JBL is responsible for producing some of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market, and now the portable audio brand has announced new additions to its speaker lineup at CES 2024, with big changes in both the design and connectivity departments.
Not every speaker in JBL’s lineup is lucky enough to get an upgrade, but three of its portable speaker models get a shine. The JBL Xtreme 4, JBL Clip 5 and JBL Go 4 were announced at the Las Vegas technology show and will all be available from March.
The major upgrade for all three new speakers is the addition of Bluetooth Auracast connection technology. Auracast lets you connect multiple speakers to one phone or other audio source at the same time, and it’s the first time it’s appeared in JBL speakers.
Auracast isn’t the only new technology coming to JBL products. It was only a matter of time before AI made its way into the world of portable audio, and JBL is introducing ‘AI Sound Boost technology’ in its Xtreme 4 model to improve audio quality and projection. While the Clip 5 and Go 4 won’t have this AI audio enhancement, they will have Bluetooth v5.3 and low-power (LE) audio capabilities.
The latest editions of JBL’s speakers have also received a design makeover, with a new look and a range of new color options, using recycled post-consumer materials – like many other technology brands, JBL is doubling down on its commitments to going green to become.
Welcome to the JBL family
JBL Extreme 4
The next speaker in JBL’s Xtreme range inherits the waterproof and dustproof features of its predecessors, but with AI enhancements for improved audio quality and three new color options.
JBL’s AI Sound Boost technology analyzes audio using an integrated algorithm that smoothes distortion for clear and powerful sound. It houses two subwoofers, two drivers and dual-pumping JBL bass radiators, which work together to create immersive sound. In addition to the Xtreme 4’s impressive audio features, it includes a replaceable battery with a 24-hour playback time and a handy integrated power bank to charge your phone.
JBL clip 5
The JBL Clip 5 is a step up from the JBL Clip 4. It’s both a powerful speaker and a stylish accessory, with the most obvious innovation being the new, wider carabiner that lets you attach the speaker to a wider range of items .
Not only has the Clip 5 undergone a visual overhaul, but the speaker itself has been designed with a more powerful driver than the Clip 4, for responsive bass at any volume. The playback time is up to 12 hours, making it an ideal companion for walks and outdoor excursions.
JBL Go4
The Go Series are JBL’s smallest portable speakers, but JBL promises the new version has “more robust sound and more powerful bass than its predecessor.”
It has all the essential features you need in an outdoor speaker, including IP67 waterproofing and dust resistance and energy-efficient audio, allowing for a longer playtime of seven hours compared to the Go 3’s five hours. The Go 4 also gets a new silhouette , with a wider strap that is more durable and easier to hold, and is available in six different color options.
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