JBL Charge 6: Liệu chiếc loa tốt nhất lại càng tốt hơn?

JBL Charge 6: Liệu chiếc loa tốt nhất lại càng tốt hơn?

Không còn là bí mật khi JBL Charge 5 đã trở thành một trong những loa Bluetooth được ưa chuộng nhất trong bốn năm qua. Với Charge 6, JBL hứa hẹn âm thanh tốt hơn, thời lượng pin dài hơn và nhiều cách kết nối hơn. Liệu JBL có thể làm được điều đó một lần nữa? Hãy cùng mang nó ra ngoài trời, tăng âm lượng và tìm hiểu trong bài đánh giá JBL Charge 6 này.

Về bài đánh giá JBL Charge 6 này: Chúng tôi đã thử nghiệm JBL Charge 6 trong hơn 2 tuần. Phiên bản firmware được sử dụng là 1.9.0.1, và ứng dụng JBL Portable ở phiên bản 6.6.1.

(Phần đánh giá chi tiết sẽ được thêm vào đây, bao gồm các khía cạnh như chất lượng âm thanh, thiết kế, thời lượng pin, tính năng kết nối, điểm mạnh và điểm yếu. Phần này cần thêm thông tin cụ thể từ bài báo gốc.)

#JBLCharge6 #JBL #LoaBluetooth #ĐánhGiá #Review #CôngNghệ #ÂmThanh #ThiếtBịÂmThanh #PortableSpeaker #ThờiLượngPin

It’s no secret the JBL Charge 5 has been a go-to Bluetooth speaker for the past four years. With the Charge 6 promising even better sound, longer battery life, and more ways to connect, can JBL pull it off again? Let’s take it outside, crank up the volume, and find out in this JBL Charge 6 review.

About this JBL Charge 6 review: We tested the JBL Charge 6 over 2 weeks. It ran firmware version 1.9.0.1, and the JBL Portable app ran version 6.6.12. The company provided the unit for this review.

This article was published on March 10th, 2025, and this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

With its rugged build, the JBL Charge 6 is an ideal choice for anyone who wants a durable, weatherproof speaker that both delivers decent sound and handles the bumps and bruises of travel, whether you’re headed out to the lake for the weekend or simply the backyard for a Sunday BBQ.

What’s it like to use the JBL Charge 6?

The Charge 6 is rocking a bit of a new look when compared to the Charge 5. Most notably, it now comes with a detachable handle. You can configure it in two different ways: use it as a traditional handle or as more of a carrying loop. The bottom of the unit also looks a little different; JBL has ditched the ten thin silicone strips, which some users had issues with peeling off over time, in favor of a slightly wider and flatter base. As someone who’s had their Charge 5 roll off a camp table more than a couple of times, I’m a fan of this new, more stable design.

A man holds a JBL Charge 6 in his left hand and a JBL Charge 5 in his right, showing their undersides.The Charge 6 ditches the silicone strips for a broader, more stable base.

Speaking of rolling off a table, there have been some notable durability upgrades with this latest model. It’s still wrapped in the same durable fabric, but looking at the side of the unit, JBL has beefed up the rubber bumpers that protect the passive radiators. They’re slightly thicker and longer, and there are now four of them compared to the three found on the Charge 5. This isn’t just for looks; the Charge 6 is now certifiably “drop-proof”, from the height of one meter, even onto concrete. Additionally, we see an improvement in water resistance. The Charge 6 is now IP68 rated, meaning it’s still dust-proof but can be submerged further in water, up to a meter and a half, for 30 minutes.

A photo showing one of the JBL Charge 6's passive radiators.No complaints against added protection!

Lastly, the control layout has also changed. The Party Boost button is long gone and replaced with an Auracast button. This new button sits alongside the power and Bluetooth buttons on their own dedicated, backlit control strip. It’s not a huge surprise—we saw the same thing happen to the Xtreme 4, Go 4, and Clip 5 last year. The good news? The Charge 6 will easily link with any of those newer speakers. The bad news? Auracast-enabled JBL speakers aren’t backwards compatible with any older models that still use Party Boost. In other words, you won’t be able to pair a Charge 6 with a Charge 5.

