JBL Go 3 Vs. Clip 4: Which Portable Speaker Should You Get?

Portable Bluetooth speakers are a popular way to enjoy music on the go. Two of the top options on the market right now are the JBL Go 3 and Clip 4. But which one is right for you?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the JBL Go 3 and Clip 4 across various factors like sound quality, battery life, design, extra features and more. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the key similarities and differences between these JBL portable speakers.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	JBL Go 3	JBL Clip 4
Design	Ultra portable, puck-shaped	Clip for attaching, oval shape
Driver Size	40mm	45mm
Battery Life	Up to 5 hours	Up to 10 hours
Waterproof Rating	IP67	IP67
Bluetooth Version	5.1	5.1
Wireless Range	Up to 12m	Up to 12m
Volume Level	Lower maximum volume	Significantly louder
Sound Quality	Decent but lacks bass/clarity	Fuller, richer sound
Extra Features	Basic feature set	Multi-point pairing, USB-out charging
Colors	Multiple color options	Fewer color options
Price	Around $40 USD	Around $80 USD

Overview And Specs

The JBL Go 3 and Clip 4 are both compact, lightweight Bluetooth speakers. But there are some notable differences:

• Go 3 – Ultra-portable circular design that’s about the size of a hockey puck. Weighs 212g. IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating.
• Clip 4 – Clip-on design with an integrated carabiner. Weighs 220g. IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating.
• Drivers – The Go 3 has a 40mm driver while the Clip 4 has a slightly larger 45mm driver
• Battery Life – Up to 5 hours playtime for the Go 3 and up to 10 hours for the Clip 4
• Wireless Connectivity – Bluetooth 5.1 on both models
• Wireless Range – Up to 12m wireless range on each speaker
• Charging – USB-C charging port on both

So, at a high level, the Clip 4 edges out the Go 3 when it comes to battery life, driver size and wireless range. But the Go 3 retains the more portable, puck-like design.

Sound Quality

When it comes to audio performance, there are some noticeable differences between the JBL Go 3 and Clip 4:

• Overall Sound Profile – The Clip 4 generally produces fuller, louder and richer sound than the Go 3. The slightly larger driver size certainly helps. The Go 3 still sounds decent but it lacks the punchiness and clarity of the Clip 4.
• Volume – The Clip 4 can get significantly louder than the Go 3. At maximum volume, the Clip 4 is able to fill a medium to large room with sound easily. The Go 3 struggles more at higher volumes and is best suited for personal listening.
• Bass – With its bigger driver and radiator, the Clip 4 delivers stronger bass response and thump than the Go 3. The Go 3’s bass output is quite limited.
• Mids – Both speakers handle midrange frequencies well for their size. Vocals and instruments like guitars sound reasonably clear on either speaker. The Clip 4 reproduces mids with a bit more liveliness.
• Highs – The Clip 4 produces brighter and crisper treble. Cymbals, hi-hats and other high frequency sounds are more prominent and defined on the Clip 4. The Go 3’s highs are somewhat muted in comparison.
• Sound Stage – The Clip 4 has a wider, more spacious sound stage which gives music a bit more room to breathe. The Go 3’s sound stage is more narrow and concentrated.

So, for pure audio performance, the JBL Clip 4 is the clear winner. It’s able to go louder, deliver fuller sound and offer richer bass. But for personal listening on the go, the Go 3 can still provide enjoyable audio as long as volume expectations are managed.

Design

The Go 3 and Clip 4 have quite different designs:

• Go 3 – As mentioned earlier, the Go 3 has an ultra-portable puck-shaped design. It’s easy to toss in any bag and perfect for travel. The circular shape means sound radiates evenly in all directions. Multiple color options available. Integrated strap for hanging from backpacks etc.
• Clip 4 – The Clip 4 gets its name from the built-in clip for attaching to clothes, bags and more. The clip feels sturdy and keeps the speaker securely in place. The rest of the speaker has an oval-like shape. Available in fewer color variants.
• Buttons – Both speakers have simple control buttons for power, volume, Bluetooth pairing, etc. The Clip 4 has extra buttons for its extra features (more on that below).
• Waterproofing – With the same IP67 rating, the Go 3 and Clip 4 both offer excellent waterproofing. You can submerge them in water for 30 minutes without damage. Just make sure the charging port flap is tightly closed.
• Durability – Both speakers have durable, rubberized finishes which can withstand drops. The Clip 4’s integrated clip feels very sturdy. Overall, they are similarly well built and can take a beating.

So, in terms of design, portability goes to the Go 3 while the Clip 4 offers a more utility focused form factor. It comes down to personal preference and intended use case.

Also Read: Differences Between JBL Clip 4 And Sony XB13.

