JBL loudspeaker test: boxes for inside and outside

US company JBL has become a fixture in the audio market. No wonder: the audio expert dances at almost all weddings at the same time – and with great success! Portable Bluetooth speakers in all conceivable sizes and weight classes, compact boxes as computer accessories and sound bars for televisions are part of the repertoire. JBL is even well represented when it comes to over- and in-ear headphones. COMPUTER BILD shows the best models for indoors and outdoors in the JBL loudspeaker test.

Although JBL has a few stationary speakers and soundbars on offer, the focus is on mobile technology that doesn’t care about the weather. In other words: most mobile JBL boxes do not mind water, a rain shower or a mishap at the swimming lake do not result in an expensive total failure. Yes, even a sandstorm will probably pass through the speakers without any problems. Thanks to the decent battery life, the JBL Bluetooth boxes are usually suitable for excursions into nature or as a robust companion for parties where a little music is otherwise missing. COMPUTER BILD has also tested other outdoor speakers for less than 100 euros.

At JBL you can usually fix the price of the boxes by the size, because the rule of thumb applies: the more massive the device, the more expensive it is. This is confirmed, for example, by the JBL Clip 3, which can be hooked onto eyelets, zippers or other loops if necessary. In addition to the weather resistance, the runtime of almost 17 hours scores here. You shouldn’t expect high-end sound: Voices are nasally discolored, basses can be guessed rather than heard. The price starts at around 50 euros, depending on the color variant. It works even cheaper with the JBL Go 2. It starts for as little as 25 euros, but there are deductions for the tinny sound with nasal voices. The tiny housing of the JBL Go 2 is waterproof to a depth of one meter, and the built-in battery lasts up to eight hours at a time.

The next step on the size ladder is the JBL Flip 5 for just under 100 euros. And bass is not a problem here, because the technology blows from all pipes, even if the maximum volume and the mids are quiet. As usual, the sound cannot be controlled on the device, but on the smartphone. The still handy housing offers space for even more power on demand: with well over 21 hours, the battery lasts longer than many an adventure in nature.

The JBL Charge 4 for around 140 euros is not the latest generation of the Charge series, but the technology will continue to impress in 2021. Thanks to its large battery, the technology can play for almost 20 hours at a time – or it donates power for other devices such as smartphones and the like via a USB port. As is typical for JBL, the operation is quite simple, and the box is of course waterproof. The only deductions for the very solid sound are the sometimes booming bass. The Charge 5 is newer for 150 euros, but the battery life of less than nine hours is more of a disappointment.

Are you looking for a real loudspeaker giant that is still transportable? JBL has several models on offer, such as the JBL Xtreme 3 with a shoulder strap. The sound is powerful and pleasant, although the highs are sharp. The box, which weighs 2 kilograms, is of course waterproof, and you can charge additional devices via a USB port. There are also provisions for long days in nature: with well over 20 hours of use, the JBL Xtreme 3 for just under 240 euros won’t run out of breath so quickly.

Is that not enough for you? If size really matters for you, take a look at the monstrous JBL Boombox 2 for around 400 euros. This loudspeaker blows an acoustic attack: the sound is powerful and warm, but slightly muffled. You can adjust the technology for indoor and outdoor activities. The sports program is built directly into the Boombox 2: With a weight of around 6 kilograms and dimensions similar to sports bags, you not only have to carry around properly, you are guaranteed to attract attention. Thanks to protection class IPX7, the boombox can be bathed up to a meter depth without any problems. The built-in battery will probably last longer than you at festivals or camping trips: with almost 32 hours of gaming time, even charging external technology via the USB port is negligible.

Disco, disco, party, party! With the JBL Partybox 310, the US company goes one better. The music tower weighs a hefty 17 kilograms and can therefore be pulled along like a suitcase on wheels and with a handle. LEDs on the front with color and light effects ensure the right party atmosphere, control is via buttons on the top. JBL hides all sorts of connections on the back, e.g. for microphones for a round of karaoke. With around 26 hours of battery life, the Party Box 310 easily gets through the night – and the day off afterwards. The bass is strong, the mids are quiet. The party box is not waterproof, so it is not suitable as a buoy. However, the JBL loudspeaker can handle rain and splashing water for around 500 euros.

As if the speakers weren’t eye-catching enough, JBL even has a few oddities on offer. This includes the JBL tuner for around 100 euros. With its well-known rounded design, it looks like a Bluetooth speaker, but draws attention to itself with its small display and extendable antenna. With the JBL tuner radio reception via DAB + and VHF is possible. You can save your favorite stations using the favorites button. The sound is decent for its size, although S-sounds hiss subtle in the voices. The running time is a great eight hours.

Have you always wanted a lava lamp as a loudspeaker? This is exactly where the JBL Pulse 4 hits with its almost area-wide lighting that can be controlled via the app. In addition to the impressive light show, the equipment is convincing: the mandatory protection from water is on board, the battery packs an impressive 18 hours of continuous sound. The sound is similar to that of the JBL tuner: the voices hiss with S-sounds, but that works for entertaining background sprinkling. There is little to complain about when it comes to the price: the colorful eye-catcher costs just under 180 euros.

It doesn’t always have to be waterproof and travel with you. JBL also has real eye-catchers for your own four walls. This includes the JBL One Series 104-BT computer loudspeaker. The price of 190 euros for a computer speaker is quite high, but buyers get a complete package for listening pleasure with the option of audio editing. This is possible via the jack socket on the back, which enables the use of a mixer. Perfect for podcasters and streamers. An additional stereo input, headphone jack and Bluetooth are on board. The balanced and natural sound is also pleasing. You shouldn’t expect only powerful bass due to the size. These are available from the JBL Quantum Duo computer boxes for around 150 euros. In addition to the decent sound, the many connection options are especially good.

But JBL is not only ready for use on the PC. For a cozy evening on the couch with the latest blockbusters and series, the JBL Bar 5.1 soundbar is available for around 700 euros. The highlight: For great surround sound there are two removable speakers on the side of the soundbar, which you can easily place behind the audience. That makes for a cool surround sound. A subwoofer is part of the package, as is a whole bunch of connections. Playback is possible via USB and Bluetooth.