Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 9, 2017 12:48:12 GMT
Since I'm out in the garden more often than anything now with the improved weather, I took out my old cheap speakers and frankly, in open air or inside a gazebo, they don't develop enough bass and sound a bit thin.
So I got this JBL speaker and it's not bad at all. Plenty of power and there is bass!! Very pleasant sound and connects really easily. You can buy other JBL speakers and they also communicate with each other so you could have two speakers going at the same time from one player. Player 1 forwards the sound to the other.
It has a 6000mAh battery which can be used to charge other devices and is supposed to have 20 hours playtime. Waterproof up to a point. You can also connect up to three devices, so you can listen to music say, from an iPod and have the phone connected for better quality calls.
I think it's 2 X 10 watts so there's a nice amount of power for audio too.
The sound. Is nicely balanced actually and for its size, is powerful.
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 15, 2017 11:25:21 GMT
Add a second speaker and you can switch them into stereo mode via an app.
I looked up the specs and although small, they go down to 60 hz apparently. Not only is the sound better spaced out with two speakers, but you can get the 'perfect' triangle every time by just placing them on the table in front of you.
Then you get an image right there on the table!!
You need the JBL Connect app which updates the firmware on the speakers and allows 'Party' or 'Stereo' mode with two speakers. Difference being (I think) that 'Party' gives in effect a mono sound in the middle and 'Stereo' is what it says.
These portables are pretty good. I think one of the better Bluetooth portables I've seen actually. They go pretty loud and bass response is quite healthy tbh. Not sub bass deep, but a good overall sound. By just switching one on, you get mini stereo where the speakers are really too close for decent stereo so really it's mono to the ears!!
So you have small mono. (One speaker) Big mono (Two speakers on Party mode) Wide stereo (Two speakers on Stereo mode)
Fabulous for the garden and waterproof.
No good in stereo mode for tv though. I can hardwire one in and it's fine. Better than tv speaker. In Stereo mode, there is a delay - in that speaker 1 sends the right speaker sound to Speaker 2 wirelessly and Speaker 1 delays itself so that the two of them are in sync.
That means there's a delay so picture and sound don't match. I need to be able to shift the lip sync on my tv which I can't do.
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jello
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Post by jello on Apr 15, 2017 12:20:42 GMT
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 15, 2017 13:14:50 GMT
Of course!! An easy solution. Thanks Mark.
These speakers aren't that cheap, but they sound great. I really like the option of a mini stereo set up or more spread out in a room.
Listening at a table with a proper triangle improves the image enormously and you can listen at pretty low levels as far as people off axis go. They don't get as much sound at all.
Until now, I've only used pretty cheap Bluetooth speakers but these definitely take it to another level. Gear really is improving pretty fast these days.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 16, 2017 19:51:26 GMT
I've found a button combo on these speakers that increases and deepens the bass. I have no idea why it's been hidden but I'll note it here for my own reference.
Press 'bluetooth' and 'minus' sign at the same time andhold it until the battery indicator flashes one red light with the others white. The speaker suddenly goes massively lower in the bass area.
Do it again and it switches off.
With the bass switched in, I'm hearing very low test sounds and they sound like way bigger speakers!! I'm hearing below 60 Hz now. I'm a bit concerned going a long way down in case the speaker excursion becomes a bit too much for it. Sound becomes fatter and two in stereo mode develop a lot of thwack to say the least. I have no idea what is going on here, but it's like another octave of bass has appeared almost as though some form of bass boost has kicked in.
If I leave a note of it here, I won't lose how to do it!!!
These are really good speakers if you are limited with space since you can set a perfect triangle up anywhere; even in the garden and there is enough power for outside as well. With two speakers, 20wpc. The extra bass trick really makes them sound way bigger. It's puzzling why the manufacturers have a 'hidden' setting for bass, unless the extra oomph isn't good for driver excursion at higher volumes?
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 20, 2017 19:37:09 GMT
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jello
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Post by jello on May 1, 2017 21:12:26 GMT
Ian, I've been having a read up on the Charge 3 as I'm considering getting a BT speaker for the garden and for beefing up my laptop's audio. The JBL does look very good. Two questions if I may: - the delay you mention when paired via BT. Does it just rear its head when you are using two in stereo but a single speaker on its own is not affected (on a par with the MDR100ABN in terms of lip sync say)? - do those end 'caps' (subs?) feel reasonably robust or do you think they could be damaged fairly easily? They certainly seem to vibrate a lot during use!! I figured after watching your videos I now have the Master and JVC, so like Pokémon I may as well collect 'em all. You're costing me money again Cheers!
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Post by Rabbit on May 1, 2017 21:33:03 GMT
The delay is worse with two paired. I linked tv via an analogue lead to one speaker only. That was absolutely spot on. Sound is pretty good. I placed it dead centre, under the tv.
Linking the second wirelessly caused an awful delay. The first speaker waits for the second, so they fire together. Sound is great but out of sync. Some TVs have a setting to put the sound ahead of the picture. If yours has that, it would work.
