Jbl PULSE 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

n terms of dimensions and technical specifications, the Pulse 5 and the JBL Charge 5, which we already had in review, seem to be very similar. If you ignore the slightly higher weight of the JBL Pulse 5 and its Plexiglas case with a semi-transparent inner cylinder. This is also the unique selling point: an all-round light show with various colors and patterns that goes far beyond the flashing of the light organ competitors with their individually appearing LEDs. The effect looks much more plastic and organic than the Pulse1 and Pulse 2. Accordingly, you pay a hefty surcharge for this feature. In return, the Pulse 5 also looks good in the home. It can only stand upright, and rather assumes the function of a multimedia lava lamp in the youth room of the 21st century. Or a particularly light-friendly party speaker for on the go that is also pleasantly waterproof and protected against dirt (IP67). With a total weight of 1.5 kg and a small carrying strap, the Pulse 5 is also sufficiently mobile.

Despite the ‘focus’ on the lighting technology, JBL installs a sophisticated sound technology, which, however, differs in configuration, arrangement and dimensioning from the Charge 5. A fully active 2-way arrangement with a 1.6 cm tweeter and a 6.4 cm low-midrange driver is found in the Pulse 5 in an unusual location: the two drivers sit facing upwards under a plastic grille decorated with JBL logos. Two Class D amplifiers fire the two drivers with 30 and 10 watts, respectively.

Experience shows that the fully active separation brings an extra clarity when the woofer is already running at its limit. To prevent this from happening so quickly, another passive membrane in the base area supports the lower bass range. JBL allows itself the luxury of giving the bass radiator an LED light ring. To allow light and sound to escape sideways, the Bluetooth speaker stands on three legs made of rubberized plastic.