Detailed Review of the smart health connected speaker for the summer smart health innovation

After the success of the JBL Pulse 2, the smart health connected speaker brand decided to release a new machine. The JBL Pulse 3, unveiled at CES 2017, the new generation speaker promises mountains and wonders: waterproofness, connection with other Pulse 3 and an additional speaker. The contract is not fully respected.

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Mark : JBL
Category: smart health connected speaker
Connection: Bluetooth
Compatibility: iOS / Android
Price: € 249
Availability: Mid August 2017
Tested with: Wiko Lenny 2 / Samsung Galaxy S7
Buy the JBL Pulse 3:

JBL Pulse 3 Unboxing

At first glance, the box stands out. In the foreground, an image of the enclosure in action with an explosion of colors. The material in which the box is covered gives thanks to the colors present on the device. After admiring the box, it's time to open it. It is therefore necessary to remove the tape on the side of the box in order to be able to raise the magnetic box of the JBL Pulse 3.

The box opens on a foam protection protecting all of the elements within it. Once the foam is removed, the enclosure is wrapped in white light foam paper. You just need to remove the scotch located at the bottom to be able to take out the object. While at his side, the other accessories are stored in a cardboard box.

When you open the cardboard box here are the accessories that lie there. As usual with such objects, the device comes with user manuals to facilitate handling. In addition to this, a USB cable, a USB plug and two adapters for British and American sockets are supplied.

Design and Ergonomics of the JBL Pulse 3

The JBL Pulse 3 is very similar to its older sister except that this one is larger. The speaker measures 22 cm by 9 cm in diameter which is a respectable size for a device like this. Likewise, the Pulse 3 is light enough to hold in hand despite its diameter which is unsuitable for small hands. With a cylindrical appearance, the black color of the speaker gives it a fairly neutral tone.

However, it is during its use that the JBL sublimates with colors that are both warm and also varied. These elegantly contrast with the general black ensemble. What forms the base of the enclosure is a mixture of metal and weaving. Inside, three speakers deliver sound, one more than its predecessor.

On the ergonomic side, the base of the JBL Pulse 3 is also the place where you can order it. The acronyms on / off, play, volume or Bluetooth each hide a button. Then just place the JBL Pulse 3 in a specific place to listen to your music. Likewise, there is a removable plastic surface that can be folded up to recharge it or plug in a jack to connect it from another device.

Application of JBL Pulse 3

The application dedicated to the proper functioning of the JBL Pulse 3 is called JBL Connect available on iOS and Android. This one weighs around 24MB, so it is not very greedy in terms of space for your smartphone. In order to link the two devices, you must therefore activate the bluetooth of your smartphone and the JBL Pulse 3. Thus, it is possible to do it from the application but also from the phone interface.

From the application, it is possible to start playing your music however it is not mandatory. The program can also up to two other JBL speakers to create a set of linked devices. It is also possible via the application to manage the different speakers as well as the sounds. However, the side of the JBL Pulse 3 application is reduced to its simplest device.

In reality, JBL Connect is a backup application that has found the right balance between essential and futile. Even if it is possible to listen to music on the speaker without going through the program, this remains decisive for use with several devices. When in use, the Pulse is adorned with warm colors indicating that it is ready for use.

Getting started with the JBL Pulse 3

Like its predecessor, the JBL Pulse 3 aims to be both simple to use and very user-friendly. This is expressed in particular by the fact that two other devices can be linked and that these are waterproof. Thus the product is clearly oriented towards summer use. Indeed, the handling of the speaker turns out to be very fun, either through the speaker or through the smartphone.

For a full charge, the speaker has a battery life of twelve hours which can be viewed both on the application, but also on the product. In addition, it is also possible to use only the JBL Pulse 3 without any difficulty. This without needing the application, just via the interface present on the product. It is still harmful that no jack cable is provided for quick listening without the need to do the step.

The sound quality of the JBL Pulse 3

This is certainly THE big weakness of the speaker. It has three audio outputs, one more than the Pulse 2, but the sound is not as good by ear. The feeling of a muffled sound is heard for high intensity songs. Thus the bass and bass that made the hallmark of JBL are no longer as marked as they were on the Pulse 2. This is explained by the fact that the midrange is slightly more marked while the treble has slightly more space on the sound spectrum.

On the other hand, the combination of two JBL Pulse 3 compensates for these sound weaknesses. Stereophony improves the general appreciation of the product. Attention at high volume, saturation awaits you whatever the file used. The speaker goes so far as to deliver 80 watts which is still respectable.

The JBL Pulse 3 facing the competition… And its predecessor

In the jungle of smart health connected speakers, it seems difficult to make room for it. If JBL has already made a name for itself with quality products, the brand is all the more subject to comparison. As a common thread of this Review, the Pulse 3 was weighed against the Pulse 2. It is therefore logical to take stock of this comparison even if it is not logical to put two products of the same brand in competition. On the competition side, a focus will be on the Beoplay A1 speaker from Bang And Olufsen.

Between the JBL Pulse 3 and the Pulse 2 the first obvious difference is in the design. A lot of work has been done on the aspect of the Pulse 3 with an entire part in plexiglass which transmits harmonious and pretty colors to be observed. Where the bottom hurts, is at the level of sound quality, where the bass was preferred on the Pulse 2 despite the mids, the Pulse 3 tries to rebalance things. Mixed result since it is ultimately the mids that flatter the ears despite other areas of the sound spectrum.

On the sound side, the power of the Pulse 3 surpasses that of the Beoplay A1 with 80 watts against 60 watts. However the nomadic enclosure offers many more possibilities than its competitor. Where the JBL speaker stands out for festive use with the possibility of multiple connections, Beoplay can link to another device, but can also be used as a hands-free microphone or even a computer speaker.

On a quality / price ratio, the JBL Pulse 3 will be available in mid-August for 249 euros. The value for money turns out to be advantageous depending on the use you make of it. It is clearly oriented for summer and festive use. On the other hand, if the sound concerns you, orient yourself rather towards the Pulse 2 sister at 199 €. Finally if it is the versatility of the device that is for you a purchase argument, head instead to the Beoplay A1.

Conclusion for the JBL Pulse 3

The new JBL creation offers a mixed feeling. The Pulse 3 speaker is a design-remarkable device. Plexiglas offers interesting color possibilities and gives a festive side. This is in addition to the fact that it is possible to connect two other devices to create a coherent sound package. This is totally necessary in the case of the JBL Pulse 3. Indeed, individually the sound of the speaker is not as good as its elder JBL Pulse 2. This is compensated by the fact that it has a good sound power of 80 watts and a simple handling. Another downside, however, is the lack of a jack cable to connect the said speaker to another device.