JBL portable speakers are famous not only for their powerful bass, but also for their original capabilities. And also an amazing color scheme, which is usually not limited to a couple of trivial options. The JBL Clip 4 speaker we are testing today is no exception. Thirteen color options, the ability to hang it on a backpack, clothing or exercise machine, unsinkable design and unusual appearance at least make you pay attention to the column. So we turned it over.

Contents of delivery

JBL Clip 4 packaging and delivery set

The speaker comes in a small plastic box – colorfully decorated and with a transparent lid through which you can immediately see what color your purchase is. Inside, apart from the device itself, we found only a USB-A ↔ USB-C cable for recharging the built-in battery and a set of printed materials, including a quick user’s guide with explanatory pictures. The scope of delivery can be called quite usual for this type of device.

⇡ #TECH SPECS

* Average price for “Yandex.Market” at the time of this writing.

At the heart of the JBL Clip 4 is a single 5-inch speaker – not too little for a pocket speaker. The frequency response is slightly cut at the bottom, which is explained by the dimensions of the speaker. At the same time, the power of the emitter is quite high: XNUMX W should be quite enough to organize a small disco around you.

The novelty does not have a wired input – sound sources can only be connected via Bluetooth. In this case, a modern Bluetooth 5.1 module with A2DP 1.3 and AVRCP 1.6 profiles is used. But JBL again does not mention codecs: most likely, the column works only with the SBC codec. Note that the previous generation model, JBL Clip 3, had a wired audio input, but, apparently, the demand for it has already dropped quite strongly.

A modern USB-C port is used to charge the built-in battery, so you won’t have to look for a suitable cable if you lose the standard one. According to the manufacturer, the built-in battery lasts for about ten hours of continuous operation. But the most important thing is that the JBL Clip 4 is able to work literally in any conditions. IP67 protection ensures that nothing happens to the column, not only when traveling in a dusty desert, but also when briefly immersed in water to a depth of one meter. So you can safely take the novelty with you to the pool or to the sea, walk with it in the rain and snow.

External view

JBL Clip 4 speaker appearance

Compared with the model of the previous generation, the shape of the new column has changed – it has transformed into something in between an oval and a rectangle. And the carbine – the highlight of the JBL Clip models – has become much larger, thanks to which the speaker can be hooked not only to the hinges of backpacks or clothes, but also to some more voluminous structures. For example, the JBL Clip 4 can be hung on a bicycle handlebar, soccer goal, or exercise machine.

It is a pity that only the opening part of the carabiner has a soft cover. The second part is fixed – it is made of metal and, depending on the version, can have a different color. In our case, it is a gray-purple metallic. The soft cover of the carabiner would prevent painted and varnished surfaces from scratching on which the speaker could be hung. However, perhaps it would have scratched itself.

A large oval carabiner wraps around the perimeter of the speaker’s plastic case, completely covered in fabric with a large weave that is pleasant to the touch. The fabric adheres to the body as tightly as possible – it cannot be moved even if you apply a tangible force. At the same time, the manufacturer managed to apply strongly protruding soft symbols directly over the fabric, behind which the buttons are hidden, as well as a huge corporate logo on the front part and special corrugation on the back side – it serves as a kind of legs on which the column rests when you put it on a table or any other flat surface. This design decision has long been a hallmark for JBL portable devices – and it looks great.

There are five control buttons at the column. Three of them are on the front, above the logo. With their help, you can adjust the sound volume, activate and stop playback, and skip to the next track. But for some reason, alas, there are no buttons or functions for going to the track of the previous composition. Two more buttons are located on the side. They are designed to control the power of the device and the Bluetooth module.

At the top, under the arc of the carabiner, there is an indicator informing the user about the remaining battery charge, as well as about the Bluetooth connection, and at the bottom there is a USB-C port for recharging the built-in battery. It cannot be closed with a plug, but you should not worry about water getting into it either.

Separately, we note the soft corrugation applied on the back of the case. The two strips located closer to the edges have protruding ends on which the column rests when it lies on the table. This design effectively dampens vibration and prevents the table top from sounding like a speaker. It is precisely such an element that the carbine is missing. But by and large, this is already nit-picking. In general, the design of the novelty is carefully thought out, and the design assumes comfortable use.

