JBL Pulse 2 LED Bluetooth Portable Speaker Review
Introduction
Marketed as containing JBL's 'Lightshow' technology, the Pulse 2 speaker is a new unit with just about every bell and whistle attached that you could hope for.
This medium-sized travel speaker sports various LED lighting function modes, it can read real life colors and turn them into light shows, and has been pitched by the makers as a wholly 'interactive' audio solution.
While it's often that the JBL tag will bring with it great sound quality, there is much more to a portable speaker than that. This review will be looking into whether the features are useful, whether the Pulse 2 offers extra handy accessories, and I'll also be looking into the presented package a whole, discussing price versus performance and build quality.
Specifications
Packing an exceptionally large 6000mAH internal battery, the Pulse 2 offers a claimed 10 hours of Bluetooth music playback when functioning in fully lit 'light show' modes. While this battery is considerably larger than many competitors, it's worth noting that the relatively average playback time is a direct result of the bright LEDs and the fact that this speaker can be simultaneously connected to three different smartphones.
Marketed as 'splash proof' on the official website, I can't find an official resistance rating, so I would assume that light and drizzling rain would be the most that you would want to subject this product to.
With the ability to simply connect and play through your smartphone or be controlled via an app, JBL has produced its 'Connect' app for this particular device, claiming to offer a customized light show experience to anyone who wishes to take full advantage of this feature.
As for more technical features, the Pulse 2 contains 2x 8W internal speakers, and the internal Lithium-ion polymer battery is claimed to reach full charge under five hours when plugged into its provided 2.3A wall socket. The drivers themselves over a standard frequency response from 85Hz – 20kHz and carry a signal to noise ratio of over 80dB. Measuring in at 84.2 x 194.4 x 84.2mm in total this weighting unit comes in at a hefty 775 grams.
Pricing & Availability
Available from Amazon for $159.99 with free shipping, the Pulse 2 is one of the more expensive portable options available on the market. While there are a plethora of cheaper Bluetooth offerings that vary vastly in quality, JBL will be expecting its brand name and extensive features to help carry it over the lien and into your home.
This pricing puts it in a similar ballpark to my previously-reviewed
Product Summary Breakdown
| Performance | 90% |
| Quality including Design and Build | 95% |
| General Features | 93% |
| Bundle and Packaging | 80% |
| Value for Money | 90% |
| Overall TweakTown Rating | 90% |
The Bottom Line: With brilliant bass response and a full set of great features, JBL's Pulse 2 portable wireless speaker is a good buy for anyone looking at listening to punchy tunes.
PRICING: You can find the JBL Pulse 2 LED Bluetooth Portable Speaker for sale below. The prices listed are valid at the time of writing, but can change at any time. Click the link below to see real-time pricing for the best deal:
United States: The JBL Pulse 2 LED Bluetooth Portable Speaker retails for $160 at Amazon.
United Kingdom: The JBL Pulse 2 LED Bluetooth Portable Speaker retails for £170 at Amazon UK.
Canada: The JBL Pulse 2 LED Bluetooth Portable Speaker retails for $269 CAD at Amazon Canada.
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