Flip 6 Jbl Vs Flip 5

The JBL make is known for hardy Bluetooth speakers that hands go on for the ride on hikes or to pool parties, and the JBL Flip half-dozen seems poised to go along that legacy. It nonetheless feels a lot like the JBL Flip five at the end of the day, with a similarly tough build and sound profile, with some cosmetic changes, and an manifestly improved sound configuration.

Is the Flip 6 a worthy upgrade to a tried-and-true workhorse? We spent a week with this portable speaker to observe out.

Editor’s note: this JBL Flip 6 review was updated on Baronial 23, 2022, to update formatting and include more alternative options.

What’south it like to use the JBL Flip six?

The Flip 6 survives dunks into saltwater and sand doesn’t get backside its grille, cheers to its IP67 rating.

JBL’s many other Bluetooth speakers have looked similar this before the JBL Flip six, and for good reason: it works—2 of them are on our best Bluetooth speakers listing, afterward all. A cylinder with a passive bass radiator at each end flanks the driver and tweeter in the middle and brand for a sturdy, solid tube. It survives falls onto the pavement and the confines of a travel handbag. For this iteration, the Flip half-dozen gets a larger and yet more minimalist “JBL” logo, which also scratches more easily than the smaller bluecoat on the Flip 5. Nitpicks aside, overall you get the same durable build and form factor as before.

The Flip 6 upgrades the IPX7 rating from the Flip five to a full IP67, which means information technology’due south now h2o- and dust-resistant. The speaker survives plunges into salt h2o, and sand doesn’t get behind the grille or bass drivers like it does with the Bose SoundLink Flex. Plastic bumpers let the speaker to bounciness a bit instead of falling flat. That’s skillful for preventing dents, simply information technology also ways these areas quickly collect scuffs and marks. In that location’s a carrying loop tied almost the backlit Bluetooth and power buttons. The loop does not accept a built-in prune. Nonetheless, if it ends upwards fraying or breaks, y'all tin can untie it and replace it yourself. The USB-C charging port is here, too.

The JBL Flip vi’s command buttons aren’t backlit, but they are shaped differently from each other and like shooting fish in a barrel to press—fifty-fifty when wearing gloves.

Carrying the 544g Flip 6 doesn’t feel besides heavy during my treks around town. It doesn’t drag me down when attached to my bag or my jacket. All the same, if you go for intense climbs up tough mountains, information technology might add a bit more than weight than you desire. The shape could be bad-mannered if you’re squeezing through tight areas, too. Plus, the speaker twists and bounces effectually on its conveying strap.

Should you download the JBL Portable app?

The JBL Flip six uses the JBL Portable app to give you lot an equalizer and another way to admission PartyBoost.

The Flip 6 uses the JBL Portable app (iOS/Android), formerly “JBL Connect,” to provide access to firmware updates and a user guide. Plus, y'all can toggle the feedback tones the speaker produces on or off hither. Inside the app, you can also enable PartyBoost and stereo playback instead of using the dedicated button. Annotation that stereo only works with two JBL speakers of the same generation. My JBL Flip v pairs with the Flip half dozen for PartyBoost, but the two cannot exercise stereo playback. Mayhap the about notable feature the app boasts is a basic equalizer, which lets you adjust highs, mids, and lows.

Other than that, there’s not much going on in the app, but that could be a good matter. You likely won’t need to poke around in obscure settings to get everything working the way you want.

What Bluetooth codecs does the JBL Flip 6 support?

The JBL Flip 6 supports Bluetooth multipoint, just it is by and large upwards to your devices to find and connect to it.

The JBL Flip 6 uses Bluetooth 5.1 and but supports the SBC Bluetooth codec. Bluetooth 5.1 too theoretically gives the speaker an indoor range of twoscore meters, but that’s nether ideal conditions. Like the JBL Flip 5, this speaker does non have an aux port to overcome the shortcomings of Bluetooth codecs.

How does the JBL Flip 6 sound?

The JBL Flip half-dozen is water- and dust-resistant and loud enough to keep a small patio political party entertained.

The JBL Flip 6 is loud enough for hikes, parties, and gatherings both indoors and out.

Much like the Flip 5, the JBL Flip 6 doesn’t reproduce high-pitched sounds with a swell deal of clarity. At that place are a few things at play here, namely distortion and masking. In
Jugni, the bells and cymbals don’t seem as loud as the drums and vocals. It’s fifty-fifty more than apparent in layered content such equally
Kaahe Chhed Mohe
where the drums, vocals, and the dancers’ ankle bells all become hard to hear when played in concert.

JBL claims it added a “new audio configuration” to the Flip half-dozen and promises detailed bass, mids, and highs. Nevertheless, the Flip 6 definitely sounds similar to the Flip five. Our speaker testing setup is currently undergoing a revamp, then we’ll update this department in one case we have consummate testing data.

Can you use the JBL Flip half-dozen for phone calls?

The JBL Flip 6 doesn’t slide much despite its cylindrical shape, so setting it on a slanted surface outdoors isn’t a worry.

The JBL Flip 6 does not take a built-in microphone. In fact, no JBL Flip speaker has had this feature since the Flip four.

JBL Flip 6

All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and vary by region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, as they vary greatly by currency.

Overall, the pattern is similar to the previous Flip 4.

The JBL Flip five still makes a strong showing compared to its younger sibling. It has an IPX7 rating, significant it’s simply as waterproof as the Flip 6, but not rated for dust at all. Withal, its audio contour is similar and you can notice it on sale thanks to the Flip 6. If you already have a Flip 5, the Flip six makes a practiced PartyBoost companion, though it’south a bummer yous tin’t utilise the two together for stereo mode.

The UE Boom iii still has the characteristic plus and minus sign buttons.

In that location are options beyond the JBL family unit, of class, similar the UE BOOM three. This portable speaker has a like shape and size to the Flip 5, with a useful political party feature and loud sound. You go easier control access with the signature “+” and “-” buttons. Unfortunately, the UE Boom 3 also lacks a headphone jack, though. Bose has some decent options as well, like the Bose SoundLink Circumduct+ II. This speaker has an IP55 rating, includes a microphone for making phone calls and accessing smart assistants, and offers many ways to connect to the speaker including Bluetooth multipoint and aux input.

Oftentimes asked questions about the JBL Flip 6

The Clip iv doesn’t include many features but information technology’south a rugged everyday speaker.

These are ii very dissimilar speakers, with the Clip iv being amongst the most portable speakers effectually. Unlike the Flip 6, the Clip 4 has an integrated carabiner that you can utilize to attach to whatever backpack. Neither the Clip 4 nor the Flip half dozen have an aux input, and then you’re left to rely solely on Bluetooth with either speaker.

Nosotros recommend the Clip 4 to listeners who want a super-portable speaker that doesn’t take upwardly much room and the Flip half-dozen for those who are willing to carry something bigger for better sound quality.