JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 6
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Differences Summary
Connectivity and Software
Audio Quality
Build Quality
Verdict
Differences Summary
Both devices play audio through a Bluetooth connection. The Flip 5 uses Bluetooth 4.2 and the Flip 6 uses the more recent 5.1. This didn’t result in a performance difference in my experience. Using them at the full distance of my backyard was no problem.
The battery is listed for up to 12 hours on both, but they were closer to 10 in my use case.
The Flip 5 and 6 use JBL’s PartyBoost inside the JBL Portable app. PartyBoost lets you play audio to over 100 JBL speakers at the same time. If you’re using different models (say the Flip 5 and Flip 6), you can’t use stereo mode and instead have to choose party mode.
Party mode plays audio from both channels to every connected speaker. Stereo isolates the left channel to one speaker and the right to the other.
Equalizer (Flip 6)
The JBL Portable app lets you update the firmware of these devices. When you do, the Flip 6 gains equalizer functionality in the app. Since the sound of these two devices isn’t radically different out the box, the EQ option is the biggest reason to get the Flip 6 over the Flip 5.
It’s pretty arbitrary to not just allow the Flip 5 the same software option, but they’ve gotta sell you on the new version somehow, right? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Audio Quality
The Flip 5 and 6 sound great for how portable they are. They both have bass radiators that you can see and feel vibrating as music plays. The sound is quite balanced up to about 70% volume, but when I pushed my phone higher than that, the bass tapped out a lot earlier than the treble.
These devices don’t match up to JBL’s own Charge lineup; those speakers have larger drivers for more thunderous bass. While the Flips can still be heard throughout a backyard, the Charges will sound much fuller thoughout it.
If you’re okay with a larger device that’s still very well priced, I actually recommend the Charge 4 or 5 instead.
The primary difference between the Flip 5 and 6 when it comes to sound is the tweeter added to the Flip 6. This gives the highs a bit more detail, but it also makes the default sound signature a bit harsh. Fortunately, the EQ adjustment option (which the Flip 5 lacks) lets you compensate for this if it’s a bit too screechy for you.
So, slight edge to the Flip 6 in sound, but it’s not night and day. Even after testing for several days, I sometimes fail to guess which is playing correctly in a blind test.
Build Quality
The form factor of the Flip 5 and 6 makes them both just small enough to fit in a large pocket. There are only a couple real changes in the build between these.
The IP67 rating means the Flip 6 has dustproofing in addition to being waterproof. The IPX7 rating of the Flip 5 doesn’t account for dust and sand.
Another small addition is the small plastic nub at the bottom of the Flip 6. This helps it say in place a bit better than the bump on the bottom of the Flip 5.
These are very minor differences, and both speakers shook off my water hose test with ease.
Verdict
JBL Flip 5 (left) and Flip 6.
The JBL Flip 6 is a very slight improvement over the Flip 5. The main buffs are a bit more detail added to the treble due to the tweeter and an equalization option available in software.
I recommend the Flip 6, but if you find the Flip 5 on a huge sale, you won’t be losing out on too much.
And again if you don’t care about being able to shove your speaker in a (large) pocket, the Charge 4 and Charge 5 are even better options.
