polymer battery, battery charging time 5 hours @ 5V, 2.3 |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 223 x 92 x 92 mm |
| Finishing | Combined acrylic and rubberized housing with 100 integrated LEDs |
| Weight | 0.960 kg |
For those who want to know more
- JBL Flip 4. Portable speaker review
- Review of hipster Bluetooth speakers Logitech UE Mobile Boombox
- Beats Pill Portable Speaker System Review
- Logitech UE Boombox wireless speaker review: back to the past
- Turn it up! Review of Bluetooth speaker UE Boom 2
Other functions
The speaker can synchronize with other speakers from the company: Boombox, Flip 3 or 4, Charge 3, Xtreme and its predecessor Pulse 2. Connect two devices and listen to music in stereo. Add a few Pulse 3s for a synchronized speaker light show. Find more of them and you'll get a party with cool sound and special effects.
Another feature is the ability to use voice assistants Siri and Google Now. You can reassign the Play/Pause button to turn them on.
Control and Connectivity
The control buttons are located on the top ring, they are large in size and easy to press. It is possible to start and pause a song, change the volume, adjust the backlight, connect to a smartphone or other device, and synchronize with other JBL wireless speakers.
On the back side there is an open USB-C connector for charging. On the one hand, it’s convenient that you don’t have to remove and insert the rubber plug every time. On the other hand, before charging you will always have to check whether liquid has entered the connector. The plug on the Pulse 3 allowed the port to remain dry even when the speaker was dropped into water.
Autonomy
The Pulse 3 battery capacity is 6,000 mAh, which is equivalent to 12 hours of operation of the speaker, and it charges to 100% in 4.5 hours - as written in the instructions. Based on our experience and reviews, the operating time may be shorter and it may charge faster. This depends on many factors: music volume, distance from the speaker to the signal source, brightness and backlight modes.
Indicators of autonomy are not so important if we remember that the Pulse 3 is still a home speaker that is not intended to be used while traveling.
What else can she do?
Answer calls, for example. There is a built-in microphone: we accept calls and talk directly through the speaker.
In addition to the Bluetooth connection, you can connect via a 3.5 mm AUX jack, which makes the sound even better. But there are no complaints about the wireless sound, it is quite good.
JBL Pulse 2 plays and lights up for 10 hours without a break, this will be more than enough for 2 large parties. It is very difficult to discharge this beast. You can take it with you to the sea, to the pool - anywhere: neither the body nor the speakers themselves are afraid of liquid.
Of course, you shouldn’t bathe the speaker, but it will withstand a stream of water without any problems.
JBL Pulse 2 is worth every ruble spent, RUB 12,990. for such a column - simply chic. But even so, there is a cheaper option...
Verdict
The best Bluetooth speakers of recent years are approximately the same: they produce good, but compromised sound, show good battery life and durability, and even look similar. Therefore, devices like the Pulse 3 are willing to forgive lag in frequencies, stiff buttons, and an almost complete lack of additional functions.
If we remove the backlight, we are faced with a rather nondescript speaker with performance not much above average. But it is precisely this nuance that is decisive here, turning Pulse 3 into a very entertaining device, a stylish piece of furniture and, perhaps, the best glowing speaker in the world.
Buy JBL Pulse 3 for 11,490 rubles →
