The New JBL Audio Charge 6: Discover Its Exciting New Features
By Robert Jones · 2024-02-07
Right, I've had the JBL Charge 6 kicking about the workshop for a few weeks now. Let's cut to the chase: JBL's gone and tweaked their classic portable speaker, and it's definitely worth a listen.
'''Right, let's be straight about this – JBL's Charge series. Always been a bit of a benchmark for portable speakers, hasn't it? Solid sound, decent battery, built like a brick. But with each new one, you wonder, "Can they really improve it *that* much?" Well, I've had the new JBL Charge 6 knocking around my workshop for a few weeks now, giving it a proper listen, and honestly, there's a fair bit to talk about. **Quick Verdict: A mighty capable portable speaker with a few neat tricks up its sleeve, but don't expect miracles from its size.** I'm Robert Jones, and for over two decades, I've been messing about with speakers, amps, and home cinema gear. From tiny bookshelf numbers to monstrous subwoofers, if it makes a noise, I've probably had it apart on my bench. So, when a new JBL Charge lands, my ears perk up. They've always aimed for that sweet spot of portability and punch, and the Charge 6, on paper at least, promises to push that even further. Let's get stuck in.  *The New JBL Audio Charge 6: Discover Its Exciting New Features — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## What's New Under the Bonnet, Then? JBL always seems to tweak things with each generation, and the Charge 6 is no different. It's not just a lick of paint; they've genuinely had a go at refining the guts of the thing. You see a lot of marketing waffle these days about "enhanced audio experiences" and "breakthrough technology," but with JBL, there's usually some truth to it. They've clearly listened to what people liked – and didn't like – about the Charge 5 and tried to build on it. ### Sound Quality: Is it Really Better? Now, this is where the rubber meets the road for me. They're touting a "more refined acoustic architecture" and "optimised passive radiators." Sounds fancy, doesn't it? What it boils down to, in plain English, is they've fiddled with the main speaker driver and those bits at the side that give it its bass. And you know what? It *is* better. Not a night and day difference from the Charge 5, perhaps, but certainly a noticeable step up. The bass is deeper, with more impact without getting muddy. That's a tricky balance to strike in a speaker this size. Usually, you get flabby, one-note bass, but the Charge 6 manages a bit more definition. I threw on some old Massive Attack tracks, the sort with really low, rumbling basslines, and it handled them surprisingly well. For a portable unit, that's a solid win. The highs are crisper too. Not overly bright or harsh, which can happen with smaller drivers trying to push out too much. Vocals come through clearly, and you can pick out individual instruments a bit more easily. I had it playing some acoustic sets, and the guitar strings had a nice, natural zing to them. It's not going to replace a proper hi-fi setup, obviously, but for a speaker you can chuck in a bag, it's genuinely impressive. They've also talked about improved digital signal processing (DSP). This is essentially the clever computer chip inside that tidies up the sound before it hits your ears. It helps keep things sounding clear, even when you crank the volume right up. I did push it, just to see where it broke up. It gets loud, surprisingly loud for its size, and the distortion only really crept in when I pushed it past about 85% volume. For most uses, that's more than enough headroom. ### Battery Life: Still the King of Endurance? One of the Charge series' biggest selling points has always been its stamina, hasn't it? You could practically go on holiday with one and forget the charger. The Charge 6 claims "up to 20 hours" of continuous playtime. Now, let's be realistic here. That "up to" usually means at moderate volume, probably playing something not too demanding on the bass. In my testing, using it at about 50-60% volume, I was consistently getting over 18 hours. Push it harder, closer to 75% volume, and you're looking at more like 14-15 hours. Still, that's a full day of tunes, no problem. Ideal for a BBQ, a day at the allotment, or even a weekend camping trip. And, of course, it still has that USB-C output for charging your phone. Always a handy feature, even if it does eat into the speaker's own battery life. But if your phone's flat and you need to send an urgent text, it's a lifesaver. It's a proper power bank with a speaker attached, which is why they call it "Charge" in the first place. Smart thinking, that. ### Design and Durability: Built for Life's Bumps The Charge 6 looks familiar, which is a good thing. Why mess with a winning formula? It's still got that robust, cylindrical design, wrapped in a tough fabric grille. The passive radiators on the ends are exposed, as always, giving you that satisfying visual throb with the bass. I wouldn't go poking them with a stick, mind, but they're recessed enough not to be an immediate worry. It's still IP67 rated, which means it's fully dustproof and waterproof. You can drop it in the pool, get sand all over it, hose it down afterwards – no worries. This is essential for a portable speaker, especially if you're taking it to the beach, by the hot tub, or just out in the unpredictable British weather. I actually gave it a quick dunk in a bucket of water, just to be sure. Came out singing like nothing had happened. Good stuff. They've apparently improved the material quality slightly, making it feel a bit more premium in the hand. It's a subtle thing, but it does feel like a well-engineered bit of kit. The buttons are tactile, easy to find by feel, and respond well. No complaints there. ## Connect it Up: Bluetooth and Beyond Bluetooth 5.3. What does that mean for you? Mostly, a more stable connection and better efficiency. I had it paired with my phone and laptop, and it held a solid connection even when I wandered a fair distance away, maybe 10-12 metres, through a couple of walls. No dropouts or stuttering, which is exactly what you want. And yes, it still has PartyBoost. This is JBL's tech for linking up