Michal Ždanský The renowned JBL brand has all kinds of speakers in its portfolio. Products from the Flip series belong to those of smaller stature and combine an interesting design with high-quality sound. JBL targets the young generation in particular, both with its style and portability, where Flip can be the perfect companion in the car, on the beach or anywhere else you spend your time...
JBL has already released the second generation of the Flip series and both are available at the same time with a price difference of CZK 900. In this review, we will look at the first generation of the speaker.
Flip is a stylish and especially very easily portable "roller", which you playfully put in a beach bag or backpack, so you can have it with you at any time. In addition, you don't even have to be ashamed to display it somewhere, the metal grid protecting the two 5W speakers, which bears the JBL logo, has a very modern impression. Even the plastics used on the sides do not look cheap at all.
Flip is offered in several color variants and the entire speaker will be colored according to the color you choose. All the color variants have in common only the silver edging on the edges of the speaker, otherwise you can choose between conservative black and white, but also blue, red, green and purple, so everyone really has something to choose from. The JBL Flip doesn't have to be just a portable speaker, but at the same time you can project your personal style into it.
The elegant design, which is at the same time very sturdy, makes Flip a capable companion for all occasions. We will find only the necessary amount of control elements on it. On one of the sides there is a power button, a rocker for volume control and also a button to accept/end calls, which, together with the integrated microphone, gives the Flip the possibility of additional uses. In addition to a speaker and a stylish accessory, it will also serve as a tool for group phone calls.
At the other end of the "roller" we find a socket for an adapter and a 3,5 mm jack input. Any device can be connected through it, but of course – as with any modern device – the Flip also has the option of wireless audio transmission via Bluetooth. Pairing your iPhone with the speaker will be a matter of seconds and Flip is immediately ready to start playing. The minor ailment of the first generation Flip is the inability to charge it via USB, so you will always have to carry a proprietary cable with you. In the second generation, however, JBL solved everything and equipped its product with a microUSB port.
The Flip can play music for five hours on a single charge, so you'll need to charge it more often than, for example, the previously reviewed one Harman/Kardon Esquire, and during longer events without a source, it will not last. But the advantage of the Flip is mainly in its compact dimensions, which literally encourage you to pack it in your backpack when you go somewhere, or just place it on the dashboard of your car. With the practical neoprene cover that is included in the package, you will be sure that nothing will happen to the speaker during transport.
Sound
Anyone who would think that a 160 millimeter (in length) roller cannot produce quality sound will be quickly disproved by Flip. JBL is a guarantee of quality and clear and rich sound confirms it. In addition, we do not find a problem with the bass, which some competing devices from the "small speakers" category have. Of course, with the Flip we won't achieve the same results as with the integrated subwoofer, but that's not the purpose of this speaker.
Its main goal is to provide high-quality sound in any space where you place it, and if it is a medium-sized room, the Flip will handle it well. There are louder speakers of this size, but the Flip offers practically undistorted sound even at the highest volume, although it has a rocking character, so we recommend keeping the volume up to 80 percent for optimal listening.
With its Flip, JBL appeals to young people, which is not easy when it comes to music. Everyone listens to a different style, and a great design may not be the only thing that makes a decision when buying. However, Flip can handle it here as well, because it sounds good pop, metal and electronic music. On the road, fans of almost any musical style will not be disappointed.
záver
I have already passed through my hands a decent number of small speakers, differing diametrically in reproduction quality. However, with the JBL brand, you can be almost certain that when it comes to quality, you don't compromise. Flip will offer a balanced, clear sound with enough bass and treble. Whether you use it to listen to a movie on your laptop or play music from your phone, it will do a great job. I had the opportunity to take the Flip on a vacation for a few days, and it worked great at the hotel in the evening while watching a sci-fi movie on the MacBook, or during the day while streaming Internet radio or playing music from the iPhone.
The combination of a distinctive design and a quality speaker that can play almost any music without hesitation is a good recipe for reaching young people looking for a stylish accessory. A small flaw in the beauty is the mentioned proprietary adapter, which, however, is solved by the second generation of Flip. The endurance could be longer, but five hours is still quite decent considering the sound quality. You pay for quality with the JBL brand, however, considering the above-mentioned facts, the price of the small "roller" Flip is very pleasant. You can buy the JBL Flip for less 2 400 $, in Slovakia then for 85 EUR.
We thank the Vzé.cz store for lending the product.
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advantages:
[Checklist]
- Great sound
- Processing
- Dimensions and weight
- Speaker function for calls
[/checklist][/one_half]
[one_half last="yes"]
Disadvantages:
[bad list]
- Proprietary charger
- Lower battery life
- It could be louder
[/badlist][/one_half]
Hello,
I have the second generation of Flip at home some Friday and I am delighted with it. I listen to electronic music mainly with strong bass and I have to say that the speaker performs excellently, considering the dimensions (of course it's not as good as larger systems, but no one expects that). The battery life is adequate, it plays music for 5 hours at a higher volume, at a lower volume I get an hour or two more.
So just a few observations from me from the second generation to supplement a good and appropriate review :-)
Thanks for the insights, we will review the second generation soon.
Does anyone have a tip for a speaker that supports AirPlay and Bluetooth at the same time? Setting an AirPlay speaker as an output is a matter of pulling up the ControlCenter bar and selecting the speaker. For Bluetooth, you need to pair through the settings. The disadvantage is that if you want to take it on a picnic, for example, you won't be able to play because there is no WiFi network (that's why I would like Bluetooth support for these cases).
But it probably has to be portable. Only Harman/Kardon ONYX. From home, it's JBL Authentics L8 or L16, respectively. Harman/Kardon Aura
Have you tried it in the car, please? I wonder if the volume is sufficient, for example, for a spoken word.
I bought the second generation mainly for reproduction in the car and I have to praise it, I definitely recommend it, the sound is clear and loud.