This is the JBL Flip 6, now at first glance you’d be safe to assume that this is just
a redesign with a new huge JBL logo on the front to spice things up.
But in reality, there’s a lot going on under this logo.
Specifically, JBL added a new tweeter to the Flip 6… just like the Charge 5.
And right now, the Charge 5 is my favorite sounding mid sized speaker.
So today we’re going to checkout the JBL Flip 6… and we’re going to see if its
worth upgrading if you have the Flip 4 or even the flip 5.
Now regarding pricing…
JBL’s flip series used to retail for $100… and the flip 5 also used to retail for $100
when it first came out.
But now both the flip 5 and Flip 6 have a retail price of $130.
However…
JBL does like to put the Flip 5 on sale for $100 making it feel like you’re getting
a deal.
And I expect them to do the same thing with the Flip 6.
So what I am saying is… the flip 5 and flip 6 are great.
And you won’t be mad if you get them for $130.
But if you can, id rather try to get these speakers when they're going for $100.
Links down below.
Now first lets talk about the design of this speaker…
Now besides a new huge JBL logo plastered on the front which personally I am indifferent
about… and the Flip 6 feeling a little denser… basically everything is the same.
All of these speakers are relatively the same size… you can easily throw them into your
back pack or bike’s water bottle holder which I know a lot of cyclists like to do
with these types of speakers… they all have a mostly fabric wrapped body so they can easily
stand up to constant abuse, they’re all waterproof so you don’t have to worry about
any of these speakers getting wet, but they all still have those exposed passive radiators
on either side which you do want to be mindful of.
And they all have built in loops so you can attach or hang these speakers if you really
wanted to.
However there is one subtle design change that I want to point out about the Flip 6…
and thats, this speaker now has rubber feet on the bottom.
Now I know this will might not seem like a big deal… but thanks to these rubber feet,
the flip 6 no longer shifts around on the table when you’re playing music at higher
volumes.
Where as that is a major issue for the flip 5.
This thing just loves to shift around at higher volumes and that cause their speaker has a
single offset oval transducer.
Now I know these rubber feet on the Flip 6 isn’t a big deal… but I appreciate this
change.
However, one change that I do want to point out… is that with the Flip 6 you no longer
get a carrying case like you do with the Flip 5.
Now personally I never really felt a need for this case cause the Flip 5 is just durable
on its own.
And this case kind of negates the durability and portability of the Flip 5… but id thought
id point it out for someone who might want this case.
But now lets talk about battery life.
The Flip 6 has the same 48 hundred milliamp hour battery as the flip 5.
Where as the Flip 4 has a 3000 milliamp hour battery….
But keep in mind, the flip 4 has less output than these other two speakers.
But all of these speakers have an advertise battery life 12 hours.
And real world use with the Flip 6 playing at 80% volume which is a really good listening
volume… the Flip 6 is good for about 8 hours.
The same as the Flip 5.
Which is really good especially cause the flip 6 has an additional tweeter to power.
Now when it comes to charging these speakers… the Flip 6 charges via a USB C port just like
the Flip 5.
But the Flip 4 charges via a Micro USB port.
Now this shouldn’t be the main reason why you should upgrade…
But micro USB charging in 2022 can be rather inconvenient.
However, something the Flip 4 does have going for it is that it still has an audio jack.
Where as these other to speakers don’t.
Now personally I don’t really mind not have an audio jack on a speaker of this size…
and unfortunately this is the new norm.. but I still feel these speakers should have an
audio jack just in case.
Because unfortunately, you can only use the flip 6 wirelessly… this USB C port is strictly
used for charging.
Now this speaker is using bluetooth 5.1 but more importantly it can be connected to 2
devices at the same time.
Which is great either if you’re a power user or this way you and a friend can both
be DJ.
And when it comes to performance, this speaker has zero latency arcs the board when watching
movies or videos on your phone whether youre using an iPhone or an android device… and
when it comes to audio codecs, the Flip 6 is strictly using SBC.
Pretty standard for JBL.
But now this is where the fun beings.
Regarding speaker set ups the Flip 4 has your very standard dual frontward firing woofer
and dual passive radiator set up that shoot out the sides.
And when it comes to out put, the Flip 4 has an out put of 16 watts.
Then there’s the Flip 5 which has a single frontward firing oval woofer… which really
made some people upset… and you’ve got your dual passive radiators that shoot out
the sides again.
And the Flip 5 has an out put of 20 watts.
But then there’s the Flip 6.
Just like the Flip 5, the Flip 6 has a single frontward firing oval woofer and your dual
passive radiators that shoot out the sides.
But this time around, JBL used all of the empty space found on the Flip 5, and threw
in a tweeter on the Flip 6.
And when it comes to out put the the Woofer on the Flip 6 is ratted at 20 watts and the
tweeter is rated at 10 watts.
Now the reason why its such a big deal that the Flip 6 now has an additional tweeter is
cause the tweeter handles the Highs, where as the woofer handles the mids and lows.
The idea is, this is supposed to help with instrument separation and sound stage.
