Sound quality: JBL's Flip 4 had good overall sound quality. Bass has decent impact, but is slightly boomy, and deep bass is lacking. Midrange is fairly even but is somewhat hazy, congested and grainy and can sound a touch nasal or thin. Treble is smeared and slightly subdued, upper treble is muted. Doesn't do a good job of recovering room ambience, sounds somewhat congested, and lacks fine detail. No significant difference between Bluetooth, and wired sound quality. When two units are used as a stereo pair sound remains somewhat hazy and congested, it can get louder, bass is pronounced but since two separate speakers are used the sound stage can be made wider depending on placement and room ambience improves to decent, sound quality remains good. Provides a decent volume level in a small to medium sized room.
Ease of use: We found the JBL Flip 4 ease of use to be very good overall. Although volume controls are in a prominent location they are not obvious because they are very low contrast, there is nothing to indicate that it is a volume control except + and - symbols. Bluetooth pairing is very easy. The unit lacks a dedicated source switch; however, Bluetooth audio connection takes priority over wired audio playback. To switch between line-in and Bluetooth audio sources plugging in line-in jacks stops Bluetooth playback, there is a delay (approx. less than 10 sec.) before wired playback. Line in is marked but low contrast.
