STEREO GUIDE verdict
In our test, the JBL Go 5 surprised us with an astonishingly mature sound. Compared to its predecessor, this mini Bluetooth speaker has made significant improvements, particularly in bass reproduction. Vocals sound convincing, and subtle details and the atmosphere of music recordings come across remarkably well. It also features a rugged IP68-rated design, Auracast, AirTouch stereo pairing, and USB-C audio. A real leap forward in pocket-sized form.
Pros
- Transparent, balanced sound even at moderate volumes
- Good bass reproduction for its size
- USB audio playback
- IP68 rating
Cons
- At higher volumes, the sound becomes midrange-heavy
- The app didn't work during USB audio playback
- Comes without a USB cable
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Tonal balance / transparency6.6
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Bass / Dynamics5.3
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Usability / Connectivity9.2
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Price/Performance9.5
Just how much sound can you actually get out of a Bluetooth speaker that’s barely bigger than the palm of your hand? With each new generation of its Go series, JBL tries to push the boundaries of what’s possible a little further. With its predecessor, the JBL Go 4, we found that it couldn’t defy the laws of physics and only hinted at bass. The new JBL Go 5 performs significantly better in this regard. But that’s by no means the only improvement to this mini speaker.
With the JBL Go 5, the American manufacturer continues its line of exceptionally compact Bluetooth speakers. The basic concept remains the same: minimal space requirements, light weight, and a rugged enclosure that requires no special care, even when used outdoors. But a lot has changed beneath the familiar exterior. In addition to a larger driver and slightly more amplifier power, there are new features such as direct stereo pairing via AirTouch, ambient lighting, and even the option for lossless music playback via USB-C.
JBL Go 5: Slightly Larger, but Still Tiny
Measuring 10.1 x 7.74 x 4.3 centimeters, the JBL Go 5 is slightly larger than its predecessor. It’s also gained some weight: Instead of 190, the new model now weighs 230 grams. Given its compact dimensions, it remains an exceptionally portable companion that can easily be stowed in a jacket pocket or backpack.
JBL has retained the speaker’s distinctive shape and fabric covering. There is a small carrying loop on the side that allows the speaker to be hung from a hook, for example. Rubber pads on the bottom ensure it stands securely on smooth surfaces.
JBL has also stepped up its game when it comes to protection against environmental factors. While the Go 4 was already IP67-rated for protection against dust and water, the Go 5 now meets the requirements of protection class IP68. According to the manufacturer, it also features a shock-resistant design. This makes the tiny speaker ideal not only for the kitchen, bathroom, or balcony, but also for outings in nature.
More Power for Better Sound
Inside, a 45-millimeter full-range driver is at work. That’s five millimeters larger than the one in the Go 4. The amplifier power has increased from 4.2 to 4.8 watts RMS. At first glance, this may seem like a modest improvement, but especially with a speaker in this size class, every millimeter of diaphragm area and every additional cubic centimeter of enclosure volume counts.
Ultimately, what matters isn’t just how low a speaker can theoretically go, but also the volume level and control with which it can reproduce low frequencies. And this is precisely where the listening test reveals encouraging progress.
Controls: Easy to see, easy to feel
JBL has improved one important detail regarding the controls. On the Go 5, the large buttons for volume and playback control on the top are color-contrasted against the rubber coating. This not only makes it easier to locate them in low-light conditions, such as in the garden in the evening. People with visual impairments also benefit from the high visibility and the clearly distinguishable controls.
Less impressive is the design of the side buttons for power, Bluetooth pairing, and Auracast. They lack high-contrast labeling. This makes it harder to find the right button, especially in the dark or when the speaker isn’t directly in front of you.
New ambient edge lighting adds visual accents. It can display various lighting themes and indicates, among other things, the device’s operating status, Bluetooth pairing, or battery level. You can customize the lighting effects using the JBL Portable app .
Bluetooth 6.0, Auracast, and AirTouch
For wireless connectivity, the JBL Go 5 uses Bluetooth 6.0. It supports the SBC, AAC, and LC3 audio codecs. The latter is part of the modern Bluetooth LE Audio standard.
Like its predecessor, the Go 5 supports Auracast. This allows multiple compatible speakers to be linked together into a single playback group.
A new feature is the exceptionally simple stereo pairing via AirTouch. To do this, simply hold two JBL Go 5 speakers close together for a moment. The speakers then pair up to form a stereo pair with separate left and right channels. This is a convenient solution because it eliminates the need to navigate through the smartphone app’s menus.
The JBL Portable app for Android and iOS offers additional customization options. These include a graphic equalizer with seven frequency bands. Compared to the 5-band EQ of its predecessor, this allows you to tailor the sound even more precisely to your personal taste. However, don’t expect miracles here either: even with sophisticated digital signal processing, the physical limitations of such a small speaker cannot be overcome.
