JBL Bluetooth Speakers vs. Bose - Which is better?
In this world, today where most of the things are gone wireless, Bluetooth speakers are one of the great inventions. These make our lives so easy and joyful as you can listen to your favorite music in friend’s gathering or a party or alone and it rejuvenates you.
There are tons of Bluetooth speakers around that provide you great performance in terms of music as well as also provide other features such as being water resistant or splashproof and also coming with a variety of vibrant and beautiful colors that already make your day.
Here we are talking about two mini-speaker systems designed by two great audiophile hardware creating companies that have offered us some of the best Bluetooth speakers. Two of the companies are JBL and Bose and in this article we are talking about the JBL Flip 2 and Bose SoundLink Mini. After a brief description as well as comparison we will make a conclusion regarding which of the two is better to have, so you just have to stay.
Bose SoundLink Mini:
The Bose SoundLink Mini is designed to be very simple to use and comes with clearly labeled buttons on the top. Like all Bluetooth speakers, it streams music wirelessly from any smartphone or tablet and also from any Bluetooth-enabled PC or audio player.
The Bose SoundLink Mini remembers up to six devices and you will have to sync each one for once. Then your device will automatically pair again with the speaker if its Bluetooth is activated and the speaker is turned on and also if in range.
The speaker ships with a desktop charging cradle but you can also plug the included AC adapter into the unit directly, so you don’t have to take the cradle wherever you go. It doesn’t charge via USB, which makes it necessary for you to carry the adapter. One plus side is that the speakers that charge from an AC adapter tend to be more powerful and they output more sound.
In terms of connectivity, the speaker features an auxiliary input on the side for non-Bluetooth devices and a Micro-USB port in the back for potential firmware upgrades. The look and feel of the speaker is good but what’s not good is that, it doesn’t have an integrated speakerphone.
The accessories are a drawback for the SoundLink Mini. Its original purchase only includes speaker system, auxiliary cord, cradle and charger. The protective sleeves cost about $30 and protective housing sell for around $50. Accessories are not the strong point of the Bose soundLink Mini.
The Bose SoundLink Mini can work only by laying flat, you can’t stand it vertically as it’s got no supports or stands for this orientation which is a little weird. It lack of speakerphone won’t be a deal-breaker for most people, but this is a must have feature for some customers.
Being a small speaker, it can’t deliver the performance of a larger speaker, but for its size, it sounds very good. It is also noticeable that placement of speakers make a big difference, as putting it closer to the wall improves bass response and the speaker sounds fuller.
It is also pretty loud, for instance, louder than the Jawbone Jambox. But at higher volumes, the sound distorts. You can feel the speaker wanting to go loud but finely tuned algorithms that run the Bose’s digital signal processor keep it from going too far.
Overall, the sound is a bit creamier and the bass goes pretty deep, but doesn’t sound incredibly tight or punchy. However, the Bose SoundLink Mini can eke out as much as a speaker of this size. It fills a small room with sound and also works well in medium-size rooms. As for battery, the Bose SoundLink Mini offers you 7 hours of play time with 3 hours recharge time which is pretty decent.
In terms of price, Bose SoundLink Mini is at high price for ultra-compact Bluetooth speakers. But it is also a step up in build quality as well as design from most of the competition. While it has its sound limitations, it delivers bigger and fuller sound compared to other similarly sized Bluetooth speakers.
It definitely stands out from the pack, but in some cases the sound difference is relatively small such as the JBL Flip 2 and Charge which deliver very good sound for the money.
JBL Flip 2:
The JBL Flip 2 is marketed at a more reasonable rate around $100 compared to the $180 of Bose SoundLink Mini. This JBL Bluetooth speaker is just a bit less powerful than the SoundLink Mini as the Flip 2 uses 2×6 watts, while the SoundLink Mini uses 2×8. But JBL Flip 2 produces a fidelity that is just as clear.
The JBL Bluetooth speaker allows you to charge is via Micro-USB. This specific port is even powered; you can charge it from your PC instead of relying only on an adapter for a power outlet.
New JBL Flip 2 Bluetooth speaker may look similar to original Flip wireless Bluetooth speaker, but it also comes with some key upgrades. This JBL Bluetooth speaker provides clarity of both the speaker and speakerphone, saying this means it does come with a speakerphone unlike the Bose SoundLink Mini. It also features SoundClear Echo and noise cancellation technology.
JBL Flip 2 also comes with another feature NFC tap-to-tap pair technology for tablets and phones that support this feature. You might think this as a superfluous feature as the speaker automatically connects with your mobile device after you create an initial pairing. You just require Bluetooth to be enabled on your device, then turn on the speaker for automatic pairing.
Contrary to the Bose SoundLink Mini which can only be positioned horizontally, the JBL Flip 2 is called Flip as you can stand it up vertically and lay it down horizontally. Vertically this JBL Bluetooth speaker has smaller footprint and the physical buttons for call end/answer, volume and power, end up on top where you can reach them easily.
The speaker doesn’t feature play/pause button or transport controls like forward/back or skip track. Most people won’t mind but some like to have at least a play/pause button on the speaker.
The JBL Flip 2 Bluetooth speaker features a hard case which is a bit swanky and also offers better protection. USB power adapter and Micro-USB cable rounded out the included accessories.
Performance wise, the JBL Flip 2 Bluetooth speaker sounds good for its size taking things up a notch. Though not that big notch, but to a noticeable extent compared to its old version. This JBL Bluetooth speaker handles bass better at higher volumes and also provides a bit smoother and cleaner sound.
It can play a little louder but you will encounter some harshness when you raise the volume above 70%, this is the case with all speakers of this size. The mid range is pretty forward, therefore vocals get accentuated and there is also a little treble push. This JBL Bluetooth speaker does have more kick than many competing models.
The speaker provides good speakerphone performance, caller’s voices sound very loud and they can also hear you fine. But it doesn’t come with much in terms of battery. It provides 5 hours of battery which is not so good and also lower compared to the battery life provided by the Bose SoundLink Mini. You can do a bit better by playing music at lower volumes but if you really your tune, you will fall short of 5 hours.
Accessories for the JBL Flip 2 are much more plentiful compared to the Bose SoundLink Mini.
Pros and Cons of JBL Flip 2 and Bose SoundLink Mini:
JBL Flip 2:
Pros:
Can be used horizontally and vertically
Sound good and plays loud for its size
Features NFC tap-to-pair, speakerphone capabilities
Ships with nice carrying case
Cons:
Not so good battery life, 5 hours
Bose SoundLink Mini:
Pros:
Sleek unibody design
Includes a charging cradle
Sounds very good for its size
Good battery life, 7 hours
Cons:
No speakerphone capabilities
Fairly pricey
Protective case costs extra
Verdict:
At the end it is always the choice of a buyer as he knows best for him, but for my part, JBL Flip 2 is better than the Bose SoundLink Mini. The JBL Flip 2 is far cheaper than the Bose SoundLink Mini, with a little bit less power but at a crisp fidelity. It comes with a NFC technology and also speakerphone capabilities. Though both the speakers offer best for their size and both have some of their omissions and inclusions but considering other features as well, JBL Flip is declared better Bluetooth speaker.
On the other hand, considering personal preference, if you are drawn towards the Bose SounLink Mini, you can find it at a lower price online.
If you have tried either or both, do let us know what you think about them and which one you find the best.