JBL Flip 3 Splashproof Portable Stereo Bluetooth Speaker (Black)
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Brand | JBL |
Model Name | MAIN-39865 |
Speaker Type | Outdoor |
Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth |
Special Feature | built-in-microphone, echo-certified |
About this item
- Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
- The durable fabric material and rugged rubber housing allows your speaker to outlast all of your adventures
- Wireless Bluetooth Streaming Wirelessly connect up to 3 smartphones or tablets to the speaker and take turns playing surprisingly powerful, room-filling stereo sound.
- 3000mAH Rechargeable Battery: Built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery supports up to 10 hours of playtime; Build your own ecosystem by connecting multiple JBL Connect enabled speakers together to amplify the listening experience
- Take crystal clear calls from your speaker with the touch of a button thanks to the noise and echo cancelling speakerphone
- Splashproof means no more worrying about rain or spills; you can even clean it with running tap water, Just don’t submerge it; Hear the bass, feel the bass, see the bass. Dual external passive radiators demonstrate just how powerful your speakers are
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From the manufacturer

JBL Flip 3 Splashproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
All-purpose, all-weather companion jbl flip 3 is the next generation wireless speaker in the award-winning flip series. It is a comprehensive portable Bluetooth speaker that delivers surprisingly powerful, room-filling stereo sound everywhere. This ultra-compact speaker is powered by a 3000mah rechargeable li-ion battery that offers up to 10 hours of continuous playtime. Sporting a durable, splash proof fabric and available in 8 vibrant colors, flip 3 is the all-purpose, all-weather companion that integrates music into every aspect of your life - from tabletop to poolside, from sunny mornings to rainy nights. Flip 3 also features a built-in noise and echo cancelling speakerphone for crystal clear conference calls, and jbl connect technology that can wirelessly link multiple jbl connect-enabled speakers together to amplify the listening experience.
Product information
Product Dimensions | 7.5 x 4.5 x 3.9 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 1 pounds |
ASIN | B0145EOFDO |
Item model number | JBLFLIP3BLK |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. |
Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #1,945 in Portable Bluetooth Speakers #11,709 in MP3 & MP4 Player Accessories |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | September 27, 2017 |
Department | Bluetooth Speaker |
Manufacturer | JBL |
Warranty & Support
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Product Description
JBL Flip 3 Splashproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Black
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2016
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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If you want the shortest possible answer: We're keeping the Flip 3 and giving the SoundCore XL as a gift. But it was almost a coin toss about which was going to stay.
Sound:
I wanted this speaker to have enough volume for modest outdoor gatherings (both meet that criteria, though the Flip 3 is probably a touch louder) and sound good enough that I wouldn't mind having it playing in the house. I'm also biased against today's tendency for consumer speakers to emphasize bass response over every other frequency range. If you like your music boom-y, I'm not going to like the same speakers that you will.
My wife and I listened to each of them across a wide range of music from classical to folk to hip-hop to pop to hard rock, trying to get a sense of which we liked better. The answer, as it turned out, was "it depends." The Flip 3 is definitely not as "flat" audibly as the SoundCore. Within the limits of what you can do with a small speaker, the Flip seems to emphasize the bass and treble ends of the spectrum more. High treble even sounded unnaturally "sizzly" for a couple songs. In others, the vocalist almost seemed a bit buried under the rest of the mix--though never disturbingly so. (We're talking nuance here, and your ears may have a different experience.)
The SoundCore is definitely more flat sounding. It doesn't produce as much bass as the Flip, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, and it never had the sizzling issue in the treble. It just sounds...even. People used to the punchy sound emphasized by consumer speaker and headphone manufacturers, however, may find that the music lacks a bit of life.
Which did we prefer? Ultimately it depended on what we were playing. Folk, country and music from the 70s and 80s that clearly was mixed with the intent of playing over the radio we often preferred on the SoundCore. More current pop, rock, and hip-hop sounded better to us on the JBL. In the final count, the JBL came out on top, but not by much. I've been listening to both for a few days now, switching back and forth every so often, and I find that I'm inclined toward the JBL, but I certainly don't mind the SoundCore.
