The new generation of the Flip, one of the company’s most popular speakers, is now available and offers some interesting new features compared to the previous model. The new JBL Flip 6 series is the best-selling portable speaker thanks to its durability and excellent sound quality, despite being quite compact.
“We are pleased to introduce the latest JBL Flip portable speaker, the Flip 6. With its new logo, the JBL Flip 6 is even more powerful than its predecessors and features the latest JBL audio technology”
Dave Rogers, President of HARMAN’s Lifestyle Division
In this comparison, we want to show you the differences between the JBL Flip 6 and its predecessor, the Flip 5, and what new features have been added in the new version.
Design
The JBL Flip 6 is not only new on the inside, as we will see below, but also on the outside. The cylindrical speaker that many brands have copied has been kept, but aesthetically changed.
First, the brand logo now has a new design and is much larger, taking up a large portion of the front. The exterior is made of durable fabric, so you can take it anywhere without scratching it.
New design of the JBL Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker
Size and weight have not changed much, although the new generation is slightly smaller, but weighs 10 grams more.
Comparison of the shape and size of the JBL Flip 5 and Flip 6
Another detail of the latest version is the new mini stand, which prevents the speaker from spinning when placed on a table or flat surface. The buttons are the same, and you can adjust the volume, connect Bluetooth, turn the device on and off, and connect multiple speakers so that both speakers can play simultaneously.
New JBL Flip 6 speaker control buttons.
A battery indicator next to the USB-C charging port shows remaining battery life. This indicator applies to both generations.
The JBL Flip 6 is available in nine different colors: dusty pink, stone gray, river blue, fiesta red, ocean blue, midnight black, steel white, forest green and troop. The Flip 5, on the other hand, is available in 11 different colors.
Available colors JBL Flip 6 portable speaker
Resistance
JBL Flip 6 with IP67 water and dust resistance
One of the improvements of the new JBL Flip 6 is the IP67 certification for water and dust resistance. The previous generation Flip 5 is only IPX7 certified, meaning it can be submerged in water up to one meter deep for 30 minutes, but it is not dustproof. With the Flip 6, you can use it on the beach, for example.
Connectivity
Bluetooth has been upgraded to Bluetooth 5.1, which allows for a longer connection distance to the sending device and better stability.
The 4.2 version of the JBL Flip 5 allows a maximum distance of 50 meters, unlike the Flip 6, which has a range of up to 240 meters.
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You can use the JBL Connect app, which provides access to firmware updates and user manuals. In addition, the feedback waves generated by the speaker can be turned on or off here. You can also turn on PartyBoost and Stereo Sound in the app instead of using a dedicated button. Note that stereo only works with two JBL speakers of the same generation.
My JBL Flip 5 speakers are connected to my Flip 6 speakers for PartyBoost, but they are not stereo capable. Perhaps the most notable feature of the app is the basic equalizer that lets you adjust the treble, midrange, and bass.
Connecting the JBL Flip 6 is fairly simple. Put the speaker into pairing mode by pressing the Bluetooth button on the speaker. You can then select it to play on the device of your choice. The Flip 6 supports the simultaneous connection of up to two devices via Bluetooth Multipoint.
However, it does not remember the device list. Instead, you must first synchronize with one device and then add another device by pressing the Bluetooth button and selecting Flip 6 on the second device. You can then manually play and pause content on each device. When you connect a third device, the speaker will forget about the two devices.
Apart from the charging port, both versions 6 have no other wired ports. Unlike the JBL Flip 4 and the JBL Charge 4, the speakers don’t have an AUX input for connecting devices.
Autonomy
The battery life remains the same: up to 12 hours. As always, this value depends on usage and volume. Both models have a battery capacity of 4800 mAh and comes with a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, but no power adapter.
Sound quality
We also need to talk about the sound quality of the two models and the differences between the speaker versions.
JBL has changed the sound configuration of the Flip 6 and equipped it with a new 16 mm tweeter to improve high-frequency reproduction. In addition, the sound distribution has been improved and the sound is less directional than Generation 5.
Both models have a subwoofer for low frequency reproduction, but the new generation is slightly larger. The exact dimensions of the Flip 6 are 45 x 80 mm and those of the Flip 5 are 44 x 80 mm.
The new generation could not do without the passive radiators, which were retained on the sides of the previous versions to emphasize the bass and increase its power.
Passive radiators in the Flip 5
In this new version, you will notice that the JBL Flip 6 reproduces music better from the bass to the mids to the highs and that you will hear more nuances. The sound quality of the Flip 5 is good, but in the sixth version it has taken a big step forward, with clearer high frequencies and vocal tones.
The bass is powerful, but just powerful enough without being overpowering, so music lovers who like strong bass will appreciate these speakers.
At the same time, the power of the Flip 6 has been increased from 20W to 30W compared to the Flip 5, thanks to a new 10W tweeter.
As we have just explained and like the company’s other models, such as the Xtreme 3, it features the JBL Party Boost function, which allows multiple speakers to be connected for simultaneous playback. They can be connected wirelessly and can connect up to 100 speakers at a time. As both Flip 5 and Flip 6 use the new JBL Party Boost system you can connect a Flip 6 unit with another Flip 5.
“In addition to the best features of the previous JBL Flip 5, like PartyBoost and an innovative track speaker, the Flip 6 adds a separate tweeter and two passive radiators to give music a new intensity and power.”
Dave Rogers, president of HARMAN’s Lifestyle Division
JBL Flip 6 vs. Flip 5 features comparison
Below are the prices for both speakers on Amazon, where you can buy them at the best price with an unbeatable exchange and money-back guarantee.
Buy JBL Flip 6 speaker
Buy JBL Flip 5 speaker
Good post, I think I’ll buy the new Flip 6 considering the difference in price is not too much.