Portable acoustics jbl charge 3 4.5. JBL Bass Passive Radiators

Hello, fun lovers. Are you planning an unforgettable party at the dacha while your parents are working hard at work? Do you want to amaze the city with your unique musical taste? Host a movie night with a unique sound system? Then this review of the new JBL Charge 3 speaker is especially for you.

Video review

Characteristics

• Power: 20W
• Number of speakers: 2
• Speaker diameter: 50 mm
• Frequency response: 65Hz – 20kHz
• Signal to noise ratio: ≥80dB
• Bluetooth: 4.1
• Speakerphone: Yes
• Audio input: 3.5mm
• Battery capacity: 6000 mAh
• Time battery life: up to 20 hours
• Time to fully charge the battery: 4.5 hours
• Dimensions HxWxD: 213 x 87 x 88.5 mm
• Weight: 800 g

Set

Design

The column itself looks like a small oblong barrel. On the back of the case there is the inscription Charge 3, on a special plastic protrusion that acts as a stand. Below it there are several ports: 3.5 mm audio jack, microUSB and USB.

The speaker itself is wrapped in a fabric with a structure similar to chain mail; there are plastic inserts on the sides of the bass ports, and the JBL inscription is on them.

On the “front” side there are convex large control keys made of soft-touch material: Bluetooth, volume keys, JBL Connect, power key and Play/Pause.

The JBL Connect key allows you to connect multiple speakers in a chain. for a particularly large tusa-juice. That is, in essence, using several speakers you get stereo sound. In addition, the speakers can be accessed by several devices simultaneously, both gadgets and PCs.

Below the keys there is a small but bright insert with the JBL logo.
The speaker is available in five colors: black, grey, red, blue and turquoise.
As for the dimensions, the speaker weighs about 800 grams, it is comfortable to hold in your hand, and can be carried in a bag or backpack. It fits compactly into a desktop next to a laptop or PC.

Battery

The stated operating time of Charge 3 is 20 hours of music playback at medium volume. Considering that the speaker uses a 6000 mAh battery, these are quite realistic numbers.
The speaker's power supply time from the power supply is 2.5 hours. From a USB cable via a laptop - 3.5 hours.
Among other things, JBL Charge 3 itself acts as a battery, and you can power any gadget from it.

Water protection

JBL Charge 3 has IPX7 protection, which means that the speaker can withstand “immersion”, but nevertheless - short-term: to a depth of 1 meter and for 30 minutes, no more. Also, make sure that the plug fits tightly, and I do not recommend turning on the column immediately after leaving the water.

Sound

On the Russian market wireless bluetooth speaker JBL Charge 3 fell into our hands, so we decided to find out whether it is really as good as the manufacturer claims, because inside it lies not only two powerful speakers, but also accumulator battery, with which you can recharge smartphones and tablets.

Portable speaker JBL Charge 3 comes in extremely high-quality cardboard packaging, on each side of which the main advantages of the wireless speaker are extremely colorfully designed and painted. Thanks to this bright design packaging, it is extremely difficult not to notice it on store shelves.

The main features of the device are briefly written on the back of the package: Bluetooth support, 20 hours of battery life, 6000 mAh battery, built-in speakerphone, IPX7 water protection. In addition, here you can find short specifications JBL Charge 3: reproduced range of sounds and total power of two speakers.

The side parts of the packaging are no less informative. One of them talks about using the JBL Connect function, with which you can combine several of the company’s wireless speaker systems into one and listen to one musical composition on all speakers at once.

Water protection according to the IPX7 standard requires immersion under water to a depth of 1 meter for no more than 30 minutes. Thanks to this feature, the speaker can be easily used even in a torrential downpour, without fear of damage.

A nice feature of the JBL Charge 3 is a built-in 6000 mAh rechargeable battery, with which you can charge smartphones and tablets. This will definitely be appreciated by those who like to go on small hikes, because now Power Bank and a wireless Bluetooth speaker are one thing.

Everything inside the packaging is no less colorful and stylish. To portable speaker It was not damaged during transportation; it is protected from below by soft plastic and hard foam rubber on top. It’s nice that HARMAN took care of the safety of its new product, because, as a rule, manufacturers like to save on literally everything, and primarily on packaging.

