JBL Pulse 4 Review

A party is incomplete without light shows and roaring music, right? Whether you are hosting a house party, in a club, at the poolside, or your workplace, a good speaker is essential to set up a lively ambiance and a warm environment. While these types of speakers are not something that everyone would like to have, they still have a major demand in the world of audio equipment, be it the big commercial ones or small portable speakers, or even subwoofers, Don’t believe us? Take a look at our jbl subwoofer review.  

The Complete JBL Pulse 4 Review

JBL is one of the top companies that have gained a lot of fame for its constant drive towards bringing to the market a variety of high-quality party speakers to meet the needs of various types of customers. Speakers with a combination of superior acoustics, great style, and rich lights are something that this brand has been successfully delivering for quite some time now. While many other companies have similar kinds of speakers with a combination of sound and lights, none can beat the striking luminance of JBL speakers, and this is what makes the brand stand out in the competition.

What Is the JBL Pulse 4 Speaker?

There are a series of product lines that JBL has in its catalog when it comes to party-centric speakers, with their ‘Pulse series’ gaining the highest fan following. JBL Pulse 4 speaker is the latest and refined version of its predecessors, Pulse 2 and Pulse 3, and believe it or not, it is an absolute stunner! With powerful audio and revamped LED lighting effects within a portable build, JBL Pulse 4 speaker is, by all means, a fun gadget for bass lovers. 

The JBL Pulse 4 review in the next section will give you a breakdown of the various features and functionality including the JBL Pulse 4 battery life, JBL Pulse 4 specs in detail, price, and more. 

JBL Pulse 4 Specs

Here’s a quick glimpse of the various JBL Pulse 4 specs before we move on to the detailed review of this high-end premium speaker with superlative bass effect: 

• JBL Pulse 4 speaker is a combination of multispectral LED light and the signature 360 degrees sound with a mighty booming effect.
• The speaker has a built-in rechargeable lithium battery with a capacity of 7260 mAh and needs a charging time of 3.5 hours. 
• JBL Pulse 4 battery life is decent and can last up to 12 hours of uninterrupted music play and light play at optimum volume.
• Completely waterproof design with an IPX7 rating, ideal for use near pools, beaches, or bathtubs.
• Equipped with JBL PartyBoost technology. The PartyBoost mode allows you to connect the JBL Pulse 4 speaker with other  JBL speakers compatible with this mode for an amplified effect or to attain a stereo sound effect.
• Personalized LED lights set the mood and automatically and harmonize with the beats of the music for a more enjoyable experience. 
• The speaker wirelessly connects via Bluetooth that enables you to play the tracks from your mobile phone’s playlist without having to deal with a cable. 
• The JBL Connect app lets you personalize the speaker’s lighting effects.
• JBL Pulse 4 speaker has a price tag of $249.95, a high-end product for a portable option.

Now that you have a brief idea about what the JBL Pulse 4 speaker is and what features have this product come with, let’s go a bit in-depth on the JBL Pulse 4 specs and see whether it is worth investing in. We will also list the JBL pulse 4 review alongside.

JBL Pulse 4 Review: What Are the General Parameters You Need to Consider?

As our lifestyle changes every day, getting used to high-tech devices is a part and parcel of our lives now and when it comes to speakers, it is no longer simple enough to pick the one that offers a higher wattage or decibel limit. The manufacturers are coming up with more technically sound multifunctional speakers that not only amplify the music you are listening to but also have numerous other specifications to be compatible with your mobile devices, portability aside. 

A Speaker is also a very personal choice. While some people like a heavy bass emphasized audio output, some people who are more into a mix of vocals and instruments like a more balanced version. It can be pretty confusing to finalize one with so many options in the market offering different features and a wide spectrum of price points. Too much of a good thing can be a paralytic. To make it simple, here are a few things that you need to keep in mind when you are looking for the right kind of speaker for yourself. 

