Sodo L4 Life Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker Review

Few companies are capable of cartoon intrigue around a carabiner, but JBL has built quite a fanbase for its Clip series of Bluetooth speakers. The JBL Clip 4 seeks to rectify the Clip 3's shortcomings with a more robust integrated carabiner, improved durability rating, and louder output. However, while JBL added some neat features to the Clip 4, it too took away the headphone jack, leaving users with no way to enjoy lossless playback.

Do the new features and pattern really make this meliorate or should you stick with the quondam domestic dog?

Editor's annotation: this JBL Clip 4 review was updated on Jan xx, 2022, to expand the list of ownership options and to add together the JBL Flip 6 and Bose SoundLink Flex to the Notable mentions department.

Who should become the JBL Clip 4?

The JBL Clip 4 comes in half-dozen colorways: greyness, team, blackness, pink, red, and bluish.

• Bike commuters will greatly capeesh the redesigned carabiner on the Clip 4.
• Students may not have room for something like the JBL Accuse 5, but they can still savour dorm-filling sound from this tiny speaker.
• Outdoor enthusiasts tin accept full advantage of the IP67 rating on their adventures. (Merely brand sure you don't nail your music as well loud: people want to capeesh nature too.)
• Anyone can use the Prune iv, and it even makes for a bully shower speaker.

What's information technology similar to use the JBL Clip 4?

JBL wants you to bring this playful Bluetooth speaker anywhere, or at least have the option to do so. The IP67 build protects it from grit and water, while the integrated carabiner makes attaching it to the outside of your pocketbook a cinch. A familiar textile wrap covers the front and rear sections of the speaker, so you can easily grip information technology under any condition. Much like the JBL Xtreme 3, rubberized ribs line the behind and prevent information technology from sliding about when you lay it apartment on a table. The visitor'due south logo occupies the bulk of the front panel and its merely purpose is to inform passersby that you purchased a JBL speaker.

The carabiner is much beefier than before.

Five buttons live on the speaker, three on the front and ii on the left side. The button trio controls playback and volume (though you tin can't go dorsum a rail), while the side buttons are for pairing and powering the speaker on/off. While JBL'southward aesthetic may non entreatment to all, its button layout and definition are swell: information technology's easy to find and differentiate between controls without looking at the speaker.

Showtime here: What makes a proficient Bluetooth speaker?

The Prune 4 houses a completely accessible USB-C input whereas, with the Clip 3, you have to pull back a flap to reveal the microUSB and auxiliary inputs. JBL also redesigned the carabiner. The previous generation was prone to breaking forth the swivel, merely this time around, JBL embedded the most tenuous parts of the prune into the casing. It takes no effort to operate the prune with one manus, which is corking for biking effectually the urban center.

Does the Clip 4 support PartyBoost or Connect+?

These rubber lines keep the speaker from sliding off a table.

No, the JBL Prune 4 doesn't back up JBL PartyBoost or JBL Connect+, which is a real shame. Information technology would be great to bike with a friend and wirelessly daisy chain two Clip 4 speakers. Alas, that's why the Flip 4 and Flip five exist. In that location is no software for the Clip 4, so don't hold your breath for any firmware updates.

Does the JBL Prune 4 stay continued?

The JBL Clip 4 uses Bluetooth five.one and has a 10-meter range, which is typical for any Bluetooth speaker. According to JBL support, the range can extend to fifteen meters if you're in an open environment. While Bluetooth 5.i reads like a peachy feature, its chief benefit is ability efficiency, hence the extended playtime of the Clip four compared to the Clip 3.

Yous tin can't connect the Clip 4 to more than ane phone at a fourth dimension.

In typical JBL way, the Clip 4 supports just the SBC Bluetooth codec and this time effectually it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack. Some may pout at these specs, but isn't a crushing blow. The Clip 4 is an take chances speaker, not an audiophile'south companion. There is a pregnant audio-visual lag though, so expect spoiled punchlines and a delay when streaming your favorite comedy special.

Related: How do speakers work?

Y'all tin't connect the Clip 4 to more than one device at a time, dissimilar other Bluetooth speakers. When information technology comes time to switch source devices, y'all have to press the Bluetooth button on the side and dive into the designated device's Bluetooth bill of fare to make a new connection.

How long does the JBL Clip 4 battery last?

JBL amped up the battery life on the Prune four: information technology lasts ten hours and charges via USB-C. It takes iii hours to recharge the speaker and there is no fast charging. The ten-hour bombardment life varies, and depends on the book output. If yous crank the book to the max, don't exist surprised to find the battery life falls short of the official readout.

Our battery tests are ongoing and we'll update this review one time we have official data.

How does the JBL Prune 4 sound?