The additional compartment of the package hides four accessories at once, two of which are basic: a 2.3A mains power adapter and a flat microUSB cable. While it’s not worth dwelling on the second accessory, the first one is admirable. The fact is that the power adapter from JBL Charge 3 comes with a soldered American plug, but the package also includes adapters for Russian and English plugs.

To turn an American plug into a Russian or English one, you just need to put a special attachment on the American one, after which the entire product will look stylish and function fully. It is not clear why other manufacturers electronic devices Haven’t thought of this yet, because it’s really convenient, especially when traveling to different countries.

As for the manufacturing quality of all accessories, everything here is also at the highest level. Single orange color and extremely high quality plastic. By the way, the plastic is matte, so fingerprints and small scratches are not visible on it.

The package also includes instructions in several languages, but even without it, even a child can understand the JBL Charge 3 wireless speaker.

Of course, the most important product in the package is the portable speaker itself. When you pick it up for the first time, you feel the weight, as well as the integrity of the entire structure. At the same time, one cannot help but appreciate the quality of the materials, because it is thanks to them that the first impression of the product is formed.

The main part of the speaker, where the speakers are located, is made of mesh fabric that is pleasant to the touch, and it smells like the interior of a brand new foreign car. There are six buttons on top, each of which is responsible for strictly assigned functions. The material used for their design is rubberized plastic, which also does not collect fingerprints and does not attract dust.

The first button is designed to activate Bluetooth; holding it for a long time deactivates the current connection with any device and puts the speaker into pairing mode, accompanying this process with pleasant and loud sounds.

The volume down and up buttons are responsible for their strictly assigned duties. During testing, we noticed that on the JBL Charge 3 they adjust the volume quite slowly. For example, in the iPhone 6s, one click on the volume up button immediately increases the volume by 10%, and in a wireless speaker by 3-4%. Thus, the owner of a portable speaker system can find a more suitable volume level for himself, but this feature also has a downside. The point is that to move from minimal to maximum volume you need to press the increase button at least 20 times, or hold it for about 20-30 seconds. It is possible that this is a matter of habit, but the JBL Charge 3 has this feature and nothing can be done about it.

The “Play/Pause” button turned out to be extremely useful. It is capable of not only temporarily pausing music, but also starting the next track. To do this, double-click on it, after which it will automatically play the next music track in the library of the connected device.

The on/off button is responsible only for the functions strictly assigned to it. When the speaker is turned off, just click on it once, after which it will instantly come to life, or perform similar actions when it is on to turn it off. All this is accompanied by a very unusual sound signal, reminiscent of the launch of a galactic engine in some Star Wars. When the speaker is turned on, this button glows blue, and flashes when “pairing” with another device.

To the right of it there is also a place for the JBL Connect button, the activation of which puts the wireless speaker in search mode for similar devices that support this connection mode. By combining two speakers into one wirelessly, you can create an entire home theater with surround sound.

On the front of the wireless speaker there was a place for a red metal plate with the JBL logo.

WITH reverse side There is a thick plastic plug designed to protect the main connectors of the speaker from water ingress. Directly below it is a 3.5 mm audio jack, a microUSB connector for charging the speaker, and a regular USB connector for charging smartphones and tablets.

By the way, the 3.5 mm audio jack is intended exclusively for connecting to a speaker using a wire, without using Bluetooth. If you insert headphones into it, it will have no effect.

On the bottom of the JBL Charge 3 there is a small stand made of rubberized plastic. Due to the use of this material, the speaker practically does not slip on any surface. In addition, on the side of the stand there is room for five LED indicators showing the current level of remaining battery charge. The more they glow, the more electricity is in the column.

The side parts of the speaker are made of dense silicone. In the pictures it may seem that there is simply a JBL logo on each side, but this is only partly true. The fact is that it is under these logos that subwoofers are hidden, albeit small ones. Thanks to them, the speaker produces richer and more spacious sound.

