JBL Flip 5 – Flip gets even better

JBL Flip 5

The JBL Flip 5 is the next iteration in its Flip portable BT waterproof speakers – the logical successor to the Flip 4 that impressed us enough to get 4.6-out-of-5. What will Flip 5 get?

The JBL Flip 5 has the JBL pedigree and sound signature, and that is not easy to produce from a waterproof, IPX7 (1 metre) sealed device. You see there is simply not enough air volume in the 181 x 69 x 74 (round) mm x 540g cylinder to pump bass. Yet it does bass with aplomb.

JBL Flip 5 has a secret secret – it’s the single mono ‘racetrack’ 80 x 40mm, 20W RMS transducer and rubber passive radiators at each end (that we have seen on other JBL speakers) that expand to pump bass.

JBL Flip 5 X-ray
X-Ray

JBL Flip 5

Price: $149.95 from JBL (here) or major retailers.

Battery

It has a 12-hour,4800mAh, 17.28Wh battery.

As it is USB-C and PD compliant, it can use a 5V/3A charger (not supplied), and the battery fills in about 2.5 hours. It can also charge, albeit slowly from a 5V/1A port.

And unlike many portable speakers, you can charge and play at the same time. We tested at 70% volume, and it met claimed battery life.

JBL Flip 5 camo

BT

BT is 4.2, so that means a maximum range of 20-03M. It also supports JBL Party Boost for stereo pairing or multiple JBL compatible speakers.

Note: It is just a BT SBC speaker – no hands-free calling, voice assistant etc.

Volume

It will reach over 82dB. Comfortable listening is at 50%, and you can drive it as hard as you like with minimal distortion.

Sound signature

The test is with its native signature – no EQ or app to connect to a BT source. Not that it has an app which is good!

  • Deep Bass: 20-40Hz – none
  • Middle Bass: 40-100Hz – building nicely
  • High Bass: 100 to 200Hz – flat (good)
  • Low-mid: 200-400Hz – flat
  • Mid: 400-1000Hz – building – flat
  • High-mid: 1-2kHz – flat
  • Low-treble: 2-4kHz – flat
  • Treble:4-6kHz – flat
  • High Treble: 6-10kHz – flat with a slight dip to remove harshness at this level
  • Dog whistle: 10-20 – flat to 18Hz

This is JBL’s typical Warm and Sweet (bass/mid boosted, treble recessed) and it’s a delight to listen to.

JBL Flip 5 frequency response

Build

IPX7 – an accidental drop is a pool or water splash won’t kill it.  It comes in eleven colours and has a faux woven pattern nylon exterior and a lanyard.

JBL: Flip 5 colours

Note that while it can sit on its end (like a can of coke) the full bass needs in landscape mode. It can also fit a standard bike water bottle holder.

Oh, and it has a carry case – very interesting.

GadgetGuy’s take – Impressive JBL Flip 5 – as are other JBL speakers.

Loud, proud and great JBL sound – what more do you need.

As it has improved on the Flip 4 (review here) it has to rate even better.

Features
Value for money
Performance
Ease of Use
Design
Reader Rating0 Votes
Great volume, solid bass and good highs
Just about as perfect as a coke can sized, BT, waterproof speaker can get
Love the carry/storage case - very considerate
None
4.8