The JBL Charge 4 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that comes in many colors. It has a balanced midrange that can accurately reproduce vocals and lead instruments, although it may sound a bit dull due to its de-emphasized high frequencies. They are also certified IPX7 waterproof, meaning they can be immersed in water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes. Like many small speakers, it struggles to produce bass, which may disappoint fans of bass-heavy genres such as EDM and hip-hop. Also, unlike the JBL Charge 5, it does not have an EQ, so you cannot adjust the sound profile to your liking. The JBL Charge 4 is reasonable for outdoor use. It has an IPX7 rating, which certifies that it can be immersed in water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes, so there is no need to worry about getting wet when taking it outdoors. Because it is quite small and lightweight, it is extremely portable and can be easily taken out of the house. However, they are not particularly loud and can be slightly overpowering at maximum volume. The JBL Charge 4 can deliver dance and pop synth beats with a convincing punch, but like all speakers of this size, it is limited in bass range; the JBL Charge 4 can’t deliver real sub bass, but in the context of most songs, it comes close to satisfying enough. At higher volumes, however, the distortion begins to be a bit more noticeable. On certain songs, the bass percentage is reduced and the mids and highs take on a harder tone; the JBL Charge 4’s forward active drivers also ensure that there is a definite listening sweet spot, as long as it is within acceptable limits. This is not a 360-degree speaker, so its placement is critical.
