Bluetooth speakers are riding the wave lately, mostly because they are compact, inexpensive, and the sound quality is above expectations.
Both the JBL Flip 4 and UE Boom 2 pass these criteria, but do they deserve room in your home? This analysis by our experts will highlight the main similarities and differences between these two portable gadgets.
JBL Flip 4 or UE Boom 2?
- 360-degree wireless speaker
- Connects up to 50 speakers
- Waterproof and shockproof
- Siri and Google integratio
- 12 hours of playtime
- Can connect up to 2 devices
- IPX7 Waterproof
- JBL Connect+
Features of JBL Flip 4 and UE Boom 2
Design
Featuring a cylindrical shape, both of them are designed to protect the inside speakers while still being visually appealing.
While UE 2 comes in two colors and can have infinite combinations by request and for extra costs, the JBL 4 comes as monochromatic, featuring only six single colors to choose from. If chromatics is very important to you, you might fall in love with these devices.
The Flip 4 has an optimized design, featuring the well-known cylindrical shape that JBL uses for most of its portable speakers including JBL Pulse 2 and Charge 3. It is compact and lightweight, and that makes it perfect for carrying it on a backpack.
The UE 2 is easy to carry too and well-engineered, but it is much more about the surface’s smoothness and high-quality feeling.
Overall, after reviewing both speakers, we consider that there is a slight difference between JBL 4 and UE 2.
Flip 4 and Boom 2 Sound Quality
If the speakers feature many similarities at design comparison, we will now take a more in-depth insight into the sound qualities.
Given their sizes, it is understandable that the bass radiators won’t be their top feature, yet these portable speakers don’t disappoint. This features bass radiators that will never get as low as a complex multi-piece sound system would, and it is perfectly defined for both of them.
While Flip 4 does not distort at all on low-end frequencies, even at the maximum volume, it can reach more resonant frequencies like 70 Hz compared with UE 2 that can reach only 90 Hz.
UE 2 does not disappoint either for its 360-degree sound quality, but when frequently used on higher volumes, the battery won’t keep up, so you will need to get prepared for plugging the charge.
Our experts noticed that both speakers are somehow preset to minimize the middle frequencies a little bit.
If you are into music genres where the vocals matter the most, or some mid-ranged instruments as in jazz [1], classical, or anything acoustic, you will get the feeling of something unfitting. However, this should not bother you too much.
Regarding high-end frequencies alone, UE 2 tends to sound clearer yet a little too highlighted. On the other hand, Flip 4 keeps the high-end sound accuracy although it does not reach that high peaks as UE 2.
Our experts concluded that while both of these portable speakers are generally well equalized, one is better. The JBL 4 sounds a little bit warmer than the UE 2.
Waterproofing
The Flip 4 vs UE Boom 2 comparison analysis also checks if these speakers are waterproof and what additional features they have.
Flip 4 is waterproof just like JBL Flip 5, including a waterproof speaker. Our experts tested the inbuilt IPX7 waterproofing system, and they noticed that JBL could indeed survive underwater.
UE 2 is waterproof as well but not just water-resistant. Both speakers are using an inbuilt IPX7 waterproofing system. This feature enables the user to listen to music even for outdoor use or in heavy rain conditions.
Additionally, the Flip 4 has some really useful and quite proactive features such as shock proofing, dust proofing, and droplets proofing — this is quite a resistant gadget.
Voice Assistants
You can control the speakers by voice command because they feature voice recognition and are working well with Google Assistant and Siri. So Boom 2 vs Flip 4 has no winner or loser in this case.
Wireless Connectivity
JBL allows users to connect two JBL 4 speakers in party mode via the its own Connect app, summing the left and right channels in both speakers or splitting them, as per the user’s choice.
However, one thing our experts noticed is while using the JBL app feature, you just cannot connect Flip 4 to other JBL speakers, not even to JBL Flip 3 or JBL Charge 3.
On the UE 2 side, only party mode is available. However, you can connect it to other Bluetooth speakers particularly Ultimate Ears speakers such as Original Boom, Boom 3, and Megaboom.
JBL 4 lacks the NFC option, but it has a stereo connection via the JBL Connect app, while UE 2 does not, but has the NFC option.
Regarding the number of Bluetooth connections that each speaker supports, our experts agreed: JBL 4 can get only 3, while UE 2 can support up to 8 connections.
Obviously, the winner of Boom 2 vs Flip 4 competition is the UE 2 portable speaker.
Battery Life of the Flip 4 and Boom 2
If there is an inconvenience about UE 2 power supply, this is the fact that on heavy usages such as high volumes and too much bass play, the battery life shortens faster than it would do on everyday use. This normally happens even in other Bluetooth speakers like JBL’s Xtreme or Bose Soundlink 3.
Talking of normal usage, the UE 2 speaker has a longer battery life that can support up to 15 hours of continuous functioning and the charge time is about 3.4 hours. Not bad!
JBL 4 can play up to 12 hours and the charge time is about 3.5 hours. It is better than the battery life of Harman Kardon Onyx 2 and Onyx 3 that can only last five hours. Not bad either, but our experts agreed on the winner of UE 2 vs JBL 4 discussion.
Flip 4 and Boom 2 Price
Another attractive JBL Flip 4 vs UE Boom 2 topic is related to their prices.
These speakers are quite similar, hence the fact that back in 2017, when these gadgets were launched, their prices were similar. However, as time had passed, the prices varied in some unexpected way.
As our experts pointed out, despite both speakers being built with the same technology, the Boom 2 is slightly more expensive than Flip 4 or even Charge 3.
Occasionally, depending on the seller and the stock availability, you can find great deals on both of these speakers.
What about the warranty? JBL 4 comes with a 1-year warranty, while UE 2 comes under a two-years warranty.
FAQ
Which is better: JBL Flip 4 or UE Boom 2?
Boom 2 is a better Bluetooth sound speaker than Flip 4, as it features an immersive 360-degree sound quality, but the differences are in fine details and great features that may catch your attention. The design, durability, sound quality, connectivity, and other features make the difference.
Overall Winner: UE Boom 2
Regardless of its higher price, UE Boom 2 is quite competitive with almost any other Bluetooth speakers from this category and price range. In our experts’ opinion, UE Boom 2 Bluetooth speaker is the absolute winner.
The UE Boom 2 is a reliable and stable Bluetooth speaker. In terms of design, the UE Boom 2 offers excellent functionality features. It has a D-shaped ring with a mounting gear on the bottom and, if you want, you can mount it on a tripod.
Other features making Boom 2 worth your money are the crystal-clear sound, especially middle and high frequencies. The sound overall is well-balanced, meeting the requirements of every music lover.
