JBL Clip 2: the ultra-portable adventurer and clever speaker

Ergonomics

JBL has opted for a particularly rounded shape of Clip 2 which harmonizes with the new references of the manufacturer (Charge 3, Xtrem, Pulse 2…). The manufacturing and the finishing were still done with great care. The enclosure rests on a solid plastic / rubber chassis and has a very rigid braided fabric grid on the front. The carabiner, attached to the enclosure by a more flexible rubber part, is made of metal. If the covering of Clip 2 is particularly resistant to shocks, falls and various scratches, the one covering the carabiner is less so. Anyway, the set is fully prepared for adventure, because it easily resists dust, sand and water, in which it can be immersed up to 1 meter (IPX7 certification). Small bonus, a non-slip circle located on the bottom of the enclosure limits the risk of bad falls.

Its small size does not prevent it from having the most important features, even some bonuses. Clip 2 thus offers an ignition button, a pairing button, two buttons for volume and a multifunction button. It communicates wirelessly via Bluetooth but can be wired. For this, JBL had the good idea to integrate the cable directly on the speaker, so as not to bother with a cable when traveling. The problem is that this cable is obviously short and that it is directly welded to the enclosure, and therefore irreplaceable in the event of breakage. The micro-USB charging port is hidden behind a cover, while a small LED is integrated right next to the carabiner.

Clip 2 is very easy to use and pair. As on the latest models of the brand, there are many audio indications. If we had to make a small reservation, it would concern the impossibility of returning to the previous song via the multifunction button, while the reverse maneuver is possible. The other small bonuses concern the possibility of using the speaker as a hands-free kit or of pairing two Clip 2s for stereo broadcasting.

The call quality is surprisingly good, unlike the majority of microphones on board such speakers. Even if you have to stay a reasonable distance to be understood (allow a maximum of 2 m indoors and 1 m outdoors), the voice is clearly captured.

JBL announces 8 hours of autonomy in Bluetooth reading for its little beast. Just like we saw with the Go, the Clip 2 has a little more reserve in practice. We managed to go up until 3:30 pm by setting the volume at 75% on good large pieces of metal, particularly rich in sources and whose mastering is very compressed.

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Audio

Despite its small size, the JBL Clip 2 offers a fairly musical and precise sound rendering in Bluetooth.

Obviously we should not expect ultra-deep bass, but these have at least the merit of being a minimum present to give Clip 2 a little trunk. The mids are very well balanced and allow to benefit from particularly intelligible and clear voices. The guitars and snare attacks are also well defined and sharp. It is especially the treble and the extreme treble which benefit from preferential treatment, even if we would have preferred it to be more contained. Indeed, this boost tends to put a little too much forward the brilliance of the cymbals and to wake up from time to time the sibilance, especially in the last levels of volume. The element that most annoyed us appears when we push Clip 2 to its last entrenchments with rich songs and with very little dynamics. Indeed, the enclosure shows some pumping effects probably due to the action of a limiter which would prevent the enclosure from saturating at very high volume. It is much less the case with more contained volume or with much less rich pieces.

In wireframe, the compression phenomenon is much less present and the whole seems at the same time more clear, precise and defined.

Despite its monophonic distribution, the speaker is not extremely directive and it is therefore possible to benefit from a relatively homogeneous sound. Clip 2 is powerful enough for its size and allows you to give a little rhythm to your outings. Do not expect to sound an evening and make the walls vibrate. The distortion remains contained and controlled.

Finally, the communication latency in Bluetooth is around 200 ms, which is a bit tight to avoid any discrepancy between sound and image. However, this is acceptable for additional listening. This latency is however a little more noticeable when it comes to using certain commands (pause, play, next song), but it is still far from being a handicap.

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Conclusion

If you are looking for a small, high-quality speaker that is both compact and strong enough to follow you through your adventures, no need to search, the Clip 2 is the ideal candidate. It is certainly not as efficient as the UE Roll, but its reduced size, its autonomy, its carabiner system and its hands-free kit make it a real alternative.

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