⇡ #Connection and testing 

After turning on and pressing the button that activates Bluetooth, JBL Clip 4 instantly appears in the list of devices available for connection on a smartphone, laptop or any other sound source. We tested the speaker with several smartphones from different manufacturers, as well as a laptop – there were no connection problems. In this case, the connection was made with automatic connection of the SBC codec. No mobile applications are required for the speaker to work properly. The column does not have a built-in microphone, so it cannot be used as a wireless headset. But when connected to a smartphone, a call will go to it – until you pick up the phone.

Column JBL Clip 4 in action

The JBL Clip 4 model is really convenient to hang on a backpack or clothes. Despite its size, it is light enough and will not make even a handbag heavier. But here the zippers still unfasten under its weight, so it is better to attach it, for example, to a backpack, using separate handles or loops. It’s easy to find a place for this speaker on your bike: even if you don’t have a backpack or bike bag, the JBL Clip 4 can always be hung on the derailleur cables or on the handlebars. Well, you can just put it on the table or on the floor.

Column JBL Clip 4 in action

The volume will be sufficient even in a large gym or just outside – the speaker is really loud. In the overwhelming majority of cases, you will not have to raise the volume level above 50%. Except when riding a bike, when city noise and headwinds will greatly impair audibility, you will have to add a little more volume. To be honest, we did not expect such agility from such a small column.

No significant sound distortions were noticed at the maximum volume level, but in the best way JBL Clip 4 still plays closer to the average volume level. The sound is clear, smooth, with a lot of rich and spacious bass. The speaker also reproduces high frequencies without distortion, but with some limitations – after all, bass slightly prevails over the rest of the frequency range. JBL Clip 4 is expected to reveal itself in the best way when playing electronic music, jazz, rock.

Separately, I would like to note the effective damping of vibrations when the speaker lies on a flat solid surface. Soft rubber or silicone strips on the back of the case make the speaker itself only shake, but the table on which it lies at this time does not tremble even at maximum volume. The speaker in the column is oriented with the front part up. It turns out that the bass seems to diverge from the sides and from under the speaker, where, apparently, under the fabric there are also corresponding slots on the body.

At the end of the testing, we tested the column for water permeability. The tests were carried out in the bath, pouring cool water into it, and also under the shower. In this case, the column was connected to the smartphone, the music was played. You can see the test results in the video below. The music in the clips is not superimposed during editing, but is reproduced by the speaker.

Like the JBL Boombox 2 speaker we tested last fall, the JBL Clip 4 speaker turned out to be leaky. But do not be alarmed: its capabilities in terms of protection against dust and water fully comply with the declared IP67 standard. It just doesn’t need to be airtight. All electronic filling inside is protected, but the dynamics of the water is not terrible. Through the holes under the fabric lining, the column draws water inside, and when it floats up (yes, it does not sink in water!), It literally spits water out during operation. This beautiful effect looks great in the video above. In fact, the speaker does not stop sounding even under water – if you drop it into a pool or a deep puddle, the fun will not be interrupted and the music will continue to play.

As for the autonomy of work, at an average volume level JBL Clip 4 in our case worked for about eleven hours, which is an hour more than the value declared by the manufacturer. The result is quite decent – the average volume level is quite enough to listen to music outdoors during the day, with background noise around.

⇡ #conclusions

The portable, almost pocket-sized JBL Clip 4 speaker is designed for those who love music, going on trips and travels, going to the sports field or just visiting friends. You can ride a bike or snowboard with it, but for running it is perhaps too heavy. The volume of this device is enough to fill a huge room with music, a pool or even an entire beach volleyball court.

Despite the fact that we have only the most positive impressions from working with the JBL Clip 4, it still has some drawbacks. These include:

• lack of a soft coating on the inner surface of the carabiner;
• lack of the ability to go to the previous track;
• lack of a built-in microphone for organizing a speakerphone.

And if the installation of a built-in microphone would certainly increase the cost of the product, then the first two drawbacks could be eliminated without tangible expenses. However, the novelty has incomparably more advantages:

• great design and the highest quality workmanship;
• thirteen original colors;
• protection against dust and water according to the IP67 standard;
• the column does not sink in water;
• convenient carabiner and the ability to hang the speaker anywhere;
• vibration dampers for horizontal column placement;
• high level of maximum volume;
• deep volumetric bass;
• long operating time without recharging.

Well, one more pleasant point is the low cost of the speaker. For a little more than four thousand rubles, you get an unsinkable all-weather speaker with effective bass and fairly balanced sound.