The JBL Flip 4 is a decent music speaker. It comes with a well-balanced sound profile that makes it suitable for listening to a wide range of audio content. It has a well-balanced midrange, so vocals and lead instruments are reproduced accurately in the mix, though higher-pitched vocals may sound a little dull at times. However, it struggles to reproduce low-bass, so you won’t be able to feel the deep thump and rumble in bass-heavy music, and there is no graphic EQ to adjust the sound. It also doesn’t get very loud, and there’s some compression at maximum volume, so your audio won’t sound as clear at higher volumes.
The Flip 4 retains the same cylindrical design as its predecessors and is available in a variety of colors. It’s easy to hold with one hand and isn’t too heavy, weighing 515g. Except for the edges and a silicone strip that runs the length of the speaker, nearly the entire body is covered in a mesh fabric. The Flip 4 is intended to be used horizontally due to passive radiators on either end.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]There are buttons for controlling music playback and pairing with Bluetooth. They have a pleasant clicky feel to them but are not illuminated. Despite its cylindrical shape, the Flip 4 does not roll around because the silicone strip bulges out slightly, providing a stable base for the speaker.
The Flip 4 has a backlit power button, five LED dots that show the battery level, and a backlit Connect+ button that allows you to connect up to 100 Flip 4 units. A rubber flap protects the Micro-USB port and a 3.5mm auxiliary connector are located next to them. The Flip 4 also has a loop with a lanyard pre-installed so you can hang the speaker on something if you don’t have a suitable surface for it to stand on. In terms of specifications, the JBL Flip 4 is very similar to the previous model. Although the Bluetooth version has been upgraded to 4.2, it still has two 40mm full-range drivers with a total power output of 16W.
It has a frequency response range of 70Hz to 20,000Hz and supports Bluetooth profiles such as A2DP V1.3, AVRCP V1.6, HFP V1.6, and HSP V1.2. You get a 3000mAh battery with a rated 12 hours of continuous playback and a microphone for answering calls. There are no extraneous features such as NFC or aptX HD support. You also get some documentation and a matching Micro-USB cable in the box. The biggest change is the addition of IPX7 certification, which allows the Flip 4 to be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes.