The JBL Clip series is a favorite among adventure enthusiasts for its ultra-portability and rugged design. The latest iteration, the JBL Clip 4 (2023), maintains the core strengths of its predecessors while packing some welcome upgrades. Let’s delve into what makes this little speaker a great companion for your outdoor escapades.
Design and Build
The Clip 4 retains the iconic cylindrical shape and integrated carabiner that made the Clip series famous. This time, however, the carabiner gets a significant improvement. It’s wider and sturdier, allowing you to clip it onto thicker bags and straps with greater ease.
The speaker itself is available in a vibrant assortment of colors, making it a perfect accessory to express your style. Durability remains a highlight, with the Clip 4 boasting an IP67 water and dustproof rating. This means it can withstand splashes, light rain, and even a dip in the pool (for a brief time).
Sound Quality
Despite its compact size, the Clip 4 delivers surprisingly good sound. JBL has improved the audio quality over the Clip 3, offering richer tones and more pronounced bass. While you won’t get a room-filling soundstage, the speaker produces clear and balanced audio that’s perfect for personal listening or small gatherings.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The Clip 4 connects wirelessly via Bluetooth. Pairing is a breeze, and the connection remains stable throughout use. A minor change from the Clip 3 is the switch to USB-C charging. This is a welcome upgrade, future-proofing the speaker and aligning it with the latest charging standards. However, it’s important to note that the USB-C port is for charging only and doesn’t support wired playback like the Clip 3 did.
Battery life is another strong point. JBL claims the Clip 4 can provide up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge, which is impressive for such a small speaker. This makes it ideal for long hikes, camping trips, or a day at the beach.
Missing Features
While the Clip 4 offers excellent value, there are a couple of things to consider. The lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack may be a dealbreaker for some who prefer wired connectivity as a backup. Additionally, the speaker doesn’t support JBL’s PartyBoost feature, which allows you to wirelessly pair multiple JBL speakers for a more powerful sound experience.
Verdict
The JBL Clip 4 (2023) is a fantastic iteration of the popular portable speaker series. It offers excellent sound quality for its size, impressive battery life, and a durable, waterproof design. The improved carabiner and USB-C charging are thoughtful upgrades. However, the missing headphone jack and lack of PartyBoost might be drawbacks for some users.
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