A Tiny Strategy to Be Massive Loud

There are a whole lot of methods to be loud and annoying. For instance, there’s snoring—a timeless basic that isn’t solely loud, but in addition deprives you and others of sleep, killing two very miserable birds with one stone. Then there are extra vestigial and area of interest types of being obnoxious, like yodeling, which, if executed outdoors of the Swiss Alps, looks like extra of a cry for consideration than the rest.

However these are nothing if you enter Bluetooth speakers into the equation. Within the yr of our lord, 2025, because of Bluetooth connectivity and LTE, there are lots of of how to be loud and annoying, and a whole lot of them will value you. You’ve acquired premium choices like Bose’s SoundLink Plus, which carry fashion and finesse to the Bluetooth speaker sport, after which there are extra rugged choices just like the Soundcore Boom 3i which you could actually throw in a pool. However what if fashion, sturdiness, and even sound aren’t your prime precedence? What should you’re in search of a small solution to sound actually large? Nicely, if that’s your jam, JBL’s $100 Grip might need simply what you want.

The tall boy of Bluetooth audio system

After I first noticed JBL’s Grip, I dubbed it the “tall boy of Bluetooth speakers,” and now, having held the Grip in my hand and having laid eyes on it for myself… I stand by that declare. The Grip is all in regards to the measurement, which on this case, is much like a “can of seltzer” based on JBL, or should you’re a hoodlum like me, then a tall boy. For proof of its tall boy-ness, I put the Grip side-by-side with a can that equals one pint. Right here’s the Grip subsequent to a Narragansett on your viewing pleasure:

Whereas the Grip resembles a tall boy in measurement, it really weighs much less—this speaker is simply 385g, which makes it each light-weight and compact, which is sweet as a result of portability is what JBL goes for right here. That’s additionally why there’s a loop on the highest of the speaker so you’ll be able to strap the Grip to a belt, or a bag, or possibly clip it to your bike to blast tunes whilst you get some cardio in. I didn’t strap the Grip to something for my testing, however I did carry it round Manhattan and might affirm that it’s not very burdensome.

See JBL Grip at Amazon

Don’t let the scale and portability idiot you, although; the Grip isn’t any slouch within the quantity division. The very first thing I seen after I performed the Grip out loud in my workplace was that it actually cranks. There’s 16W of energy on this tiny speaker, which doesn’t sound like a ton, however imagine me after I say it holds its personal. Whereas utilizing the Grip within the park, I used to be capable of drown out music from some stay jazz being performed within the neighborhood. To be sincere, I didn’t even know there was stay music occurring close to me till I made a decision to pause the Grip momentarily.

Sound-wise, you’re not going to get the identical nuance as an even bigger Bluetooth speaker from Bose or perhaps a larger transportable speaker like JBL’s Cost 5 (which I additionally personal), however that’s not likely the purpose of a speaker this measurement. What you need out of a speaker just like the Grip is portability with a sound that’s ok, and I’d say that’s precisely what the Grip brings to the desk. It does a good job with treble (vocals are clear), although you received’t catch a lot complexity within the midrange the place guitars stay. Bass isn’t notably booming, clearly, however I performed some Daft Punk whereas strolling round outdoors, and it didn’t sound bereft of low finish. Total, I’d say this speaker did higher in a rock style (I performed just a few of my favourite tracks by Geese), however your mileage could differ.

For sure, this isn’t the speaker you need should you’re attempting to fill a room with sound, however should you’re simply attempting to seize a speaker to carry on a hike, or a picnic, or to the seaside/park for an off-the-cuff grasp, there’s no purpose to not seize a Grip—particularly should you’re low on area.

Tall boy, smaller battery

As is the case with any gadget that emphasizes portability, battery life is at all times in query. The JBL Grip is rated for 14 hours of battery, although that may rely upon the amount. I wasn’t capable of take a look at the Grip battery life extensively, however in my utilization, the Grip appears to carry up as marketed, if not higher. I examined the Grip, utilizing the speaker at about 50% quantity for an hour. I began my take a look at at 40% battery, and by the point I used to be executed listening, I used to be solely at about 37%. Clearly, 50% quantity is just a little decrease than what most individuals might be listening to out within the wild, however it’s nonetheless a good exhibiting from a small speaker. If you happen to’re blaring this factor, you’ll be able to clearly count on much less.

The Grip has some character outdoors of the portability, too. There’s (after all) a companion app that you should use to fine-adjust EQ (seven complete bands) and change between EQ presets. You may also monitor battery life utilizing the JBL Moveable app and use your cellphone to decide on the colour of the LED on the again of the speaker. One good contact is with the ability to set the LED element to have completely different lighting results through the app. There’s nothing tremendous sensible about with the ability to do any of that, however I suppose should you had been frightened about shedding your speaker at midnight, it’d really turn out to be useful. I might have liked to see that characteristic become a battery indicator so you’ll be able to inform how a lot juice you have got left within the Grip at a look, however utilizing it for just a little further personalization is okay. I like with the ability to toggle lighting results specifically, to provide it some further aptitude.

One other nice-to-have characteristic is an IP68 water and dirt ranking, which suggests this speaker is mainly as waterproof as an precise can of beer. To check that out, I gave the Grip a pleasant little bathe within the sink, operating it below water for a few minutes. Fortunately, the Grip survived my take a look at and got here out just a little soggy, however absolutely practical and capable of play music simply in addition to earlier than. It doesn’t float or something like Soundcore’s Growth 3i speaker, which I examined not way back, however you positively don’t have to fret about dropping the Grip in a pool or leaving it out within the rain accidentally.

Nothing to write down dwelling in regards to the button choice right here. On the entrance, there’s a play/pause button and a quantity up and down. On prime, there’s a Bluetooth button for pairing, an influence button, and a button for Auracast, which helps you to pair a number of audio system collectively, if that’s one thing you’re keen on.

Do you have to get a Grip?

JBL’s Grip isn’t for everybody. If you happen to’re an audiophile in search of the very best sound, this isn’t your choose. Neither is this the very best choose should you’re in search of the most of a number of issues, together with options, battery, and even use in water. That being mentioned, it does strike a strong steadiness of all of these arenas that ought to be on the radar should you’re in search of a speaker that’s very transportable.

I do want the worth was just a little decrease than $100, contemplating audio system just like the Soundcore Growth 3i, which do just a few issues very effectively and solely value $30 extra. Positive, possibly Soundcore’s floatable speaker isn’t fairly as small, however it’s nonetheless fairly rattling transportable, much more sturdy, and comes with extra options than you’d ever count on in that value vary. I’m left questioning after testing the JBL Grip if the distinction in measurement is de facto all that particular. If you happen to’re carrying a backpack round with sufficient room, will you really want the area? If you happen to’re mountain climbing, and each gram counts, that’s a special story.

So, should you’re emphasizing measurement above all else and also you need one thing that sounds first rate and received’t be overpowered by environmental noise, then you definitely would possibly need to look JBL’s approach and seize a pleasant tall glass of Bluetooth audio. And if measurement doesn’t matter to you, then there are tons of different choices on the market, although possibly none fairly as beer-like.

See JBL Grip at Amazon