Speaker Sensitivity and Loudness:

One of the most important factors to notice in a speaker is the sensitivity factor, meaning? Well, how loud can the speaker go without the sound getting distorted or broken?. The higher the sensitivity rating, the louder the speaker can go flawlessly, delivering a clean sound.

Portability and Size:

If you are looking for a handy speaker, then look out for how portable a speaker is. Sometimes a speaker is marketed as portable, but it can be quite a burden to carry it along when you are going on a trip. Depending on how you are going to use it, look at the ideal size of the speaker. For example, if you are looking for a speaker to use while you are trekking or in your shower, clearly you will need one like JBL Clip 4 that can be clipped onto your backpack or in the door handle of your bathroom for ease of use. If you are looking for something for a poolside party or beach, you can go for the JBL Pulse series or even the Go series. 

Wireless Connectivity:

Most portable speakers come with solid wireless connectivity that has a range of 15 to 50 feet from the main audio source. If you want one that will output the smoothest of audio flows even if you take your main audio source device to another room, look for one that supports the latest Bluetooth version. Another important feature to look at here is the multiple speaker setups. See that your speaker can be synced with other speakers for a louder and stereo sound. 

Battery Life and Battery Back Up:

The whole point of buying a lightweight speaker is, so you can for public appearances or at a party, where you can move it around as per your convenience. Now, what’s the point if the battery doesn’t support for long hours, right? Go for a speaker that has a good battery life (at least a 12-hour run time) on a single charge. Also, look for one that can charge other devices as well. 

Durability and Waterproof Capabilities:

You do not want to invest in a speaker that wouldn’t last long, right? If you have an active lifestyle, then look for a speaker that has damage-resistant construction and proper protections that can resist accidental falls. You can also look for one that has IPX7 rated for being 100% waterproof. This will give you peace of mind when you are using it near a pool or other moisture-prone areas, or even in the gym. There are a series of speakers that are specifically meant for outdoor use where more activities are involved. 

JBL Pulse 4 Bluetooth Speaker Review: Special Features and Characteristics

One of the significant changes that took place in the case of the JBL Pulse 4 speaker from its predecessor, is the makeover. Let’s start with the design and style of the speaker:

Design of JBL Pulse 4 Speaker:

While the Pulse series is famed for its visually appealing look apart from a speaker’s functionality, it’s amazing to see how JBL has refined its looks with every new version. Pulse 4 comes with an aesthetically elevated look and is cylindrical shape with 8.2 inches in length and 3.8 inches in diameter. 

What makes it different from Pulse 3 is, while the third generation speaker had the LED lamp halfway through the body of the speaker, the JBL Pulse 4 speaker is completely LED lights along the length of the body with its controls encased at the top of the speaker around the ring. When the speaker is turned on, it gives a stunning light show which is more intense and bigger owing to its lights covering more surface area along with the speaker than the previous version.

Weight:

The speaker weighs about 2.8 pounds, which is a bit heavier for a speaker of its kind when compared with the other ones. While the cloth covering has been eliminated in Pulse 4, the body of the speaker has a more sophisticated glassy finish. While this can show up the fingerprints quite clearly, this glass-like casing provides the JBL Pulse 4 Speaker with stronger waterproofing abilities. The passive bass radiators are placed at the bottom panel along with the 20-watt driver on the top of the cylinder that gives a solid woofer effect on the low bass music. 

Controls:

The controls are pretty big and clear for ease of use and are arranged distinctively along the top ring. You will find the power button, play/pause button, one with a Bluetooth icon for syncing with the main audio source devices and volume controls. You will also find a button for the lighting control and the PartyBoost button, for  There is a C-type charging port around the back of the speaker. Amidst all these features and the style built, there are a few things that JBL has done away with this model, which is a bit disappointing because the speaker is a high-priced one and belongs to the premium shelf of the brand. 

