JBL is an American audio giant, which specialises in manufacturing high-end speakers, headphones and other audio accessories. Famous for supplying recording studios, music venues, and cinemas with sophisticated equipment, the company also has plenty to offer for home users and those who need mobile audio solutions. This hotukdeals buyer's guide will help you make the perfect purchase from the JBL range, explaining everything JBL offers. So read on to find where to buy your latest JBL product and the best JBL deals.
The JBL story started when James Bullough Lansing (JBL) teamed up with Ken Decker in Los Angeles during the 1920s. In the 30s, the company (then known as Lansing) started supplying powerful speakers to MGM cinemas, and introduced two-way “Iconic” speakers, which revolutionised the audio potential of cinema theatres.
Decker passed away in 1939, and Lansing himself left the scene in the 1940s, but the company took on a life of its own. Trading under the name Altec Lansing, it introduced popular products like the JBL Bullet – an innovative ring radiator driver. And its Hartsfield and Paragon speakers epitomised 1950s style – so much so that they are coveted by retro audio collectors today (and many are still in working order).
During the 70s and 80s, JBL dominated the recording market, and its monitors were a common sight in studios across the world. But the company didn't limit itself to professional customers. Models like the Northridge speaker range started to capture a mass audience, as well.
Nowadays, the company has evolved into a two-pronged provider of professional services and personal audio products. That's great news for audio fans, who can benefit from JBL's decades of experience, whether they need Bluetooth headphones or Bluetooth speakers for home cinema setups.
In the speaker department, JBL products have few equals. Most industry benchmarking puts them above highly regarded brands like Bose in terms of sound quality and consistency. If they shop in a JBL speakers sale, UK customers will also tend to find lower prices than Bose offers, although that brand does have its own strengths. But overall, JBL is one of the best speaker manufacturers around.
What about headphones though? That's an entirely different area of expertise, and one where JBL doesn't have such a long history of excellence. Thankfully, they have got up to speed very quickly, producing headphones that compete well with alternatives like Beats by Dre or Bose headphones.
JBL headphones tend to have strong noise cancellation properties, so users won't be distracted by ambient sounds when listening on the tube or bus. The vast majority of models have wireless functionality, which makes them great for home use when preparing meals or just chilling out. The apps provided are intuitive and powerful and, most importantly, the sound quality generated by JBL headphones is right up there with the elite manufacturers.
This is reflected in feedback from industry commentators. For instance, Rtings comments that JBL's headphones are “feature packed” and “technologically advanced”, while admitting that some models aren't as comfortable to wear as they could be. What Hi-Fi? is generally positive about the JBL range, with a few reservations. It's a large product selection, so some duds are inevitable. But we'll try to flag them up as we run through JBL's most popular headphone designs.
If you need a pair of headphones to wear while commuting, jogging, or just relaxing on the sofa, JBL is definitely a brand that's worth exploring. The American audio company offers a vast range of headphones, and we can't cover all of them here. But we can provide an introduction to some of the most important current models, that you'll find in the hotukdeals JBL sale listings:
JBL Live – Currently JBL's flagship headphones collection, Live models excel when it comes to noise cancellation. They have an extended battery life, offer vibrant sound quality, and are designed for comfortable wearing, even during hours of music listening. According to Tech Radar, the 650BTNC Live headphones offer superb value, with noise-cancelling performance that rivals Bose or Sony headphones, at a fraction of the price.
JBL Tune – Usually available for around half the price of Live models, Tune over-the-ear headphones lack the active noise cancelling that their more upmarket cousins provide. However, according to industry experts, they still come through with excellent bass notes and comfort over long listening periods.
UA Sport – Designed for runners and cyclists who want to be entertained while they work out, UA Sport headphones come in over-the-ear and in-the-ear versions, so users can choose which design works best for them. The over-the-ear headphones are totally wire-free, which helps when you're on the treadmill or exercise bike. Both versions have adaptable settings which can switch to “ambient mode” so that wearers can hear their immediate environment. That's handy if traffic is a worry, and you can switch back in an instant.
