JBL Go 2 Review: Pros & Cons and Final Verdict
JBL Go 2 Design and Build
Today’s audio technology is far more advanced and evolved than the more rudimentary devices on the past. Instead of headphones with tangled cables, we have simple, snug earphones that connect wirelessly to your devices, and instead of oversized, heavy speakers, we have sleek, sophisticated, portable speakers that can be carried around comfortably in the pocket.
One of the many companies leading the way in this technological revolution is JBL. Named after its founder, James Bullough Lansing, this audio company originated in 1946 and has consistently stood out as an industry leader and technological pioneer over the decades since then, giving us a wide range of exciting audio devices to enjoy.
JBL has always delivered when it comes to audio innovation, never afraid to embrace new ideas and look at fresh ways of creating its products. This is clear to see in products like the JBL Go 2, a portable Bluetooth speaker for outdoor events and adventures of all kinds.
JBL makes a great variety of portable Bluetooth speakers, but the Go 2 is one of the most affordable standout options, famed for its compact, efficient design, surprisingly powerful performance, waterproof build, and other advantages.
A lot of people find themselves hesitating about purchasing this device or trying to decide between the JBL Go 2 and other portable Bluetooth speakers on the market. So, is the JBL Go 2 worthy of your money and attention, or should you look elsewhere? Our in-depth JBL Go 2 review will tell you all you need to know.
How We Started
When you’re shopping for a piece of audio equipment, it’s important not to simply choose based on the brand name or the marketing text on the back of the box. There are many different factors to take into account, and the right speaker for one person might be totally different to the ideal speaker for someone else.
In order to help the largest number of people make the right choice when buying their next portable speaker, we tried to cover all the bases with this JBL Go 2 review and consider every possible aspect. Below, you’ll find overviews of many different features of the Go 2’s design and functionality.
We really put this device to the test, taking a look at everything from its design, build quality, and color options to its general portability, how well it stands up to water and tough conditions, what kind of sound experiences it’s able to provide, how much it costs, what kind of users it can appeal to, and so on.
By leaving no stone unturned in our review and looking at the JBL Go 2 from every angle, we hope to help you come to an informed conclusion on whether or not this device is the right one for you. This is especially important as opinions on audio devices can be very subjective, and you need to think carefully about what you want from your next device in order to choose the best one.
Check the price for Go 2 on JBL’s website Here.
OUR CHOICE: jbl go 2
The JBL GO 2 is a full-featured waterproof Bluetooth speaker to take with you everywhere. Wirelessly stream music via Bluetooth for up to 5 hours of continuous JBL quality sound. Making a splash with its new IPX7 waterproof design, GO 2 gives music lovers the opportunity to bring their speaker poolside, or to the beach.
CHECK jbl go 2 PRICE
Overview
Before we really get into the individual features and factors associated with the JBL Go 2 and start taking a look at aspects like its sound quality, performance, waterproof capacity, build quality, design, and price tag, let’s first begin by offering a general overview of what this product is and what sort of market it was designed for.
The JBL Go 2 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that really aims to offer the maximum in portability and durability. It’s highly compact and lightweight, fitting easily and comfortably right in the palm of your hand and being easy to take absolutely anywhere.
It’s also very durable and rugged, with a resistant and waterproof design that can allow it to be used in places like pool parties and beaches without any worries. You can even submerge this device in the water entirely and not have to worry about it breaking down.
What’s more, as well as being completely wireless and powered by Bluetooth, this speaker has the benefit of coming with an audio cable input, letting you hook up different devices via a wire, if desired, and it features an echo-canceling speakerphone too, letting you take calls on the fly and chat to contacts clearly and crisply.
At a time when more and more people are looking for sleek, compact, portable speakers to take on their adventures and enjoy with their friends, the JBL Go 2 is one of the most popular options on the market. It doesn’t quite offer the same high levels of battery power and audio clarity as some of the other portable speakers out there, but it’s by far one of the most convenient to use.
Design
Check the price for Go 2 on JBL’s website Here.
As well as many other important features like sound quality, battery life, and price tag, the design of any audio device is always key to take into account. We can see a lot of variety in today’s portable Bluetooth speaker market, and even JBL offers a wide range of different devices in various shapes and forms.
The company has, for example, the JBL Clip 3 which clips right onto your clothes or backpack with a simple carabiner, as well as the Charge 4, which is slightly larger and designed to offer an audiophile-lover’s experience. So where does the JBL Go 2 fit in with the rest of the company’s offerings?
Well, the first thing we have to emphasize about this device is just how small it is. The “Go” part of the name is highly relevant here, as you really can simply pick up the JBL Go 2 and head out wherever you want to go, without feeling like you’re being weighed down in any way, shape, or form.
The device itself measures up at 2.8″ x 3.39″ x 1.24″ and it weighs just 0.41 lbs. It’s easily one of the smallest, lightest, and most portable speakers you could ever hope to find, and there’s so much to love about this design, especially for busy, active people and travelers who don’t want to worry about trying to fit a bigger, bulkier device into their bags or pockets.
