JBL has a handful of Portable Bluetooth Speakers set for release beginning February 2017
Ever wonder why most headphones brands don’t manufacture speakers and vice versa? I hadn’t thought about this question much until I visited with the folks at HARMAN at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. HARMAN, through its various brands like JBL, manufacturers all types of headphones and speakers. While at their CES showroom, you can’t help but be impressed with the diversity of product lines and categories. What does JBL have in store for us in early 2017? They are set to introduce no less than four speakers, mostly via updates to existing models. Let’s take a deep dive into the JBL portable Bluetooth speakers 2017 line-up and find out.
Just Released: The New JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Portable Speaker
JBL has taken their wildly popular and well-rated Flip 3 speaker, made a number of improvements (such as sound clarity and bass,) and turned it into the Flip 4 speaker. This CES Innovations Award winner has gone from having a splashproof design to a waterproof one with an IPX7 rating. The JBL Connect feature has now become Connect+ allowing for over 100 JBL Connect+ enabled speakers to play the same music from the same source device.
Features that continue to grace the Flip line are Siri and Google Now voice assistant integration, the use of durable fabrics, and the echo- and noise-cancelling speakerphone. The JBL Flip 4 is available now for $99.
Per the press release, “With improved sound clarity and bass, up to 12 hours of playback time and a waterproof design featuring rugged new fabrics, the JBL Flip 4 is a perfect companion to make life more fun. Wirelessly connect up to two smartphones or tablets to the speaker and take turns playing impressive stereo sound.”
JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Portable Speaker
• List pricing of $99
• Weight: 515 grams
• Dimensions: 68 x 175 x 70 mm
• Bluetooth 4.2 enabled
• Output power: 2 x 8 W
• Frequency response: 70 Hz – 20 kHz
• Up to 12-hours of continuous playtime
• Charge time of 3.5 hours
• 3000 mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery
• USB cable for easy recharging
• IPX7 waterproof
• A2DP V1.3, AVRCP V1.6, HFP V1.6, HSP V1.2 support
• Noise- and echo-cancelling speakerphone
• Siri or Google Now Voice Assistant Integration
• Durable fabric material and rugged rubber housing
• Dual external passive bass radiators
• Available in 6 colors: Black, White, Teal, Gray, Red, and Blue
• Flip 4 carrying case available for $24.95
Recently Released: The JBL Charge 3 Bluetooth Portable Speaker
Although not exactly a new product, the Charge 3 speaker has been updated with five fabric patterns for 2017. The downside of the statement mentioned above is that these fabric designs are for the European market only. I know, it’s disappointing news. If you happened to see these at CES like I did, cross your fingers and hope that JBL will reconsider releasing them into North America.
Features that continue to grace the Charge line are the use of durable fabrics, and the echo- and noise-cancelling speakerphone. The JBL Charge 3 is available now for $149.
Per the press release, “The blend of the JBL Charge 3’s powerful sound performance and banging bass means a balanced listening experience across all genres from any Bluetooth-enabled device. It comes equipped with JBL Connect functionality to wirelessly link multiple JBL-Connect enabled speakers to amplify the listening experience. Wirelessly connect up to three smartphones or tablets to the speaker and take turns playing powerful stereo sound.”
JBL Charge 3 Bluetooth Portable Speaker
• List pricing of $149
• Weight: 800 grams
• Dimensions: 213 x 87 x 88.5 mm
• Bluetooth 4.1 enabled
• Output power: 2 x 10 W
• Frequency response: 65 Hz – 20 kHz
• Up to 20-hours of continuous playtime
• Charge time of 4.5 hours
• 6000 mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery
• USB cable + 5V 2.3A USB adapter included
• IPX7 waterproof
• A2DP V1.3, AVRCP V1.5, HFP V1.6, HSP V1.2 support
• Noise- and echo-cancelling speakerphone
• Siri or Google Now Voice Assistant Integration
• Durable fabric material and rugged rubber housing
• 2 x 45 mm drivers w/dual external passive bass radiators
• Available in 5 colors: Black, Teal, Gray, Red, and Blue
• Charge 3 carrying case available for $24.95
JBL set to release the JBL Pulse 3 Bluetooth Portable Speaker in Spring 2017
Within a month or so, the new JBL Pulse 3 speaker will be upon us. While we don’t have complete details on the Pulse 3 speaker just yet, we do know that like the Flip 4, the Pulse 3 comes in an IPX7 rated waterproof design. The JBL Connect feature has also been upgraded to Connect+ allowing for over 100 JBL Connect+ enabled speakers to play the same music from the same source device.
Per the press release, “the JBL Pulse 3 elevates the listening experience with powerful sound and lightshow by including separated LED light and sound cabinets through a seamless exterior. The bottom portion of the JBL Pulse 3 provides 360° sound with improved bass performance and is equipped with three drivers and dual passive radiators, while the top portion is dedicated to delivering a 360° LED light show. Keep the party going, with increased battery life now offering up to 12-hours of playtime.”
According to Andy Tsui, Vice President & General Manager, Smart Audio, HARMAN, “Wireless, durable and waterproof, the Pulse 3 brings music to the next level providing powerful audio and an exciting, fully customizable light show at a listener’s fingertips – this speaker creates the ultimate experience anywhere you go.”
JBL Pulse 3 Bluetooth Portable Speaker
• List pricing of $199
• Weight: ~800 grams
• Dimensions: TBA
• Bluetooth 4.2 enabled
• Output power: TBA
• Frequency response: TBA – 20 kHz
• Up to 12-hours of continuous playtime
• Charge time of 4.5 hours
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery, TBA mAh
• µUSB cable + USB adapter included
• IPX7 waterproof
• A2DP V1.3, AVRCP V1.6, HFP V1.6, HSP V1.2 support
• Noise- and echo-cancelling speakerphone
• Siri or Google Now Voice Assistant Integration
• Rugged housing
• 3 x 45 mm drivers w/dual external passive bass radiators
• Available in 2 colors: Black and White
• Pulse 3 carrying case available for $24.95
JBL set to release the JBL Playlist Speaker in Spring 2017
Now here’s a portable home speaker that should garner plenty of attention.
Per the press release, “With JBL Playlist, audiophiles can seamlessly listen to music by simply tapping the cast button from a favorite music service on their smartphone without any interruptions from phone calls or text messages. Additionally, multiple devices can be connected to the speaker at one time, giving everyone in the home a chance to play DJ.”
“For listening throughout the home, connect multiple JBL Playlists or other Chromecast™ built-in speakers with the Google Home app. The JBL Playlist can also work seamlessly with the Google Home voice activated speaker, allowing users to control music by voicing commands through Google Home.”
JBL Playlist w/Chromecast™ Portable Speaker
• List pricing of $150
• Chromecast™ built-in
• Hi-Res Audio capable, 96K/24 bit
• Bluetooth 4.2 enabled
• Dual-band Wi-Fi
• Access music from Pandora or Spotify
JBL Portable Bluetooth Speakers 2017 in Summary
As you can see with these new portable Bluetooth speakers, JBL continues to update and make improvements to its speaker line-up by giving you, the consumer, more of the features you want.
Do you have any thoughts or comments on the 2017 JBL portable Bluetooth speakers line-up? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media.
When more information becomes available on the products mentioned above, we’ll update this post.
Don’t hesitate to head over to the JBL Bluetooth speakers page to see their latest products. To learn more about warranties, click this link.
FTC Disclosure: This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a product ambassador for JBL.
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All photographs are the copyrighted property of © 2017 Beantown LLC and Harman International Industries, Inc.
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