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From the wedding week with karaoke machines to speakers that double as chargers, JBL produces speakers for almost every situation. With the latest portable Bluetooth speaker, the brand is expanding its range of options.
Starting on September 2nd, the JBL Grip is officially available for pre-order at $99.95 and will be widely available on September 28th. With the size of a tall can and a price firmly in the lower to mid-range of JBL’s portable speaker line, the Grip offers a good degree of flexibility in terms of portability and price.
JBL Grip
So, what should you expect from the new speaker? Here’s what you need to know.
JBL Grip Speaker Specifications
At Mashable, we’ve tested several speakers from the JBL line, from the $879.95 PartyBox 520 to the $49.95 Go 4. In general, JBL speakers produce a well-balanced sound, are durable, have decent battery life, and offer options to enhance your experience. With the JBL Grip, you get:
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JBL Pro Sound with AI Sound Boost that optimizes the speaker drivers for the clearest sound possible, even at higher volumes
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Full range transducer 43 x 80 mm
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12 hours of battery life, plus two hours with PlayTime Boost
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Six color variants: black, white, purple, red, blue, and camouflage
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Compatibility with the JBL companion app
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Adjustable ambient light on the back panel with the JBL app
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IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating
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Multi-speaker connectivity with Auracast
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Rope hook for carrying around
The most immediate comparisons that come to mind for the JBL Grip are the JBL Flip 7 and the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4. The Wonderboom 4 is currently our favorite Bluetooth speaker at Mashable under $100, with the same price as the JBL Grip. Its rating is slightly lower, IP67 (meaning it can’t withstand water immersion like the Grip), and it doesn’t include a companion app. It is shorter and wider, while the Grip is taller, has 14 hours of battery life, and is often on sale for $79 or less.
On the other hand, the Flip 7 is a step up from the Grip, and its price reflects that at $149.95. You’ll get a total of 16 hours of playback, a 45 x 60 mm woofer and a 16 mm tweeter, interchangeable carrying accessories, and lossless audio playback, in addition to the same IP68 rating, JBL Pro Sound with AI Sound Boost, Auracast multi-speaker connections, and the Grip speaker’s companion app.
Topics:
Music
