JBL Clip 5 test: our full opinion –

The JBL Clip 5 is not the smallest portable speaker from the American manufacturer – that title goes to the JBL Go 4 – but it is clearly the easiest to hang. Its carabiner allows it to be attached almost anywhere, especially where a speaker with a simple strap would be blocked. Waterproof and solid, the small JBL Clip 5 is a perfect adventure speaker, easy to take with you in all circumstances to enjoy quality background music.

JBL Clip 5 Technical sheet

The enclosure used for this test was loaned by the manufacturer

JBL Clip 5 Bigger and more practical

At first glance, nothing seems to distinguish the JBL Clip 5 and 4. Moreover, JBL communicates strictly identical dimensions. This is a mistake, because the JBL Clip 5 is slightly larger than its predecessor. A good centimeter in length, a few millimeters in thickness and above all more rounded lines give it a greater internal volume, logically synonymous with a more powerful sound.

A closer look shows that just about everything has changed in this Clip 5, starting with the carabiner. The new one is a little higher, with around 3 cm of vertical space compared to 2 cm in the Clip 4; this can make the difference when attaching the speaker to a branch for example. The headband is no longer perimeter, which allowed JBL to install the power buttons, Bluetooth pairing and chaining to other speakers on the edge, as well as centering the USB-C port charging under the speaker. On the back of the speaker, the silicone base has been thickened, which further protects the speaker when it is placed and also facilitates the diffusion of bass sounds.

For the rest, the volume and reading buttons in grippy silicone have been renewed. They are easily recognizable by touch, thanks to their specific shape (-, +, triangle). This may seem trivial, but at the beach in direct sunlight, it allows you to control the speaker without having to open your eyes. In short, the JBL Clip 5 is a practical and remarkably designed speaker. It exudes quality.

Finally, the Clip 5 is IP67 certified, which means it is waterproof and dustproof. She therefore does not fear being showered or totally immersed.

Design internal de la JBL Clip 5

Like the Clip 4 or the Go 4, the JBL Clip 5 speaker has an active and a passive transducer. This acoustic principle, now very widespread in portable speakers, makes it possible to produce more low frequencies while maintaining a small size. The active transducer is now a 45 mm diameter model, compared to 40 mm for the Clip 4.

He is ” better motorized », is equipped with a larger magnet which allows it to play louder, especially in the lower end of the sound spectrum. The Clip 5 thus weighs 40 grams more than its predecessor, which is always a good sign in audio.

JBL Clip 5 Finally a control app

The JBL Clip 5 offers more features than the Clip 4. In addition to its control buttons (play, track change, volume), it can be controlled by the JBL Portable app; this was not the case with the Clip 4.

Concretely, this means that it is possible to modify the sound signature of the speaker, since the app has a 5-band equalizer, with pre-established profiles. The Playtime Boost mode can be activated there, in order to increase the autonomy by around 3 hours according to JBL, but at the cost of a reduction in low frequencies. In addition, the Clip 5 is AuraCast compatible and can therefore be combined with other speakers supporting this Bluetooth protocol, to play in stereo or create a larger group to provide sound to several zones. Another positive point is that the (loud) startup and shutdown sounds can be deactivated via the app.

The integrated Bluetooth controller manages dual connection, which allows the Clip 5 to be used with two smartphones, without the need to manually disconnect from one for the other. The connection is stable up to 10 meters, or even a little beyond outdoors if no other transmission disrupts the signal. As with all Bluetooth audio streaming, there is latency and, if you use the speaker for video games, the sound arrives behind the image. No lag, however, when watching videos (films, series, etc.).

JBL Clip 5 Improved audio performance

The JBL Clip 5 is not a speaker for partying at the beach, being listened to from 10 meters away. On the contrary, we appreciate it installed a few tens of centimeters from us, where it demonstrates a really nice musicality. The sound produced is clear and precise, but inevitably thin in the lower part of the bass register. This is not what is asked of it and, for this, JBL offers larger and more efficient speakers (JBL Flip 6, JBL Charge 5, JBL Xtreme 4, JBL BoomBox 3, etc.).

However, the Clip 5 delivers almost twice as much volume as the Clip 4 and this is a considerable improvement, due to the new transducer and an amplification whose power is now 7 Watts (compared to five for the Clip 4).

Of the three curves above, the blue one is the most representative of the tonal balance of the JBL Clip 5, because it is measured at approximately half volume. The orange curve is that obtained at full power, while the dashed pink is that of the JBL Clip 4 at full power as well. The blue curve shows a solid but shallow bass, however level with the rest of the other frequencies, resulting in a pleasant balance to the ear. The 300Hz bump serves human voices, which are properly embodied. The rest of the midrange is recessed so as not to overwhelm the ear with too clear sounds, while a nice peak between 8 and 10 kHz gives brilliance to the finest sounds. This all makes sense and seems carefully researched.

At full power, the speaker does not produce more low frequencies, but strongly accentuates vocals and percussion. By comparison, the curve of the Clip 4 (dashed pink) is down by around 6 dB, i.e. a halving of the sound intensity. Clearly, the Clip 5 is a much better speaker.

Other good news is that this sound signature changes relatively little depending on whether you place the Clip 5 on your back or hang it in front of you to listen to it.

JBL Clip 5 Very variable autonomy

JBL announces a battery life of around 12 hours, which can be increased by 3 hours by activating Playtime Boost mode. The latter is not recommended for listening to music because it reduces the volume of bass sounds too much. During this test, at 50% volume and with its default sound profile, the JBL Clip 5 lasted 11:40. It takes 3 hours to recharge the battery, with a 5 W charger.

JBL Clip 5 Price and release date

The JBL Clip 5 is available in black, camouflage, purple, white, red, blue or pink at a price of 69.99 euros, the same price as the Clip 4 which it replaces.