The Go 4 Wows With Its Value For Money
Key Takeaways:
- The Go 4 introduces multispeaker pairing to the Go range.
- Retains audio clarity and detail even at higher volume levels.
- Offers improved durability over the previous model.
- Features new custom EQ options to effectively change the listener’s preference.
The Bottom Line
The JBL Go 4 sets a new standard for the Go series by introducing multispeaker pairing and customizable sound using the JBL Portable app. It retains the best aspects of the Go 3 while improving the quality of materials and its overall durability. Battery life is better than its predecessor though mediocre, but considering its affordable price point, the Go 4 is still an outstanding speaker with detailed sound and useful functionality.
Specifications
Release Date: | May 2024 |
Battery Life: | Up to 7 hours (+2 Hrs With PlaytimeBoost) |
Water Resistance: | IP67 |
Wireless Stereo Pairing: | Yes |
Power Output: | 4.2W |
Frequency Response: | 90 Hz – 20 kHz |
Driver/Transducer: | 45 mm / 1.75” |
Charging Type: | USB-C |
Mobile App: | Yes (JBL Portable) |
Size: | 3.7 x 3.0 x 1.7″ |
Weight: | 0.42 lbs |
What I Like:
- Supports multispeaker pairing
- Durable construction for outdoor use
- App support with custom EQ
- Super lightweight and easy to carry
What I Don’t Like:
- Some buttons have a small clickable target area
- Volume hasn’t changed much since the Go 3
My Experience With The Go 4
I’ve been using the JBL Go 4 for nearly 6 months now, testing it against similar speakers and frequently taking it with me on day trips down to the river. I usually just toss it into my pocket or backpack and I’m good to go – after all, it weighs less than half a pound. During this time, I’ve made extensive notes of my experiences with the speaker and these are my thoughts.
Small & Light Enough To Be Taken Anywhere
As you can see in the image above, the Go 4 is a small speaker that fits into the palm of my hand. This lets me take it anywhere I’m going, I’ve even used it for birding adventures as I can carry it with me in my pocket and then take it out when needed to play calls. It’s this highly portable nature that sets the Go apart from larger speakers and why I prefer it to larger speakers like the Flip 6 when I am doing a lot of walking.
Durable Design That Can Withstand Water & Dust
- Water and dust-resistant design.
- Although prone to collecting dirt, it can be easily washed off with a hose.
- Improved construction that ensures longer-lasting use.
I’ve found that the fabric wrap is prone to getting dirty, especially around dust and sand – but cleaning it couldn’t be easier. Since it’s got IP67 waterproofing (the highest level found in waterproof Bluetooth speakers), I can just hose it down to get rid of any of the debris that gets caught on the fabric. I’ve also taken advantage of its water resistance by using it in the pool during the summer months. Even if it drops into the water, it’s protected for up to 30 minutes at a depth of under 1 meter.
If you’re on the fence between the Go 4 and the Clip 5 and lean more towards the Clip because of its built-in carabiner, I’ve found that attaching a regular carabiner to the Go 4 using the carry loop can achieve the same basic functionality, without having to fork out an additional $30.
If you owned the Go 3 and were disappointed by the quality of the rubber stabilizers, you’ll be happy to know the quality of these accents is much better on the Go 4 and unlikely to peel off.
Simple Controls That Are Easy To Use, But Not Perfect
- Basic controls that are easy to understand, yet comprehensive.
- Separate control areas for pairing/power and playback.
- Buttons can take a little getting used to cause of their narrow activation area.
The Go 4 has relatively simple controls which are split into two sections. On the side of the speaker are its pairing and power buttons while the top panel is where the playback controls are.
I’m a big fan of JBL adding a way to skip tracks backwards, as when I tested the Go 3 I was sometimes left frustrated, needing to grab my phone to go back a track. The way it’s achieved on the Go 4 is by having the play button act as a track skip button too. Tap it twice to skip forward and tap it three times to jump back a track.
A small issue I have with these controls is that despite having a raised tactical button, pressing on the edges of the button sometimes doesn’t trigger the action. I’ve found this to be because the clickable area is a bit smaller than the physical button. Once you’re aware of it, it’s quite simple to avoid but takes a little getting used to.
I would also have preferred for the pairing buttons on the side of the speaker to be backlit, but, understandably, there are limitations at this price point.
The Next Generation Of Wireless Pairing Is Here
- The Go 4 supports Auracast as a method of multispeaker pairing.
- Auracast opens up the potential for cross-brand pairing.
The Go 4 (left) and Clip 5 (right) can be paired together using the new Auracast functionality.
This is the first time that the Go series has supported Auracast pairing. What’s Auracast? Without boring you with technical terms, it’s a new way to connect more than one speaker so that both play the same sound from a single phone.
If you’re wondering what makes Auracast different from JBL’s previous PartyBoost function, it’s mainly got to do with the broader support that Auracast can achieve. PartyBoost was a proprietary JBL feature, meaning you couldn’t cross-pair between brands. Although Auracast is still in its infancy, in a few years we may be able to connect different brands of speakers in the same way.
