By now there will be few who have not heard of the JBL Flip 4, one of the world's best-selling portable speakers. Although the JBL Flip 5, these speakers are still being sold today, and Many users prefer to opt for this version since the added features of the update may not be sufficient to justify a price that is sometimes significantly higher.
The JBL Flip 4 has been around for 3 years now, but remains a strong bet in 2020 If we compare it to equivalent models from other brands, under certain circumstances and available promotions it can become an option that we should not set aside if it is presented to us, especially considering all the features that we will detail below in this review.
Sound and power
All experts agree that the predecessor version, the JBL Flip 3, set a very high bar in terms of sound. The problem is that the Flip 4 in question has not incorporated major improvements in this regard, almost entirely replicating its sound quality in all aspects.
It seems that the only problem that the Flip 3 had was a slight distortion when turning up the volume to maximum, something that the Flip 4 has managed to solve. If we compare it with the Flip 5, we can see that the maximum volume is slightly lower (because the total power it develops is 4 W lower, with its two 8 W translators each, compared to the 20 W RMS of the Flip 5).
As for the bass power, it is slightly lower on the Flip 4. The truth is that we have been able to listen to this speaker at its maximum power and have been satisfied, A higher investment in the new version may not be worth it.
One point against is that This speaker is tied exclusively to the SBC codec. It doesn't even offer the option of AAC, even though it is generally inferior. Given the age of the device, we would never have opted for aptX HD, but it would have been nice to at least be able to enjoy aptX as a standard that has been on the market for several years now. Although many are of the opinion that with this type of speaker it would have been difficult to notice the difference with multiple codecs and SBC is more than enough.
Design and materials
We can see a clear trend from the Flip 3 that has barely changed in the Flip 4 and not even in the Flip 5. We could say that this is a symptom of maturity, which is also seen in other models such as the UE BOOM, very similar both aesthetically and in construction materials.
It is a very solid body covered in heavy duty plastic, and a rubber around it that protects the electronics, capable of absorbing shocks in case of a fall. In addition, it is perfectly covered and sealed to obtain that IPX7 certification which would allow us to put the speaker up to 30 minutes underwater without any damage.
Aesthetically it is a very pleasing speaker to the eye, available in a quite extensive variety of colors.
Autonomy and battery life
We met with A speaker with good battery life but nothing out of the ordinaryWith 3000 mAh we can't expect great feats. If we keep the volume at half power, we can reach the figure of 12 hours indicated by the manufacturer, but if we go to maximum power, the autonomy can be reduced to much less than half.
If we look at version 5, we find a battery almost twice as large, but the curious thing is that the autonomy does not increase proportionally: we will barely be able to enjoy a few extra hours considering that the transducer has also increased in power in parallel, which invites us to think that the JBL Flip 4 offers us a battery in line with the hardware it incorporates.
Connections
As the main form of connectivity, we can pair the JBL Flip 4 by Bluetooth 4.2, something that has not changed in the new 2019 model. In addition, it offers the option of creating a "network" of JBL brand devices, so that they play the same song at the same time, as we have already seen in other models of the brand such as the JBL Xtreme 2, via Connect+.
In terms of physical connectivity, here we find the classic micro USB which has clearly been relegated to future obsolescence to the detriment of the new USB-C standard that allows for faster charging.
Also It has a jack output, which will allow us to connect other devices directly by cable, such as a smartphone or a computer to reproduce the music without the need for wireless connectivity.
Finally, We cannot forget that it offers a special addition: bring a built-in microphone, which will allow us to make calls with some comfort. In the Flip 5 version, this microphone has been removed, which could be extra advantageous for some users.
Who do we recommend this speaker for?
Concluding our review of the JBL Flip 4, we recommend this type of speaker that is at the top of the wave within its range as a best seller for a simple reason: they are designed for all audiences who need a solution of this kind. Whether you have a tablet and want to watch movies with improved sound, or you like to play your music outdoors, a Bluetooth speaker of this kind is a safe bet.
If you want to know when to opt for this model or another of the competition, as of today it is worth paying attention to the most important things: the priceThis is obviously a predominant factor for a model that has been on the market for a long time and has been replaced by other versions with more additions. We will continually find offers for this speaker in many stores, and if we are looking for a wireless speaker, we should not miss the opportunity.