The JBL Charge 6 operates via physical controls at the top of the speaker’s enclosure. Here is a breakdown of how they operate:

Action Power button Bluetooth button Auracast button Play button Volume + Volume –
Action 1x press

Power button

Turn on device

Bluetooth button

Enter pairing mode

Auracast button

Pair with other JBL Auracast supported speakers

Play button

Play / Pause

Volume +

Volume up

Volume –

Volume down

Action

2x presses

Power button Bluetooth button Auracast button Play button

Next track

Volume + Volume –
Action

3x presses

Power button Bluetooth button Auracast button Play button

Previous track

Volume + Volume –
Action

Press and hold

Power button Bluetooth button Auracast button Play button

Enter wired connection mode while inserting USB cable.

Volume + Volume –

What are the best features of the JBL Charge 6?

I absolutely recommend downloading and installing the JBL Portable app for the Charge 6 because it contains one of its best new features: a 7-band customizable EQ. This is a considerable upgrade from the 3-band EQ available with the Charge 5, meaning you can personalize the sound of this speaker much further. You’re also offered an additional four presets to choose from, but I can’t say I share the same excitement for a “Chill” or “Energetic” EQ preset. Given the option, I always prefer to make my own.

Additionally, the app gives you visual control over any Auracast-linked speakers under its “Party Together” section and lets you pair another Charge 6 for stereo performance. This is also where you’ll find access to the new “Playtime Boost” feature and, of course, any future firmware updates.

How does the JBL Charge 6 connect?

A man holds a JBL Charge 6 in his left hand, and a JBL Charge 5 in his right, showing their rear charge ports.Charge 6 left, Charge 5 right.

The Charge 6 connects to your device wirelessly via the latest and greatest Bluetooth 5.4, an upgrade from the Charge 5’s Bluetooth 5.1 connection. In addition, there’s a new wired option. No, it’s not an AUX input, but the Charge 6 now offers audio over USB, and lossless audio at that. Naturally, you’ll need to using a service that provides lossless audio, like Tidal or Apple Music, but for those of you wanting higher bit rate listening options out of your mono portable Bluetooth speaker, there you have it.

To listen over a wired connection, simply hold down the Play/Pause button while connecting your USB-C cable to the device. You will hear a chime when successful. Of course, we can’t forget how the Charge series got its name. That same USB-C port doubles as an in/out, so don’t worry, you can still charge your phone while out in the field!

The JBL Charge 6 pairs to your device via the usual steps, as outlined below:

  1. Press the Bluetooth button once to enter pairing mode
  2. Open Bluetooth settings on your device
  3. Select “JBL Charge 6”
  4. Download and install the JBL Portable app for further control of the unit

How long does the JBL Charge 6’s battery last?

A man using the controls on a JBL Charge 6 speaker.

The Charge 6 is park-ready, but maybe skip the white finish if you’re an avid outdoors person.

The Charge 6 advertises a whopping 28 hours of playback time off a single charge. However, there is a bit of a catch. JBL states that 24 of those hours are under normal operation (aka listening at a reasonable volume without your bass cranked), but you’ll need to activate its new “Playtime Boost” feature to squeeze out those last four hours.

So, here’s the deal with “Playtime Boost”. Getting an extra four hours of playback time sounds fantastic on paper, but it’s essentially an EQ preset that nerfs your bass response, so your speaker doesn’t have to work too hard, effectively allowing your battery to last longer. You’re left with a sound that’s heavy on the mid-range and treble, similar to a “Podcast” EQ setting. It’ll get you out of a pinch, but it doesn’t sound great. If you’re worried about committing a serious party foul and letting your speaker die, keep a portable battery on hand.

Still, 24 hours of battery life isn’t something to overlook. That’s 4 hours more than the 20-hour battery life of the Charge 5.

It does! JBL states a 10-minute charge will get you an additional 150 minutes of playback time.

How does the JBL Charge 6 sound?

The JBL Charge 6 offers decent sound for its size with a good amount of low-end strength, which you can modify further.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the JBL Charge 6 was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

This chart shows the MDAQS results for the JBL Charge 6 in Default mode. The Timbre score is 3.1, The Distortion score is 3.3, the Immersiveness score is 1.6, and the Overall Score is 2.7).The JBL Charge 6 receives fairly average MDAQS results, with a relatively low Immersiveness score.

