Bluetooth speakers are important devices for any audiophiles wanting to carry the music with them. These wireless speakers are easy to carry and connect anywhere you go, that is why they are in high demand. The JBL Flip 5, Charge 5 and Marshall Emberton are some popular Bluetooth speakers in the market. This article will discuss the differences among these three Bluetooth devices to find out which one offers the best performance overall.
Differences between JBL Flip 5 vs Marshall Emberton vs JBL Charge 5
Although the three speakers might be very similar in specifications, you can easily distinguish them in terms of their performance. The table below can help you understand the differences between the JBL Flip 5, Marshall Emberton and JBL Charge 5 bluetooth speakers at a glance:
The Flip 5 is one of JBL’s hottest Bluetooth speakers out there. These well-built cylindrical speakers excel at adding style and convenience to your audio experience with their variety in design and superior flexibility in usage. Let’s look at their pros and cons:
What we like
- Variety of color options to choose from and fun customization options
- Robust and durable build quality
- IPX7 waterproof rating
- Powerful audio
What we dislike
- Only Bluetooth 4.2 compatible
- Does not support Wi-Fi
- No microphone attached
- 3.5 mm input is lacking
Design
The JBL Flip 5 has a cylindrical shape and is adorned with a tight wrapped fabric around it. These speakers come in a total of twelve different color options. They can have a camouflaged design and can also be customized according to your style in JBL’s website. The speakers can be placed either horizontally or vertically. Weighing at about 1.2 lbs, these Bluetooth speakers are very small and compact so they can be carried without much effort. The Flip 5 also includes a rubber strap for carrying or hanging the speakers which can be removed if required.
Build quality
Although the Flip 5 is composed of mostly plastic, they feel quite sturdy and robust in terms of build quality. The tightly wrapped fabric over the speaker grilles and the rubber buttons seem quite flexible. In fact, the JBL Flip 5 speakers are waterproof and have been rated IPX7. This means that these boom boxes are quite great for pool parties. When submerged in water, the music plays just well and the Bluetooth speaker dries off when taken out. The exposed bass radiators at both ends of the speakers are protected with tough rubber.
Controls and charging
The speakers have minimal controls on the surface. There are buttons for play/pause, power, volume adjustments and PartyBoost options. It also includes buttons for Bluetooth pairing and a USB C port for charging. These speakers are compatible with the Bluetooth 4.2 version. There aren’t however, any call related controls on the device. Moreover, the Flip 5 does not support mono or stereo mode. The JBL Connect app is compatible with both Android and IOS. The speakers are not Wi-Fi compatible, however.
The charging for the Flip 5 takes around 2.5 hours and it offers about 12 hours of music playtime once charged. Nevertheless the results will vary according the level of the volume of music you’re playing.
Audio performance
The JBL Flip 5 bluetooth speakers have a power rating of 20 watts RMS and a frequency range of 65 Hertz to 20000 Hertz. The racetrack shaped driver which is 4 mm wide in diameter and enhances the power these speakers perform with. The Flip 5 can get pretty loud, measuring at about 96 dB for maximum volume, so these are indeed a great choice for crazy parties.
The audio performance of these speakers when scrutinized is satisfactory, but not something extraordinary. When music that is intense in bass is played through these Bluetooth speakers, it gets delivered without much distortion. Although the bass has been improved with the update from the Flip 4, it could have been better. Nevertheless, the midrange is balanced and the vocals can be separated from the instrumental quite definitely. Overall, the speakers are well performing but it should be noted that the placement of the Bluetooth speaker is an important determinant in the audio quality.
Additional features
Here are some of the special features of the JBL Flip 5:
- The speakers offer total customization of your choice. All you need to do is visit the website and you can change the design to anything of your liking.
- The speakers are IPX7 rated for waterproof listening. These can be used fearlessly in pool parties and can perform without interruption when submerged under up to 3 feet deep water.
- The Flip 5 offers a PartyBoost options which allows the users two JBL speakers together with PartyBoost compatibility for stereo pairing to boost up the party.
