JBL Clip 3 Review: The Clippable Sidekick With Solid SoundIf your budget allows, you will be able to afford the Clip 3. It has plenty of volume as well as a very durable build. It was tested for twenty hours.
We like this
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Truly durable
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Good sound quality
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Amazing design in tons of colours
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A bit pricey
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Battery life is not as good as it should be
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You are missing some nuance and bass
Although the JBL Clip 3 speaker is good, it is not great. It's worth it for its durability and attractive looks, but it won't win any Audiophile Awards.
- Design
- Portability
- Durability and build quality
- Connection and setup
- Sound Quality
- Battery life
- Software and Additional Features
- Prices
- Concurrence
- Final Verdict
- Specifications
JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth Speaker is extremely portable and lightweight. It is designed to be an easy-to-use, accessory-style Bluetooth speaker. It does all of this with an extremely small footprint, a sturdy clip that attaches to any bag and a very strong clip. This puts the Clip in a unique category—not exactly a rectangular Bluetooth speaker to toss onto a picnic blanket, but also not as personal as a pair of headphones.
The device's small size makes it difficult to achieve high-quality sound. There isn't enough room for large speakers or bass ports. It's still a great device, even for simple use. The quality build and durable JBL features make it a solid choice for anyone on the go. It's small enough to be carried around in a backpack as an emergency backup and ready for use whenever you need it.
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Design: All the possibilities, with the focus on the clip.
The black Clip 3 was the most basic design I could find. This entire construction is circular, with JBL's nylon grille on the front and soft rubber dishes at the back. The top of the enclosure has a clip in the carabiner style that is much larger than the pictures show. JBL's logo is set in the usual metallic JBL orange frame and the perimeter is darkened with silver. This makes it look very unassuming, however, JBL has a wide range of colors at its disposal.
There are 8 standard colors available via the Amazon listing linked in this review that range from super-bright yellow to a nice soft slate blue, but you can actually customize your Clip 3 to virtually any color combination you can think of —even including the option to add camo patterns. This is one of the main reasons you should buy the Clip. You can clip the clip onto your bag the same way as any keychain accessory.
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Portability: A small, but not too bulky
It is the smallest Bluetooth speaker on the market, but it still delivers the classic JBL sound quality. If you are looking for the Clip 3 Bluetooth speaker, chances are that you need something small and unassuming. Although the speaker itself isn't large, it does have a couple inches of thickness. W
It rests well when clipped to a backpack strap but sticks out clearly in an obvious way. The sturdy, waterproof construction and durable metal clip make it half a pound. Although it isn't heavy, it will feel like a keychain. It was easier to put the speaker in my front pocket than to leave it hanging off my bag during transit. But that is just my personal preference.
The package includes a large travel bag, which I thought was too much. It is very well made, featuring a Neoprene shell with super soft lining and protection for your $70 investment. However, the size of the speaker will almost double when it is in the case. Overall, the speaker is small but not as tiny as you might think.
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Build Quality and Durability: This is the right price
The Clip 3's weight and feel in the hand is a truly remarkable feature. Its thick, rubber-like plastic back and soft-touch rubber provide plenty of durability. They also offer some shock absorption. Drivers can push sound through the thick-knit grille without leaving too many spaces.
Even the carabiner clip feels like a strong aluminum hiking accessory—unlike the cheap carabiners you're used to seeing on non-climbing products (though it is most certainly not actually safe for climbing). The chassis is so stiff that it's hard to use the buttons on the sides to pair devices and turn it on. This is a minor gripe that is probably due to the rigidity of the device, but is not a major problem.
The IPX7 waterproofing built-in is pretty standard for this class of speaker—most options at this price point will feature this level of water resistance. Although the seal on the speaker is not dust-tested, it should be dust resistant. A 7 indicates that the speaker can be submerged for up to 30 minutes. This condition was tested by labs. The speaker is not recommended to be submerged in salt water or chlorine. However, it should still work fine for camping or any other inclement weather.
The Clip 3's weight and feel in the hand is a truly remarkable feature. Its thick, rubber-like plastic back and soft-touch rubber provide plenty of durability. They also offer some shock absorption. Drivers can push sound through the thick-knit grille without leaving too many spaces.
Setup and Connectivity: Easy and straightforward
The Clip 3 enters basic Bluetooth pairing mode when it is turned on for the first time. This is indicated by the JBL tone. Simply find and pair the Clip 3 from your phone's menu. The Clip 3 was almost instantly available on my iPhone XS, and it was much quicker than any other device I tested. The Bluetooth button is clearly marked and allows you to enter pairing mode again on demand. So far, so good.
For the price, the connectivity specifications are fairly standard. Bluetooth 4.1 was chosen as the preferred protocol. It is somewhat older than the Bluetooth 5 that you will find on more recent devices. However, it performed perfectly in my testing. The fact that this device will likely be used outdoors is the key to its success. Bluetooth 4.1 can still be serviced even from a distance of dozens of meters. JBL has put in the requisite A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, and HSP protocols meaning it will work with most consumer devices and is capable of being used as a speakerphone—particularly helpful with so many of us working remotely now. The Clip 3 was great for Zoom calls. It sounds better than my laptop speakers, and the mic is clearer. Overall, the Clip 3 connection was stable for me.
