You guys may recall I was traveling with the JBL Charge Bluetooth speaker and loved it (LINK TO THREAD)
The speaker still works well, but recently I've noticed something loose inside the speaker rattling around when I handle it and started considering a replacement. Then two weeks ago I received an advertisement from Fry's with a coupon for the newest Charge 3 which reduced the purchase price to $49 from the common online price of about $125. So, I ordered one and was pleased to see they didn't charge shipping.
Here's a link to the official JBL Website for the speaker (I received the Turquois Blue):
http://www.jbl.com/bluetooth-speake...e_3&creative=12756227894&device=c&matchtype=e
First off, the speaker is MUCH larger than the original Charge I was traveling with, so I need to make a bit more room in my suitcase for this speaker. It also didn't come with a case like the original, so I ordered a basic one from Amazon for $15. That means I spent about $64 for the speaker and a case.
The new, larger Charge 3, sounds great. As expected, the larger size allows for the bass to be much stronger and deeper than the earlier model. It is still very clean sounding and can play much louder than you'd expect given its size. However, the bass it pretty strong, which is great if I am out in the yard, park, beach, or in the middle of a very large room. In a hotel room near a wall it is a bit boomy sounding, which is disappointing considering that's where I will be using it the most. I found I can put it out in the room and it sounds pretty nice without way too much bass, so that is my plan going forward.
JBL kept the huge Lithium-Ion battery, so it can run for a very long time AND charge my phone at the same time. That could prove useful if I am out at a park or something where there is no other power source.
It also has a very effective speakerphone capability and can control the music on my phone by pausing, starting, or skipping tracks.
I do like it very much, and for the price ($64) it is nothing short of amazing. That said, if I were spending $125, I'd get something different, like a Sony or Klipsch portable speaker.
The speaker still works well, but recently I've noticed something loose inside the speaker rattling around when I handle it and started considering a replacement. Then two weeks ago I received an advertisement from Fry's with a coupon for the newest Charge 3 which reduced the purchase price to $49 from the common online price of about $125. So, I ordered one and was pleased to see they didn't charge shipping.
Here's a link to the official JBL Website for the speaker (I received the Turquois Blue):
http://www.jbl.com/bluetooth-speake...e_3&creative=12756227894&device=c&matchtype=e
First off, the speaker is MUCH larger than the original Charge I was traveling with, so I need to make a bit more room in my suitcase for this speaker. It also didn't come with a case like the original, so I ordered a basic one from Amazon for $15. That means I spent about $64 for the speaker and a case.
The new, larger Charge 3, sounds great. As expected, the larger size allows for the bass to be much stronger and deeper than the earlier model. It is still very clean sounding and can play much louder than you'd expect given its size. However, the bass it pretty strong, which is great if I am out in the yard, park, beach, or in the middle of a very large room. In a hotel room near a wall it is a bit boomy sounding, which is disappointing considering that's where I will be using it the most. I found I can put it out in the room and it sounds pretty nice without way too much bass, so that is my plan going forward.
JBL kept the huge Lithium-Ion battery, so it can run for a very long time AND charge my phone at the same time. That could prove useful if I am out at a park or something where there is no other power source.
It also has a very effective speakerphone capability and can control the music on my phone by pausing, starting, or skipping tracks.
I do like it very much, and for the price ($64) it is nothing short of amazing. That said, if I were spending $125, I'd get something different, like a Sony or Klipsch portable speaker.