The JBL Charge 3 wireless speaker is capable of reproducing a range of sounds from 65 Hz to 20 kHz. At the same time, the total sound power is 20 W. The sound quality is at a very high level. It was not even necessary to use an equalizer for balancing, since the low, mid and high frequencies are very well balanced. If we compare this wireless speaker with the expensive Beats pill+, the first one definitely reproduces music much more realistically.

The sound is very deep and detailed. You can hear absolutely all the musical instruments used in a particular track, from the flute to the electric guitar with drums. At the maximum possible volume, there is no wheezing, hissing or other unpleasant effects that plague most wireless and wired speakers. This acoustic system delivers 100% of its 20 watts of sound power.

The Bluetooth connection is also good. Over more than 6 hours of use, there was not a single accidental disconnection or any wheezing characteristic of many Bluetooth speakers and headphones. JBL Charge 3 receives the signal confidently at 10-20 meters outdoors and 5-10 meters indoors. Moreover, if there is a signal, the speaker will reproduce it correctly, and not play it in chunks with interruptions and stutters.

While charging, you can fully use the wireless speaker. Moreover, even when connecting/disconnecting the charging cable, the music is not paused, but continues to play as if nothing had happened. This is another advantage of the new product from JBL.

Conclusion

The JBL Charge 3 wireless speaker is clearly a premium Hi-Fi audio product. The hot new product is characterized by extremely high-quality materials, protection from water ingress, the ability to recharge smartphones and tablets, a stable connection, a rich set of supplies, gift packaging, a volume of 20 W, a stylish appearance and an excellent sound balance that will please even ardent music lovers.

Currently, the wireless speaker is sold in Russia at a price of 10,990 rubles in gray color. Sales of blue, red, turquoise and black models will begin in July. The device can definitely be recommended for purchase to all lovers of rich and high-quality sound.

Join us on

The third version of the new portable speaker JBL Charge 3 at first glance is no different from the previous ones. It is obvious that the manufacturer chose this form and is betting on it. Many marketing photos show that the Charge can be put in the trunk of a backpack and taken with it into the great outdoors. The speaker is compact in size. You usually don't expect too much from devices of this size. And this is a mistake!

But before I tell you why this is a mistake, a little about the kit and cost. The speaker costs about 8,000 rubles. For this amount, the manufacturer does not offer us too much.

In the box you'll find a quick start guide, a very bright orange USB cable, and connectors for power supplies used around the world in the same bright orange.

Well, actually the speaker itself. I received the neutral color version for testing. The speaker is gray-silver and decorated only with a very visible manufacturer's logo. On the back there are rubberized inserts, under which the function keys are hidden. With their help, you can adjust the volume level, start and stop track playback, and make a Bluetooth connection.

There is also a switch and one mysterious button that resembles an infinity sign. There is probably no need to explain the operation of the switch to anyone. However, you are most likely interested in this second button.

It is used to connect several JBL devices into one sound system. For example, you can buy another JBL Charge 3, connect it to your existing one and get an even better surround sound experience.

This is achieved by JBL Connect technology, which the Charge 3 is compatible with. Thanks to the JBL Charge 3 portable speakers, you can create a cool, compact stereo system for home use.

In the back, under the cover with a description of the speaker model, there are AUX ports for connecting a sound source using a 3.5 mm mini-jack, microUSB, used to charge the built-in battery, and a standard USB connector. The latter allows you to use our speaker as a power bank, which will allow you to recharge a disconnected smartphone from which you play music on the street. Really good and thoughtful solution.

First impressions

Only the power switch and JBL Connect keys are illuminated. In addition, right at the bottom of the device we will find five white LEDs that inform about the battery charge status.

On both sides there are two passive membranes, not active.

The device has a total of two speakers with a power of 10W each, having an frequency response in the range of 70 Hz - 20 kHz, i.e. quite decent.

JBL Charge 3 price

How does JBL Charge 3 play?

The speaker handles the low frequencies very well. Bass, rumbles and can surprise with the beat. Just put it in the right place, on the table or floor. I really liked the existing stereo sound, despite short distance between the left and right speakers.

The mid and high frequencies also remain in their places. On tracks where there should be soft vocals in the foreground, they stay where they belong and are not overwhelmed by the rest of the composition. As for my opinion, JBL Charge 3 is the best portable speaker in its size.

