Home Theater Systems Buying Guide

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Product Information
WARNING: California Residents - Proposition 65. This product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Specifications
Specifications
- General
- Model No.: JBL Pulse 5
- Transducers: 1 x 64 mm woofer, 1 x 16 mm tweeter
- Output power: 30 W RMS for Woofer, 10 W RMS for Tweeter
- Power input: 5 V / 3 A
- Frequency response: 58 Hz - 20 kHz (axial,-6 dB)
- Signal-to-noise ratio: > 80 dB
- Battery type: Li-ion polymer 27 WH (equivalent to 3.6 V / 7500 mAh
- Battery charge time: < 4 hours (5 V / 3 A)
- Music play time: up to 12 hours (dependent on volume level and audio content)
- Cable type: USB-C charging cable
- Cable length: 1200 mm / 47.2"
- Wireless specification
- Bluetooth® version: 5.3
- Bluetooth® profile: A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6
- Bluetooth® transmitter frequency range: 2.4 GHz - 2.4835 GHz
- Bluetooth® transmitter power: < 10 dBm (EIRP)
- Bluetooth® transmitter modulation: GFSK, π/4 DQPSK, 8DPSK
- 2.4GHz SRD frequency range: 2407 MHz - 2475 MHz
- SRD transmitter power: £ 13dBm (EIRP)
- Product dimensions
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.2" x 8.5" x 5.2"
- Net weight: 3.23 lb
What's in the Box
What’s in the Box
- Pulse 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with 360-Degree Light Show
- JBL branded Type C cable
- Quick start guide
- Safety sheet
- Warranty card
Reviews
Customer Reviews for JBL Pulse 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with 360-Degree Light Show (Black)
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Because most of the body is made of the gorgeous glass (or glass-like plastic), sound only comes out of the top and bottom. On the bottom is the bass membrane, and it seems the tweeter is on top, protected by a strong metal grid (aluminium?). Admittedly, the sound is 360 degrees, but the amount and the location of the speakers leaves bass a bit muted, with decent treble and hollow mids.
After listening to the first few songs, holding the Pulse in my hands, I got over it and put it down on the desk. This made the bass more full-bodied, but not overwhelming. The reverberations off the desk also brought forward the mids. Now the music resembled what I was used to pretty closely. Sure, it's still not as good as something like Flip or Charge, where the speakers are facing you and there are two bass membranes per speaker. But it's decent, and at higher volumes it's even pleasant to listen to (outdoors).
Now to the main highlight of the speaker: the light show. It is very well executed. Both I and my kids love the light presets, the assortment, the mood matching, and even the ambient sounds are cool. The light controls in the app are intuitive and there is something for everyone. Lights match the sound pretty well, even in a cappella solos. The LED density is such that you can't even tell where one ends and another begins. They are pleasant to look at, and decently bright. All colors in the presets are also carefully selected and go well together.
Lastly, the buttons and the charging port are all assembled into a single strip that seems to be floating in the solid glass! The effect is uncanny, and probably required some clever light refraction engineering. Check out the pictures - it's mesmerizing!
And that brings me to the main point of this review: this speaker does only one thing well: being a portable party/mood speaker. The lights give the Pulse 5 its character, and together with decent sound (when placed on solid surfaces), it creates moods. Sure, some smaller (and larger) speakers have better sound, and you can buy dedicated mood lighting (very difficult to set up and control, in my experience).
But the Pulse 5 combines decent sound and mood lights all in one, and that's its strength. I actually use it now more than other speakers, because of the overall pleasure I get out of using it. Buy it if you like lights and listen to music to reflect or affect your mood!
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If you're looking for just room filling sound and no light show, this isn't the speaker for you. If you're looking to chill and enjoy a show, this is the one!
The app has a bunch of lightshow options along with the normal JBL EQ and Partyboost features.
This also makes a great "lamp". You can change the lights without being connected to a phone. You can also use this is a sound machine with a show!
All together I give this a 10 out of 5 for the show, and a 4 out of 5 for the sound.
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The improved lighting, which moves in sync to the music, and the 12-hr battery life are great for adding fun vibes to a party or gathering and the improved companion app adds a while host of customizations for both the music and the lights.
The ambient light and sound features are also better than before and I've found them useful while meditating or just relaxing.
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Q&A
Customer Q & A
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WARNING: California Residents - Proposition 65. This product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.