Size and Build:
The SoundCore Sport XL is about 7 x 3 x 1.75 inches and wrapped in what feels like very sturdy, slightly rubbery plastic. It's definitely heavy in your hand and makes you feel confident that it can hold up to some rigorous outdoor use. The biggest issue with the design is that I found myself constantly grabbing into the bass port on the back, which includes a metal cover over a stretchy membrane for a passive woofer. I have no idea if pushing on the cover would damage the passive woofer, but it was disconcerting.
The Flip 3 is 6.5 x 2.5 inches and covered in a dense fabric with hard plastic ends. It's slightly lighter in the hand, and the cylindrical shape makes it more comfortable to pick up and carry around. It feels solidly built if not quite as tank-like as the SoundCore. The Flip3's dual bass ports are on the ends, out of the way unless you have a very odd approach to picking up cylinders.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 10, 2016
If you want the shortest possible answer: We're keeping the Flip 3 and giving the SoundCore XL as a gift. But it was almost a coin toss about which was going to stay.
Sound:
I wanted this speaker to have enough volume for modest outdoor gatherings (both meet that criteria, though the Flip 3 is probably a touch louder) and sound good enough that I wouldn't mind having it playing in the house. I'm also biased against today's tendency for consumer speakers to emphasize bass response over every other frequency range. If you like your music boom-y, I'm not going to like the same speakers that you will.
My wife and I listened to each of them across a wide range of music from classical to folk to hip-hop to pop to hard rock, trying to get a sense of which we liked better. The answer, as it turned out, was "it depends." The Flip 3 is definitely not as "flat" audibly as the SoundCore. Within the limits of what you can do with a small speaker, the Flip seems to emphasize the bass and treble ends of the spectrum more. High treble even sounded unnaturally "sizzly" for a couple songs. In others, the vocalist almost seemed a bit buried under the rest of the mix--though never disturbingly so. (We're talking nuance here, and your ears may have a different experience.)
The SoundCore is definitely more flat sounding. It doesn't produce as much bass as the Flip, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, and it never had the sizzling issue in the treble. It just sounds...even. People used to the punchy sound emphasized by consumer speaker and headphone manufacturers, however, may find that the music lacks a bit of life.
Which did we prefer? Ultimately it depended on what we were playing. Folk, country and music from the 70s and 80s that clearly was mixed with the intent of playing over the radio we often preferred on the SoundCore. More current pop, rock, and hip-hop sounded better to us on the JBL. In the final count, the JBL came out on top, but not by much. I've been listening to both for a few days now, switching back and forth every so often, and I find that I'm inclined toward the JBL, but I certainly don't mind the SoundCore.
Size and Build:
The SoundCore Sport XL is about 7 x 3 x 1.75 inches and wrapped in what feels like very sturdy, slightly rubbery plastic. It's definitely heavy in your hand and makes you feel confident that it can hold up to some rigorous outdoor use. The biggest issue with the design is that I found myself constantly grabbing into the bass port on the back, which includes a metal cover over a stretchy membrane for a passive woofer. I have no idea if pushing on the cover would damage the passive woofer, but it was disconcerting.
The Flip 3 is 6.5 x 2.5 inches and covered in a dense fabric with hard plastic ends. It's slightly lighter in the hand, and the cylindrical shape makes it more comfortable to pick up and carry around. It feels solidly built if not quite as tank-like as the SoundCore. The Flip3's dual bass ports are on the ends, out of the way unless you have a very odd approach to picking up cylinders.


I own one other portable bluetooth speaker from a company called Ematic (I think that is sold under different brand now).
It works fine, but I wanted a speaker with better sound and bass response.
I'll review this bluetooth speaker thru three lenses: design, sound and usability.
DESIGN:
Simple but modern. Like it overall. I find it odd that JBL/Harmon would put the bass ports on the side, but if you stand it on one end, you don't get the benefit of a bass port. You either have to hang this unit up or lay it down lengthwise, which is what I'm doing with the logo facing me, letters oriented up as if you wanted to read them clearly.
Love seeing the bass ports flutter in and out, but know that I'll need to be mindful of keeping sand and dirt/object out of those.