Additional functions

I saved the last feature of the JBL Charge 3 for last – water resistance. This speaker is IPX7 waterproof.

This means that nothing will happen to it if we spill a drink on it or drop it in water. IPX7 allows you to immerse it to a depth of 1 meter, but not more than 30 minutes. This makes it ideal for use outdoors, on the beach, on a boat or in the pool.

In custody

A capacious battery, the ability to be used as a power bank and water resistance are additional features that will only help you decide on a purchase.

JBL Charge 3 is the best mobile speaker in its class!

pros

• Best sound in its category
• Well made and put together
• Waterproof
• Can work as an external power bank
• Up to 20 hours of runtime on a full charge
• Ability to connect multiple audio devices to one system

Minuses

• no apt-x

Owner's video review

Contents of delivery

• Column
• power unit
• Replacement plugs (American by default, Russian included)
• USB cable
• Documentation

Design, construction

It seems to me that of all the Chargers, the third model is the most beautiful - the passive radiators at the ends still tremble, and the recognizable shape (barrel) is similar, they added all sorts of details. There is a large Charge 3 inscription on the back, the body is sewn into a fabric that is pleasant to the touch, although this material will withstand orders of magnitude more than plain fabric. Convex convenient buttons, neat lighting exactly where needed, translucent inserts at the ends and bottom - all this makes the device modern, convenient, attractive and functional. The fabric allows your fingers to not slip, even if the speaker is only made of water, the stands securely hold the device in place, and you can place it on the end or on the bottom stand. But, I like the sound better when both bass ports are open.

The speaker is available in several colors, all of them are good, from simple black to an unusual sea green color.

In terms of the case and design, I found only one drawback - at first carefully watch how the cover of the compartment with connectors (AUX, USB, microUSB) is closed; immediately after purchase it may move a little, just push it in harder, then it will snap into place. Once it's developed, you won't need to pay attention to it. If you suddenly have problems with this, be sure to write to me.

On the top there are six regular, non- touch buttons: Bluetooth activation, volume control, JBL Connect, on/off, Play/Pause, it is also responsible for answering and ending calls. Let me remind you that the JBL Connect function helps to connect several speakers in a circuit, here is a video for clarity.

JBL explains everything very clearly - I tried connecting the charge to the JBL Xtreme, no problems arose. The sound is transmitted from one speaker to another, namely stereo sound, the effect is interesting. In addition, you can connect to the speaker from three devices at once and take control one by one - and there are no restrictions on devices, it can be a smartphone or a computer. At parties everyone wants to play their tracks, please play them.

I would especially like to note the size of the device; in fact, all users and journalists talk about this. Charge 3 has a very good format for its characteristics, it can be carried in a small bag or backpack, easily attached to a bicycle, taken to the beach, to the park, to the playground. It also seemed to me that the column was heavier than the previous one, and I was not mistaken, the third “charge” weighs 800 grams, the old one 600 grams. But the column works much more now! So there’s definitely no need to worry about weight.

Water protection and battery

I decided to combine these two points to protect users with different levels of knowledge. For example, here is the first tip - if you have just pulled the speaker out of the water, you should not immediately connect it to charger. If you are going to go swimming with the Charge 3, then first of all, think carefully. And secondly, close the cap. The speaker has IPX7 protection and, in theory, can withstand immersion. I even tested this theory, but very quickly, because about IPX7 they write this: “Temporary immersion in water will not have a harmful effect on the device under standard conditions of pressure and duration of immersion.” In the case of the JBL Charge 3, this means diving to a depth of one meter for thirty minutes. Well, rain, even heavy, or drops of water will not have a serious impact on the column.

Now about the operating time. 20 hours of music playback at medium volume are stated, for charging you can and should use the included orange power supply - it’s good that the accessories here are made in the JBL style, no black or gray nondescript things. The speaker charges from the power supply in two and a half hours, from a computer USB port – an hour more. The battery capacity is 6000 mAh, which is really a lot for a speaker.