Marshall Emberton review
The Marshall Emberton Bluetooth speakers look quite small and compact but they are filled with power. These uniquely design sleek speakers are not only aesthetic to the eyes but a treat for the audiophiles’ ears. These 5.0 Bluetooth compatible speakers offer rich and detailed audio with a warm and natural bass response. With the Emberton, you can enjoy up to 20 hours of playtime with ease. Here’s what we liked about the speakers and what we thought could have been better:
What we like
- Stylish and aesthetic design
- Long lasting battery life
- Waterproof and durable Bluetooth speakers
What we dislike
- Weak bass response at higher volumes
- No 3.5 mm aux input
- No microphone or voice assistant controls
Design
The Marshall Emberton Bluetooth speakers come only in black color and black and a brass variant color. Nevertheless, the speakers look very refreshing with their unique and sleek design. Unlike most Bluetooth speakers which are cylindrical in shape, the Marshall Emberton speakers have a rectangular design. The design mimics much of the other speakers of Marshall, so it basically looks like a tiny speaker. The black body of the Marshall Emberton includes a speaker on both the front and hind sides. At the back is black metal wire gauze and at the front of the speaker is silver gauze, above which rests the bold logo of Marshall, highlighted in white. The speakers are very portable and lightweight. Since they are battery powered, they can be carried around anywhere you wish.
Build quality
The Bluetooth speakers are great in terms of build quality. It’s metal body is coated with silicone rubber which gives the speakers the durability and strength to withstand any strong external force. Moreover, the speaker is waterproof and has an IPX7 rating. Thus, these Marshall Bluetooth speakers can still function smoothly when it is in contact with water. However, the USB C port is uncovered so you might have to be careful so that it does not easily disconnect from the speaker.
Controls and charging
The controls on the Emberton Bluetooth speakers are quite straightforward. On the top surface of the speaker is a multidirectional knob control. This control is for power, playing or pausing music and adjusting the volume. The knob also includes a control for skipping audio tracks and fast forwarding or rewinding the music. To the left of the central control includes a Bluetooth pairing button. The Marshall Emberton is compatible with Bluteooth 5.0 and it just takes a few seconds to connect to it. A USB C port is present even though an aux input is missing in the design.
At the right side is an LED light that indicates charging. The Emberton speakers can last up to 20 hours of playback and charging the Bluetooth speakers for just twenty minutes will give you about five hours of playtime.
Audio performance
The Emberton Bluetooth speakers include two 10 watt drivers and two class D amplifiers which help it deliver smooth audio performance. The frequency range of these Bluetooth speakers is rated at 60 hertz to 20000 hertz. These speakers have a wide and natural soundstage although there could have been some improvements made in the dynamics.
The bass response with these Bluetooth speakers is warm and well defined. However, if you are listening to bass heavy music, you might be a little disappointed because these speakers lack low bass. When you increase the volume of the Bluetooth speakers, the power of the bass diminishes without losing its clarity. Nevertheless, the mid and high range is well balanced. The instruments and the lead vocals blend in quite nicely and the details are clearly audible.
Additional features
There are some features that we thought stood out in the Marshall Emberton Bluetooth speakers:
- The speakers have IPX7 rating for waterproof properties and are built to be extremely durable.
- The Marshall Emberton is Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and allow easy and quick connectivity.
JBL Charge 5 review
The JBL Charge 5 are the ultimate party Bluetooth speakers. These well-built speakers are durable for any environment and they perform very well in both high and low SPL scenarios. Here are the specifications:
What we like
- Good bass precision and neutral tone
- Durable design with IP67 rating
- Built-in powerbank allows charge and play
- Wide soundstage
What we dislike
- Bass weakens at increasing volume levels
- Expensive
Design
The JBL Charge 5 are cylindrical speakers that are very portable for their compact in size. These speakers come in five different colors and one special camouflaged pattern design. The colors available for these Bluetooth speakers are red, grey, blue, teal and black. The speaker looks mostly similar to the other designs of JBL. The only visible difference is the big logo that JBL boasts proudly on the surface of the Bluetooth speaker and the large LED status light beneath it. The big logo is written in simple metallic accents which gives the speaker a nice and finished look. The cylindrical shape of the charge 5 may feel a bit of a challenge for placing the speakers horizontally, but the rubber ends and the gripped design ensures that the device sits still without slipping.
Build quality
The Bluetooth device has an impressive build quality. This medium sized cylinder is extremely sturdy and can withstand extreme force without it being damaged. The speakers are made of solid and robust materials with the passive radiators at both ends being protected with rubber covering. The JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth speakers are waterproof and have a rating of IP67. This makes the dynamic speakers water and dust resistant, which means that you can take them anywhere you want for a wonderful audio experience without worrying much about their durability. The USB A port that is located on the back of the speakers is also protected in a seal compartment.