Charging Ports:

Where most of the speakers have a protective silicon or plastic flap that covers the charging ports, Pulse 4 speaker’s charging port is uncovered. This may be easy to use as you do not have to deal with the flap when charging the speaker, you cannot charge the speaker immediately if the ports are wet. You will have to wait until they are completely dry if the speaker is exposed to water. The presence of the flaps would have kept the water from going inside, making it ready for charging even when the body of the speaker was wet, as in the case of Pulse 3. 

Microphone:

The fourth-generation Pulse also doesn’t have a microphone, voice assistant integration, and an auxiliary port. This means that you cannot take the call from your Pulse 4 anymore. 

Color:

JBL Pulse 4 speaker comes in two different color selections- white and black. 

Connectivity: 

JBL Pulse 4 speaker supports Bluetooth 4.2 and several JBL Pulse 4 reviews stated that it has pretty good coverage, unlike the JBL Flip speaker. It works fine within a range of 80 feet, which is pretty impressive when compared with its predecessors that had some issues with the connectivity beyond 30 feet. This is therefore another big change that makes this one a better choice. If you aren’t convinced, Just take a look at our JBL Flip speaker review.

JBL Pulse 4 Speaker Performance

Audio:

The audio quality of the JBL Pulse 4 speaker is outstanding as mentioned by the jbl pulse 4 review! Where most of the party speakers aim to build their speakers to give out extra energy, the sound of Pulse 4 is well-balanced and soothing yet powerful. For its size and capacity of the 20-watt driver, Pulse 4 will give you a pretty impressive bass effect in a decently large room without compromising on that oomph factor. It also works well outdoors, but you can connect it to other JBL speakers that are compatible with PartyBoost technology for an amplified sound.  

The sound is very loud for a speaker like this. It gives an impressive pounding effect on the lows or the base forward songs at optimum volume. The bassy effect however reduces if the volume is turned high. The mids and the highs are well sculpted and perfect, with just the right amount of boost needed to be warm and soothing. As mentioned in the JBL Pulse 4 specs, the speaker offers you a 360 surround sound with a clear differentiation of every element of the track. You will get the same level of acoustics from every direction when you move around the room or in the pool.  

Vocals:

The vocals and the instruments are decipherable and none of them overpower the other. The speaker, however, is at its best at 50% to 60% volume. As the volume goes higher, say at 90%, you may notice the sound getting a bit jarred. 

Lights:

Coming to the light show, which is the USP of this product, the variations of the pattern are spectacular. There is a mix of subtle pastel and bright neon that create beautiful fusions and visual effects to soothe your eyes and set the party mood. While most of the time the light show syncs with the music, at times it may not, but it will still give you a nice feel of the setup. 

You can shake the speaker up to change the colors of the lighting and if you want to change the pattern you can press the light button on the speaker. The speaker also can sync with the nearby speakers to match up with their color codes. Other than the light button on the speaker, you can also access and customize the patterns via the JBL speaker apps. These apps are compatible with both iPhone and Android for ease of use. Unlike Pulse 3 that had 10 different presets on the light modes, our newest version has 4 presets to choose from but with much better animation.   

Color-matching:

The JBL Pulse 4 review points to another interesting feature about the speaker, which is that it can precisely match the color from a picture through your phone’s camera. This way, the speaker can complement perfectly with the interiors of your home, elevating the aesthetics of the room. The LED lights of the JBL Pulse 4 speaker are also known to self-adjust the light depending on the track. It lends a soothing soft ambiance when a slow track is played and the lights offer a more sharp and bouncy effect with fast and lively numbers. 

Most of the users have spoken positively in their JBL Pulse 4 reviews of its customizable light shows that coordinate well with the sound that is being played, making it one of the coolest speakers in the market. 

Waterproofing: 

The fourth-generation speaker from JBL is designed for use in multiple different places and occasions. The JBL Pulse 4 review mention that the speaker is entirely waterproof with an IPX7 rating, which means that it can sustain itself if submerged in 1-foot deep water for about 30 minutes. However, one of the major concerns is its exposed charging ports, which raise brows about the speaker being completely water-repelling. While the port is engineered with some water-resistant material, it is still recommended not to consciously put them in the water for higher durability. 