External battery

Let me remind you that Charge is not just a name, but also the main function of the device, the speaker can charge any gadgets, even smartphones, even players, even cameras - there is a USB port on the back, connect, charge. It's so good and convenient that there's nothing to add. The main thing, I will repeat for the third time, do not forget to close the cap if you go swimming.

Speakerphone

The speaker is installed in the column, and it just so happened that I was the only one who managed to test it, and when my friends and I were talking with a friend from another city - not a meeting, but simple chat. But Charge 3 copes with the task surprisingly well, I even decided to say this separately. The interlocutor's voice is natural, with characteristic notes, perhaps a little muffled, but this is not a problem. The volume reserve is great. In general, I advise you not to be shy about using a speakerphone in different situations, for example, sitting in the bathroom - you can listen to music, answer a call directly from the speaker and have a calm conversation without fear for the device. Worth a lot!

However, I was not surprised for long - in the instructions I saw the VoiceLogic logo, this technology was presented by the HARMAN concern almost two years ago, it is used in a number of consumer and professional products - in short, a software and hardware complex that can take the level of communication to a new level (literally sense). For devices like VoiceLogic portable speakers, this is full duplex, which means the same communication experience as if you were talking on the phone, reduced echo, increased signal-to-noise ratio. It’s nice to see the VoiceLogic logo in the instructions for an inexpensive product, and it’s even nicer to use.

Sound

Power is 20 W (increased by a quarter), two 50 mm speakers, a reproduced frequency range of 65 Hz - 20 kHz, two passive radiators, a huge volume reserve and the sound in general has become better - it seems like a portable speaker, but it’s not bad at all to listen to the Charge 3 for working at home when there are much more powerful systems nearby. Very good! Powerful, loud, no obvious failures. The only criticism I have is the range, the Bluetooth 4.1 protocol is used here, but it’s not clear about the class - but already in the corner of the next room the sound is transmitted intermittently. However, in open areas the speaker can easily be carried a few meters away from the smartphone.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the sound. It's a truly interesting experience for a portable system, and I'm sure many people will appreciate the JBL Charge 3. For advanced gadget lovers, this will be a speaker for use on the street or while traveling, but anyone interested will find here attractive sound, functions and, most importantly, price.

conclusions

Only 10,990 rubles at retail - here is the answer to the question of how good the JBL Charge 3 is. All the necessary functions - water protection, JBL Connect, an excellent speakerphone, 20 hours of operation, almost a day. And all this in a relatively compact and beautiful package. It’s gratifying that the signature feature with passive radiators is in place. It’s gratifying that Charge 3, like other chargers, can charge other devices, it’s gratifying that the DJ mode is also in place, switching music from different devices happens without problems, smoothly.

I didn’t find any obvious downsides to the device, we have another hit ahead of us, and the speaker goes on sale just in time, with at least three months of relatively warm weather ahead. I think the Charge 3 will sell very well - the only competition can be the JBL Charge 2 Plus (approximately 7,500 rubles). Which one to choose is up to you.

All speakers from the JBL Charge line are produced with a wide range of customers in mind. These are not the models in which additional options are built in, not needed by the majority users. These are devices that give the owner exactly what is required from wireless speakers: good sound, moisture protection and increased battery life.

JBL Charge 3 is the best representative of this line. The speaker received not only better sound quality, but also IPX7 moisture protection. let's consider this model more details.

• Body colors: Black, Blue, Grey, Red, Green;
• Case material: Plastic, textile;
• Dimensions (L×W×T): 213 x 87 x5 mm;
• Weight: 800 g;
• Frequency range: 65 – 20000 Hz;
• Signal to noise ratio: 80 dB;
• Total output power: 20W;
• Battery: 6000 mAh Li-Ion, non-removable;
• Operating time: 20 hours in active mode;
• Linear AUX input;
• Other connectors: MicroUSB, USB Type-A;

Packaging and accessories

The speaker is delivered in a large box, which itself is depicted in a state of immersion under water. On the front side of the package we can see a list of the main differences between this audio system and other models. These are Bluetooth, IPX7 water resistance, JBL Connect and victory in the international Design Awards 2016 competition. On the other hand, all the technical characteristics of the device are described in detail.