I can see where a case can come in handy if one plans to travel a lot with it. My application will be in my sons' bedroom, paired with either portable devices or a bluetooth transmitter connected to an LED projector for TV/movies.
SOUND:
The sound signature across the low, mid and high frequencies is pleasant and, IMHO, reflects the artists' intention of the presentation/recording of the source material. Basically, JBL/Harmon wisely decided not to add any built-in bass or midrange "enhancements" that would color the music. Treble is good but not shrill, midrange is clear and vocals are also; bass response it good and defined without being muddy. At high volume on certain material, the bass does get clipped, but it's not too noticeable. I am not getting any unnecessary hiss at low volume levels as others have reported.
USABILITY:
This is where I take a star off. I have two mobile Android phones - Moto G3 and G4 phones. The unit paired immediately with the Moto G3, which is running an older version of Android 6 (Marshmallow). My Moto G4 running a newer Marshmallow update could see the unit but not pair with it.
I installed the JBL Connect app on the Moto G3 and was able to update the firmware on the speaker, and then it paired successfully with the Moto G4 phone.
What are people to do when they don't have a second mobile device that can connect to the speaker for the firmware update?
For many, that firmware upgrade process is too much of a rigamarole to go thru -- and I can see why there's stock of factory refurbished units available out there (I bought this refurbed unit for $30 less than Amazon's going price of $99+tax).
Physically, all buttons are easy to reach and they respond to regular touch -- no need to press super hard.
Good visual indicators for bluetooth connection and battery life on the outside.
Also like that when the unit pairs successfully, a pleasing musical tone plays (this may annoy some -- not sure if that is configurable).
A tone also plays when max volume is reached.
For Android users: note that when you increase or decrease volume on your device, that's the same as pressing the "+" or "-" buttons on the device.
I have not used the speaker as a speakerphone for a conference call, so can't speak to how well that works.
I also have not been able to test the JBL Connect functionality that allows one to connect two of these units together for stereo sound (this was a reason for purchasing the unit though -- depending on how well this performs for the next month or so, I plan to buy another just for this reason).
POSTSCRIPT: 10/28/16 -- just ordered another refurbed unit -- and it sounded bad with lots of static as if the speaker was already blown.
If you do buy one of these, test it immediately and make sure it sounds good. Amazon is great with returns, so I went ahead and ordered a new one. Still enjoy this speaker a lot, just be sure to check it out right when you get it so if you do have to return it, you can do so within the window Amazon provides. I also had to do the firmware update again, using a different phone since my other couldn't detect it before the upgrade -- JBL: YOU'VE GOT TO FIX THAT! Moreover, why is the company shipping speakers that are "factory refurbished" but don't have the latest firmware - surely you could do this before shipping it out!
POSTSCRIPT: 2/28/17: Since I have two of these, I've been using the "connect" feature: LOVE THIS FEATURE. It takes a stereo audio signal and splits it across two of these speakers. It works flawlessly. You don't even need to use the app to connect the speakers! Really glad I bought these. I have an LCD projector I've been with a Fire TV stick that is paired via Bluetooth to one of the Connect speakers for wireless audio: instant home theater!
I have also connected with a hardwire 1/8" cable to my Sprout AV amplifier with good results also.
Top reviews from other countries

Sound quality is very good, but don't expect Bose level quality. I can sound scratchy at full volume and even normally it can sound ever so slightly echoey. Note that I usually use it for podcasts and for music, it's absolutely fine.
Battery life is very solid, I use it intermittently, perhaps 3 hours a day and it seems to last the best part of the week. Comes with a gorgeous orange charging cable (no plug, but you have a USB plug somewhere). The USB head is smart and is bi-directional because of a rubber flap inside. Getting the charging port open is a little tricky, but that's the price you pay for it being splash-proof, which is great when I want to take it to brush my teeth.
It feels robust, but the speakers at either end are exposed and although they're protected by raised bevels, I'm concerned when I accidentally touch the skin. It's not a massive problem the way I use it though.
Looks great in the black with the little orange brushed metal logo.



