STEREO GUIDE verdict
The design of the JBL Clip 5 is strongly based on its predecessor. However, the review showes that it has taken a step forward in terms of both sound and functionality.
Advantages
- Clear, clean and transparent coordination
- Very pointed and level stable for the size
- App support and Bluetooth LE audio
- Practical hook
Disadvantages
- Equalizer only has a limited effect
- Playtime mode runs longer, but almost without bass
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Sound: naturalness / transparency6.7
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Sound: Bass / Dynamics4.6
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Practice / Connectivity9.4
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Price/Performance9.2
You don’t necessarily have to turn a successful concept completely on its head. This is how the JBL strategists saw the previously reviewed mini Bluetooth speaker
JBL Clip 4
with the fixed carabiner hook confirmed their successful concept. The dimensions of the successor JBL Clip 5 remain at the same level as its predecessor with a slightly different design of the housing, which is encased in robust mesh fabric on both sides. It can be easily attached to hooks, loops and poles. The movable part of the snap hook has been given a rubberized surface so that nothing gets scratched.
The manufacturer promises improvements above all in terms of sound and the important secondary virtues: 7 Watt power from the integrated amplifier instead of their 5, 15 hours of battery life in long-term mode Instead of 10, the Clip 5 is also slightly heavier than its predecessor, but can be used with 285 gram weight but still easy to attach to backpacks, hooks or bags.
The partially rubberized hook is slightly narrower and therefore less bulky than the JBL Clip 4. The unchanged IP 67 protection class guarantees dust-tightness and protection against immersion in water. The color plate has been adapted to the latest trends. In addition to purple, there is white, dark blue and a light green/pink combination. So it’s more for a dignified spontaneous party in the park than for hard use on the mountain. For the latter, black and camouflage will complete the range.
Smaller, but more power
With Bluetooth 5.3 , the Clip 5 has been assigned the latest generation of the standard with energy-saving LE audio and the A2DP 1.4 and AVRCP 1.6 transmission profiles. This is also the only way to play music. Mind you, only music or audio books, because the Clip 5 can’t handle phone calls due to the lack of a microphone, even in the current 2024 model year.
The sound is converted by a broadband driver with a diameter of just 4 centimeters, which emits the sound behind the central JBL logo. Despite its compact dimensions, according to the JBL data sheet, the mini Bluetooth speaker’s bass should be below 100 Hz. The battery can either be used for 12 hours in normal operation or the power can be reduced slightly. This should provide up to 15 hours of music fun. Recharging takes up to 3 hours via USB-C, so you can use the charger from your smartphone for this.
In addition to the narrower carabiner hook, the coloring of the logo and rubber buttons is the most striking difference to the predecessor JBL Clip 4. If you want to easily recognize the volume and play/pause buttons on the front, the dark or colorful versions of the Clip 5 are equally good. The on/off buttons and the buttons for Bluetooth pairing with the smart device and for the Auracast function for connecting multiple Bluetooth speakers have been moved from the edge of the baffle to the side of the housing.
More options with the app
The rudimentary but well-equipped JBL Portable app for iOS and Android offers further options. Here you activate the “Playtime Boost” mode, which trades some bass power for battery life. Two Clip 5s can also be connected to form a real stereo pair. If you have various JBL Bluetooth speakers compatible with the Auracast function, you can pair them with this broadcast technology introduced two years ago by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG) as part of Bluetooth LE Audio. Then all wireless speakers in the chain play the same signal and thus generate more sound pressure. This makes even the tiny JBL Clip 5s party-ready in a pack.
The 5-band equalizer in the app allows the use of sound presets as well as individual sound influences. However, you should proceed with caution. The control for the lowest 64 Hz frequency band is of course practically useless for such a small speaker, for which the manufacturer only specifies 100 Hz as the lower limit. We pulled it up as far as it would go during the review and, as expected, there was no effect – especially not at medium or higher volumes. If you want to make the bass sound a little richer, you should avoid 64 Hz and give the Clip 5 a little more punch in the 250 Hz range (see screenshot no. 6).
This is what the 5th generation JBL Clip sounds like
In the listening test, the enormous liveliness and level stability of the new JBL Clip 5 stood out immediately after the first few bars. You wouldn’t expect a mini speaker like this. The same applies to the listening test disciplines of clarity and transparency. Here, the new JBL clearly outperformed the Tribit Stormbox Mircro 2 , which was rated very highly for its class.
In terms of neutrality, too, the Clip 5 is currently hard to beat in the mini segment. The bass wasn’t quite as rich as the Tribit, but it gave a good impression of the beats and bass contained in the test tracks. The positive impression remained intact even at surprisingly high levels. Just a few years ago, most mini Bluetooth speakers didn’t go beyond an implied “plop”. And the neutrality or cleanliness of voices also took a big step forward in parallel. And the resolution and freshness in the treble also marks a new peak in this class.
The extension of the service life alone is a turn-off. Activating the “Playtime Boost” function in the JBL Portable app has the opposite effect of a bass boost. In other words, the remarkably balanced Clip 5 suddenly sounds sharp and practically bass-free. Even if this still corresponds to the low tones produced by the first representatives of the very small class, you don’t really want this sacrifice after indulging in a balanced, pleasant sound. I had to think of a quote from Shakespeare’s drama McBeth about the ambivalent effect of alcohol: “It strengthens the desire and dampens the ability” to indulge in pleasure. Applied to the Bluetooth speaker: it can then play for longer, but who wants to listen for so long with this thinned-out sound?
Verdict and alternatives to the JBL Clip 5
Like its predecessor, the Clip 5’s carabiner is a truly unique selling point among mini Bluetooth speakers. So is the additional price for the 5th generation worth it in view of the considerable discounts for the discontinued JBL Clip 4 and the new low-cost alternative Clip 4 Eco? Everyone has to answer this question for themselves, because the difference is rather subtle – but it affects bass, mids and treble equally. So if you have the money to spare, the Clip 5 is the all-round better Bluetooth speaker in a handy mini format. Especially as Bluetooth LE audio ensures a better connection and contributes to a longer battery life.
In the segment of flat outdoor speakers without hooks, the JBL has to hold its own above all against the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 , which is fuller in bass but less balanced and not quite as clear in mids and highs, and the lighter JBL Go 4 (test coming soon on STEREO GUIDE). And he can do this very confidently, especially with his younger brother.
Buy JBL Clip 5
JBL Flip 5: Technical data
- Manufacturer’s recommended retail price: 69 euros
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 8.6 x 13.5 x 4.6 cm
- Weight: 285 g
- Battery life up to 12 hours, up to 15 with Playtime Boost
- Features: waterproof according to protection class IP67, carabiner hook
- More at: www.jbl.com
