The new JBL Link Music, Google Assistant speaker has just become my favourite OK Google speaker. It is loud, proud and has that beautiful JBL sound signature. Oh and its AirPlay2 compatible as well.
Frankly, I don’t know how JBL does it. The JBL Link Music has a maximum volume of 84dB (loud) with little distortion, a warm and sweet sound signature (nirvana) with good bass from 60Hz in a relatively compact, squat, classic 360° design.
And at $169.95 defies the logic that you can’t have good and cheap at the same time!
What is the JBL Link Music?
Website here
Price: $169.95 from all major retailers or online
Warranty: 1 year
First, it is mains powered speaker so that probably accounts for the price – no thousands of milliamps of expensive Lithium batteries required.
Second, being mains powered, it does not have to worry so much about conserving energy as using it for a decently powered 20W amplifier to drive the single mono speaker.
Third, it uses a 64mm down-firing transducer (speaker) and two passive bass radiators to transmit 360° sound.
Fourth, it is a Google Assistant, Chromecast and Apple AirPlay2 speaker with Wi-Fi AC dual-band and Bluetooth. Flexible.
And finally, it’s a nice size – 112 (round) x 134mm (high) x 730g covered in subtle charcoal woven fabric over a perforated metal case.
Sound
The old crop of 2018/19 Google Assistant speakers ranged from the shocking sounding Google Mini to the excellent LG WK7 and the JBL 300. This smaller speaker beats both for bass response and volume (84dB) – it is a later technology thing.
We use a sound signature test (you can read more about why that is important here) and this diminutive speaker aces it.
- Deep Bass: 20-40Hz – none
- Middle Bass: 40-100Hz – building (great)
- High Bass: 100 to 200Hz –flat (that means good)
- Low-mid: 200-400Hz – flat
- Mid: 400-1000Hz – flat
- High-mid: 1-2kHz – flat
- Low-treble: 2-4kHz – flat
- Treble:4-6kHz – flat
- High Treble: 6-10kHz – a slight decline (to remove treble harshness)
- Dog whistle: 10-20 – strong to 15kHz
OK Google – what does it do?
In case you have been living under a rock, Google Assistant speakers outsell Alexa three to one in Australia. It’s the basis of a smart home or just a very smart speaker. You can read more about Google Assistant here.
This has two far-field mics and the obligatory mute switch. They are sensitive enough at high volumes to still hear a command
It can play content via OK Google from Spotify, YouTube Music and Apple Music.
GadgetGuy’s take – JBL Link Music has aced the small Google speaker niche
Yes, I know you can get cheap Google Assistant speakers but mark my words – none will sound as good. It usurps the previous king – the LG WK7 which is now $199 at JB Hi-Fi.
I am now able to get this and the LG Wk7 for $99? Which would you go for if that’s the case?
The LG WK7 has been my favourite 360° speaker for a couple of years and it is damned good. Until the JBL Link Music came along and offered a slightly better music signature. But at $99 (that must be a used one as the best I can get it is $199) versus $169 (which is on special at $99 at the Good Guys) then I would go for the NEW JBL LiInk Music.
I got offered the LG for $99 with a discount voucher on ebay for a new one so I went for it. Then i read this article and hence the question. Its not been shipped yet so could cancel if i am quick.
As I can get the LG for $99 NEW would that still be the case?
Go for it – it is as good as it gets for $99!!!
For the price and the compact size of the JBL Link Music, I wasn’t really expecting the kind of audio quality ot actually delivered. i was surprisedly to say the least. It has a clear distinction between the highs and the lows. The Hands free Google Assistant makes completing tasks so much easier and it helps to know that it is powered by MediaTek chipset at its core taking care of the functioning of the device.
Thanks, Lucas
I was blown away by what it achieves for such a small enclosure. But then most JBL stuff punches well above its weight in the sound department.
Completely agree with you. While many people would not want to think of this as a practical buy owing to its size, one should honestly should not be making the decision on the basis of the size. It gives out a Substantial, well-balanced, 360-degree sound from a small package. And like I had said before, with the Mediatek chipset, doubts over the performance are put to bed.
Yes I love it to. My only regret is it is at GGHQ and I am working from home.
How would it now compare to the Nest Audio?
Hi Nick. JBL Link Music was released well before Nest Audio and the latter has almost caught up. I have both and I prefer the JBL for its music pedigree but to an untrained ear both are very good.
I’ve been using JBL products for a long time and they haven’t disappointed me so far. The JBL Link Music has superb audio quality and a good mediatek processor inside to make sure things so smoothly.