Wireless In-Ear Headphones – JBL has come up with an accomplished range of in-ear headphones, including the JBL Free and Tune 120TWS models. All are wireless, but offer varying amounts of playback. For instance, the best Free models deliver around 4 hours of battery life on a single charge, which compares pretty well with competitors. IPX5 ratings give water and sweat resistance, while as with most JBL products, the brand's wireless in-ear headphones won't come with a massive price tag. However, be aware that the audio quality of JBL wireless headphones isn't quite as good as industry-leading alternatives like Bose or Jaybird. It's okay, but not stellar.
Speakers form the core of JBL's catalogue. After all, the company started out as an innovative supplier of formidable speakers to cinemas and gig venues, and it has continued its research and development efforts into the present day. Here are some products that audiophiles will want to take into consideration:
JBL Charge 3 – Designed in a “bullet” shape in classic JBL style, the Charge 3 has attracted plenty of admirers in the industry press, and with good reason. For starters, these speakers come with a massive 6,000mAh battery. That's far in excess of most portable speakers (although customers might note that the Charge 4 delivers 7,500mAh). In layman's terms, the Charge 3 provides around 20 hours of playback, long enough for the most decadent parties, and handy for taking to the beach or on country hikes. Small enough to pack into a rucksack and featuring a rugged build with fabric sheathing, the Charge 3 is very water-resistant, so can handle a little rain. It can also easily be hooked up to laptops and smartphones as desired. And the price tag is very, very affordable so if you need a set of cheap JBL speakers, you've come to the right place. All-in-all, it's a triumph of sound quality and portability.
JBL Charge 4 - As noted above, the Charge 4 is the successor to the Charge 3, and beefs up its battery reserve. But it doesn't just do that. Rated by TrustedReviews as the best JBL Bluetooth speaker, the Charge 4 offers superb inter-connectivity with smartphones and computers, has excellent bass performance, and may also be slightly more durable than its smaller brother. Of course, this does come with a marginally higher price tag that buyers will want to keep in mind.
JBL Flip 4 – Smaller than the Charge 3, the JBL Flip 4 is another high-quality option from the JBL portable speakers collection. Fully Bluetooth compatible, the Flip 4 is, if anything, even more rugged than the Charge 3, and is ideally suited to camping trips. And the bass performance is impressive, avoiding the “tinny” quality you find with so many portable models. It's not all cutting edge, though. Some reviewers have pointed to weedy mid-range performance, and the aesthetics aren't exactly eye-catching. But it's a reliable, compact portable speaker, with excellent wireless connectivity.
JBL Boombox – With the 1980s well and truly back in fashion, it wasn't actually that surprising to see JBL launch a modern twist on the classic Boombox. Highly portable and sporting a trademark handle on top of the unit, the Boombox is built for bass and volume – and beats the Flip and Charge families hands-down in this department. Splash-proof (so ideal for pool parties), and equipped with enough charge to belt out bangers for 24 hours, the Boombox is definitely made for socialising. But it's not perfect. It's a little on the heavy side, and some commentators have noticed that its audio performance dips notably when charge levels are low. Still, it's a retro-inspired piece of kit that will enliven anyone's parties.
JBL Home Speakers – So far, we've concentrated on specific portable speaker models, and that's not surprising. JBL has excelled in recent years at creating affordable, impressively powerful portable models. Even so, it's real expertise lies in high-end audio for interior spaces. And homeowners will have plenty of choices if they want to kit out their home cinema or music rooms. At the higher end of the price scale, the JBL PartyBox 300 offers wireless rechargeable audio power in a sleek casing. JBL Sound Bar 3.1 and 5.1 models combine woofers and soundbars to beef up TV audio experiences. The JBL Link speakers also deliver exceptional sound with smart home technology through Google Assistant. The JBL Link 10 and 20 are portable smart speakers, with the JBL Link 300 and 500 provide powerful, room-filling sound. And the JBL Control One range is perfect for attaching to wall brackets or bookshelves, directing audio exactly where it is needed.