In terms of shape, the speaker features a simple rectangular, box-like form. It’s a far cry from the curved and circular alternatives in JBL’s catalog, like the Clip 3 and Xtreme 2, and some people might see it as a little blocky and basic, but this speaker clearly isn’t focused on aesthetics. It’s all about being as convenient and portable as possible.
In that regard, JBL has done a terrific job, and they also managed to make this speaker super durable too. The JBL Go 2 features an IPX7 waterproof housing, allowing you to take it out in the rain, splash a little water on it at the beach, or even dunk it right down in a pool and not have to worry about any issues.
The JBL GO 2 measures just 71.2 x 86.0 x 31.6 (mm) but it gets surprisingly loud
Colors and Customization
As well as the general shape, size, and design of the JBL Go 2, it’s also important to take a look at what kinds of colors the device is available in. Again, this is a very impressive aspect of the device, and JBL has really gone above and beyond the call of duty in terms of offering a wide range of color and style options for its users.
When you choose to buy a JBL Go 2, you’ll have the choice between a wide range of preset colors and styles, as well as the option to customize and create your own look! Let’s focus on the preset colors first: there are 12 of them in total, including gray, pink, blue, brown, black, red, and green, letting you pick and choose whichever one fits your own personality and preferences the best.
If you want something more unique, you can click on the ‘Design Your Own’ button and open a world of incredible customization possibilities for your JBL Go 2. When designing your own style for the device, JBL really lets you go to town; you can pick from all kinds of colors, add your own text, or even upload your own personal photos to be printed on the device as well.
This is an amazing advantage, especially in the modern era where many people love to have devices that feel totally unique to them. Of course, you’ll need to pay a little extra for the customization and wait a little longer for your speaker to be delivered, but it’s certainly great to see JBL offering this kind of option to its customers.
Check the price for Go 2 on JBL’s website Here.
Portability
One of the main selling points of portable Bluetooth speakers like the JBL Go 2 is their portability and convenience. These devices are supposed to be carried around wherever you go, packed in your backpack, or placed comfortably in one of your pockets to be easily transported from place to place, but some of them do a much better job of this than others.
We’ve seen some so-called portable speakers that are actually quite bulky and awkward in their size and structure, as well as others that are simply too heavy to be truly classed as portable. How does the JBL Go 2 fit in with this category and compare to other portable Bluetooth speakers? Well, we have to say that as far as portability goes, few devices can compete with the Go 2.
As stated earlier on, the JBL Go 2 is immensely well-designed, clearly put together with convenience and portability in mind. It’s one of the smallest speakers we’ve ever seen, as well as being one of the lightest. You can fit this speaker in the palm of your hand or place it in your pocket and not even notice it’s there.
It’s amazing to see how JBL packed so much tech into such a tiny speaker, and if you’re the sort of person who spends a lot of time out and about, exploring the world with your friends, hiking through the wilderness, camping with the family, or attending pool and beach parties with your buddies, you’ll love how easy this speaker is to take with you.
OUR CHOICE: jbl go 2
The JBL GO 2 is a full-featured waterproof Bluetooth speaker to take with you everywhere. Wirelessly stream music via Bluetooth for up to 5 hours of continuous JBL quality sound. Making a splash with its new IPX7 waterproof design, GO 2 gives music lovers the opportunity to bring their speaker poolside, or to the beach.
CHECK jbl go 2 PRICE
Check the price for Go 2 on JBL’s website Here.
Sound Quality
Of course, one of the most important features to take into account when you’re looking at any kind of speaker or other audio device in general is the actual audio quality itself. It’s vital for any serious speaker to offer clear and crisp sound quality, letting the user truly enjoy their music and audio files without any uncomfortable hissing, bad quality bass, or struggles at high volumes.
At first glance, you might look at the teeny tiny JBL Go 2 and assume that it probably won’t be able to deliver too much in the audio department. However, don’t let this device’s size fool you. Surprisingly, it really packs a punch in the audio department, and even at 50% of the maximum volume, it delivers crisp, consistent sounds across a wide variety of musical styles and genres.
It’s not perfect. Tracks with a lot of bass don’t do too well on this device, and when you crank it up to max volume, some tracks start to sound a little harsh. However, as long as you respect the device’s limitations and adapt to its technology and size, you’ll be able to get quite a lot out of it, and we were really impressed to see just how well it copes.
Ultimately, for audiophiles, the JBL Go 2 might not be the most recommended device, but that much should already be obvious. From its size and style, we can easily discern that this device wasn’t designed to offer the clearest and highest quality sounds. Instead, it was made to be portable and convenient while still delivering solid audio to please most people.
Check the price for Go 2 on JBL’s website Here.
Battery
Just like every other wireless device out there, the JBL Go 2 is powered up by its own lithium ion battery. It’s a 730 mAh battery, to be precise, and when we look at the battery life and charge times, this is where we finally start to notice a slight chink in the JBL Go 2’s otherwise impenetrable armor.
