12 Jan
Blog

JBL Flip 6 Review: Still Loud For Small Crowds

JBL Flip 6.

JBL Flip 6 in the test: Still loud for small crowds

RRP $ 130.00

"With the Flip 6, JBL keeps it inside and out in the family."

benefits

  • Solid build quality

  • Loud and clear sound

  • Lightweight and portable

  • Excellent water and dust protection

  • EQ offers some sound tweaks

  • Works with the JBL Portable App and PartyBoost

disadvantage

  • Stereo pairing with non-flip 6 JBL speakers not possible

  • Does not work as a speakerphone

  • Not much different from Flip 5

Bluetooth speakers are often a predictable lot where functionality and portability complement their good sound. But different speakers are designed for different situations. When it comes to the audience type, JBL is there. The Flip line fits that description exactly, and the company brings new models to market almost every year.

So don't expect any surprise from them JBL Flip 6. If you know what the Flip range of speakers is all about, you know you're getting plenty of bass and volume. Both are obvious as soon as you start the music. So what are the other perks that come from the few extras that JBL threw in?

What's in the box?

JBL Flip 6.Ted Kritsonis / Digital Trends

There isn't much to unpack on the Flip 6. JBL could downsize the packaging, or at least print a picture of the speaker's true dimensions on the page, so as not to create the impression that it is bigger than it actually is. In addition to the speaker itself, you will find a USB-C charging cable and a quick guide.

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JBL Flip 6.Ted Kritsonis / Digital Trends

You get the same cylindrical design and largely similar dimensions as its predecessors. JBL has reduced the height (7.0 inches), width (2.6 inches), and depth (2.8 inches) slightly to make it a bit smaller, albeit with effectively the same weight. Not that it weighs 1.21 pounds – it actually feels just as portable, so you can take it with you anywhere.

This also includes everything to do with water thanks to an official water and dust resistance rating. Unlike previous Flip versions, JBL has given this one an IP67 rating, which improves the Flip 5's IPX7 rating. It's perfect when you want to sing along in the shower, listen to a podcast in a relaxing bath, or splash around in the pool. Let's not forget the beach either, as the Flip 6 holds up well in salt water and sand, making it a great option for a wide variety of outdoor activities.

Durability extends to the rubberized bumpers that surround the passive radiators at each end. JBL has adopted the same design principle here, and the bumpers continue to play a major role in protecting the other components. Much of the rest of the Flip 6 represents an aesthetic change on the outside, like the larger JBL logo on the front and the more textured material on the body. A rubber strip on the bottom prevents the speaker from rolling while at the same time tilting part of the audio up for a more spacious sound profile.

JBL has also addressed the lack of a lanyard in previous versions by incorporating one into the Flip 6. By integrated, I mean that it is already tied up for you, and if you should ever lose it, you could realistically replace it with another.

Wisely, JBL didn't change the control layout and used the same raised buttons that, while not backlit, are easy to feel and accurate when playing / pausing music or adjusting the volume. Power, Bluetooth, battery level indicator and USB-C charging port also return to the rear.

Setup and configuration

It was easy to pair the Flip 6 via Bluetooth as it will automatically go into pairing mode. Just as easily put it back into pairing mode later by holding down the speaker's bluetooth button until it flashes. It connects to one device at a time and was not equipped with a microphone by JBL, so the Flip 6 does not have a hands-free function. This thing is about playing audio, not making phone calls, which is a blatant omission in the industry at this stage of the game.

One thing JBL changed with the Flip 6 is that it can access the JBL Portable (formerly Connect) app for iOS or Android. You can use it to update the firmware and adjust the modest number of settings. The big standout for me was the EQ, which earlier Flip speakers didn't have. It's hardly complicated, with simple bass, mids, and treble sliders, but it marks a shift towards some level of audio control on the Flip 6.

PartyBoost is back, but not without guard rails. I could use party mode to wirelessly connect to other compatible JBL speakers to play the same audio at the same time. You can also create a stereo pair if you or a friend owns another Flip 6 (both speakers must be of the same model). I tried pulling it off with a Flip 5 but got nowhere.

Sound quality

JBL Flip 6.Ted Kritsonis / Digital Trends

It's hardly surprising that the bass stands out in the overall sound signature. JBL chooses it with each subsequent iteration. In this case, it's less about boosting the bass by default as you can tweak it using the portable app's EQ. What is interesting is that the mids and highs have a greater impact on the sound signature. We're not talking about something audiophiles will love, but it's hard not to like the results for what they are.

The Flip 6 gets loud – once again a matter of course for a loudspeaker like this one. It's the response at higher volumes that impressed me. Just when I was expecting the distortion to set in and pop the highs or lows, it maintained a stable sound that I liked even more over time.

Part of it has a lot to do with context, which means I used the speaker a lot when I was moving. Whether I was showering, cooking a meal, or listening to music at work, it became a practical part of my daily routine. Whether it was different genres of music or long podcast episodes, I appreciated the Flip 6 for its performance.

If you're a fan of bass heavy genres I don't think you'll be disappointed with the output here. It's deep and rumbling, with just enough detail in the mids and highs for decent balance. Pretty much any top 40 and party hits playlist will do well with a small crowd if this thing challenges them.

JBL Flip 6.Ted Kritsonis / Digital Trends

Battery life

JBL claims the Flip 6 can last up to 12 hours per charge, but at no point did I achieve that. It depends how loud you get, but I've been in the range of around 8-10 hours which isn't bad. That's enough time for a trip to the park, the beach or the pool. Connect it with the USB-C cable and you can play the music that way, especially if you have a portable battery to help.

Our opinion

For $ 130, the Flip 6 feels like value for money. You get a speaker that is very portable yet has enough power to be loud when you need it. Its added durability makes it safer and more useful in sandy and tougher environments, which certainly can't hurt either. There are also a handful of colors to choose from: black, blue, red, gray, and teal.

Is there a better alternative?

JBL doesn't give up 5. turn aroundwhich is arguably just as good for most situations, but if you want to go that route, wait for the price to drop. Ultimate Ears charges more than $ 150 for similar size and toughness in the Boom 3except that you also get a more spacious sound as the speaker wraps around your body. To get this spatial effect with serious harshness, pay the same $ 150 to get the Outdoor technology OT-2800-B Turtle Shell 3.0that offers the same water (but not dust) resistance.

If your budget allows it and you want a whole house music ecosystem to match your bluetooth speaker, then you should consider the Sonos Roam as well. It supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, as well as simple voice commands and wireless charging, and you get it all for $ 179.

How long it will take?

JBL speakers have a pretty good track record, and the Flip 6 was made to last. You need to handle it properly to ensure its longevity, such as rinsing off sand and salt. Keep it clean and it should play for years. JBL offers a one-year guarantee against damage to the speaker, but not in all cases of water damage.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you need a speaker this size that prefers loud, clear sound and you don't want a speakerphone inside. If you already have a Flip 5, you probably don't have to take the plunge unless you really want to use the few new features that are available.

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