JBL’s Go 4 speaker boasts an eye-catching design and incredible battery life in a compact form factor. Boasting JBL Pro Sound technology as well as a surprising bass response for such a small device.

Upgraded from its predecessor model, Auracast offers app support with equalization settings and the capability of pairing another speaker for stereo performance. There’s even a Playtime Boost mode to extend battery life by skipping bass altogether.

Sound

JBL Pro Sound delivers impressive audio quality despite its compact size and price. Though not the loudest portable speaker out there, the Go 4 should provide plenty of volume for day trips or evening chill sessions in smaller to medium-sized outdoor spaces. A 1.75-inch woofer and single passive radiator help this tiny speaker produce solid bass beats and crisp high frequencies – though its middling stereo performance may detract from this score; since it acts like a mono speaker rather than offering any L/R separation it may prove off-putting to some listeners.

An additional advancement of Go speakers over their predecessors is their new stereo feature, which allows you to pair two Go 4s together for enhanced stereo playback or wirelessly link them with other JBL Auracast-enabled speakers (though this does disable EQ). This should create some nice surround-sound when entertaining guests at backyard barbecues, pool parties or just relaxing at home.

The included app provides basic functions for controlling playback, monitoring battery life and renaming the Go 4. Additionally, there’s also a “PlayTime Boost” feature which extends playback by eliminating low-end frequencies to conserve energy. While I found the interface easy-to-use, additional customization options would have been welcome in terms of default EQ settings.

Design

JBL’s latest portable speaker lineup, known as the Go 4, stands out as both small and light in their portfolio of portable speakers. Measuring just 190 grams with an even smaller footprint, the Go 4 fits easily in backpacks or rucksacks without taking up too much room.

But this tiny speaker doesn’t just pack in a negligible amount of power; it also manages to defy its small size with impressively powerful and loud audio, despite its diminutive stature. While not designed for bass-heavy genres such as drum and bass, the Go 4 still packs enough punch for most listeners’ pleasure – especially its built-in Playtime Boost feature, which helps extend playback by bypassing EQ settings and sacrificing low frequencies in order to save battery life.

The design of the Go 4 speaker is both durable and water-resistant; its IP67 rating allows it to withstand being submerged in shallow water or dropped into pools, ponds, or ice buckets without damage to itself or surrounding speakers. Furthermore, this model contains partially recycled plastic materials, Auracast compatibility for multiple speaker pairing, no Type-C port cover like in Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 and Sony’s Ult Field 1 speakers, making this unit vulnerable if exposed to moisture.

Controls

JBL’s Go 4 ultraportable Bluetooth speaker lineup is an impressive upgrade on previous generations, boasting lighter weight, extended battery life and most of its same features – such as its 5-band customizable EQ that enhances music listening experience.

JBL’s Go 4 speaker stands out as being both small and affordable compared to similarly shaped competitors such as Tribit’s Stormbox Micro 2 or Go 3, offering exceptional value at under $80. It also has one of the lowest price tags of their range at just under 80 USD.

Controls on the Go 4 are straightforward: raised playback buttons are located in its top row and surrounded by silicone areas for maximum stability whether playing on a flat surface or upright in your hand. Meanwhile, its left panel houses power, Bluetooth pairing, and Auracast buttons that interact with relevant features on phones or tablets.

The JBL Go 4 splashproof speaker boasts an IP67 rating, making it safe to submerge it in water for over 30 minutes without suffering damage. When connected to other Auracast-supported speakers such as another Go 4, or any of its JBL Portable app-supported models (with Party Together feature support), stereo performance can be created; you can manage this through its EQ options or Party Together feature in JBL Portable app. Furthermore, its USB port enables hands-free calling as well as voice command functions.

Battery life

The Go 4 defies its small form, producing an engagingly robust and loud sound that fills any environment. While not intended for sub-bass heavy music like drum and bass, such as subwoofer heavy drum ‘n bass, the Go 4 still produces a pleasing punchy sound that holds its own. Furthermore, pairing is possible via wireless Auracast feature so two Go speakers may be combined to playback stereo audio or create larger home audio systems; an upgrade from previous generations which only offered mono playback without companion app functionality.

The JBL Go 4 boasts an excellent battery life of about seven hours, making it suitable for an evening party or camping trip. After this point, however, a recharge will be necessary; unlike our recommended fully waterproof speaker (Anker Soundcore Select 2S).

Note that the JBL Go 4 cannot handle hands-free calls and its Bluetooth range is fairly limited. Furthermore, its directivity falls short; off-axis listening tends to sound muddy and congested. While using its companion app’s EQ settings can help improve this, their limitations don’t completely overcome those of its design. There’s even a “Playtime Boost” setting which promises extended battery life by bypassing your EQ settings and cutting low frequencies as part of its power-conserving strategy – an effective way of increasing battery life further but we would advise keeping portable battery banks on hand for long trips!