JBL Announces JBL Charge Wireless Stereo Speaker for Mobile Devices

I have to admit this things looks kind of cool, I wouldn’t mind having one. The JBL Charge is a wireless stereo speaker that uses Bluetooth to stream audio from your portable devices but it also has a USB port so you can charge your devices from the speaker itself. The JBL Charge should provide about 12 hours playback on a single charge, which isn’t too shabby… Price will be MSRP or $149 and it will be available sometime in the next month or so.

Music fans seeking great sound and a long battery life from a portable music player will love the JBL^® Charge, a loud and powerful go-anywhere wireless speaker that fits easily into a backpack, beach bag or briefcase. The JBL Charge, introduced today at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show by parent company HARMAN International Industries, connects to smartphones, portable music players and tablets via Bluetooth wireless streaming. The clever JBL Charge also includes a USB port to charge a smartphone or tablet.

The JBL Charge is on display during the CES^® show at the HARMAN booth – Central Hall, booth number 10431 – from Jan. 8 through Jan.11.

The cylindrical speaker can be placed horizontally or vertically, and features a built-in bass port and digital sound processing to create room-filling lows combined with accentuated highs. The JBL Charge is a stereo speaker with two 1-5/8-inch (40-millimeter) full-range drivers and a 2 x 5-watt amplifier. The wireless speaker, 2 inches (50 millimeters) wide by 6 inches (150 millimeters) long, provides 12 hours of playback from a single charge thanks to a built-in 6000mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery. Long-lasting playback and the ability to power portable devices make the JBL Charge ideal for beach parties, family camping trips, neighborhood picnics and everyday use around the house.

“The JBL Charge is a durable speaker that goes wherever you go, providing a high-quality audio experience and the convenience of long-lasting power,” said Sachin Lawande, executive vice president of HARMAN and co-president of HARMAN Lifestyle and Infotainment. “It is a sophisticated speaker with two high-performance drivers and a built-in bass port that is unmatched in the market. Music fans will hear the truth with the JBL Charge.”

The portable stereo speaker was built for durability and active lifestyles, as it features a rugged exterior and grille, plus rubber end rings and a rubber cap for the USB port. A visible LED light informs users when the battery needs to be recharged as well as when the speaker is in Bluetooth listening or pairing mode. The JBL Charge also includes a standard 1/8-inch (3.5-millimeter) stereo mini jack to use with older devices not equipped with Bluetooth technology, and it ships with a Neoprene carrying pouch. It will be available in several colors, including black, blue and green.

Pricing and availability

The JBL Charge has a suggested retail price of $149 and will be available from select retailers or JBL.com during the first quarter of 2013. For additional information, visit the HARMAN booth during the CES show at Central Hall, booth number 10431.

www.harman.com