Spending money on quality speakers is a good investment in the long run. However, it’s important to know how long the speaker will last. It could be heartbreaking to spend money on something that costs you an arm and a leg only to see it work for a few months or a year.
So, if you’re considering investing in JBL speakers, you’ll likely want to know how long they last to ensure your money is well-spent.
There’s one thing to note before we move ahead and tell you about the life span of the JBL speakers; the life span of the speakers may vary from the suggested time depending on how you are using it. So, you can say that it depends entirely on you and how you’re treating the speaker.
Average Life Span of JBL Speakers
JBL manufactures a variety of speakers, including portable Bluetooth professional and home audio speakers, car speakers, and outdoor speakers. Each type has a different lifespan, impacted by several factors. For example, if you’re trying to decide between the JBL Flip 4 and Flip 5, you might be interested to know that their average lifespan falls within the range for Bluetooth speakers, which is 2-5 years.
The average lifespan of most home audio and professional JBL speakers ranges from 10 to 20 years.
Here’s the average lifespan of different JBL speakers.
| Speakers | Life span |
|---|---|
| Car Speakers | 8-15 years |
| Home Speakers | 10-20 years |
| Bluetooth Speakers (Flip, Clip, Charge, Xtreme Series) | 2-5 years |
| Outdoor Speakers | 7-10 years |
Speakers’ lifespan may vary, depending on how they are used and maintained throughout.
For instance, as we all know JBL speakers have a rugged build that prevents them from rough handling and accidental drops, and some may as well have dust and water resistance. It doesn’t imply that you can use it as carelessly as possible. If the user protects the speaker from dust and water, direct heat, and continuous use, the speaker is most likely to last longer.
In addition, other factors contribute to the longevity of JBL speakers. Let’s have a look at these factors.
Factors Contributing To the Longevity of JBL Speakers’ Life
Battery Capacity:
Battery capacity is a primary factor contributing to the longevity of JBL speakers. If the speaker uses a powerful battery, it’ll have a better, long-lasting playtime and life span. You must note that all types of batteries have a life span; however, it can be extended by considering factors such as temperature and how the battery is used.
JBL speakers use powerful Lithium-ion batteries designed for long-lasting performance.
Volume:
If you’re playing music on the speaker at a maximum volume, it’ll significantly impact the speaker’s life. Higher volumes drain the battery much faster and stress the speakers’ components, reducing overall life in the long run. For instance, the JBL Xtreme series is known for its powerful sound. However, constantly playing at high volumes can reduce its lifespan. Compare the JBL Xtreme 2 vs JBL Xtreme 3 here to see which might suit your needs better.
This is because higher volumes require the speaker to consume more power to maintain voltage and produce the necessary output.
Operating Temperature:
The temperature in which you’re using your JBL speaker can also impact the battery life and the longevity of the speaker’s life span. If your speaker is exposed to extreme weather conditions where the temperature is either too high or too low, it’ll degrade the material and components of the speaker.
Audio Content:
The type of audio you play on your speaker greatly impacts the speaker’s life. If you’re playing music that has high-intensity audio at a high volume, the battery life will decrease significantly.
When played at a higher volume, music with high-intensity or frequency notes stresses the speakers’ components, forcing it to consume more power to match the output, draining battery life significantly.
Charge Cycle:
Let’s first understand what a charge cycle is.
It refers to the process of discharging a battery and then recharging it to its full capacity. Every time you complete one charge cycle, it contributes to the overall age of the battery.
Now, the charge cycle greatly impacts the overall battery life of the speaker. For instance, if you are someone who waits for the battery to fully discharge and then recharge it or recharge the battery when it’s only partially depleted, it’ll impact and reduce the overall battery lifespan.
In addition, if you deplete the battery to 50% and recharge it to 100%, it counts as a half-charge cycle. Accumulating partial charge cycles can also lead to reduced battery performance over time. On an average scale, the batteries can survive up to 500 charge cycles, and with every recharge, it loses some percentage of its ability to hold the charge.
Depth Of Discharge:
Depth of discharge refers to when and up to what percentage you allow your battery to drain before recharging it. The depth of discharge can greatly impact the overall battery life of the speaker. When you discharge and recharge a battery, a small percentage of wear occurs, so the deeper the discharge faster the battery aging process.
Completing the battery (0% charge) before recharging can increase battery wear.
Recharge Rate and Voltage:
The recharge rate of the speaker depends on the battery it is using, and it can only accept a specific recharge rate and voltage. You cannot expect it to charge faster when connected to a high-rate charger. So, recharging the speaker’s battery with a high-rate charger and higher voltage will damage the battery cells, reducing the overall battery lifespan.
How to Extend The Life Of JBL Speakers?
Now that you know the factors contributing to the speakers’ longevity, you can extend your speaker’s lifespan. Here are the steps to consider for extending the lifespan of your JBL speakers.
Avoid Exposing the Speaker to Hot Weather:
Keeping the speaker cool is one thing you can do to slow down the speaker’s aging process and increase its lifespan and efficiency. Extreme weather conditions can affect the battery causing more or less chemical activity. So, it’s better to keep the speaker under a moderate temperature.
Also, placing the speaker in a humid area would result in rusting of the internal metallic parts of the speaker. So, you might as well try to cover it in case of inactivity.
Use Equalizer:
Suppose you’re listening to high-frequency audio/music. You should use the equalizer to control the bass, mids, and treble. It will prevent the speakers’ components from stressing out and consuming more power to produce the required output audio.
Controlled Volume:
High volume means high power consumption, impacting the speaker’s components in the long run. So, if you want to extend the life of your speaker, it’s best to play music at a moderate volume.
Compatible Charger:
Don’t be greedy to get your speaker charged faster than the normal rate. It will only contribute to speaker inefficiency and the battery’s wearing out. So, using a compatible charger to recharge your speaker is suggested, allowing it to use the perfect amount of voltage.
Power Saving Mode:
Don’t forget to turn off the speaker when you’re not using it. You can also turn on the power saving mode of the speaker, which turns the speaker off automatically in case of inactivity for 10-20 minutes.
Recharging Plan:
It’s best to recharge the speaker completely to reduce the number of charging cycles. You may also try shallow discharging, which involves draining the battery by only 20-30% before recharging it. This method is best for the speaker’s overall battery health and longevity, as it contributes to less wear to the battery.
Cleaning and Maintenance:
Even if you’re using outdoor speakers with dust and water resistance, you should keep them in a dry place at a moderate temperature. Exposure to high humidity, extreme heat, direct sunlight, or corrosive substances can degrade the materials and components of the speakers. Also, cleaning the speakers frees them from dust and debris and prevents potential damage to the drivers and internal components.
Wrapping it Up!
In general, JBL Speakers may last between 15-20 years. However, depending on the treatment, maintenance routine, time of use, and other factors, this time may vary. Therefore, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the lifespan of the speaker is largely in the hands of the user. For instance, if you’re deciding between the JBL Boombox 3 and the PartyBox 310, knowing their average lifespan could be a deciding factor. Here’s a detailed comparison between the JBL Boombox 3 and PartyBox 310.
JBL speakers are known for their reliability and rugged, quality build. However, using them for extended periods, fully discharging the battery before recharging, using incompatible chargers, or playing audio at high volumes can accelerate the aging process of the speaker and may even cause damage.
I’m Shaun Conroy, an audiophile & founder of HiFi Audios. Holding a Bachelor’s in Sound Engineering, I bring deep expertise in audio devices and offer insights & recommendations to fellow enthusiasts.
