Clarity and power in a really small package

The smallest of JBL’s speakers has been put through our paces. Here are our impressions

About a month ago I had the opportunity to visit Harman Audiolab Denmark, where I went invited by JBL.. There we not only attended the presentation of the brand’s new audio laboratory, but we were also able to see in situ some of the devices with which the manufacturer is jumping into the market this year.

Among everything we saw that day I had access to a small demo of the speakers that concern us today, the JBL GO 4. I was surprised at how powerful they were on the spot, so when I got back from the event I set to work to try and get a pair of these speakers. We’ll discuss why later, but it’s important.

And since I have reviewed larger format speakers so far such as the JBL Xtreme 4, the Teufel BOOMSTER or the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus, I was very curious to see how the industry had advanced in the entry rangeAnd I have to say, I’m really surprised by this little unit.

JBL GO 4 Price and Where to Buy

The JBL GO 4 can be obtained through distributors like Amazon and from the **official JBL store.

JBL GO 4

See on Amazon.es: JBL GO 4

JBL | Buy JBL GO 4 (€49.99)

Technical specifications sheet

Design

Detail of the power, Bluetooth pairing and Auracast buttons | Image: Sergio Agudo

Something that has always surprised me about small speakers is that They are very well designed to condense everything in its limited available space. It is the same case with this JBL GO 4, which does not have a single centimeter wasted or left to chance.

At the top we find the controls to start playback and volume up and down. These buttons are nice to the touch and responsive, as are the ones on the left side. There we have the power button, the pairing button with a device, and the Auracast button (more on this later).

On the right side we have the handle to transport it, as well as the USB-C connector to load it. On the front we have the brand logo, below which the small 1.45-inch transducer is located. On the back we find two non-slip strips, similar to those on the bottom of the speaker.

Sound quality

Front view of the JBL GO 4, where the speaker is housed | Image: Sergio Agudo

Let’s not fool ourselves: the JBL GO 4 It is a small speaker and at a sonic level it behaves as such.. This means that, due to the space of the speaker and the size of the cone located inside, we lose 70 Hz of definition in the bass area. The treble response is also a little diluted (although it is better in general), while the mid frequencies take over everything as expected.

And even so, everything sounds good and clear. It’s obviously not a large speaker, but this unit is aware of its limitations and takes advantage of them rather than trying to hide them. This makes it a perfect speaker to take anywhere or to get into the world of Bluetooth audio; it can handle whatever you throw at it and play it with confidence. And with power, of course.

In fact, when you pick up the unit and you notice the speaker knocking in your hand You realize how much punch this little JBL GO 4 packs inside, which is not exactly small. And this is when I tell you that I remember that I have two units of this speaker, along with a JBL Xtreme 4, all of them compatible with Auracast, and I start doing experiments.

Detail of the JBL GO 4 control buttons | Image: Sergio Agudo

In case you haven’t read the report I did on the Harman Denmark Audiolab, I remind you that Auracast is a technology that allows create simultaneous listening groups through compatible speakers. I first connected the two JBL GO 4 in series and went from having a mono speaker to having a pair of stereo speakers which take the main unit as the left channel, while the one attached to it remains as the right channel.

I was surprised when I connected the JBL Xtreme 4 via Auracast, which in itself is already a stereo speaker. I suddenly found myself with a 2.1 systemwith the larger speaker acting as a “woofer” and the two smaller ones acting as satellite tweeters. Not only is the volume and clarity of the sound reinforced, but the listening experience gains several points at once. If you have the possibility to use the Auracast system in a similar context do not hesitateyou will be pleasantly surprised.

Software and controls

This JBL GO 4 is compatible with the JBL Portable app, which is basically a transfer of the physical buttons to the phone screen and with the possibility of tweaking the equalizer using a five-band graphic. Even, as you can see in the images, you can create a listening group through the software (although it is the same as doing it through the Auracast button).

In general the app provides just enough to be appreciated for its use. It is not essential, but it does not bother either. If it weren’t for the issue of customizing the equalization it might even be a little redundant, but it’s fine for those who don’t want to risk configuring everything with buttons.

Battery and charging

Detail of the charging connector | Image: Sergio Agudo

It is also evident that this speaker does not have a very long autonomy; but 7 hours of playback It’s a few hours to enjoy music or podcasts. Obviously, the JBL GO 4 isn’t meant to be taken to an outdoor party and let the music play, but it can still give you a few hours of good service.

Little more to say in this regard. The speaker complies in this section; It may not be the best battery life in the world, but for a teenager who wants their first Bluetooth speaker to connect to their phone and use in their room, it is more than enough.

Best alternatives to the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus

The first alternative comes from JBL itself, and is the JBL Clip 5It’s a bit more expensive despite offering very similar features to the JBL GO 4, but it has up to 10 hours of playback time and is even more ultraportable. Plus, it’s also Auracast compatible.

JBL Clip 5

See on Amazon.es: JBL Clip 5

As a second recommendation it is worth considering the Soundcore Mini 3which has very similar features to the JBL GO 4 and also has its own listening group system known as PartyCast.

Soundcore Mini 3

See on Amazon.es: Soundcore Mini 3

Conclusion

The JBL GO 4 knows what it is and embraces itwhich leaves us with a very attractive entry-level Bluetooth speaker that knows what it is and does not try to go beyond or deceive the user. The sound is very clear and powerful considering that we are talking about a small unit; the autonomy is sufficient for its sector. You can’t ask for more, but neither can you ask for less.

I can recommend it without fear for anyone looking for their first Bluetooth speaker. It could be an ideal gift for a teenager who wants to connect their mobile device to the speaker to play any type of content. Of course it is not advisable for an audiophile audience but, in any case, that market is not going to come looking here either.

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This device has been analyzed independent thanks to a transfer from the brand. The article contains purchase links for which Andro4all could receive a commission. Join the Andro4all deals channel to find out about the best offers before anyone else.