But so that you can see for yourself, let me just show you.
So like you may just seen, with the Flip 6 the woofer handles the mids and lows, where
as the tweeter handles the highs.
Where as with the Flip 5 and flip 4, the woofers are handling everything.
And this is the same speaker set up that you will find on the JBL Charge 5.
And in general it really does help with instrument separation.
But now we’re going to jump into the sound test.
All of these speakers are playing at 70% volume and they're all playing with their stock EQ.
So first, I
have to
single
out the Flip 4 here.
If you’re thinking about upgrading from the Flip 4 to the Flip 6 I think its definitely
worth it because you will instantly notice a sound quality improvement.
The flip 4 simply just doesn’t get as loud as these other two speakers… so that why
even though the flip 4 was playing at 70% volume… its 70% volume just isn’t as loud
as these other two 70% volumes.
But also, both the Flip 5 and Flip 6 have noticeably better instrument separation than
the Flip 4 and they also have more bass.
So like I said, upgrading from the Flip 4 is a no brainer.
However, when it comes to upgrading from the Flip 5 to the Flip 6… its not as noticeable…
but the sound quality improvement is there.
The Flip 6 does sound a little more open and has better instrument separation than the
Flip 5… but quite honestly you’re only going to notice a difference if you’re playing
these speakers back to back like I did in this test.
However, I did notice the highs on the Flip 6 where more pronounced than the highs on
the on the Flip 5.
And thats cause the Flip 6 has that new dedicated tweeter.
And thanks to the more pronounced highs… the flip 6 does sound a little louder than
the Flip 5.
But again this isn’t going to be a super noticeable difference unless you’ve got
these speakers playing back to back.
However, one compelling reason as to why you would want to upgrade from the Flip 5 to the
Flip 6 sound quality wise is simply cause the Flip 6 now has a customizable EQ.
Now there’s really no reason why the Flip 5 couldn’t have an adjustable EQ…
JBL could just be arbitrary saving that feature for the Flip 6 to make want to upgrade…
but I digress.
But nonetheless, being able to adjust the EQ on the Flip 6 is nice… and its something
that JBL has really taken a long time to add to their speakers.
And personally for me, I like my Flip 6 with the bass raised a click, and I like my treble
lowered one click.
So overall, you’re going to get defneitly better sound if you upgrade from the Flip
4 to the flip 6.
The Flip 6 gets way louder, it has better instrument separation, and it has more bass.
But if you already the flip 5, these sound quality improvements aren’t going to be
as noticeable.
Theyre there, but you really gotta look for them.
If you have the Flip 5, the only reason you’ll might want to upgrade is cause of the adjustable
EQ.
But now, lets talk about pairing the Flip 6 up to other speakers.
Thankfully the Flip 6 is still using JBL Partyboost.
And this is a big deal cause usually the new flip series would usher in a new speaker pairing
protocol from JBL.
Forcing you to upgrade.
But not this time.
So with the Flip 6 you can pair it up to any other JBL Partyboost speaker like lets say
a JBL Boombox 2, Xtreme 3, Charge 5, JBL flip 4, another JBL Flip 5 or to a JBL Pulse 4.
And you can pair up to 100 speakers together which is obviously over kill.
Where as with the Flip 4 that using JBL Connect Plus.
So you can only pair it up with other JBL connect plus speakers like lets say an original
boombox, an Xtreme 3, Charge 3, Charge 5, JBL Flip 4 or a JBL Pulse 3.
Now I know this sucks… but Partyboost does have significantly better range than JBL Connect
Plus.
However, its very important to keep in mind that if you want to have left and right stereo
sound you’re going to need 2 of the same speakers.
Unfortunaltey a flip 5 and Flip 6 won’t do stereo sound.
They’ll only play in sync.
And also none oh JBL’s party boost speakers will wirelessly pair up to any of JBL’s
larger Partybox speakers.
So even though there are some limitations to look out for with JBL’s Partyboost.
In general JBL’s Partyboost is one of the best speaker pairing protocols out there.
Its super easy to use, it just works, there’s a good amount of different speakers to choose
from, and it looks like that for the time being, JBL’s future speakers will be using
party boost as well.
So with all of that being said, the JBL Flip 6 is a solid upgrade, especially when 20 watt
speakers are concerned.
The new speaker set up on the flip 6 which consists of a woofer, tweeter and dual passive
radiators really does help this speaker sound more open and have better instrument separation.
And if you’re upgrading from the Flip 4 to the Flip 6 you are going to notice a huge
sound quality improvement.
Both in fidelity, and just loudness.
You’re also going to get extra goodies like USB C charging and an adjustable EQ.
But unfortunately you are going to have to sacrifice your audio jack.
Now if you’re thinking about upgrading from the Flip 5 to the Flip 6… even though there
is a sound quality improvement… its not as drastic when compared to the flip 4.
Personally I would hold off and wait and see if we get battery life improvement with the
Flip 7.
But for right now, I am just happy the Flip 6 is still using partyboost.