In addition to the speaker itself, the kit includes a power supply and two plugs - American and Russian. So you can connect the system to any outlet. In addition, the kit includes a microUSB cable, which, unfortunately, not all manufacturers can offer. Well, according to the standard, the box contains documentation. I must say, the equipment is up to par. Of course, there are no cases, bags or other accessories, but everything you need is there.

Design and build

All devices of this model range in my own way appearance For some reason they resemble cans of soft drinks. But in JBL Charge 3, the developers decided to improve the design a little. Now the column looks more like a barrel. This effect was achieved due to the adjustment of the lines on the sides of the body. By the way, the body itself is made of plastic. But there are also aluminum inserts. A pleasant-to-touch and very durable fabric is stretched over the body, which covers almost the entire area of ​​the device.

Thanks to the textile surface, the speaker holds very well in the hand even after being submerged under water. There are five different colors available to suit every taste: black, grey, red, blue and turquoise.

There are six function buttons on the case. They are designed to control pairing with other devices, adjust the volume level, switch tracks and turn the device on/off. The buttons themselves protrude slightly above the fabric, so they are easy to find by touch.

On the front side you can find the manufacturer's logo. And just below there are five LED lights that provide information about the current battery charge.

On the reverse side there are wired interfaces. There are 3.5 mm TRS, microUSB and USB connectors. The last connector is needed if you want to charge other devices from the speaker. The output produces 2 amps. And this is quite enough to recharge your smartphone or tablet. The connectors, like everything else, are protected from water. A thick rubber plug is responsible for this.

The upper part of the speaker, like the lower part, is covered with a passive radiator. However, the column can be placed vertically, because the radiators are located in small recesses. And for horizontal placement there is a special platform below.

There are also disadvantages to this assembly. For example, some problems may arise with the rubber plug on the connectors. It doesn't always go all the way into the groove. As a result, water may enter the port. Another drawback is the way it is turned on. To start the device, just briefly press the top button. Because of this, the column often turns on by itself. Also, when turned on, a sound is played that cannot be turned off or its volume changed.

Sound

Compared to the previous model in this series, the sound quality has been noticeably improved. Previously, there was such a problem as vocals drowning out the sounds of instruments. In the new speaker, all sounds successfully harmonize with each other. There are no dips or distortions at any frequency.

But, the sound quality can be affected not only by the speaker itself, but also by the device with which it is paired. Whatever it was, wireless connection is still inferior to the wired connection between the sound source and the playback device. If you separate the paired device from the speaker and move a few meters away, you may notice that the sound deteriorates.

The device synchronizes quite successfully with the computer. It is best to use the device in a stationary format. You can, of course, use the audio system at a party, but make sure that the smartphone with music is not too far away from the speaker.

Autonomy

If you believe the officially stated specifications, JBL Charge 3 should work successfully at average volume for 20 hours without recharging. But this figure is a little exaggerated. In fact, the battery only lasts for 16 hours, which is also a very good result. If the battery is almost exhausted, the device will notify you by flashing a red LED. I am very pleased that the low charge does not in any way affect the quality and ability to play music.

It will take 2.5 hours to fully charge the speaker from the power supply. But if you charge from a computer, you will have to wait an hour longer. If desired, you can use the audio system as a power bank and charge other devices from it.

Peculiarities

The undoubted advantage of JBL Charge 3 is the presence JBL systems Connect. It makes it possible to use several speakers simultaneously as a single audio system. When two speakers are synchronized, a stereo sound effect is created. Control this process possible using a special application.

There is also a speakerphone. It allows you to use the device for a full conversation on the phone. The interlocutor's voice is transmitted through external speakers. So, it is ideal for creating video conferencing.

conclusions

Perhaps this best model from this price segment. For just $180, you get everything you could ask for in a portable speaker without much of a compromise on sound.

The following advantages of the audio system can be noted:

• Autonomy;
• Moisture protection IPX 7;
• Speakerphone;
• Grippy textile surface;
• Possibility to turn the speaker into a power bank.

There were also disadvantages:

• Unpleasant sound when connecting via Bluetooth;
• Risk of accidental activation;
• Excessively hard plug on the underside of the case.