Controls and charging
The JBL Charge 5 includes a lot of different control buttons. At the top of the speaker are buttons for power, volume adjustments, play/pause options, Bluetooth 5.1 pairing and there is also a special button for PartyBoost option. The PartyBoost button can be pressed when you want to connect with other PartyBoost compatible devices for a full on stereo party mode. On the back of the panel are the other controls for charging and connectivity. There is a USB A port which is used or charging mobile devices with the battery of the Bluetooth. There is also USB C port which is used to charge the speaker itself via the cable. Although the USB A port is covered, the USB C port is uncovered.
The charging level of the Charge 5 Bluetooth device is indicated by the horizontal dots at the bottom of the speaker which light up accordingly. The speaker when charged for 4 hours, can last around 20 hours of playtime which is pretty great. Nevertheless this statistic varies according to the usage. There is a power saving feature in the device which make it automatically shut down when it has been inactive for a while.
Audio performance
The sound quality of these speakers is quite similar to the Charge 4. There have been certain improvements in the Charge 5 such as the addition of a driver which helps to increase the clarity. The Bluetooth speaker has a single 20 mm 10 watt tweeter and a 52 mm by 90 mm 30-watt woofer with a racetrack design. These improved features help to enhance the performance of the JBL Charge 5. The Bluetooth speakers have the ability to go very loud thanks to the big power rating that they have.
The vocals in the music track sound pretty clear and detailed. The bass is impactful and deep. The mids are clear with low distortion and highs perform well and sound warm until the sound is cracked up a bit. At higher volumes, the effect of the bass seems to diminish hence the optimum volume for the Bluetooth devices should be around 50 to 60 percent.
Additional features
Here are some of the special features of the JBL Charge 5:
- The Charge 5 has an optimized excursion driver, dual bass radiators and a separate tweeter which work together to deliver the best audio performance.
- These Bluetooth speakers are rated IP67 waterproof and dustproof. They have a durable construction and are portable for outdoor parties.
- The JBL Charge 5 includes a built-in powerbank to charge the speaker without taking a break from playing the music.
Bluetooth speakers buying guide
How do you find out the right Bluetooth speakers for yourself? Let us discuss some of the things you should know before you but a Bluetooth speaker:
Bluetooth version
If you are getting a Bluetooth speaker, it is very important to know what version of Bluetooth the device supports. This criterion determines the quality of the audio transmission and the distance that can be kept between the phone and the Bluetooth device. Usually, it is advised to go for Bluetooth version 4.0 or higher for a better audio performance.
Battery life and charging
Battery life is a very important thing to consider about Bluetooth speakers since they are used keeping portability in mind. The higher the battery life the more convenient is the usage of the speakers. Having a charging port attached to the Bluetooth speaker is convenient for the user to charge the speaker. Some Bluetooth speakers also have micro-USB ports which allow them to charge with a powerbank. Other more advanced speakers come with built-in powerbanks.
Audio quality
Ofcourse without good audio performance a Bluetooth speaker would be useless. For parties you need the devices to deliver powerful audio. It is important to look at power specifications. The higher the power rating, the better the performance of the speakers. Moreover, the frequency response is also important. Standard rating such as 100 Hertz to 20000 hertz should be enough for a dynamic audio experience. For more bass, you should look for Bluetooth devices with lower frequency ratings.
Additional features
Additional features are always a bonus treat. You should look for durability factors such as waterproof rating. Since Bluetooth speakers are used in different environments, they would need to be more robust. Some speakers have IP6X waterproof rating so it makes them water resistant. Other features such as microphone, voice controls, wired inputs etc. are also great additions.
The final verdict
From our review, it can be seen that the speakers are very similar and it is difficult to come to decide which one is the best Bluetooth speaker among the three. Nevertheless, from our research we did come up with a few takeaways:
The JBL Flip 5 would be perfect for you if you are a beginner in music who is looking for their first Bluetooth speaker and will not use it as regularly.
If you are an audiophile who takes the music seriously, then the Marshal Emberton should be just the right choice for you. These speakers perform exceptionally well and they also have a really nice and minimal look.
Lastly, if you are looking for an all in Bluetooth solution with aesthetic design, great sound performance and additional features that will make your experience more convenient, the JBL Charge 5 is the clear winner among the three different Bluetooth speakers.
Freelance tech journalist & author soundboxlab.com Read More