Jbl Pulse 4 Battery Life:

The battery incorporated into the fourth-generation Pulse speaker has a high capacity of 7,260 mAh. Despite the high-capacity battery, the run time did not change from that of the Pulse 3 which is a little disheartening especially when there have been other up-gradation overall. With an active light show combined with music, JBL Pulse 4 battery life is about 12 hours when completely charged.

Owing to the large battery capacity, it takes about 3.5 to 4 hours to charge to full power from zero power. If you want to get some more playtime, you may have to turn off the light show. We did come across a JBL Pulse 4 review where the user mentioned that they had a little more playtime than 12 hours with a volume level of 70%, as you can assume this can be a detriment to some. Irrespective of this, the JBL Pulse 4 battery life falls under the average category because a few of its competitor speakers including JBL’s speaker line, Charge 3, offer 24 hours battery backup. 

Price: 

You will get the JBL Pulse 4 speakers in some prominent eCommerce stores like Amazon or Walmart, as well as JBL’s official website. The product carries a price tag of $250.00 which is obviously on the higher end of the price scale for a speaker of its size and type. However, with its powerful audio output combined with the LED light performance, it is worth considering if you are looking to add a little fun to your party ambiance. 

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
1. Incredibly bright and powerful LED lighting effects 2. Great sound with bass emphasized lows, balanced mids, and highs  3. Waterproof and dustproof construction  4. Easy to use controls  5. C-type charging port 6. 360-degree stereo sound 7. Can sync with 100+ other JBL devices with the app for an amplified sound	1. High-priced product 2. Lacks integrated voice assistant features 3. Charging ports do not have a protective flap 4. Doesn’t have an inbuilt speakerphone and AUX jack 5. Average battery life 7. Little bulky for a portable speaker of its kind

Special Features of the JBL Pulse 4 Speaker

As mentioned earlier, the JBL Pulse 4 speaker may not be an ideal option for every person but thanks to its sound and light combination, it can be a perfect element to add to your audio accessories if you frequently host parties at your place. After all, the party needs to be lively and fun, right? And one of the best ways to set a party mood is to add a great lighting effect. The lights play an important role in elevating the mood and energy of the surrounding, setting the ambiance, while adding aesthetic visuals to the space. Lights have the power to change a place from an ordinary-looking, boring place to a dynamic dance floor!

Light Show:

According to the JBL pulse 4 review, the most attractive feature of the fourth generation Pulse is the magnificent, high-resolution light show that it lends along with the sound. Various eye-catching patterns are already pre-set for you to use, and additionally, the speaker allows you to create your custom lighting effects from a wide range of colors available in the JBL palette. You can do this from the JBL speaker enhancement Connect app. You can go to the app and change the lights colors and patterns concerning the sound. The app also enables you to keep track of the battery level and adjust the volume at your convenience. 

PartyBoost Feature:

The PartyBoost feature that comes with the speaker allows you to connect wirelessly with 100+ other PartyBoost compatible JBL devices, so you can experience a beautiful 360-degree stereo surround sound in a larger space. This way, you do not have to worry about the sound getting diminished on the other end of the room. If you are confused about how one has one can do the JBL surround sound setup, you know where to look. 🙂

Conclusion:

JBL Pulse 4 review specifies that the speaker has got a great makeover with a sophisticated design and mighty audio performance for a portable mono speaker like this one. What lacks here is the integrated voice assistant feature and speakerphone, which may or may not be a deal-breaker to some. But honestly, with a price as high as this, the elimination of these two key features has been rather disappointing. Nevertheless, the speaker’s 360-degree uniform sound along with its waterproof and dustproof attributes, a chic look, and a brilliant play of light makes it worthy of the investment. This is for all the music lovers who do not mind giving up some battery life, and a few features from the previous version of the Pulse series for a fun show. 

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s):