JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker – Complete Review

by

If you are someone who loves travelling, and loves music, you should get yourself a portable water-resistant Bluetooth speaker. It is a great way to carry your music with you. No matter what the destination is, you can take the speaker along. It keeps you entertained on long journeys and helps you relax after a tiring trek. The rugged housing protects it from rain, wind and sunshine, and the long-lasting battery keeps it going for hours.

In this segment we are going to talk about a leading Bluetooth speaker by a leading brand. It is the Flip 4 Bluetooth speaker and it is the latest innovation coming from the house of JBL. JBL is a well-known audio equipment company owned by Harman International Industries, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. JBL is famous for its quality speakers, earphones and headphones. The Flip 4 has tons of cool features like Bluetooth, AUX, hands-free calling, multi-speaker connectivity and a stunning 12-hour battery. It has a tough frame and is fully submersible in water.

Let us take a closer look at the technology, design and sound performance of the Flip 4.

JBL Flip 4 – Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker For Outdoor & Travelling :

Technology And Design :

The JBL Flip 4 has a rugged IPX7 waterproof body. It can survive complete immersion in water up to a depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes. You don’t have to worry about it falling in the pool or getting wet in the rain. It is designed to take a splash and water has no way of transgressing its tightly sealed enclosure.

The device is shaped like a water bottle. It is easy to grab and fits comfortably in your palm. A durable fabric covers its outer surface, protecting it from nicks and scratches. The two ends of the speaker have thick rubberized mounts for stable slip-free placement.

The Flip 4 has Bluetooth 4.2 technology. It supports Bluetooth Wireless Streaming. You can stay connected to up to two source devices at a time. It accepts input from a wide range of gadgets including smart phones, tablets, laptops and iPods.

For wired connectivity, the speaker has a 3.5mm AUX-IN jack. You can use it to play songs from non-Bluetooth as well as Bluetooth systems.

The best thing about the Flip 4 is that it can be upgraded to a multi-speaker network. It has a function called the JBL Connect+ which allows you to wirelessly link up over a 100 Connect+ enabled speakers. It expands the sound horizon and helps you cater to a larger audience. It also makes the sound more spacious, voluminous and impactful.

The JBL Flip 4 has an integrated noise and echo cancelling speakerphone for hands-free calling. If your phone is not near you, just press the call answering button on the speaker and you will instantly be connected to the caller. This feature is very useful when you are close to a water body like an ocean or a pool. You can leave your phone in a safe and dry place away from the water and answer all calls from the waterproof speaker instead.

Another big advantage of the Flip 4 is its 12-hour wireless playtime. It has a built-in 3000mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery that charges via USB. It has a charging time of 3.5 hours and offers a runtime of 12 hours per charge.

The device has Auto-power off which turns off the power of the speaker when it is not in use. The function conserves battery and prolongs the playback time of the speaker.

The Flip 4 has Voice Assistant Integration. With the simple push of a button you can talk to Siri and Google Now from the speaker. So even if your phone is far away, you can still access your virtual assistant through the Flip 4.

The speaker is 6.88 inches high. It is almost cylindrical and measures 2.67 inches by 2.75 inches across (diameter). It weighs 0.51 kg and doesn’t add a lot of weight to your luggage.

Along the curved outer surface runs a rubber spine. It has buttons for power and JBL Connect+. Next to it are the charging and AUX ports. They are secured by a rubber door to keep out water and dirt. Adjacent to the spine, on the fabric, are buttons for Bluetooth, play/pause, volume and track change. A lanyard hangs from end of the speaker for slinging it from branches, backpacks and handlebars. It makes it easier to attach the speaker to things while travelling.

The product is available in 6 attractive colors: white, black, red, blue, turquoise and grey. The box contains the Bluetooth speaker, a micro USB cable, a safety sheet, a quick start guide and a warranty card.

Sound Quality :

The JBL Flip 4 has excellent sound quality. It is fitted with a pair of 40mm external passive radiators that belt out signature JBL sound with plenty of bass and soaring highs. They have a total power output of 16 watts (8 watts x 2) which is quite impressive. For outdoor locations, it is sufficiently loud and spacious. Frequency response of the speaker is 70 Hz to 20 kHz and signal-to-noise ratio is ≥ 80dB. The JBL Flip 4 reproduces soundtracks in their original forms, keeping all the nuances intact. From low bass notes to high treble notes, it brings out all the flavors of the music with breathtaking clarity.