Lossless music streaming via USB-C
One notable new feature is the ability to stream music digitally via the USB-C port. While the Go 4 used the port exclusively for charging, the Go 5 also supports lossless audio transmission through it.
This allows the small JBL speaker to be connected to a compatible playback device and used without the data loss associated with standard Bluetooth codecs. This requires compatible audio content and a compatible playback app or signal source.
Whether the theoretical quality advantage is actually clearly audible in a speaker of this size is another matter entirely. Technically speaking, however, this additional connection option is quite remarkable.
This is a trick everyone should know
With my iPhone, however, simply connecting the mini Bluetooth speaker via a USB cable wasn’t enough: the Go 5 continued to play via Bluetooth. I was already familiar with the necessary steps from my review of the JBL Flip 7: First, you connect one end of the cable to the smartphone. Then you hold down the play button on the speaker while plugging the other end into its USB-C port on the side. After that, the Go 5 plays music via USB, but disconnects the Bluetooth connection in the process. This also disables control via the app until you unplug the USB cable again. Only the volume can be controlled remotely using the iPhone’s buttons while in USB mode.
The built-in lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 3.85 watt-hours. JBL promises up to eight hours of music playback without light effects. With Playtime Boost, you can reportedly achieve up to ten hours of playback. As with its predecessor, however, it’s important to note that longer battery life comes at the expense of sound quality. According to the manufacturer, a full charge takes less than three hours.
JBL Go 5 Sound Test: More Than Just a Little Bass
When we tested the JBL Go 4, we already noticed that these small Bluetooth speakers have improved significantly over the years. However, the bass on the previous model was more of a hint than a truly solid foundation. Especially with music featuring strong beats, this tiny speaker quickly reached its limits.
The JBL Go 5 sounds noticeably better. Overall, it has a more mature sound and delivers more sonic depth than you’d expect given its small size. Above all, the sound isn’t as heavily focused on the high frequencies. The added richness in the sound is a welcome improvement.
Of course, you shouldn’t expect miracles from the new Go either. A 45-millimeter full-range driver in such a small enclosure can’t replace a full-fledged subwoofer. But in a direct comparison to the Go 4, the improvement is remarkable. The bass is no longer just hinted at; it contributes much more convincingly to the overall musical experience.
Roger Waters Delivers a Surprise
We were particularly impressed by Roger Waters’ performance of “Comfortably Numb” from his Lockdown Sessions. The JBL Go 5 reproduced his voice with astonishing clarity, brought out subtle details, and brought the recording’s unique atmosphere to life.
And then there was that thunderclap at the beginning: It was so sudden and powerful that I literally flinched as I wrote these lines with music playing in the background. Not bad for a speaker that fits comfortably in one hand!
This particular music example demonstrated that the small JBL has improved in more than just bass reproduction. Its vocal reproduction and ability to bring out the subtle nuances of a recording were also impressive. The atmosphere of the production was preserved, rather than getting lost in an undifferentiated muddle of sound.
That’s not something to be taken for granted in a speaker of this size. After all, a single full-range driver has to cover a very wide frequency range. The fact that the Go 5 delivers such a convincing performance speaks to its successful tuning. However, depending on the music, the sound starts to change as early as half to three-quarters volume: the bass recedes, while the mid-to-high frequencies sound strained. At these volume levels, the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 remains richer and more balanced thanks to its greater fundamental tone substance and more powerful bass foundation.
Test Conclusion: The JBL Go 5 sounds surprisingly mature
The JBL Go 5 is a great example of how development doesn’t have to come to a halt even in a speaker category that seems to have reached its limits. JBL has improved this small Bluetooth speaker in key areas. It features a larger driver, slightly more amplifier power, more modern wireless technology, and additional features such as AirTouch, ambient lighting, and USB-C audio.
Above all, however, it sounds significantly more mature than its predecessor. The bass has more body, vocals are reproduced convincingly, and even the finest details and the atmosphere of sophisticated music recordings are preserved.
Of course, even the Go 5 can’t defy the laws of physics. If you’re expecting rich, deep bass or high volume levels for a bigger party, you’ll need to opt for a larger speaker. But considering its tiny size, the new JBL delivers a remarkably impressive performance.
The Go 4 was primarily a practical companion for podcasts, web radio, and occasional music playback. With the Go 5, it’s now much more enjoyable to actively listen to music. That’s perhaps the most important improvement.
You can find more alternatives in our best Bluetooth speaker list
JBL Go 5: Technical Specifications
- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: 50 Euro
- Dimensions (W x H x 10.1 × 77.4 × 4.3 cm)
- Weight: 230 g
- Battery capacity: 3.85 Wh / 1,000 mAh
- Battery life: Up to 8 hours; up to 10 hours with Playtime Boost
- Charging time: Less than 3 hours
- Special Features: Bluetooth 6.0 with SBC, AAC, and LC3; USB-C with digital audio playback and charging capability; IP68 waterproof rating; app control; stereo pairing; EQ
- More at: www.jbl.com
