They are both excellent outdoor, portable speakers. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with the JBL Flip 5 or the JBL Flip 6. If you’re looking for a no-frills outdoor speaker at an even lower price, there are some budget options out there, like the Anker Soundcore Flare 2 and 1MORE Portable BT Speaker. You won’t find those from JBL’s Flip range, and you might be better suited with a more high-end option, like the Sonos One or Sonos Move. If you’re looking for additional features, like Wi-Fi connectivity, a mic, AUX-in for wired listening, charging port for your phone or a smart assistant built-in, then look elsewhere. Upgrade if you’re taking your Bluetooth speaker on vacation and to the beach. If you’re considering upgrading from the JBL Flip 5, be warned that the differences here are subtle. So if you want a solid speaker for the best price, the Flip 5 might make the most sense. Then again, now the Flip 5 is a few years old, you’ll likely find some great deals. Thanks to its improved performance and added dust protection, it sounds great and will fare better on the beach and outdoors. They're both an excellent choice for those who want great music and nothing else – or those who don't like the idea of a smart assistant, or anyone else, listening in.Īlthough both speakers are similar, if you’re trying to choose between the two and money isn’t an issue, spend the extra $20 / £20 for the upgraded Flip 6. They don't have an AUX socket for hardwiring a smartphone, and there's no built-in microphone to make hands-free calls or activate Siri and Google Assistant. Annoyingly, though, you can only pair the Flip 6 in stereo with another Flip 6, but that's only a minor drawback.įeature-wise, there's not much else to say here, and that's the point. This allows you to pair any two compatible JBL speakers in stereo or up to 100 in mono for a wall of sound. If you want a significant enhancement in sound, both the Flip 5 and the Flip 6 have a PartyBoost feature. Generally, the audio performance is warm and well-balanced, with an excellent sense of clarity. When we bumped up this track to the highest volume, we did get some harsh treble sounds, but on the whole, the JBL Flip 6 can reach loud volumes without much distortion. We followed up with Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Soft Shock, and the driving rhythm section with trebly drums, pulsating synths, and hammering basslines sounded tight and accurate, while Karen O's floaty voice had a convincingly natural presence. Simz' relaxed rap delivery sounded clear amid the jazzy piano chords, while Cleo Soul's lacelike vocal boasted a rich, lush quality as it floated above the rest of the instrumentation. We listened to Little Simz' Woman during our testing, and the radiators pulsed pleasingly as the vampy bass lines bounced around the mix. Turning up the volume didn't lead to distortion, so you can crank it up and keep listening several metres away.Įven though the JBL Flip 5 is a solid speaker with a very pleasing sound, the Flip 6 has a new audio configuration that makes it even better. During our review, we found whether we play Mac Miller's languid-yet-sharp rapping or Explosions in the Sky's post-rock instrumentalism, it delivers audio playback with stark clarity, vast amounts of detail and more than a hint of dynamism.Īnyone not already acquainted with JBL's quality audio would be shocked at how clear and musical this speaker sounds. The JBL Flip 5 is a great-sounding speaker. (Image credit: TechRadar) JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Flip 5: audio performance It’s probably more useful to compare the Flip 6 to the UE Boom 3, available for the same price at $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$199.95, as well as the Anker Soundcore Flare 2, which is much cheaper at $80 / £64.99 / AU$140). Then again, the Flip 6 isn’t a direct competitor to the Roam, given it doesn’t have the same extra features, like Wi-Fi connectivity. What’s more, it’s cheaper than many of our other favorite Bluetooth speakers, such as the Sonos Roam at $179 / £179 / AU$299. This is a reasonable price considering it has upgrades on the Flip 5. JBL released the Flip 6 in December 2021, and at $129.95 / £129.99 (which works out at around AU$175, though Australian pricing and availability are yet to be confirmed), it’s priced slightly higher than the Flip 5 was at launch. It’s a similar price to some of its competitors from a year or two ago, like the UE Boom 2. For example, the JBL website currently has it discounted in US and UK regions for $109.95 / £109. Fast-forward to 2022, and you’ll find it a little cheaper now as it’s an older model. (Image credit: TechRadar) JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Flip 5: price and availability
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