Key Features :

  • IPX7 waterproof outdoor portable speaker from JBL.
  • Bluetooth, AUX, noise and echo cancelling speakerphone for hands-free calls.
  • 3000mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery offer up to 12 hours wireless playtime.
  • Voice Assistant Integration, Auto-power off, JBL Connect+, dual 40mm external passive radiators.
  • Max power output 16 watts, 70 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response, lanyard.

JBL Flip 4 vs JBL Flip 3 :

  1. The most obvious difference between the Flip 4 and the Flip 3 is their batteries. The Flip 4 offers a wireless playback time of 12 hours while the Flip 3 offers 10 hours.
  2. The second difference pertains to their waterproofing standards. The Flip 4 is an IPX7-rated waterproof device. It can be immersed in one-meter-deep water for up to 30 minutes without any issues. It is completely water-tight and does not allow water to seep in very easily. On the other hand, the Flip 3 is a water-resistant device, not waterproof. It cannot be fully submerged in water. It can only take mild splashes of water.
  3. The third difference is in their Bluetooth version. The Flip 4 has Bluetooth 4.2 while the Flip 3 has Bluetooth 4.1 technology.
  4. Fourth, the Flip 4 can be connected to up to 2 source devices at the same time while the Flip 3 can be connected to up to 3 source devices.
  5. Fifth, frequency response of the Flip 4 is 70 Hz to 20 kHz while that of the Flip 3 is 85 Hz to 20 kHz.
  6. Lastly, the Flip 4 is more expensive than the Flip 3.

JBL Flip 4 vs JBL Charge 3 :

  1. The most striking difference between the Flip 4 and the JBL Charge 3 is in their battery power. The Flip 4 has a 3000mAh battery that takes 3.5 hours to be fully charged and offers a runtime of up to 12 hours per charge. The Charge 3 has a 6000mAh battery that takes 4.5 hours to be fully charged and offers a runtime of up to 20 hours per charge.
  2. The Flip 4 has a total power output of 16 watts whereas the Charge 3 has an output of 20 watts. So the sound of the Charge 3 is bound to be louder and more powerful than the Flip 4.
  3. The Flip 4 does not serve as an emergency powerbank. The Charge 3 does. Thanks to its powerful built-in battery, it doubles as a mobile powerbank for small electronics like smart phones and tablets.
  4. The Flip 4 can be connected to up to 2 sound source gadgets at a time. The Charge 3 can be connected to 3. Therefore, more people can take turns playing music with the Charge 3.
  5. The Flip 4 has two 40mm transducers whereas the Charge 3 has two 50mm transducers.
  6. Bluetooth version of the Flip 4 is 4.2 while that of the Charge 3 is 4.1.
  7. Frequency response of the Flip 4 is 70 Hz to 20 kHz whereas that of the Charge 3 is 65 Hz to 30 kHz.
  8. The Flip 4 is smaller and lighter than the Charge 3.
  9. The Flip 4 is less expensive than the Charge 3.

JBL Flip 4 vs UE BOOM 2 :

  1. The most important difference between the JBL Flip 4 and the UE BOOM 2 is their battery back-ups. The Flip 4 has a rechargeable battery that takes 3.5 hours to be 100% charged and provides a wireless playtime of up to 12 hours. The rechargeable battery of the UE BOOM 2 takes 2.75 hours to be 100% charged and it provides a wireless playtime of up to 15 hours.
  2. The JBL Flip 4 has two 40mm passive bass radiators. The UE BOOM 2 has two 45mm active drivers and two 45mm x 80mm passive radiators.
  3. The JBL Flip 4 has front facing speakers which is why it does not generate 360ᵒ The UE BOOM 2 has full 360ᵒ sound which gives it quite an edge over the Flip 4.
  4. To pause the playback or to skip songs, you have to push a physical button on the JBL Flip 4. With the UE BOOM 2 you need to tap the top of the speaker with your hand.
  5. Frequency response of the JBL Flip 4 is 70 Hz to 20 kHz whereas that of the UE BOOM 2 is 90 Hz to 20 kHz. So the bass signature of the Flip 4 is deeper and fuller than that of the BOOM 2.
  6. The JBL Flip 4 has a lanyard, but no camera mount. The UE BOOM 2 has a tripod mount insert with a detachable D-ring for attaching a lanyard. Therefore, the BOOM 2 has more mounting options.
  7. The JBL Flip 4 does not support NFC paring while the UE BOOM 2 does.
  8. The JBL Flip 4 is slightly smaller and lighter than the UE BOOM 2.
  9. The Flip 4 is less expensive than the UE BOOM 2.

[hr]

Buy a mini waterproof speaker if you have smaller budget. Read our recommendations.

[hr]

Leave a Comment