Bluetooth speaker - my options and what to buy

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kiwis

628 posts

Ultimate Geek

#277244 3-Oct-2020 10:08

I'm back looking for a bluetooth speaker for summer. Outside on the deck/lawn/spa area.

Want something with enough guts in it that I can hear it 10-15 meters away when i'm in the garden but it's not for parties etc. I also don't want volume at 100% to achieve this as it shortens the lifespan. Also want solid battery life but they all promise that.

Here's 3 options I'm looking at.

$179 is a great price, but how much more do you get if you go to the $249 and what's so great about the $399?

https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/jbl-flip-5-portable-waterproof-speaker-blue/32209787

https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/jbl-charge-4-bluetooth-speaker-grey/30361509

https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/jbl-xtreme-2-bluetooth-speaker-blue/30361524

Mighty Ape is close and a great company so open to alternatives that they supply.

Batman

Mad Scientist
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#2578491 3-Oct-2020 10:17

this thing - you will hear it 10 miles away https://www.ultimateears.com/en-nz/wireless-speakers/hyperboom.html

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

kiwis

628 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2578499 3-Oct-2020 10:35

Batman:

this thing - you will hear it 10 miles away https://www.ultimateears.com/en-nz/wireless-speakers/hyperboom.html

Nothing about that is what I'm after.

jamesrt

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#2578514 3-Oct-2020 11:14

kiwis:

$179 is a great price, but how much more do you get if you go to the $249 and what's so great about the $399?

Generally speaking, judging by the specs, you're paying more for a larger battery, so longer periods between recharges; and a slightly more powerful output (so it'll be potentially louder - "potentially"). Also, the higher priced ones can be used to recharge other devices; if that's worth the extra expense for you...

kiwis

628 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2578519 3-Oct-2020 11:26

jamesrt:

kiwis:

$179 is a great price, but how much more do you get if you go to the $249 and what's so great about the $399?

Generally speaking, judging by the specs, you're paying more for a larger battery, so longer periods between recharges; and a slightly more powerful output (so it'll be potentially louder - "potentially"). Also, the higher priced ones can be used to recharge other devices; if that's worth the extra expense for you...

Thanks for the reply.

When I look on the jbl website, both show this "Signal-to-noise ratio: >80dB"

Also

What's a/the Transducer?

How does 80db compare to a stock TV audio output for example?

https://www.jbl.co.nz/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw191584da/pdfs/JBL_Flip_5%20Spec_sheet_English.pdf

https://www.jbl.co.nz/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dwf4a4aec7/pdfs/JBL_Charge4_Spec_Sheet_English.pdf

lNomNoml

1572 posts

Uber Geek

#2578522 3-Oct-2020 11:33

Much cheaper here if you don't mind the colour: https://techcrazy.co.nz/products/jbl-flip-5-pink-brand-new?_pos=1&_sid=706b0cfff&_ss=r

If you do mind the colour: https://www.heathcotes.co.nz/products/781177-jbl-flip-5-speaker-black?tduid=19500d10794cc66491dca72863ad104b

https://www.heathcotes.co.nz/products/780111-jbl-xtreme-2-portable-bluetooth-speaker-black?tduid=19500d10794cc66491dca72863ad104b

https://www.harveynorman.co.nz/phone-and-gps/portable-speakers/jbl-xtreme-2-portable-bluetooth-speaker-black.html?

https://www.harveynorman.co.nz/phone-and-gps/portable-speakers/jbl-charge-4-portable-bluetooth-speaker-grey.html?

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/headphones-speakers-audio/jbl/jbl-charge-4-portable-bluetooth-speaker-black/362493/?

kiwis

628 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2578531 3-Oct-2020 12:00

Thanks for the links, don't mind the MightyApe prices and like to support local shops around me too.

Really looking on feedback on which one will give me better quality out of the two. Right now I'm thinking $249 will be worth it based on battery life but if it sounds the same as $179...

Hammerer

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#2578533 3-Oct-2020 12:02

The JBL Flip 5 has no 3.5mm connector so I'd eliminate it for that reason alone.

The whole point of a portable speaker is that you can carry it where you are working so the smaller systems would be fine. But at 15m away, of the three, I'd only buy the Xtreme 2. Though it is pricey at $400, I liked it when I did a comparison.

These JBL speakers have directionality so you can point them where you are working. Whereas some other speakers, like the UE range, aim to spread the sound in all directions so they work better in the middle of a crowd/room. I've found that reviewers tend to rate the unidirectional look higher but I generally want the sound to get straight to me.

An important difference for me is the driver size and output power. The round cross-section constrains driver size so it is worth checking out the actual driver specs. The Xtreme 2 has two mid-range drivers whereas the smaller speakers only have one. The Charge 4 sound doesn't suffer as much for this as the Flip 5, perhaps because it uses a quite large oblong driver.

IMO, the Sony range has some advantages over the JBL range. If you're happy with something smaller (and cheaper) than the Xtreme 2 then I think the Sony SRS-XB41 would win a shoot-out with the JBL Charge 4: same power output; dust-protected (IP67 vs JBL's IPX7); 2x2.3 inch drivers versus one 1.9x3.5 inch driver; longer battery life (in actual tests); LDAC (with Android 8+); NFC.

Senecio

915 posts

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#2578555 3-Oct-2020 12:57

when you say in the garden, are you relaxing or working? I have UE Megaboom that I use in the garage which is great. I thought I would use it more when working in the garden but I don't as you have to have it so loud to hear it as you walk around that it can be annoying to the neighbours. For working in the garden I much prefer a cheap set of wireless ear buds as I can listen at a reasonable volume and even hear over the garden power tools with a set of ear muffs on.