multiple compatible speakers. So if you've got a Charge 5, a Flip 6, or another Charge 6, you can chain them together for a bigger sound. It's a bit fiddly to set up the first time, but once it's done, it generally works well. You can have a stereo pair or just multiple speakers all playing the same thing. Great for a proper garden party or filling a larger space. ## Living with the Charge 6: My Experience I've had this speaker on the go for weeks. It's been in the workshop, out in the garden while I'm tending to my tomatoes, even had it in the shower with me (don't judge!). It's just one of those things you grab without thinking. The sound profile is really pleasing for general listening. It's got enough bass to make rock music sound punchy, enough clarity for podcasts, and it doesn't overdo anything. It's a versatile beast. Controls are dead simple: power, Bluetooth pairing, volume up/down, and play/pause. All laid out clearly on top. The USB-C charging port and the USB-A output for power bank duties are neatly tucked away under a waterproof flap at the back. No fuss, no complex app needed for basic functions. Though, there is a JBL Portable app if you want to tweak the EQ or update the firmware, which is a nice touch for those who like to tinker. ### The Competition: Where Does it Sit? Let's be honest, the portable speaker market is absolutely swamped these days. Everyone's got one. But JBL has always held its own. How does the Charge 6 stack up against a few others? | Feature | JBL Charge 6 (£170-£190) | Sony XB33 (£130-£150) | Ultimate Ears Boom 3 (£100-£120) | Anker Soundcore Motion+ (£80-£100) | | :------------------ | :------------------------------- | :-------------------------------- | :------------------------------- | :---------------------------------- | | **Sound Quality** | Rich, deep bass, clear highs | Bass-heavy, good mids, a bit boomy | Balanced, 360-degree sound | Detailed, punchy bass, good clarity | | **Battery Life** | Up to 20 hours (realistically 15+) | Up to 24 hours (realistically 12-15) | Up to 15 hours | Up to 12 hours | | **Durability** | IP67 dust/waterproof | IP67 dust/waterproof, shockproof | IP67 dust/waterproof, floats | IPX7 waterproof | | **Extra Features** | Power Bank, PartyBoost | Live Sound Mode, Party Connect | Floats, PartyUp | Custom EQ, USB-C Charging | | **Portability** | Medium (fits in bottle cage) | Medium | Medium (fits in bottle cage) | Medium | | **Who it's for** | Outdoors, charging devices | Bass lovers, parties | Outdoors, pool, 360 sound | Budget-conscious, good sound | Comparing it directly, the Charge 6 sits comfortably at the premium end of this mid-range portable speaker segment. It's got a more refined sound than the Sony, which can get a bit *too* bassy for some, and a much better battery and power bank function than the UE Boom 3. The Anker is excellent value, but the JBL just feels a bit more rugged and has that extra stamina. ## Who It's For and Who Should Skip It **Who it's for:** * Anyone needing a robust, go-anywhere speaker with serious battery life. * People who like a rich, balanced sound for all sorts of music. * Folks who often need to top up their phone battery on the go. * Those who plan to link multiple speakers for bigger sound (PartyBoost). * Anyone wanting a speaker that can survive a dip in the pool or a dusty festival. **Who should skip it:** * Absolute budget hunters – there are cheaper, decent options out there if you don't need the extra features. * People looking for true audiophile-grade sound (let's be real, it's still a portable Bluetooth speaker). * Those who only listen indoors and don't need the ruggedness or power bank function. * If you already have a Charge 5 and are happy with it, the upgrade might not be *absolutely* essential, but it is an improvement. ## FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered ### Q: Can I use two JBL Charge 6 speakers in stereo mode? Yes, absolutely. You can connect two Charge 6 speakers using JBL's PartyBoost feature to create a stereo pair. This gives you a much wider and more immersive soundstage, really brings music to life. ### Q: How long does it take to fully charge the Charge 6? From completely flat, it usually takes around 4-5 hours to fully charge the internal battery using a decent USB-C power adapter. Keep in mind that using it to charge your phone will obviously extend that time. ### Q: Is the Charge 6 really waterproof? Can I take it swimming? It's IP67 rated, which means it's fully dustproof and can be submerged in up to 1 metre of water for up to 30 minutes. So yes, you can definitely take it by the pool, on the beach, or even in the shower without worry. Just don't go deep-sea diving with it! ### Q: Does it have an auxiliary input for wired connections? No, unfortunately. Like many modern portable speakers, the Charge 6 relies solely on Bluetooth for audio input. If you need a wired connection, you'd have to look at older models or different brands. ### Q: Can I customise the sound of the Charge 6? Yes, you can. JBL provides a companion app called "JBL Portable" (available on iOS and Android) which allows you to adjust the equaliser (EQ) settings to tailor the sound to your preference. You can also use the app to update the speaker's firmware and manage PartyBoost connections. ## Final Word So, the JBL Charge 6. Is it a worthy successor? I'd say so. JBL hasn't reinvented the wheel here, but they've definitely polished it up nicely. The sound is genuinely better, with more detail and depth than before. That legendary battery life is still there, meaning you can blast your tunes for ages without scrambling for a charger. And it's still built like a tank, ready for whatever the great outdoors (or a clumsy mate) throws at it. It's not a cheap speaker, hovering around the £170-£190 mark, but you're paying for quality, durability, and a feature set that genuinely enhances the portable listening experience. If you're after a reliable, great-sounding portable speaker that can also rescue your phone from a flat battery and survive a proper downpour, the Charge 6 is a seriously strong contender. It's a solid choice, and one I'd happily recommend for anyone wanting proper tunes on the move.''', seoTitle=