Whether you opt for a pair of JBL headphones or a Boombox speaker, it's not always necessary to purchase JBL products brand new. In fact, at hotukdeals customers will often encounter offers for “refurbished” JBL products. What does this mean, and are these offers worth pursuing?
Unlike many other audio retailers, JBL has explicitly chosen to offer a refurbished Outlet section on its online store. This features products that have already been used by customers, then returned and repaired, before being resold. The savings can be significant (as much as 60% in places), and every product has been “quality checked” to ensure that it is in working order.
Should you focus on these deals and avoid brand new products? Possibly. If a specific model appears at the Outlet and it's heavily discounted, it would be foolish to pass it up. But the products on offer can be somewhat random, and it's not always advisable to purchase audio kit just because it is discounted. Instead, use the hotukdeals listings to find the JBL products you really want, not just ones that are massively reduced.
Not all JBL products are completely waterproof, which is something that customers should keep in mind when making any purchases.
For instance, you might ask is JBL Flip 3 waterproof? Well, in that case, the answer is “yes, but”. The company states that Flip 3 speakers are “splashproof”, which sounds great. However, splashproof isn't the same as water resistance, and Flip 3 speakers won't take kindly to being dunked in a pool or thrown over the edge of a kayak.
Instead, customers should look for IP ratings (the internationally accepted measurement of water resistance). Later models like the Flip 4 come with IPX7 ratings, which ensure a high degree of protection against water damage. And the company has also come up with a helpful page, listing models that are specifically designed to protect against water damage. So anyone with concerns can head there and take their pick from a range of more up-to-date designs.
By the way, this is one area where buying refurbished speakers can be a little risky. Older models may well be very cheap, but JBL has made a lot of progress in recent years in making its products more waterproof. Discounted Outlet products could be a little lacking in that department, so exercise caution.
JBL has almost a century of experience in producing high-quality speakers for recording studios, major music venues, and Hollywood cinemas. So it's no surprise to see that the American company has branched out successfully into creating portable speakers and products for home audio setups. What does surprise some people is how affordable JBL products are, compared with companies like Bose or Sony? That's undoubtedly true, but JBL products can still run into the hundreds of pounds. So saving money is essential. Let's see how you can do so.
Firstly, customers can shop at the JBL Outlet. As described above, it contains refurbished headphones and speakers (as well as a few accessories), usually at 50-60% reductions. The latest kit may not be listed, but plenty of accomplished audio products are there to purchase.
The company also offers a Sale section at its UK website. This tends to feature more recent models like Charge 4 speakers or Tune headphones, and the discounts can amount to 20-30%. So it's always a good place to check when shopping for JBL products.
If you don't want to shop for refurbished items, the next step is to visit the hotukdeals JBL listings. We feature some deals from the JBL Outlet, as well as promotions from the mainstream JBL Store. But customers will also find reductions from major UK audio merchants like Richer Sounds, John Lewis, Currys, Sainsbury's, Argos, and Amazon.
Shopping at the right time of year can help to drive down prices as well. JBL products are regularly reduced to coincide with November's Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions, while Amazon Prime Day is also an excellent time for bargain hunting. But, whenever you need to enhance your audio setup, you'll find plenty of sale promotions in the hotukdeals JBL listings.
JBL has been supplying Hollywood cinemas and recording studios since the 1920s. Nowadays, this famous American audio manufacturer has branched out into personal and home audio products in a big way, offering appealing portable speakers, comfortable earphones, and soundbars to enhance anyone's TV viewing. Whatever audio products you need, check out the hotukdeals JBL listings for the best prices around.