This is a very good response for a single-driver, portable speaker.

The JBL Clip 4 sounds very skilful and houses a standalone dynamic driver. Its authentic frequency response complements many music genres, though the attenuated bass doesn't bode well for electronic or hip-hop music. While the bass under-emphasis appears alarming, it'due south representative of portable Bluetooth speakers mostly. What the JBL Clip 4 lacks in low-end response, it makes up for in raw volume output. This mighty speaker has a 5W output—a one.7W increase from the previous generation.

Related: How do speakers work?

Lows, mids, and highs

The IP67 rating protects the speaker from dust, clay, and water.

In the songVertigo by Paces and Yorke, Yorke'due south introductory vocals sound articulate through the Clip 4. The quieted bass notes don't fifty-fifty take a shot at masking her vocals. In the original master, the chorus of Vertigo is bass-heavy, but yous wouldn't be able to tell from how the Clip 4 renders it. Fifty-fifty if you'd never heard the song before, you lot'd probable sense that something was missing from the chorus and that something is the boot drum's oomph.

This heavily nether-emphasized bass response has its perks, though. Vocals come through with a nifty bargain of clarity. As Yorke raises her pitch when singing the word "oh" in each chorus, you can hear a scrap of resonance from her vox, which is impressive from a speaker of this stature. Every bit long every bit y'all go along realistic expectations for the bass response, y'all'll be happy with how the JBL Clip iv sounds.

JBL Clip 4 vs JBL Clip three: Is the upgrade worth it?

The JBL Clip 3 is a bully speaker for listeners constantly on the go.

While the JBL Prune iv has a lot going for it, the JBL Prune 3 has a few coveted features similar an aux input and more color options—oh, and information technology'south xx grams lighter. Otherwise, the Clip four comes out on pinnacle, as it should: it gets quite a bit louder than the Clip 3, has a sturdier design, and features a greater dust and h2o resistance rating (IP67 compared to IPX7). Suffice information technology to say, the Clip 4 is the more than advisable pick for embankment-goers and campers.

Aside from headphone jack envy, you won't miss much when you choose the JBL Clip iv over the Clip three.

Should you purchase the JBL Clip 4?

The Prune 4 doesn't include many features but it's a rugged everyday speaker.

The JBL Clip 4 may be simple, but it's powerful and portable. It ticks every box for someone who wants a rugged speaker that can keep up with their enervating adventures.

While some may be balky to the Clip four and its feature-calorie-free packet, others will embrace it. This modest, utilitarian speaker isn't meant to be the middle of attention, instead serving as a situation enhancer. Whether you're on your bike or gathered around the bonfire, the fourth-generation JBL Clip is the perfect partner. If yous want something with more modern comforts like a microphone, smart assistant admission, and general software support, y'all'll need to stretch that budget a chip more than.

JBL Clip 4

All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over fourth dimension, and vary past region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, equally they vary greatly by currency.

What should you get instead of the Prune 4?

The Bose SoundLink Micro is a great adversary to the Prune 4. Instead of a carabiner, Bose's speaker relies on a durable, elastic ring that wraps around diverse objects, like a bag strap or bike handlebars. While Bose'south speaker is still portable, it'due south a chip larger and heavier than the Prune 4. This isn't great if every ounce on your bag counts, but it yields a louder output (seven.5W). Unlike the Clip 4, the SoundLink Micro has a microphone, and then you lot can field telephone calls and have one-sided conversations with your virtual assistant of selection. If yous desire newer hardware and don't mind a larger size, the Bose SoundLink Flex is worth adding to your radar.

The JBL Flip 6 is loud enough for hikes, parties, and gatherings both indoors and out.

Listeners who desire more impressive bass from their speaker should plough their attention to the JBL Flip 6 or JBL Flip v. Regardless of which Flip speaker yous get with, information technology will feature more than premium features like JBL PartyBoost, dual-passive radiators, and longer battery life.

Maybe the Prune four is a bit as well big for your needs. If that's the instance, go ahead and grab the JBL GO 3. This trivial Bluetooth speaker shares the aforementioned IP67 rating as its big blood brother, but instead of a carabiner, it has a sturdy material loop. Due to the smaller size, the Get 3 doesn't get virtually as loud as the Clip iv, but if you lot just desire something to underscore a small-scale outdoor gathering, it's a good option.

Side by side: The best inexpensive Bluetooth speakers under $50

Oft asked questions

No, you cannot pair the JBL Clip 4 to another Clip four, or whatever other JBL speaker for that affair. If you want a new JBL speaker with this capability y'all'll demand to get the JBL Flip 5 or JBL Charge five.

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Source: https://www.soundguys.com/jbl-clip-4-review-51753/

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