JBL Flip 6 and JBL Charge 5 are JBL wireless speakers that, although they have similar aesthetics, show distinctions inside. The Charge 5 promises up to 20 hours of playback and even has the availability to serve as a power bank to recharge other devices, while the Flip 6 brings in its datasheet autonomy of 12 hours. Both promise top-notch sound, waterproof certification, and hours of playback on a single charge.
JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge 5
| Specifications | JBL Flip 6 | JBL Charge 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | 2022 | 2021 |
| Price | $99 | $125 |
| RMS power | 30 W | 40 W |
| response frequency | 63 Hz a 20 KHz | 60 Hz a 20 KHz |
| Drivers | woofer de 45 mm x 80 mm, tweeter de 16 mm | woofer de 52 mm x 90 mm, tweeter de 20 mm |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.1, USB | Bluetooth 5.1, USB |
| Battery | up to 12 hours of playback (4,800 mAh) | up to 20 hours of playback (7,500 mAh) |
| Colors | Blue, red, gray, and black | Red, blue, and black |
Design
The design of the two speakers is very similar. Both have a solid cylindrical shape with details on the bases. The two accessories have a fabric covering over the grilles through which the sound resonates. The usual shape works: the product can be used both vertically and horizontally without losing sound quality.
As for the dimensions, both portable devices are compact. So they should be practical enough to take anywhere. The Flip 6 comes with factory dimensions of 17.8 x 6.8 x 7.2 cm, and 550 g of weight. The speaker also comes with a strap, which can be used to attach it to your wrist or backpack. The Charge 5 is 22 x 9.6 x 9.3 cm and weighs 960 g.
In terms of color availability, there are differences between the two models. Flip 6, for example, brings the user four color options: black, gray, blue, and red. The Charge 5, on the other hand, is found with three color options: black, red, or blue.
Sound Quality
In terms of audio quality, both devices promise good performance, with high volumes and pleasant audio mix. Overall, they should be able to cover small outdoor events without problems. However, the devices’ performance is limited in large spaces where there is exorbitant noise.
The Flip 6 reveals a 45 x 80 mm woofer and 20 W power for bass and midrange, a 16 mm tweeter and 10 W power for treble, and two passive radiators to make the sound fuller. Meanwhile, the more robust model comes equipped with a 52 x 90 mm woofer and 30 W power, plus a 20 mm tweeter in convergence with 10 W.
In addition, the Charge line device provides a frequency response of 60 Hz to 20 kHz. Whereas the Flip device can bring 63 Hz to 20 KHz. In both accessories, the user can adjust the sound with the equalizer in the JBL Portable app.
Battery
As for the autonomy of the accessories, we have a considerable difference between the two models. According to JBL, the Flip 6 can offer the user up to 12 hours of playback on a single charge. The Charge 5, on the other hand, has a much larger battery capacity and reaches up to 20 hours of playback.
Because it has a larger battery capacity, the Charge 5 model charges more slowly. It is estimated that the device takes 4 hours to fully recharge, while the device that carries the smaller capacity recharges in 2.5 hours. To recharge the battery, the speakers offer the USB-C cable in the starter kit.
A positive differentiator is a fact that both devices feature a USB-C connection for recharging. The speaker market is still quite often dominated by models with outdated micro USB connectivity.
Extra features
Both accessories feature Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity in their respective datasheets, whose technology allows you to connect up to two smartphones or tablets to the speaker without using wires. While the Flip 6 features very objective buttons, which were designed to be practical, the Charge 5 does not feature any physical buttons. So all actions can be performed directly on the connected device via Bluetooth.
Both are compatible with the JBL Connect application, in which the user can create an integrated sound system and increase the power of the music by grouping several JBL speakers in the same network, a feature called PartyBoost by the manufacturer. In addition, the app also allows you to upgrade your speaker and offers an equalizer to adjust the music.
The devices are IP67 certified. In practice, this means that the accessory stays intact for up to 30 minutes at 1 m of depth. TechTudo tested the Flip 6 and the result was positive: when we dipped the speaker in a bucket of water, the music kept playing normally.
The Charge 5 speaker differential is the possibility to use as a kind of power bank. This means that your speaker can save your phone when the battery is running out, without interrupting your music.
Price and Availability
The JBL Flip 6 can already be found for $99 on Amazon’s website. The Charge 5, on the other hand, is the most sophisticated version. The device is sold online for about $125.
- Buy JBL Flip 6
- Buy JBL Charge 5
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