January 05, 2016

JBL Charges On With The Charge 3 Portable Wireless Speaker

January 05, 2016/ The Gadgetmac Team

JBL has just unveiled what should be one of the best portable wireless speakers of 2016. The Charge 3 has been given a updated look to coincide with JBL's other portable speaker offerings such as the Flip 3 and Xtreme models and no longer features metal and its design in favor of a more ruggedized rubber and fabric casing that's fully waterproof. The Charge 3 boasts up to 15 hours of battery life (an upgrade over the 12 of the Charge 2+) and promises a more powerful audio experience than its predecessor. Like the Flip 3 and Xtreme, the Charge 3 can also be wirelessly linked up with multiple JBL Connect-enabled speakers for an amplified listening experience while also enabling you to charge external devices using its internal battery power. The Charge 3 will be available this spring for $149.95.

September 03, 2015

JBL Pulse 2 Blows Away Its Predecessor

September 03, 2015/ Nir Schneider

Now that JBL has officially released its Flip 3 and Xtreme wireless portable speakers in North America, the company's most attractive party starting light-up portable speaker has received a much deserved update. The Pulse 2 now has a more refined interactive multi-colored light up LED panel design that's water-resistant, dual side-firing passive bass radiators that will provide a significant boost in bass performance compared to its predecessor along with larger dual 45mm speaker drivers. Another new and arguably innovative new feature is the inclusion of a color sensor lens at the back of the speaker that allows the Pulse 2 to pick up the surrounding colors of where it sits and projects them on its colorful light display. The Prism, as it's called, can be pointed at any color and at any time for instant color shifting mirroring.

June 09, 2015

JBL Xtreme, Flip 3 Portable Wireless Speakers Revealed

June 09, 2015/ Nir Schneider

JBL's Xtreme and Flip 3 portable wireless speakers were both leaked ahead of their official release by a European consumer electronics retailer. The company's Xtreme model looks to be the most rugged of them all featuring a resilient nylon fabric mesh similar to the UE Megaboom, which is described to be durst, mud and water-resistant. The Xtreme borrows some key features from JBL's Charge 2+ while enhancing them even further such as dual USB ports for charging external devices, a long-lasting 12 hour battery life, on-board speakerphone functionality with an echo & noise-canceling microphone – as well as two large side firing bass radiators that accompany what looks like four front-firing speaker drivers for a total of six drivers. That's two more drivers than what is currently found on the Charge 2+, so hopefully we should be able to hear the difference in sound quality.

May 10, 2015

JBL Intros Splashproof Charge 2+ Portable Speaker

May 10, 2015/ Nir Schneider

JBL has finally listened to our complaints about its Charge 2 portable Bluetooth speaker and its lack of outdoor durability, or at least we're going to pretend they did. And did so with the introduction of the third generation Charge model called the Charge 2 Plus, or Charge 2+ as JBL calls it. The new and improved Charge 2+ retains the same Charge 2 aesthetics, still has the same internal speaker hardware and long-lasting 12-hour battery prowess with built-in USB gadget charging capability as its "predecessor", but it now features a water-resistant design with a new redesigned orange JBL logo on the front.

January 08, 2014

JBL Unveils Authentics Series Of High-End Wireless Speaker Systems

January 08, 2014/ Nir Schneider

In an unexpected surprise, JBL has unveiled two high profile wireless speakers at CES 2014, which are part of the company's new Authentics series. The JBL Authentics L16 (above) and JBL Authentics L8 wireless speaker systems both feature wireless Qi charging surfaces that will keep your smartphone charged as well as AirPlay, DLNA and Bluetooth connectivity, enabling audio to be streamed from any wireless device, as well as a seamless precision cut foam grill inspired by the legendary JBL Century L100 loudspeaker.

They feature authentic materials, system optimized low-frequency and high-frequency JBL transducers, and the meticulous acoustic design that is expected from JBL. With JBL Authentics speakers' 24-bit / 96 kHz digital signal path, you'll hear studio-quality sound. Audio CDs reproduce sound at a 44.1 kHz sample rate, at 16 bits per sample. But recording studios work at a 96 kHz sample rate, with 24 bits per sample. The JBL Authentics L16 and L8 wireless speaker systems support this higher, studio-quality sample rate and bit depth, all the way through. The result is jaw-dropping audio quality and a wide stereo image from a single enclosure, ideal for any audiophile.

The JBL Authentics L16 Sound System features a walnut-veneered enclosure and supercharged three-way sound, with six 50W amplifiers driving six speakers to fill any room with exceptional volume and unbeatable audio at studio-quality 96 kHz/24 bit. The JBL Authentics L16 also boasts all-around connectivity via AirPlay, DNLA and Bluetooth, as well as analog, optical, and on board moving coil and moving magnet phono preamps. The free JBL Music™ app gives control over the speaker through both iOS and Android mobile devices. JBL's L16 can be pre-ordered today for $1,000, and is expected to ship next month.

The JBL Authentics L8 Sound System is housed in a wooden enclosure with a gloss black piano-quality finish. JBL Authentics L8 Sound System supports studio-quality audio, at 96 kHz/24 bit. Its exceptional audio quality comes with the latest wireless technology for connectivity with a wide range of devices via AirPlay, DNLA and Bluetooth as well as optical. The free JBL Music™ app turns any iOS or Android mobile device into a remote control. Enjoy studio-quality stereo JBL sound and wireless versatility from a single, stylish enclosure. JBL's L8 can be pre-ordered today for $600, and is expected to ship next month.

January 08, 2014

JBL Intros Flip 2 Portable Wireless Speaker

January 08, 2014/ Nir Schneider

JBL has introduced a new successor to its highly popular Flip portable Bluetooth speaker that brings with it feature and sound enhancements in an otherwise unchanged, familiar cylindrical shape; albeit with a subtle updated metal grille design. The award-winning Flip 2 portable wireless speaker by JBL brings rich sound into your portable lifestyle. The Flip 2 uses dual 40mm drivers and a built-in bass port in a speaker that fits in your hand. Plus it has a built in microphones and SoundClear echo and noise cancellation technologies so you can use Flip 2 as a hands free speakerphone and never miss a word.

The key notable differences over its predecessor is that now the Flip 2 uses a more traditional and convenientcharging method using a micro-USB port which will let users charge their Flip 2 speaker from any USB power. There's also a new white LED battery status gauge at the back, NFC support for quick tap-to-pair functionality, as well as a redesigned on-board button control cluster similar to JBL's Pulse speaker. The Flip 2 has the same 5-hour battery life as the original Flip speaker, yet it's slightly more powerful. JBL's Flip 2 is now out and available for $130 in black, white, red, yellow and blue colors.

October 28, 2013

JBL Pulse Wireless Portable Speaker Lights Up A Party

October 28, 2013/ Nir Schneider

JBL's new Pulse has visually got to be one of the coolest portable wireless Bluetooth speakers we have seen to date. Reminiscent of JBL's Charge, the Pule is equipped with two high-performance 40mm audio drivers and a passive bass port for room-filling clear audio quality, and NFC wireless pairing functionality. The $200 Pulse speaker also doubles as a light show thanks to its unique colorful multi-LED covered enclosure that pre-programmed light themes which pulsate to match the music that's being played on the speaker itself. Users can also download additional light show themes using JBL's smartphone app, or configure and adjust your own colorful light show patterns and LED brightness.

The Pulse has a built-in rechargeable battery with up to 10 hours of wireless music streaming, or just 5 hours of wireless streaming when turning on the LED light show feature. The Pulse can be pre-ordered right now for $200, and is expected to start shipping near the end of November. See it in action after the break.