I’ve tested the Go 4’s Auracast pairing with my Clip 5 and could easily pair the two speakers together, increasing the coverage. I don’t personally use multispeaker pairing that often, but it’s a great function to have available, especially if a friend or family member also owns a supporting speaker.
Also Read: How to Pair JBL Speakers
Reliable Bluetooth Connectivity
I’ve found the Bluetooth to be very reliable and the connection range tends to exceed the volume range, meaning you’re more likely to run out of sound before your connection drops. But it’s not just the range and stability of the Bluetooth that matters, the move to Bluetooth 5.3 has a direct impact on sound quality too.
Using my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, I got a high-quality sound experience that was made possible by the more modern Bluetooth version. But keep in mind that connecting to the Go 4 using an old phone may not be an accurate representation of the speaker’s potential.
The Go 4 Delivers Limited Volume, But Excellent Clarity and Detail
- The Go 4 has outstanding clarity and detail for a speaker of its size.
- Get the sound dialed in perfectly with the preset or custom EQ options.
- A thumpy bass and crisp vocals make it versatile between genres.
- Volume is limited, and not suitable for bigger groups of people.
When I review a small speaker like this, I need to remind myself to compare apples with apples and not go into it assuming it can compete with any other Bluetooth speaker out there. So how does it sound and how does it compare with similar-sized speakers?
Well, the first thing I noticed when I listened to it was the clarity of the vocals. Small speakers like this often try to overdo the bass, which is great if the bass is all you care about. But a well-designed speaker should balance bass with clarity and the Go 4 does just that.
Although I mostly listen to shoegaze, metal, and hip-hop, I found this speaker performed well in the genres that I tested. Although not quite as bass-heavy as the Sony XB100, the thumpy sound it produces still works well to enhance EDM and Hip-Hop where bass is a key component.
The standout feature for me, however, is the ability to adjust the EQ, something that wasn’t afforded on the previous generations of the Go or the Clip. EQ stands for equalization and it’s a way to adjust different frequencies on the speaker, allowing you to bring them more to the forefront or reduce them. For example, if you find there’s not enough bass you can use the app to EQ the speaker and increase the lows.
Overall, the sound quality is really impressive and stands out from most other speakers of its size, particularly in the amount of detail that can be heard, something the tech guys call ‘dynamics’. However, it doesn’t get very loud reaching a maximum of 83.3 dB in my measured tests (that’s about enough volume to fill a small room, but not to entertain large groups of people).
JBL’s New PlaytimeBoost Gives Listeners More Battery Life
- The Go 4 gets between 2 and 4 hours more playtime than its predecessor.
- The new PlaytimeBoost feature can extend playtime by reducing bass.
- Overall playtime still lags behind some competing speakers from other brands.
Manufacturer Playtime: Up to 7 hours
Playtime at 50% (Tested): 7 Hours 4 Minutes
Charging Time: 3 Hours and 12 Minutes
Battery life is really important to me and I feel like this is an area where the Go 4 could have done better. Granted, 7 hours of playtime is not uncommon in speakers of this size. However, it falls short of the similarly sized Sony XB100, which just feels like a missed opportunity from JBL.
However, when I think about my Go 3, I was getting an average of 2 hours less per charge than I do with the Go 4. So while the Go 4 is still a noteworthy upgrade from the Go 3 in terms of battery life, it still lags behind a few competitors.
Thankfully there is a new feature offered called PlaytimeBoost, which essentially cuts the amount of bass down in exchange for more playtime. It’s not the most elegant way to increase playtime, but it does give an extra 2 hours without losing much sound quality. Charging is also quick and can be completed in around 3.25 hours.
Mobile App Support Is a Game Changer
There is no way to overstate the magnitude of the mobile app.
I frequently use the EQ presets and custom EQ depending on the music I’m listening to at the time. When I’m feeling like some Hip-Hop, I boost the bass and treble, and when I’m listening to metal, I balance it out again. You don’t always need to be hopping in and out of the app to make changes, but it’s cool to know the option is always there.
In addition to sound customization, the app shows you the current battery life and has a toggle for the PlaytimeBoost feature.
The app can also be used to establish pairing groups of more than one speaker.
My Final Thoughts
Having tested over a dozen small Bluetooth speakers in the last year, I can confidently say the Go 4 is among my favorites. I love how easy it is to carry and its price tag makes it accessible to a lot of people, which I believe is important. The addition of multispeaker pairing and app support are both major additions to the Go series and separate them from many of the other similar-sized options. With that said, I still think JBL could improve the buttons a bit and get the battery life slightly higher.
- Ultra-portable JBL Pro Sound with punchier bass: Don’t let its little size fool you. The JBL Go 4 packs a serious musical punch. Your friends won’t believe how much great JBL Pro Sound comes out of such a small speaker.