JBL Flip 7 review: Same Flip, more features

JBL is back with its seventh generation of the Bluetooth speaker that started it all for the company. In this JBL Flip 7 review, we break down what’s new, whether it’s an improvement over the Flip 6, and if it’s worth the upgrade. Let’s dive in!

What’s it like to use the JBL Flip 7?

At first glance, the Flip 7 looks nearly identical to the Flip 6. It has the same familiar cylindrical shape, size, and roughly the same weight, and it even uses the exact same logo found on the Flip 6, so it takes a closer look to discover what’s new and improved with the Flip 7.

It turns out, there are a few differences. While the speaker still rocks the same durable fabric covering, JBL has reinforced the rubber bumpers that protect its passive radiators. There are now four of these protruding rubber pieces, and they’re slightly longer and slightly thicker. This isn’t just for looks; it’s the first part of the Flip 7’s durability upgrade. JBL states it’s now certifiably “drop-proof” from a height of one meter onto concrete.

The second part of its durability upgrade has to do with its IP rating. While the Flip 6 is rated IP67, the Flip 7 moves up to IP68, keeping it fully dustproof while improving its water resistance. It can now be submerged 0.5 meters deeper in water than before, up to 1.5m, for the same duration of 30 minutes. I’m not sure who exactly will benefit from this extra half meter of submersion, but I’m not one to complain about any durability upgrades. It’s great to see JBL pushing forward with industry standards.

We also see some new options regarding portability. Instead of the basic string loop attachment on the Flip 6, the Flip 7 features a new built-in “PushLock” system, complete with a JBL-branded carabiner and a small loop attachment. These little guys make it easier to clip the speaker onto a bag or hang it up while camping — like from a tree branch. Just keep in mind it’s going to dangle, and there’s no guarantee it’ll be positioned perfectly for the best sound.

Lastly, the controls have been rearranged and separated into two sections. You still get JBL’s usual raised playback controls, but the Party Boost button is now long gone and replaced with an Auracast button, allowing you to link up with other JBL-supported speakers like the Xtreme 4, Go 4 or Clip 5, to name a few. With JBL moving forward with Auracast, it’s worth noting this new generation of JBL speakers are not backwards compatible with Party Boost, so you won’t be able to link up a Flip 7 with a Flip 6.

What are the best features of the JBL Flip 7?

One of my favorite new features of the Flip 7 can be found in the JBL Portable app, so it’s worth downloading and installing. Along with four new EQ presets I know I’ll never touch, JBL now provides listeners with a 7-band customizable EQ. This is a decent upgrade from the Flip 6’s 3-band EQ and gives you the option to personalize the sound of your speaker a little further. That said, keep its size in mind; you can only squeeze so much bass out of a small enclosure, but it’s worth spending some time with.

This is also where you can get some visual control over any linked speakers under the “Party Together” section, pair a second Flip 7 for stereo playback, and activate “PlayTime Boost,” which JBL claims will give you another two hours of playback time.

How does the JBL Flip 7 connect?

The Flip 7 connects wirelessly using the latest Bluetooth 5.4, an upgrade from the Flip 6’s Bluetooth 5.1. But the real surprise here is its new wired option. No, it’s not an AUX input, but the Flip 7 now supports audio over USB, including lossless playback from compatible services like Apple Music or Tidal.

While lossless playback sounds exciting on paper, the reality is that you’re still listening to a compact, mono Bluetooth speaker. These portable speakers aren’t designed for critical listening, so you may not even notice a difference. However, now’s your chance to hook up that USB-C cable and give it a go!

How long does the JBL Flip 7’s battery last?

The Flip 6 boasts 16 hours of playback off a single charge, but you can only get those last 2 hours by engaging “Playtime Boost,” so it’s more like it offers 14 hours under normal operation. Normal operation meaning you’re listening at a reasonable volume and you don’t have all the bass frequencies cranked up in the EQ section.

