JBL ’s Charge series of portableBluetooth speakershas been a recurrent favorite for those who desire powerful tunes to go . It ’s easy to see why . With a rugged build , a heavy battery that can also be used to charge your other devices , and enough volume to power a mid - size pool political party , the bang is hard to stupefy . Now that JBL has roll out the Charge 6 , it ’s an even more compelling product , but perchance not for the reasons you ’re cogitate .
Getting a handle on the situation
Out of the loge , the Charge 6 look unchanged from its predecessor , theJBL Charge 5 . It ’s the same cylindrical form with the same rugged woven fabric wrap , bearing the same oversized JBL logotype . Even the weight , at 2.1 pound , is the same .
But it ’s the little differences that count . The Charge 6 can float and is now more waterproofed than before ( IP68 versus IP67 ) , and JBL has added drop - proofing too . The base has been reshaped to give it a more self-coloured stance on flat surfaces — the Charge 5 was well-fixed to undulate backward or forward — and the rubberized terminate that protect the two peaceful radiators now have four “ legs ” alternatively of three . JBL has also separated the controls for magnate , Bluetooth , andAuracastfrom those that manage sport / pause and volume up / down , making it easier to reach the most frequently used buttons .
Still , the biggest and good change has to be the included strap . It can do double - tariff as a wrist strap or a carry handgrip , and it fundamentally changes the experience of summate the speaker around . you may get off without a grip on a smaller speaker system like theJBL Flip 7or theBeats Pill , but at just over two pounds , a bigger speaker system like the Charge 6 can be a fistful .
By comparison , most similarly sized speakers often lack any variety of carry assistance . The old Charge 5 does n’t come with any carrying appurtenance , and the speaker does n’t have a built - in spot to attach one if you bought your own . The UE Everboom has a small supplement loop on the back , but it ’s only design for a carabiner . TheMonster DNA Maxhas a articulatio radiocarpea strap , but it ’s not as well-fixed to use as the Charge 6 ’s strap .
I experience , it seems like a pocket-size thing . However , I now happily carry the care 6 from way to board during the day , whereas the Charge 5 tended to stay put .
Sadly , JBL has n’t equip the Charge 6 with a mic for speakerphone capability . And while it can connect to outside digital sources via its USB - coke port , there ’s no aux input for analogue source .
JBL Charge 6 specs
Bigger (and sometimes better) sound
As I said in the introduction , Charge verbalizer have long been a great choice for get - togethers , especially outdoors , thanks to their telling power ( considering their size ) . On this front , the Charge 6 does n’t let down .
JBL says the Charge 6 has a slimly eminent maximal wattage than the Charge 5 ( 45 versus 40 W ) , but the most noticeable difference is the inclusion of EQ presets and a more comprehensive equalizer in the JBL Portables app . These configurations , conflate with a new AI Sound algorithm , allow the tutelage 6 pump out stronger bass and clearer high , with less aberration than its predecessor .
There is , however , something about the novel tuning that incline to over - emphasize the highest relative frequency . It ’s most obtrusive when using the industrious preset . I ’m especially sensitive to this sort of thing , but if it bugs you too , the easy result is to use the custom EQ choice in the app and concentrate the horizontal surface of the highs .
With USB Audio too
I ’m still not entirely sure how worthful USB Audio is on a portable speaker like the cathexis 6 , but I ’m happy to have the option . When punch into a compatible USB - C interface on a computer or smartphone ( you ’ll need to press and hold the play button as you stop up it in ) , the Charge 6 can processlossless digital audio , for a smoother overall auditory sensation than you get with Bluetooth .
The improvement wo n’t be Nox and day for most folks , and if you do n’t have a lossless source of music likeApple MusicorQobuz , you wo n’t get any benefit at all . Still , that over - accent on high-pitched frequencies I note via Bluetooth is substantially boil down when play via USB Audio .
If you ’re listen critically , you may notice greater detail , particularly through the mids .
Expanded audio sharing
The Charge 6 , like almost all of JBL ’s portable and company speakers foretell since 2024 , uses Auracast for audio sharing . Like the now - discontinued Party Boost feature , it ’s easy to make stereo dyad or multi - speaker group using Auracast , but now you ’ve produce more choice . The direction 6 can deal with any other JBL Auracast verbalizer with no limit on the number . If the speaker is in Bluetooth compass , it can be added to the group .
I tried it with a Flip 7 and it worked like a charm , quickly grabbing the Flip ’s audio frequency and playing it back in perfect sync .
Charging, simplified
late Charge models used one interface for charging the speaker and a second port for charge external gadget . The Charge 6 simplifies this with a single USB - one C port for both activeness . That ’s one less cable to bring with you ( as long as all of your devices are USB - speed of light compatible ) .
Speaking of cables , you ’ll need to use your own or buy one : the Charge 6 does n’t come with its own in the boxful .
More power
talk of accuse , you ’ll have a bit more battery content to bring with when juicing up your other machine . The Charge 6 has a 34 - watt - hour battery versus the Charge 5 ’s 27 - watt - hr mobile phone . This also translates into longer play sentence on the speaker system . JBL claims you’re able to get 24 hours of steady playback , plus an additional 4 hr if you change to Playtime Boost mode ( which incapacitate the EQ mapping ) . The Charge 5 , for its part , maxes out at 20 hours .
Conclusion
New Bluetooth speaker unit are constantly appearing . I have n’t , for instance , essay Sony ’s unexampled $ 200 Ult Field 3 , or LG ’s new $ 200 XBoom Bounce . They may perform better than the bang 6 in some country , such as stamp battery life or profound tone , but neither has USB Audio , Auracast share-out , or that awesome convertible strap .
In fact , the Charge 6 ’s top competition might come from the Charge 5 , which you ’ll now see regularly dismiss until JBL runs out of stock . If you’re able to take hold of it for $ 150 or less , I call back you should . The Charge 6 is practiced , no question , but for most folks , the fifth - gen speaker is still just fine .
