JBL Go 4 review

JBL has been busy upgrading its line of rugged, portable outdoor Bluetooth speakers, including the smallest of the bunch, the new JBL Go *check notes* 4. It’s no secret that the Go 3 was a hit with the ultra-portable crowd, so once again, let’s dive in and discover what JBL has been able to improve upon in this JBL Go 4 review.

What you need to know about the JBL Go 4

If you’re packing for a trip where every square inch and pound counts, the JBL Go 4 fits the bill. Weighing less than a pound, the speaker is incredibly lightweight and quickly falls into the ultra-portable category. It fits into the back pocket of a pair of jeans, and it’s not cumbersome to have it attached to your backpack while on the go.

JBL has reorganized a few things in the new Go 4 design. The USB-C charge port and loop attachment have been moved to the unit’s right side, and the left side of the speaker now features a recessed control panel with power, Bluetooth, and the new Auracast button.

The Go 4 maintains the IP67 protection rating, making it dustproof and waterproof, but it comes with several upgrades compared to the Go 3. Right off the bat, we see improved durability with additional silicone protection wrapped around the edges of the unit, meaning there is less fabric material to wear and fray. It also features newly designed feet on the bottom and two thick silicone strips on the backside for stability if you want to use the Go 4 as an upward-firing speaker.

While the new Go 4 has plenty of new features, unlike the new Clip 5, it does not increase in wattage compared to its predecessor. It still provides the same 4.2W of output.

What’s good about the JBL Go 4?

With the additional rubberized silicone, the Go 4 feels great in the hand. As mentioned, some controls have moved locations, but you’ll still find your raised playback controls along the top of the unit. None of these buttons are backlit, but the power button is still fairly easy to find at the top of the recessed control strip. As expected, the Go 4 is a breeze to use.

The speaker connects to your device via Bluetooth 5.3. It’s SBC only; there are no higher bitrate listening options, but that’s not unusual for portable Bluetooth speakers; they’re not meant for critical listening. However, it does offer multipoint connection, allowing you to switch between two different devices like your phone and laptop.

Now, the most exciting upgrade: The JBL Portable app now supports the Go 4. Along with EQ options, including a 5-band customizable EQ, the app allows you to pair with other Auracast-supported JBL speakers via the “Party Together feature.” If you have a second Go 4, pair them for stereo performance.

Regarding sound quality, it’s important to remember that this is a small, convenient speaker to have with you when you need one. It’s not a bone-rattling party starter. Unlike the Clip 5, the Go 4 has no passive radiator. This sacrifice ensures a lightweight, ultra-portable product, but the result is limited low-end response and a very mid-heavy stock sound.

Listening to “Biggest Part of Me” by Ambrosia, this mid-heavy sound makes the snare drum on this 1980s hit sound different than I’m used to. While I wouldn’t describe the low end as “punchy bass,” the Go 4 is clearly trying. The entire unit rumbles at higher volumes. However, taking advantage of the new 5-band EQ, increasing the 64hz and 250hz sliders proves the Go 4 has a bit more low-end to give. Dialing down the 1k slider to reduce the mids helps shape the snare drum tone to sound more familiar to me. Within a matter of seconds, thanks to the new app support, I can tweak the sound of the Go 4 for a more personalized listening experience.

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that JBL states the Go 4 can achieve 7 hours of playback time off a single charge, compared to the 5 hours offered by the Go 3. Of course, this will depend on your usage and other factors like EQ settings. For example, increasing the low end, like I did, will shave off some playback time.

What’s not so good about the JBL Go 4?

If you pair multiple speakers via Auracast, they will only supply mono playback, and your speaker’s EQ will return to the default “JBL signature” setting. As previously mentioned, the only way to achieve stereo playback is to pair an identical Go 4 speaker.

Finally, here is a quick note about the “PlaytimeBoost” feature in the JBL app: it promises to extend your playback time. However, it comes at a price. It only accomplishes this by bypassing your EQ settings and eliminating all low-end frequencies to conserve battery. The result is a very treble-heavy sound, similar to a Podcast or Voice Enhancer EQ setting—not great. I recommend keeping a portable battery bank handy if you’re worried about running out of juice.

JBL Go 4 specs

Should you buy the JBL Go 4?

For less than $50, the JBL Go 4 is a fun, ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker for on-the-go use. Companion app support alone makes this fresh design a worthy successor to the Go 3, not to mention its upgraded durability with extra silicon protection.

However, if you don’t need your speaker to be “ultra” portable and want something with more output and low end, you’ll want to consider its bigger sibling, the recently refreshed JBL Clip 5 ($79.95 at Amazon). It also features JBL Portable app support and increased durability while remaining portable, but at $79.95, it’ll cost you an extra $30.

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