JBL Go 3 Review
- Set
- Construction
- Sound quality
JBL GO 3 review in three summary sentences
Fine workmanship and sound that does not disappoint – these are the most important features of the reviewed loudspeaker. Apart from the lack of a microphone and a mini-jack, it is a complete model. JBL GO 3 is distinguished by the material with which it is coated, which has both advantages and disadvantages.
Benefits
- Sound quality and volume
- Dust and water resistant
- Interesting look and lots of color options to choose from
- The manufacturer has finally put on USB-C in the GO series speaker …
Disadvantages
- … but got rid of the mini-jack connector and the plug protecting the ports
- The material used to cover the loudspeaker is easy to water and takes quite a long time to dry
When looking for an inexpensive, handy mobile speaker from a well-known company, the JBL GO 3 comes to mind as one of the more obvious propositions. The American brand has been recognized for years as one of the leaders in the category of portable audio devices that accompany us at parties, picnics, holiday trips and outdoor training. We checked how one of the smallest speakers in the JBL range is doing and whether it is worth considering buying it.
Contents
JBL GO 3 – kit contents, construction and quality of the device
In a small, transparent box, in addition to the speaker itself, you will find a USB-C cable, user manual and warranty card. The speaker came to me without packaging, but with the original charging cable. Its length has improved compared to previous models in the series. It is a pity, however, that JBL did not decide to match the speaker and cable in color.
The GO series can be described as almost cult – the average person hearing the words portable speaker will probably have one of these models in front of their eyes. However, there were some changes to the design. While the JBL GO was almost a typical cuboid, and the GO 2 already had subtle curves, the GO 3 is already very rounded . There are no flat edges on the bottom and top of the speaker. In addition to the side plastic inserts, plastic buttons and rubber elements, the device is covered with a material resembling very tightly arranged strings. The colors are intense and the speaker looks great.
There is a large JBL inscription on the front of the loudspeaker. The upper edge houses the buttons for volume control and play / pause. On the right side we have buttons for turning the device on and off and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as a small LED. On the left side there is a handle for easy portability of the speaker and a USB-C port . There are several rubber elements at the bottom to improve the stability of the device.
The whole structure seems to be solidly made. The buttons are firmly seated and the grip is very strong. Only the material finish of the loudspeaker is puzzling . It looks very nice, but it is difficult to say whether after a few months of using the equipment, e.g. in the sun or after repeated contact of the device with sand and water, the material will look much worse.
Specification and price JBL GO 3
We already know what the JBL GO 3 looks like and what its build quality is like. It’s time to go to the device specification , which looks like this:
- Power (RMS): 4.2 W
- Frequency response: 110 Hz – 20 kHz
- Signal to noise ratio:> 85 dB
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1
- Profiles: A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6
- Transmitter frequency range: 2402 MHz – 2480 MHz
- Transmitter power: ≤ 8 dBm (EIRP)
- Transmitter modulation: GFSK, π / 4 DQPSK, 8DPSK
- Waterproof: IP67
- Battery: Lithium-ion polymer, 2.775 Wh (Equivalent to 3.7V / 750mAh)
- Charging: 5V / 1A, 2.5 hours
- Music playing time: up to 5 hours
- Dimensions: 87.5 × 75 × 41.3 mm
- Weight: 209 g
The loudspeaker is available in a dozen or so color versions , which can be seen on the product card provided by the manufacturer. I had the opportunity to test the blue variant, without contrasting details.
It’s been a while since the premiere of the reviewed speaker and it currently costs $49.95 in the official JBL store . In popular electronics stores, however, you can buy a device for about $42.93.
Impressions from using the loudspeaker
The sound coming from the reviewed speaker gives no reason to complain. It’s clean enough and the sounds have their own depth. As for a model from this price range, the loudspeaker also offers quite strong bass. You can definitely see the progress compared to the previous models in the series. JBL has got us used to the fact that even in the cheapest models at maximum volume there is no clicks or noises . This is also the case with the GO 3 model.
Speaking of volume, the JBL GO 3 sounds really loud… for a loudspeaker of this size. At home, at a meeting in an open space for several people or during training, it is enough. However, there is no point in deluding ourselves that we will start a solid party with this model . The more so as the sound from the loudspeaker is quite directed in one direction, which is obviously due to the design of the device.
I did not notice any problems with the range of the loudspeaker and the stability of the connection. JBL GO 3 plays normally when we move away with the phone a dozen or so large steps in the open. The walls are not a problem either – the phone can be in the room, and the loudspeaker will play music in the kitchen without any problems. You have to really try to lose connection with the device. When we go too far, however, we can hear a slight crackling and cutting of the music. Remember that JBL GO 3 does not have a mini-jack input and we will not connect another device to it with a cable.
The manufacturer’s declared maximum working time on a single charge is five hours , but during the tests I managed to get much better results. After about seven hours, the loudspeaker was still playing music, only informing the flashing LED about the low battery. Most of the time, the music was played at medium volume levels, but in the case of such a small loudspeaker during work there is nothing to complain about.
The device can be taken into the field without any obstacles
JBL GO 3 is IP67 certified, which proves its resistance to dust and water. The loudspeaker can be easily washed under running water or even submerged in water. When we do this, the device will not even stop playing music. However, it must be remembered that the specific material that is covered with GO 3 dries quite a long time . In addition, JBL did not use a plug with gaskets for the charging socket, as it was in the GO 2 model, so just in case I would advise not to pour water in this place. After the speaker comes into contact with water, it is also better to wait for it to dry before connecting it to charging.
JBL GO 3 differs from its predecessors, among others handle for easy portability . It is really firmly seated and allows us to hang our loudspeaker on something. However, the clip does not have the latch that is found on JBL Clip models.
Read Also: JBL Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker review: a speaker with small and big updates
JBL GO 3 review – summary
The JBL GO 3 offers practically everything that a portable speaker should have for the money. The quality of workmanship and sound do not give cause for complaint . The device looks interesting and comes in so many color variants that everyone will find something for themselves. If you can do without a microphone and a mini-jack connector, it is definitely worth taking an interest in this model. As the GO series evolves, you can’t wait to see what the GO 4 will be like.
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