JBL has a reputation for making Bluetooth speakers that are virtually indestructible and seem to play forever on a single charge. Now the brand has begun shipping its latest portable speaker that was announced last month in a blaze of publicity. The new JBL Grip was billed as having a bold sound, a rugged design and is small enough to pop in a backpack for a hike or camping trip.
Announced shortly after JBL’s new Charge 6 and Flip 7 Bluetooth speakers, the JBL Grip is an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker designed to grab and go. Ergonomically built and around the size of one of those tall and slender cans of Coke, the Grip features JBL Pro Sound, includes ambient lighting which could be handy in your tent, touch controls, IP68 dust and water protection, plus it has a rope loop so you can hang it from your tent pole.
JBL Pro Sound
With an output of 16W of signature JBL Pro Sound, the Grip includes a feature called AI Sound Boost. This technology delivers a deeper and more powerful bass but doesn’t distort the overall sound. The problem with some speakers is that they get tuned to pump out more bass, but end up sounding more like a tuba with a breathing problem.
Despite its small size, it’s possible to pair two JBL Grip speakers wirelessly using the latest Bluetooth Auracast technology. With two speakers, you can create a convincing stereo soundstage, which means you can have a decent sound system inside your tent with proper stereo.
Thanks to its built-in Nylon braided loop, the Grip can be attached to a backpack with a carabiner. You can also hang it from your bike’s handlebars or a kayak. The design is deliberately rugged as JBL thinks the speaker will be popular with outdoor types.
Genuinely Waterproof Speaker
To ensure the Grip doesn’t come to any harm, it has an IP68 rating against water and dust ingress, plus it’s also resistant to being dropped, so it should be able to keep up with hardened hikers. Unlike most of the previous JBL speaker designs, the Grip functions standing upright as the JBL logo is attached vertically to remind you of how it’s supposed to be used.
On the back of the Grip, there is a hidden ambient light that can display a range of colors and light patterns. The light can be altered by pressing the light button at the rear of the speaker or you can use the JBL Portable smartphone app to make the changes and alter other settings on the speaker.
A full charge of the JBL Grip’s built-in battery will provide up to 12 hours of playing time, depending on how loud you like your music. It’s possible to squeeze a couple more hours out of the battery if the Playtime Boost feature is activated. This setting optimizes and tunes the speaker’s performance to produce a louder and crisper sound without giving the battery a beating.
The JBL Grip 1 fits in between the Clip 5 and the Flip 7 speakers. It smaller than the Flip 7 so more convenient for hiking or carry-on luggage. It’s larger than the Clip 5 shower speaker and makes far more noise while still being waterproof enough to take into the shower if you really want to. Maybe just put it somewhere in the bathroom because it has enough power to reach the shower.
Pricing and Availability:
The new JBL Grip portable Bluetooth speaker is shipping now and can be ordered from JBL.com, Amazon or other retail outlets. The price is $99.95 / £89.00 / €99,97 and you can choose from six colorways: Classic Black, White, Purple, Red, Blue and Camo.
Key Features:
- JBL Pro Sound.
- AI Sound Boost.
- 12 hours of playtime plus 2 more with Playtime Boost.
- Auracast-enabled for stereo and multi-speaker pairing.
- Ambient Light on the back panel.
- IP68 water, dust and drop-proof rating.
- JBL Portable app.
- Made from recycled plastic and FSC-certified paper packaging.