The Charge 6 earns a solid Timbre score of 3.1 and a decent 3.3 for Distortion, but its Overall score drops to 2.7 due to a low Immersiveness rating of 1.6. This isn’t too surprising; MDAQS is primarily designed to assess stereo performance, so mono speakers like the Charge 6 naturally face some scoring limitations. Take these scores with a grain of salt.

These results are pretty typical for Bluetooth speakers. For comparison, the Bose SoundLink Max scored a similar 2.7 Overall, but thanks to its stereo output, it pulled a higher Immersiveness score of 2.6.

This chart compares the MDAQS results between the JBL Charge 6 and the Charge 5. The Charge 6 scores a 3.1 in Timbre, a 3.3 in Distortion, a 1.6 in Immersiveness, and 2.7 Overall. The Chare 5 scores 3.4 in Timbre, 2.8 in Distortion, 1.8 in Immersiveness, and 2.9 Overall. Overall, the Charge 5 scores higher with MDAQS, but not by much.

The Charge 6 and Charge 5 earn similar Timbre and Overall ratings, which isn’t a significant difference by any means. The biggest gap we see is the Charge 6’s better distortion score.

Timbre (MOS-T) represents how faithfully the speaker reproduces the frequency spectrum and temporal resolution (timing information).

Distortion (MOS-D) represents non-linearities and added noise: higher scores mean cleaner reproduction.

Immersiveness (MOS-I) represents perceived source width and positioning, which is how well virtual sound sources are defined in three-dimensional space.

See here for an explanation of MDAQS, how it works, and how it was developed.

Reviewer’s notes

Editor’s note: this review uses a hover-enabled glossary to describe sound quality based on a consensus vocabulary. You can read about it here.

The Charge 6 does not feature a microphone for taking phone calls while connected. You’ll have to answer your phone the old-fashioned way or just ignore it and keep rocking out to your favorite tunes!

Should you buy the JBL Charge 6?

A JBL Charge 6 resting near some crocuses.

The Charge 6 is a solid update from the Charge 5.

If you already own a Charge 5 and are happy with it, there’s no need to rush out and upgrade. But if you’re in the market for a Bluetooth speaker that can offer a little more than most portable speakers without going overboard in size and weight, the Charge 6 is a great buy. It’s not the cheapest option out there, but you’re getting a rugged, premium build, impressive low-end for its size, and excellent battery life. Plus, with customizable sound and upgraded durability, you’ll be rocking out to your favorite tunes for years to come.

JBL Charge 6

JBL Charge 6

JBL Charge 6

IP68 • Customizable Sound • Long battery life

The JBL Charge 6 is here, with some key upgrades.

The JBL Charge 6 is new and improved with its upgraded durability, customizable sound, and longer battery life.

What should you get instead of the JBL Charge 6?

A man holds the JBL Flip 7 speaker with a bridge in the backround.

The Flip 7 offers similar features but in a smaller package.

If the Charge 6 is slightly too big for your needs, consider its smaller sibling, the JBL Flip 7, which was also just released with some new slick updates. It shares many of the same features of the Charge 6, like an IP68 protection rating, audio over USB, and a couple of carrying attachment options, but in a slightly smaller package. However, there is a significant difference in battery life; the Flip 7 only offers up to 16 hours off a single charge, while the Charge 6 offers up to 28 hours. Snag a new Flip 7 for $149 at Amazon.

Alternatively, the Beats Pill (2024 version) is also worth a look. I’m not normally one to recommend Beats products, but I can’t deny its impressive bass response. It’s IP67 rated for protection from the elements and features an angled, slightly upward firing design. The Beats Pill also offers lossless audio over USB-C if that’s your thing. Find one for $149.99 at Amazon.

Frequently asked questions

No. The JBL Charge 6 does not have an AUX input, but it does offer audio over USB-C, including lossless audio from compatible services. 

No. The JBL Charge 6 does not offer a Wi-Fi connection. 

Yes. You can pair a second Charge 6 for stereo playback or connect it to any JBL Auracast-ready speakers. 

Yes, you can use your Charge 6 while charging. 

Yes! The Charge 6 offers audio over USB-C and support for lossless audio from any lossless audio-supported apps or services.

The Charge 6 can connect to your TV if your TV offers Bluetooth, or audio over USB-C by chance. 

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