Features

The JBL Go 3 and Clip 4 have the expected Bluetooth speaker features along with some key differences:

• Battery Life – As mentioned earlier, battery life is significantly better on the Clip 4 at up to 10 hours compared to just 5 hours on the Go 3. The Clip 4’s battery level is displayed directly on the speaker.
• Speakerphone – Both speakers have built-in microphones which allow you to use them as speakerphones for calls. Call quality is decent though better on the Clip 4 with its extra microphone.
• Wireless Pairing – Bluetooth 5.1 allows both speakers to be paired wirelessly from up to 12m away. The connection is generally stable during testing.
• Audio Codecs – The usual SBC and AAC audio codecs are supported by both speakers for iOS/Android compatibility. No advanced codecs like aptX.
• Multi-Point Connection – The Clip 4 can maintain connections with two source devices simultaneously which is handy for switching playback. The Go 3 can only connect to one device at a time.
• PartyBoost – JBL’s PartyBoost feature allows pairing multiple compatible JBL speakers together for synchronized audio. Both the Go 3 and Clip 4 support PartyBoost.
• USB-C Charging – Conveniently, both speakers charge via USB-C. The Clip 4 also has a USB-out port for charging devices.
• IP67 Rating – As covered earlier, both speakers have full waterproofing and dustproofing which is great for outdoor use.
• Colors – The Go 3 comes in more fun colors like Squad (green), Cloud (blue), Stone (gray), Coral (pink) and more. The Clip 4 is limited to just Black, Blue, Red and Teal options.

Overall, the Clip 4 edges out the Go 3 in terms of extra features thanks to its longer battery life, multi-point pairing and USB charging out. But both offer a good standard feature set.

Also Read: Comparison Between Bose And Sony Speakers

Sound Personalization (JBL Portable App)

JBL offers a mobile app for iOS and Android called JBL Portable which brings some nice extra functionality to their Bluetooth speakers like the Go 3 and Clip 4.

Here are some of the key features accessible through the app:

• Adjustable EQ – You can tweak the sound profile by adjusting low, mid and high frequency levels. This allows customizing the sound to your preferences.
• Preset EQ Modes – Several preset EQ modes are available like JBL Signature Sound, Bass Boost, Vocals Boost and more. Provides quick optimization for certain listening scenarios.
• Upgradable Firmware – You can update the speaker’s firmware through the app to get bug fixes and audio improvements from JBL. Keeps the speaker up to date.
• Battery Status – Get more detailed battery life status for your speaker through the app. Saves you from having to check manually.
• User Guide – Handy access to the speaker’s user manual right within the app for quick assistance.

So, the app adds a lot of nice personalization and intelligence options. Both the Go 3 and Clip 4 work fully with the JBL Portable app for Android and iOS.

Price

As you might expect, there is a difference in price between the JBL Go 3 and Clip 4:

• JBL Go 3 – Retails around $40 USD but can be found on sale. A very affordable price point for a portable Bluetooth speaker.
• JBL Clip 4 – Typically retails around $80 USD. So it costs roughly twice as much as the Go 3. The higher price is justified by the improved audio performance and additional features.

So, the Go 3 offers better value for budget-focused buyers. But the Clip 4 is arguably worth the extra cost if you want richer sound and longer battery life. Waiting for sales on the Clip 4 can help close the gap.

Also watch the video!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Also Read: Comparison Between SOUNDBOKS And DiamondBoxx

The Verdict

So, which is the better overall portable Bluetooth speaker between the JBL Go 3 and Clip 4? Here’s a quick recap:

• Sound quality – Clip 4 provides louder, fuller and richer sound by a noticeable margin thanks to its larger driver and audio components.
• Design – Go 3 is incredibly portable and travel-friendly. Clip 4 offers a utility focused clip-on design. Draw based on personal needs.
• Battery life – Clip 4 lasts 5 hours longer (10 hours total) than the Go 3 (5 hours). Big advantage.
• Waterproofing – Identical IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating on both models.
• Features – Clip 4 adds multi-point pairing, USB charging out and more. But both cover core features.
• Price – Go 3 is around half the price. Clip 4 costs more but often goes on sale.

Overall, the JBL Clip 4 emerges as the winner in this head-to-head match up. It outperforms the Go 3 across the most important factors like sound quality, volume, battery life and features. Yes, it costs almost twice as much as the Go 3. But the audio improvements are very apparent and worth paying up for if you can.

That said, the JBL Go 3 remains an excellent budget option if you want a waterproof portable speaker on a tight budget. It can provide enjoyable sound for personal listening in a uniquely tiny package. Just avoid pushing it to its limits.

So, in summary:

• Get the JBL Clip 4 if you want richer, louder sound and longer battery life.
• Choose the JBL Go 3 if you need an inexpensive, travel-friendly speaker for light personal listening.

Hopefully this detailed breakdown gives you a clear overview of how the JBL Go 3 and Clip 4 compare.