Wireless speakers JBL Charge 2 and JBL Micro Wireless: comparison and reviews

Any music lover at least once in his life thinks about buying a portable audio-column. Undoubtedly, it is very convenient and practical, especially if you go to the nature or just go for a walk in a deserted park, where no one can interfere with enjoying your favorite music. And listening to melodies by the whole company is so much more convenient. Today we will consider the wireless speakers JBL - brand, which has proved itself as a symbol of reliable and high-quality equipment.

Candidates

For today's article and comparison of speakers, we chose three devices of the same price category. They do not differ much from each other, and it is between them that the ordinary buyer can choose, standing in front of the counter in the store.

1. JBL Charge.
2. JBL Charge 2.
3. JBL Micro Wireless.

We will examine them in detail and compare the ratio of price / quality indicators, so that it's easier for you to make a choice when buying.

Characteristics

We will begin our review with a comparison of the basic characteristics of the equipment provided. The JBL Charge wireless speakers are presented to the buyer in stereo format. This alone should please. Most of this kind of products are produced in a mono format with a single speaker. The power of the speakers is 5W. By the way, for comparison, the Iphone and Ipad families do not exceed 2.5 W even on specialized stations. However, to walk and listen to music from the phone without speakers or headphones - this is no longer fashionable, and unpleasant, perhaps, this determines this quality.

JBL Charge 2 differs from its previous version by as much as it overtakes other mobile gadgets. This device is equipped with two stereo speakers of 7.5 watts each. If you compare this value with semi-professional Monster Beats headphones, then they give out 30 watts each. Quite good for the speakers of this price category.

What else can the user give the column? Wireless JBL Micro Wireless uses only one speaker, resulting in a mono sound. And the power is not happy - only 3 watts. We can say that this device is designed for families. You put the child to sleep, turn on the laptop and put the column closer to yourself, so as not to wake the baby.

All presented devices can work either from batteries or via USB.

Sound

The output power of sound equipment is, of course, important. But do not forget about other technical parameters. In this case, the wireless JBL speakers adhere to an enviable consistency and quality.

All three of our candidates have the same signal-to-noise ratio equal to 80 dB. So, no matter how many speakers in the device, they will play with the same clarity of sound.

In addition, all gadgets can reproduce high frequencies up to 20 kHz, which fully corresponds to the quality of analogs in this price category of devices. But low frequencies pumped up. JBL Charge 2 reproduces sound from 75 Hz, and this is much better than other candidates. The minimum threshold values for them are 150 Hz. Both indicators, frankly, are too high, so it's unlikely to really enjoy the bass.

Design

In terms of design features, none of the devices are not strongly distinguished. They are all single-band, which means that all the output sound will be "mixed" and will not be divided into different frequencies.

In terms of design features can only be allocated the size of the dynamics. Arrange them in order of increasing diameter.

1. JBL Charge - 38 mm.
2. JBL Micro Wireless - 40 mm.
3. JBL Charge 2 - 45 mm.

Proceeding from the fact that we are dealing with portable speakers, this parameter does not have a significant effect on the sound and only determines the overall size and weight of the device.

Connectivity

One of the important factors. Since we are dealing with portable mobile devices, the convenience of connecting them to the main gadget plays a huge role. All three candidates support Bluetooth technology, and also connect to your devices using their own wire with a mini-jack.

The power is supplied from the batteries. Accordingly, simply in the market they can not be bought. Charging is made from the laptop via USB-interface or from any charger for mobile phones, which is very convenient if you are going on a hike and do not want to carry anything extra.

Food

Separately, it is worth mentioning about the charge that can carry the battery of devices. Wireless speakers with Bluetooth JBL have a stated running time of 12 hours, and JBL Micro Wireless - 5. However, it is necessary to consider the included headset. So in practice everything goes a little differently. Instead of the announced 12 hours, the user can get 6-7 if using Bluetooth, and in the case of JBL MW - all 2-3 hours. Of course, if you use a wire, the battery life time increases.

Dimensions

One of the most important parameters for JBL devices. A portable wireless speaker should have an optimal size so that it can be easily transported and used.

1. JBL MW have the most compact size of the three presented options - 83h39h83 mm. In fact, we are dealing with a small gadget with a weight of about 130 grams, which is not heavier than a medium-sized cell phone. Such a device can be put in a pocket or hung on a built-in carabiner and quietly forget about its existence.
2. JBL Charge is more cumbersome than the previous version - 175h74h74 mm. This is quite expected, since the device has two speakers. Weight of 400 grams is already felt, so this device is more suitable for those who walk with a backpack. You can not hang it on your belt.
3. JBL Charge 2 - a giant compared to other columns - 185x79x75 mm. Yes, and the mass of the device in a half kilogram will become an unpleasant brick behind your back.

Price list

Summarizing on the characteristics considered, we can say that the JBL wireless speakers are an excellent product of high quality. Each of them has its own shortcomings and advantages over others. In such situations, people usually pay attention to the price of the device. Let's look at the average cost of these gadgets on online stores.

1. JBL Charge - 6 490 - 11 760 р.
2. JBL Micro Wireless - 5 990 р.
3. JBL Charge 2 - 7 990 - 10 990 rubles.

Here such data leads us to "Yandex.Market". What do we see here? Despite the fact that the Charge family differ sharply from each other in terms of performance, the newer model is within the same limits as the old ones, and in some cities it is even cheaper. At the same time, JBL MW is much behind in cost, but it is quite expected, especially if you look at the characteristics. Again, it is very difficult to make a choice. If you can say that the JBL MW is a budget device with average characteristics, then it's incredibly difficult to choose between the other two - the weight or sound quality? In order to finally put the verdict, let us turn to the opinion of buyers.

Reviews

Let's start in order. We have already found out that the JBL wireless speakers are very good by the declared characteristics, but how much do they correspond to reality?

1. JBL Charge. As for this device, users leave unambiguously positive reviews for 5 points. They are satisfied with everything, from the quality of assembly and configuration and ending with the presence of a port for charging other devices from the speaker. Among the shortcomings, some singled out the sound quality, but this was expected from the speakers with such technical characteristics.
2. Wireless speakers JBL Charge 2. But this relative of the previous version is not all so smooth. Despite the fact that the majority of buyers are satisfied with both volume and sound, the average rating of this device is 4. Many people are not satisfied with the lack of a complete cover. And due to the fact that the manufacturer tried to expand the range of frequencies to be played, basses and low sounds very much prevail over the top ones. Some say that the sound is "like a barrel."
3. JBL Micro Wireless. This model pleases its owners in everything, although the reviews are received and contradictory. If you remove all the negative that the ever-disgruntled people leave (it was better to do so, there is not enough of that, and so on), then from serious drawbacks there is only one - a short wire for charging and little interference when using Bluetooth (if connected via Cable, they are not, apparently, catches third-party signals). In other respects, the quality of the device corresponds to the declared characteristics. Only those who do not understand anything in technology remain unhappy. For its 3 W the speaker sounds loud enough and qualitatively.

Conclusion

Against the background of its rivals, JBL Charge looks best. For a relatively low price, you get a good stereo sound and a good package for the device. In addition, the battery in this gadget will work much longer and will be able to recharge your phone. For those who can not afford big expenses, only JBL MW remains, but at the same time consider the price / quality ratio and do not "snort" if something does not suit you. This device completely corresponds to the declared level.