So we got speakers from JBL and we have JBL Spark. If you google it, you will find those colorful wired speakers — what we got though is the red model with blue nylon cord.
JBL Spark is a 7-watt speakers which is now available in stores.
The packaging
The premium packaging will tell you immediately that this speakers isn’t cheap, of course the brand JBL is lined up in the high end names, so even the speakers which are for the consumer market look expensive too.
JBL Spark is packed for the Asian market, it comes with the AC adapter of your choice. So if you are in Singapore, Malaysia or the Philippines, there is one that will fit your electrical outlet.
Design and built
JBL Spark has rubberized edge including the handle that will protect the bluetooth speakers from accidental bumps. But having the rubber edge will not guarantee that if you drop it, it might break into pieces.
The body is translucent and the speakers is protected by a metal grill, it has a handle which can be use to carry the speakers or hang it the wall. While it is translucent, the speakers has no lights effects when you use it.
JBL calls the cable as fabric-finish, the wire is also protected by nylon. It is about 2 meters with the volume control and power and BT buttons attached to the cable.
Pairing JBL Spark
Just like any other bluetooth devices, you need to pair both – either your BT-enabled music player, your smartphone, your laptop to JBL Spark.
Pressing the power button of the JBL Spark will create sound, and to prepare the speakers for pairing you have to long press the BT button – it will create a two echoing sound and the JBL logo will blink. It is now ready for pairing, the next step is for your other device to find the JBL Spark BT speakers in the list. Just select JBL Spark and then you are good to go.
Performance
There is no battery to drain. JBL Spark is wired but wireless. Oppps! Let me clear that – Spark is wireless via Bluetooth, but its wired. Unlike other bluetooth speakers which has rechargeable batteries, Spark needs to be plugged to an electrical outlet. Awesome! No batteries to drain, no charger to bring for the speakers. Well, you have to worry about the battery of your music player. Play all you can!
Sounds is awesome! The entire office can go a mini-party with just one JBL Spark. Because it is quite loud and even if you max out the volume, the sound wouldn’t break.
I just wish that Spark BT speakers can be paired with two or more Spark speakers to create total wireless sound system.
JBL Spark Specs:
– Wireless plug-and-play stereo speaker.
– Transducers: 2 x 1.5”(40mm)
– Amplifier power: 2x7W
– Frequency response: 76Hz – 20KHz
– Signal-to-noise ratio: 88dB at 7W
– Dimensions (Dia x H): 180mm x 165mm
– Bluetooth transmitter frequency range: 2.402 – 2.480 GHz
– Bluetooth transmitter power: Max 4 dBm
– Bluetooth transmitter modulation: GFSK ?/4 DQPSK 8DPSK
Pricing and availability
JBL Spark is now available in major stores with a price tag of PhP5,995.
JBL Spark is available through these stores:
- JBL Sound Gallery, B3 Bonifacio High Street – Concat No. (02) 856-5041
- JBL Acoustical Space, 4th Floor Cyberzone, SM Megamall Bldg. B – Concat No. (02) 919-6012
- JBL Digital Dreams, 4th Floor Cyberzone, SM North Annex – Concat No. (02) 738-2554
Conclusion
Since there is no battery that will be drained, therefore no consumable to be replaced once it becomes really old. I would buy JBL Spark not because it is expensive at almost P6k, but because I am satisfied with the sound quality. It is not noisy and I can control the loudness to the level I want.
There is one thing that I worry about – since the edge of the speakers is rubberized, it might become brittle later or be very dirty overtime.
Also, it would have been better if JBL has bundled a remote control. 🙂