When you’re looking for portable, wireless, battery-powered devices, it’s vital to pay close attention to what kind of battery they rely on and how long they can last on a single charge. After all, many people like to use these devices while outside, without easy access to power outlets or charging stations, so you need to know that your speaker can go the distance.
Unfortunately, the JBL Go 2 does have some issues with battery life, which is somewhat to be expected from its small size. It simply isn’t big enough to cram in a larger and stronger battery, and a bigger battery would cause the device’s weight and price tag to increase, so it looks like JBL tried to make a compromise here.
The result is that the JBL Go 2 can last for about five hours on a single charge. That’s still pretty impressive and is more than long enough to get you through pool parties, BBQs with the family, beach trips, and so on. However, when compared to other JBL speakers and portable speakers in general that can boast 10+ hour battery times, the Go 2 is a little lacking.
Charge times are quite lengthy too. You’ll need to wait about 2.5 hours in between uses for the device to charge back up. So, if you’re out for the day with your friends and run out of charge, you won’t be able to simply power the device back up and be ready to go again half an hour later. You’ll need to wait quite a while, or carry around a separate portable charging unit.
Connectivity and Ease of Use
One of the advantages of Bluetooth speakers is how they’re able to wirelessly sync up with your devices, like phones and tablets, in a matter of minutes, ready to read and play your audio files instantaneously, without the need for wires or cables of any kind. However, some are much more reliable in the connectivity department than others.
The JBL Go 2 features Bluetooth version 4.1, which is a little outdated now, but still dependable enough. It can connect to your devices and operate effectively within a 10m range. If you move beyond this range, the device may start to struggles and songs might get interrupted, but as long as you keep the devices close together, there shouldn’t be any issues.
In our tests, we found that the Go 2 syncs quickly and easily with phones and devices, and it doesn’t take too long at all to get everything up and running. What’s more, the Go 2 also comes with an audio cable port, so if the wireless technology does let you down in any way or you just want to connect via cable, it’s easy to do so.
In addition, the Go 2 also comes with a speakerphone, letting you take and make calls via the speaker itself. This is another useful bonus, and it works well enough, although some users have stated that the microphone isn’t particularly sensitive, so you might be better off just making calls via your phone instead.
Price
When you’re buying any kind of product, whether it be a portable Bluetooth speaker or something else entirely, you also need to take the price into account. Many people have their own budgets in mind when shopping for audio equipment, and there are a lot of options out there now at similar prices, so this is always a big factor for a lot of shoppers.
At the time of its launch, the JBL Go 2 had an MSRP of $39.95. You can find it even cheaper than that now during sales events and from certain retailers, and it’s one of the cheapest portable speakers from a big brand you can buy today. So, if you’ve got something of a lower budget or just want the best bang for your buck, this device might be worth considering.
It compares favorably to a lot of other similar speakers, many of which go up to and beyond the $50 mark, and it can certainly appeal to those who are looking for something affordable, easy to use, and reliable for their audio entertainment.
Value
As well as the price of the speaker, we also need to think about what kind of value it has to offer. A speaker can be very cheap, but still not offer great value if it doesn’t work reliably or offers poor audio performance. Similarly, some of the more expensive speakers might look good on paper but fail to be good value investments due to their design or battery life.
Given that the JBL Go 2 is durable, compact, convenient, easy to use, and quite impressive from a sound perspective too, we’d say it has a lot of value, especially for people who want to spend a lot of time outdoors listening to their music. It can struggle in the battery department, however, so will offer less value for those who need all-day audio entertainment without any interruptions.
Who Should Get This?
The JBL Go 2 can be recommended to a wide range of people. It works well for young people who go to a lot of parties, for example, as well as outdoor explorers and active individuals who want something sleek and compact to carry around with them.
It also appeals to people who like to travel light and don’t want to pay over the odds for a big, heavy device that could weigh them down or take up too much space in their travel bags, and it works nicely for people working out or even just around the house as a useful device for listening to your music while doing chores or working.
It’s also a very affordable device, so it can appeal strongly to people with smaller budgets or those who don’t feel the need to spend too much on their audio equipment. The only crowd that it won’t completely appeal to are those who really care about the quality and clarity of every beat in their songs and need a speaker that can deliver impeccable audio experiences.
Our View
Is the JBL Go 2 worth your money? We think it is. Throughout our review of this product, we were repeatedly impressed by its quality, ease of use, and great design. It covers all the bases and offers everything a portable speaker should offer, with a few neat surprises tucked away in this tiny package too.
Check the price for Go 2 on JBL’s website Here.
OUR CHOICE: jbl go 2
The JBL GO 2 is a full-featured waterproof Bluetooth speaker to take with you everywhere. Wirelessly stream music via Bluetooth for up to 5 hours of continuous JBL quality sound. Making a splash with its new IPX7 waterproof design, GO 2 gives music lovers the opportunity to bring their speaker poolside, or to the beach.
CHECK jbl go 2 PRICE