Sound Quality - Good but not great
It's difficult to predict what the Clip 3 will sound like with a small device such as it is. Larger enclosures will produce better results because they are able to accommodate more physical speakers drivers and allow for more acoustic chamber space that can be used to carry different frequencies. A device with dimensions less than 6inches won't give you that much flexibility.
The single, circular-shaped 40mm transducer doesn't look that different from those found in a pair over-ear studio headphones. JBL chose to use one speaker because they could save the whole build on that single large driver. But this means they sacrifice the ability to port any bass—the Clip 3 is essentially just a small amp and a single speaker that puts out 3.3W of power, with very few acoustic augmentations.
Another tradeoff is the frequency response. The Clip 3 offers only coverage from 120Hz to 20kHz. You lose about 100 hertz of low-end bass. This speaker doesn't seem to have a lot of low-end power. This is not a big deal because JBL seems to have put more eggs in the middle basket. Normaly, this would result in muddy results. But, JBL has clever signal processing that makes the speaker sound full and even at loud volumes.
Clip 3 offers only 120Hz coverage and 20kHz coverage. You lose about 100 hertz of low-end bass. This speaker doesn't seem to have a lot going on at the bottom end, according to anecdotally.
Listening to spoken words was also surprisingly clear on this speaker—good news for podcast fans. You won't find fancy Bluetooth codes like aptX, so be familiar with basic Bluetooth transmission. You can also try different ways to hold the Clip 3, as it will sound very different when held on its clip than it is when you have it in your hands. You won't be disappointed by the sound but it won't impress your picnic guests.
Battery life: Very good considering the volume
JBL estimates that the Clip 3's battery lasts for about 10 hours on average. Although this may seem low, the Clip 3's 1,000-mAh battery is quite impressive. That's what's important, right? The Bluetooth speaker is loud enough to play at full volume, doesn't take up more room than a softball and can still carry you through Friday night.
Although the 3.3W amplifier pumps are very loud, I noticed a significant difference in the Clip 3's battery life when the volume was set at 90 percent volume and half the volume. You will need to compromise some power if you desire those 10 hours. But, in the worst cases, you can expect around 5-6 hours. Only the Clip 3's micro USB port can charge it in 3 hours, from full to empty. This is not bad at all, but it's still a lot less than the Clip 3's 10 hour usage. My expectations were misguided. I expected more battery life. However, the device is small enough to not be terribly disappointing.
The Bluetooth speaker is loud enough to be heard, but it takes up less space than a softball and can still carry you through Friday nights.
Software with Extra Features: Very simple, just one twist
Two key points are important to me and are well worth the effort. The clip is the first and most important. Although most Bluetooth speakers have a string-and loop attachment that allows you to carry the speaker and attach it to your bag for easy portability, few Bluetooth speakers offer an attached carabiner. It is important because this distinguishing factor eliminates the necessity for a clear point of weakness in your device and provides a great study mechanism to attach it to a bag.
The Clip 3 does not work with JBL Connect's smartphone app. This is disappointing because the JBL Connect app expands functionality really well for the Flip, Charge, and Pulse speakers in the line—allowing for EQ functionality, connecting to other devices, etc. This control would make the Clip 3 a better product, however, as it is, there are only a few options available onboard.
Pricing: Prices can be a little steep.
You're basically paying for JBL with this device. You're limited to two options, the poor sound quality and the absence of software and additional features. JBL is known for its premium sound quality and this is evident in the audio. The device is also durable so it can withstand many parties and other adventures. But, $70 seems like a poor price. The Clip 3 is a more recommended product if it's on sale. As it is, however, you may be better off with another ultra-portable product.
The Clip 3 is a more recommended product if it's on sale. As it is, however, it might not be as useful.
JBL Clip 3 vs. Bose Soundlink Micro
The Clip 3's price tag of $70 is certainly in the middle-to-premium category. You will need to contrast it with a brand such as Bose. Although the Soundlink Micro does not offer the same color options as the Clip 3, its clip is a little less sturdy than the Clip 3. It costs $30 and has a lower sound quality.
The JBL Clip 3 is a great product. It sounds great, has a good volume, and is very durable. However, there are some downsides to the product, such as the short battery life and the large size that can be clipped into a backpack. You'll love the JBL headphones and speakers if your needs are extreme.
Specifications
- Description of the Product: Clip 3 Bluetooth Speaker
- JBL is the product brand
- SKU B07YVCW1N5
- Prices starting at $69.99
- Weighing 0.49 lbs.
- Product dimensions 5.4x3.8x1.8in
- Choose from Black, Brown, Gray, Green or Custom Colors.
- Wired/Wireless wireless
- 1-year warranty
- Audio codecs SBC, AAC
- Battery life: 10 hours
- Bluetooth spec Bluetooth 4.1
- The range of wireless is 30m
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