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JBL Go 5 launches in China with 10-hour battery and Harman tuning
- The JBL Go 5 has quietly been launched in China.
- This sports an IP68-rated design and supports Bluetooth 6.0 and Auracast connectivity.
- The speaker is available for 399 yuan (~$58). No official US release date has been announced.
JBL has quietly launched its new JBL Go 5 speaker in China. Available in Black, Red, Sky Blue, Pink, Orange, and Deep Blue (Cloisonne), the speaker brandishes new Ambient Edge Lighting strips for interactive playback. It also features an IP68 rating for water and dust protection, weighs just 230g, and measures 101 x 77 x 43 mm.
Internally, JBL states that Harman Acoustics tuned the Go 5, resulting in superior sound quality compared to the Go 4. Indeed, its output power is rated at 4.8W RMS, representing a modest improvement over previous iterations. Under the hood is a 45mm driver with a frequency response range of 100 Hz to 19 kHz (-6dB) and a signal-to-noise ratio above 85 dB.
Future-proof features
Connectivity-wise, the JBL Go 5 supports Bluetooth 6.0 and includes the SBC, AAC, and LC3 codecs. The last scales down to very low bitrates (from 345 kbps to 160 kbps) while retaining good-sounding audio quality. The speaker also supports Auracast connectivity, enabling virtually unlimited wireless connections. There’s an AirTouch one-touch pairing function as well, designed to simplify device setup.
Those with multiple Go 5’s can enjoy automatic device pairing for stereo playback. Likewise, multiple speakers can be wirelessly linked for a multi-room setup. If lossless audio is preferred, the GO 5 supports USB-C connections and includes a built-in DAC for digital audio playback. The speaker features a 1000mAh lithium-ion battery, which reportedly provides up to 8 hours of continuous listening. You can also eke out a couple of extra hours by using the “Playtime Boost” mode. However, battery life varies based on listening volume, connectivity, audio content, and whether the lighting strips are enabled.
Price and availability
The JBL GO 5 is now available for pre-order in China for 399 yuan (roughly $58). If the company retains this price in the US, it would mark an $8 price increase upon the Go 4. While JBL hasn’t shared its global launch plans yet, the speaker will likely make its international debut in the coming days and weeks. Check out the promotional video for more information.
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