I use a cheap soundbar for tv. (A Roth)
The subs on either end are pretty robust and even don't mind being splashed. A grill wouldn't have hurt tbh. I'm not sure exactly how much pressure they'd take, but they look pretty strong. The vids on YouTube show them moving around like Banshees. Mine don't. So I think they're playing the speaker extremely loud. They go pretty loud actually.
Outside, the choice of one or two speakers synced up is terrific. I sit in the gazebo (it's still up!!) with a perfect stereo triangle from my iPod. (Or wired to my X5) Two speakers sounds better than one. It spreads the sound and allows you to slightly lower the overall volume. When paired, adjusting speaker 1 also adjusts speaker 2. You don't have to adjust them separately.
Indoors, I'm using them all over the house in single or synced mode.
You must be able to access the app to get stereo. Once set, it stays that way. Or else, both speakers play the same thing and aren't split left/right. I installed the app on my iPod Touch to set them up as a stereo pair.
The bass setting is really useful. It's not mentioned anywhere on the manual. It's a hidden feature. They become much fuller bodied and go lower.
Having said that, they're not as good as say Wharfdale Diamonds, but the Bluetooth sets you free and the 'perfect triangle' is useful when you're stuffed for space like I am now.
I use them a lot, Mark so for me, although they're really not cheap, they were worth it.
There is also the bigger 'Extreme' if you want an even bigger sound.
The Charge 3 is about right for me in terms of size and sound. Streets ahead of those cheaper £25 - £50 speakers you can get. If you want a cheaper one, I have one here that you can have, but nothing like the JBL. I no longer use it. Battery life is unbelievable. Mine go for a week. Charged mine yesterday for second time!!! Big battery inside.
Helena is thinking about getting one or two for her Music Business, where she plays tracks in halls. She doesn't need massive volume but these are quite healthy on that front.
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jello
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Post by jello on May 1, 2017 21:52:04 GMT
Thanks Ian. That's very helpful!
I'd only be using the one so sounds like it would be well suited for my needs. I've heard a few of the cheaper ones but they always seem a bit tinny with no low end grunt.
Appreciate the offer of your old one but I am looking for something that at least matches my Minirig SQ wise. Suspect its not until I get to around the JBL's price point that I'll get something of comparable quality.
The battery life does seem very good!! The Minirig is even better (40hrs at a guess) but doesn't use BT. Sounds fantastic and goes loud but does lack a bit of low end and annoyingly isn't completely wireless (needs a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable to carry audio). There is a BT version now but I think the larger form factor of the JBL will allow for more low end thump and perhaps project the sound a bit further (JBL is front facing whereas the Minirig points straight up) so time for a change I think.
Thanks again!
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on May 1, 2017 22:17:37 GMT
Don't get me wrong, Mark. They're a small speaker so they won't rumble out your house with bass. No deep bass but the 'humpy' area around 100hz is nicely defined.
The Extreme will punch out more bass if that's what you're after.
For me, it was the wider stereo imaging of two speakers on Bluetooth. Loud and good bass for their size. Brilliant in bathroom, being waterproof. In party mode, Helena can listen downstairs while I listen upstairs to the same thing.
Very versatile.
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jello
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Post by jello on May 1, 2017 23:00:54 GMT
That's fine Ian. I know there are limits to how much you can get out of these things bass wise. Just looking for something a that has a wee bit more oomph.
The Extreme does look good but overkill for my needs really and think the smaller size of the Charge 3 makes it more practical.
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Post by jello on May 2, 2017 11:38:41 GMT
Placed an order for one. Bought from JBL themselves as I got 10% off for signing up for their newsletter and they also offer 30 day no quibble returns. After seeing a comparison with the Flip 4 I was tempted to get that one. Have to admit the option of connecting 100 together in 'party mode' almost had me....almost
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Post by Rabbit on May 2, 2017 12:15:25 GMT
Blimey. 100 speakers? You could put them all over the house!!
The Flips are cheaper. It's good that you can try it and return if not good enough for you.
Personally, I prefer having two on since the sound seems fuller than one.
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Post by Rabbit on May 7, 2017 11:21:36 GMT
Did it arrive Mark?
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Post by jello on May 12, 2017 19:10:22 GMT
Missed this in all the excitement (TH-X00, seal issues, selling stuff etc.)and other distractions over the past few days. I did receive it Ian. Good little speaker. Not exactly hi-fi but it sounds pretty good considering its small stature. Solidly built and Battery life seems excellent, as I haven't had to charge it aside from the initial charge a week ago. Plenty of volume for my needs and has quite a big sound. I haven't tried it at full volume as it's plenty loud enough for me after just a few clicks. Bass has decent weight to it and goes reasonably deep but perhaps due to the confines of such a small enclosure it can perhaps get a touch boomy at times. But overall it has quite a pleasing and musical sound with decent clarity and cohesion. Well worth the money I reckon and I'm sure it'll see plenty of use both indoors and outdoors. Certainly very pleasant to be able to pick it up and plonk it down and listen to music wherever I fancy. Cheers again for posting up your impressions. I value your opinion on these things Ian and it definitely removes a lot of the risk when buying blind
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