Now this new Playtime Boost features sound great on paper, but it’s essentially just an EQ preset. An EQ preset that reduces a good chunk of bass frequencies. By cutting your low end, your speaker won’t have to work as hard, theoretically allowing your battery to last longer. However, it leaves you with a sound that’s heavy on the mid-range and treble, kind of like a Podcast EQ preset. It’s not great. I recommend keeping a power bank around if you’re concerned about losing power at the peak of your party.

How does the JBL Flip 7 sound?

The JBL Flip 7 offers good sound with a decent bass response, considering its small size and mono playback. But there’s only so much you can expect out of a Bluetooth speaker.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the Bose SoundLink Max was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

The Flip 7 earns a decent Timbre score of 3.0 and a strong Distortion score of 3.5, but its Overall score of 2.8 takes a hit due to the low Immersiveness rating of 1.9. Keep in mind that MDAQS is primarily designed to evaluate how humans with two ears rate sound, so mono speakers are going to have some very predictable ceilings. Since the Flip 7 is a mono speaker, its rating — especially regarding Immersiveness — naturally reflects that limitation.

These results are pretty typical; almost all Bluetooth speakers suffer the same fate. For reference, the Bose SoundLink Max received a similar Overall score of 2.7, but since it provides stereo performance, it managed to snag a higher Immersiveness score of 2.6.

If you remember that the Flip 7’s primary job is to be packable and convenient to carry around, you’ll get more enjoyment from a speaker of this size. It won’t rattle any windows with its bass response; that’s just physics. But for a speaker of this caliber, it does a solid job of sounding bigger than it actually is.

Comparing it directly to the Flip 6, I find the Flip 7 slightly emphasizes mid-range frequencies. Listening to “She Sells Sanctuary” by The Cult, the snare drum sits pretty far forward in the mix comparatively, but otherwise, it provides a relatively full and enjoyable sound. The 4/4 bassline has a steady pulse with good bass strength, and the acoustic guitar accents during the chorus still cut through with good clarity. Where the Flip 7 suffers is when it comes to localisability. On more complex, layered tracks like “The Biggest Part of Me” by Ambrosia, the harmonized vocals, keyboards, and other production details in the chorus pile on each other without much width. Again, these are the trade-offs with smaller portable speakers that only offer mono playback.

Jumping into the new 7-band EQ, after reducing the 1kHZ slider, I was able to get the Flip 7 to sound more like how I wanted while listening to rock music. At the same time, bringing up the lowest 125Hz slider proved the Flip 7 had more bass strength to give, allowing the kick drum and bass guitar to hit harder on tracks like “Giorgio by Moroder” by Daft Punk. Increasing the 4kHz and 8kHz sliders also helped me hear more treble-related details from both the synths at 5:15 and the recording scratching that kicks in at 6:23.

Critical listening aside, like I said, the Flip 7 does a great job of sounding bigger than it is. Aside from that lack of localizability, which I can’t fault considering its size, the Flip 7 offers a full, customizable sound that’s easy to fine-tune more to your liking.

Should you buy the JBL Flip 7?

The JBL Flip 7 is an excellent buy if you want a packable, rugged, portable speaker with a premium build and customizable sound. Its slim design easily fits into a bag or clips onto a backpack, and with its upgraded durability, you don’t have to think twice about bringing it on that weekend getaway, rain or shine. That said, I don’t see the need for current Flip 6 users to rush out and buy one; you’ve still got a durable, perfectly good-sounding speaker on your hands.

What should you get instead of the JBL Flip 7?

If you think the Flip 7 might be a bit too small for your needs and want something with a little more output and bass response, consider the new JBL Charge 6. Like the Flip 7, it received several of the same upgrades, such as a more durable build, longer battery life, and that same 7-band customizable EQ. It also comes with a new detachable handle and offers lossless audio over USB. You can snag a JBL Charge 6 for $199 at Amazon.

Alternatively, you can save a few bucks and up the party vibes even further with the Anker Soundcore Boom 2. While its exterior is primarily hard plastic compared to the fabric-covered Flip 7, it offers dual built-in LED lights on its passive radiators, a courtesy USB-A port for charging devices, and a customizable sound. You can find one for $89.99 at Amazon.

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