STEREO GUIDE verdict
Very compact, robust Bluetooth speaker with clear voice reproduction and modern Auracast connectivity. Convincingly clean in the mids and highs, but clearly limited in the bass. Ideal for podcasts and background music – less so for punchy beats.
Pros
- Small and lightweight
- Clean, clear voice reproduction
- Ideal for audiobooks and background music from your phone
- Up to 14 hours of battery life, excellent protection against water and dust
Cons
- Very weak bass reproduction
- Hard-to-see buttons on the top
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Tonal balance / Transparency7.1
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Bass / Dynamics5.5
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Usability / Connectivity8.5
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Price/Performance9
You can accuse JBL of many things, but certainly not a lack of model variety. With the Grip, the Americans are now pushing a particularly compact Bluetooth speaker into their portfolio below the popular Flip 7, which sits visually somewhere between an energy drink can and an outdoor gadget. Ambient light on the back, IP68 certification (read more about IP protection classes), Auracast – it’s all there. But how does the little guy, available in seven colors (blue, black, red, camouflage, pink, purple, and white), perform sonically in everyday life?
Concept and Technology
The Grip relies on a single 43 x 80 mm full-range driver with 16 watts RMS power. According to the manufacturer’s data sheet, the specified frequency response ranges from 70 Hz to 20 kHz (-6 dB). You won’t find a passive radiator – this clearly distinguishes the Grip from larger JBL models like the Flip 7. From its big brother, the newcomer to the JBL lineup – which is otherwise characterized by almost endless re-releases of existing bestsellers – inherited the AI Sound Boost. Artificial intelligence analyzes the music signal in real time to drive the wideband speaker so that it can play as loudly and powerfully as possible with minimal distortion. Bluetooth 5.4 including multipoint and Auracast pairing are on board.
The 2,600 mAh lithium-ion battery (10.01 Wh) allows for up to 12 hours of playback according to the manufacturer, and even up to 14 hours with Playtime Boost.
Operation and App
The buttons are located on the top and front. The concept is functional, but less so ergonomically: the small control buttons on the top hardly stand out in color and are difficult to feel. The volume buttons and the multi-function button are larger and raised, meaning they are tactile, but they also remain in the same color as the housing.
In the JBL Portable App, available for iOS and Android, you can install firmware updates, adjust the brightness and color of the ambient light, and customize the sound via a 7-band equalizer. Additionally, four sound profiles are available: “JBL Signature”, “Chill”, “Energetic”, and “Voice”. Interestingly, the factory “JBL Signature” tuning is not necessarily the best choice – more on that in a moment. The toggleable “Playtime Boost” audibly reduces the low-end in favor of a longer runtime.
Sound Test: How the small Bluetooth speaker sounds
From the very first notes, it’s clear: the JBL Grip is no mini-Flip in disguise. The compact housing and the lack of passive radiators set physical limits that cannot be optimized away. This applies not only to the highs, which don’t sound as delicate and high-resolution with a full-range driver as they do with the domes of 2-way systems. Especially in the bass, I found the Grip a bit disappointing. A comparison with the Flip 7 or even the more mature-sounding Charge 6 is therefore out of the question, even if it would surely be good for a few clicks thanks to the Google algorithm. The two play in a different league, which is reflected not only in size and price.
With acoustic tracks like “Liberty” by Anette Askvik, however, the speaker shows that it definitely has qualities in the mids and highs within its class. The voice stands freely in the room, seems cleanly articulated, and detaches surprisingly well from the housing. Details in the breath or slight reverb components remain discernible. Only a certain tonal coolness creeps in – the reproduction feels more analytical than emotional.
It becomes more problematic in the mid-bass and bass range. In electronically influenced tracks like “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode, the deep synth bass clearly lacks substance. The beats feel lean, almost malnourished. The soundstage loses its foundation, making the entire production appear thinner than what you’re used to from larger JBL models. Especially at higher volumes, this can lead to the Grip losing its acoustic footing and sounding thin and sharp.
Extending runtime requires compromises
Interestingly, this restraint is not primarily a matter of maximum volume. Even at moderate levels, the low-end foundation remains limited. The “Playtime Boost” energy-saving mode only changes the sound profile marginally – simply because the bass is already very reserved in normal operation.
As the test progresses, however, it becomes clear that the “JBL Signature” preset contributes significantly to this characteristic. Switching to “Chill” slightly reduces the midrange presence, making the balance feel a bit more harmonious. However, the “Energetic” setting is truly recommended. Here, the bass audibly gains weight, and the sound becomes more cohesive and significantly more balanced. Only with this tuning can the Grip clearly set itself apart from the smaller Tribit Stormbox Micro 2.
For bass-heavy genres like hip-hop or house, the speaker remains only limitedly suitable. For podcasts, audiobooks, or web radio, however, it plays to its strengths: clear speech intelligibility, good fine resolution, and a sound that detaches well from the speaker.
JBL Grip: Conclusion and Alternatives
The JBL Grip is less of a party speaker and more of a robust everyday companion with lighting ambitions. It impresses with decent voice reproduction, high mobility, and modern connectivity. However, if you expect punch and depth, you should look in the next class up. The extra cost for the JBL Flip 7 is then very well spent. That said, with less popular brands than JBL, you can find significantly larger speakers with better bass prerequisites for the same list price. This includes especially the Tronsmart Mirtune S100 (list price 80 euros), which, in addition to a larger housing, features not only 2-way systems with a total output of 50 watts but also side bass radiators. This leaves the little Grip without a ghost of a chance when it comes to drums and beats. However, you can’t just pop it into your handbag.
Our special tip: For an additional charge, you can order the Grip directly from JBL with your own individual photo – in this experimental example with the STEREO GUIDE logo. As far as individuality is concerned, the Grip in this version is naturally our design favorite in its class…
Technical Specifications: JBL Grip
- Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: 86 euros
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 6.4 x 15.3 x 6.5 cm
- Weight: 0.385 kg
- Battery life up to 12 hours, up to 14 hours with PlayTime Boost
- Special features: Bluetooth 5.4, water/dustproof according to protection class IP68, JBL Auracast Multi Speaker Connection, power bank function, equalizer, hanging loop
- More at: jbl.com
