This article was automatically translated. View original version.
The JBL Charge series has had a reputation for being a high-quality and well-performing speaker for years. It's no exaggeration to say that it's a roller that combines loud, energetic sound with all-day battery life and a built-in power bank. The new Charge 6 continues this tradition, but at the same time brings a number of changes. For example, higher 45W power, longer battery life on a single charge, intelligent AI Sound Boost, lossless USB-C input, networking via Auracast™ and IP68 resistance including drop resistance. But is it worth switching from previous generations, other brands, or should this be your first wireless speaker?
Design and construction
At first glance, the Charge 6 retains the DNA of its predecessors. It has a cylindrical body with a textile grille, side diaphragms with controls on the back. Dimensions of 228 × 94 × 98 mm and a weight of about 960 g are only a hair larger than the Charge 5, while here you will find not only a larger driver, but also a larger battery. If the size and weight put you off, JBL also offers JBL Flip 7. As for the materials used, the entire frame is made of 85% recycled plastic and 100% recycled fabric. The packaging itself is made of FSC paper, which is printed with soy ink. The company is responding to the growing pressure on sustainability and ecology with this step. But if your primary interest is high-quality and dense sound, these facts will probably not interest you much.
Of course, the speaker is IP68-rated. This means it can be submerged in fresh water for up to 1,5 meters for thirty minutes. It is also dust-resistant. In practice, this means that you can put the speaker in the sand or not.chat get wet. But I haven't tested any of this. And what I'm not going to test is the drop test. JBL declares that the product will survive a drop from one meter onto concrete. So if youoneIf you drop it in your hand and it slips out, it will most likely survive. The package also includes a strap, so you can carry the speaker comfortably. The JBL Charge is available in many colors. In addition to black, it also includes white, military, red, pink, blue and the new purple.
Gallery
Hardware and control
Inside the body, a 52 mm woofer (30 W RMS) and a 20 mm tweeter (10 W) work, complemented by two 65 × 44 mm passive radiators. Thanks to a more efficient PMEQ amplifier, it reaches a great power of 45 W. The upper rubber strip hides the buttons: power, Bluetooth, plus/minus, Play/Pause (double press to skip a track) and PartyBoost/Auracast. In short, you will be able to control everything you would expect on the speaker. By the rubber cap you will find USB-C (charging in/out) and a narrow LED strip indicating the charge status. 3,5 mm jack You won't find anything like the previous generation here.
Sound and AI Sound Boost
Charge 6 has taken a step forward compared to the previous generation. The bass is more pronounced, but the bass component is not "overblown". The mids seem more open and the highs are also completely smooth. However, a big role here is played by AI Sound Boost - a DSP algorithm that analyzes the signal in real time and adjusts the dynamics to maintain a clear sound even at high volumes. The difference is especially audible with rock and electronica. At 85% volume, the sound does not boom and distort, which sometimes happened with older generations.
According to the manufacturer, the frequency response is 56 Hz to 20 kHz. In an open area and a distance of about 8 m, the JBL Charge 6 easily overcame the surrounding noise and the sound remained clearly audible. In an interior of 35 m² (i.e. an average room), one unit is enough. However, if you want stereo, the Auracast function allows you to pair a second Charge 6 or a compatible JBL Flip 7 or JBL Xtreme 4. The lossless USB-C input (16bit/48 kHz PCM) is a nice bonus. When connected via cable, the Charge 6 speaker plays with lower latency and better detail. However, I personally did not notice any major changes.
Battery, charging and power bank
The 4 mAh battery guarantees up to 722 hours of music at half volume. By activating Playtime Boost, which is a kind of power saving mode, the treble is lowered and the bass is slightly reduced. The battery life then increases by up to 24 hours. The JBL Charge 4 naturally supports the fast charging function. After 6 minutes of charging, you get up to 10 hours of listening time.
JBL Portable app
As with other JBL products, you will find an app here that will help you get the most out of your JBL Charge 6. maximum. In addition to the classic in the form of monitoring the battery status, you will also find an equalizer here. You can choose from preset modes or adjust the sound manually to your taste. In any case, if you are not familiar with it, I would not get too involved. I chose the classic mode called JBL Signature, which has the best bass for me. You can also turn on the app onen the aforementioned power saving mode (Playtime Boost), set up stereo or update software. The application is available for free in both App Store, So Google Play.
Own use
Although I've been using wireless speakers less and less lately, I really enjoyed testing this one. First of all, it's a very good brand and a well-known series, and it must be said that the speaker plays really well. You can tell that you're in for a superior listening experience from the very appearance of the product. The speaker feels really powerful and you can tell by its performance. The sound is rough and full of bass, which I personally like very much. And even if you turn on Playtime Boost, you won't experience any significant deterioration in the sound. The question is whether you'll ever actually use this mode. The battery life is really long and I believe that you'll always find a way to charge it before it runs out.
Summary
JBL Charge 6 takes the iconic speaker a step further. It offers louder and clearer sound, intelligent sound processing, significantly better durability and a positive approach to ecology. When you add a lossless USB-C input and Auracast networking, it becomes a surprisingly versatile speaker. Suitable for both garden parties and home listening. Its price is 4990 CZK, which it can easily justify.
discount code
We managed to negotiate an exclusive discount for our readers. After entering the code "CHARGE6LSA15"The first 10 people to order will receive a 15% discount. The discount is applicable to all colors.
