Latest news with #JBLGo4
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
How to make most of Open Farm Sunday for a bargain day out with the kids
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HAVE a field day down on the farm without ploughing through loads of money. Tomorrow is Open Farm Sunday, an annual event giving visitors the opportunity to learn about the farming community. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 How to make most of Open Farm Sunday for a bargain day out with the kids Credit: Getty For farmers, it is a chance to show the public the essential work they do. WHERE AND WHEN: Since the first Open Farm Sunday in 2006, more than 2,000 farmers have welcomed over 3.25million people on to their farms. You can search for a farm near you at Entry to most is free, making it a baaaa-gain day out! But some may charge a small fee or charge for specific activities. READ MORE MONEY SAVING TIPS SUN SAVERS Three savvy tips to dial down the cost of your next smart phone purchase While most events take place tomorrow, some open on other dates in June. FIND A FARM: Each farm will be taking part in the event in their own way. For some it's a chance to take people on tractor rides, others may offer a gentle walk through the fields. Dairy farms might show you milking time, while arable farms may dig deep into growing techniques. Check out the listings first to find a farm that appeals the most to you. FARMING FOR ALL: You don't have to head into the countryside to experience farm life. Prince William joins Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper in show of support to Britain's young farmers Some of those taking part in Sunday's event are within towns and cities. If you miss them, you can visit the animals at local city farms at any time of year. There are city farms in London, Bath, Nottingham, Sheffield and other areas of the UK. Some are free, though welcome donations. MAKE HAY AND STAY: If you're bitten by the farming bug, a holiday or mini break on a working farm might be magical. For the cream of the crop look at a site like Farm Stays UK, which has B&B and self-catering accommodation. Camping can be an inexpensive option and on the Pitch Up website you can use the 'farm' and 'price' filters to find your perfect campsite. All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability Deal of the day 7 Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Nighttime Miracle Moisturiser, £20 at Poundland Credit: supplied WAKE up to a deal on Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Nighttime Miracle Moisturiser from where a 50ml jar is £20 instead of the usual £37. SAVE: £17 Cheap treat 7 Palmer's cocoa butter formula moisturising body oil, £3.86 at Superdrug Credit: supplied SUMMER skin will love Palmer's cocoa butter formula moisturising body oil, down from £5.79 to £3.86 at Superdrug. SAVE: £1.93 What's new? WHEN Co-op members buy three bottles of wine over £7 at the Co-op on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday until June 22, they will save £5. Excludes Scotland. Top swap 7 JBL Go 4 speaker, is £39.99 at Argos Credit: supplied 7 Aldi's mini speaker, which is £9.99 Credit: supplied LISTEN up! For music on the move this summer, the JBL Go 4 speaker, is £39.99 at Argos. But also make some noise for Aldi's mini speaker, which is £9.99. SAVE: £30 Shop & Save 7 Spend less on Magnums at Morrisons Credit: supplied SPEND less lolly on Magnums at Morrisons, with a pack of three down from £3.50 to £2. SAVE: £1.50 Little helper ENJOY the thrills of a theme park without spilling too much cash, with four tickets to Drayton Manor for just £75, instead of £110, on visits until June 30. Book the deal at Hot right now SAVE 20 per cent on in-store and online Hobbycraft workshops. Or get £5 off when you spend £20 with the craft store, or £10 off when you spend £40. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 7 Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the more tickets you'll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!
Tom's Guide
13-05-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Amazon slashes JBL Bluetooth speakers as low as $29 — 7 deals I'd shop right now
If you want to spend the spring and summer enjoying your favorite tunes, make sure not to miss this awesome JBL sale at Amazon. Some of the best Bluetooth speakers we've tested are seeing big price drops, so now's the time to snap up these deals. For starters, right now the JBL Xtreme 4 is on sale for $249 at Amazon ($120 off.) We rank this as the best Bluetooth speaker for bass due to its incredible sound quality with adjustable EQ. It's even IP67 rated for water and dust resistance, so you can take it everywhere from the beach to the pool. Or, if you're looking for a more affordable speaker, you can currently get the JBL Go 4 on sale for $39 at Amazon ($10 off.) This speaker sounds great, but is also lightweight and super portable. Check out all my favorite JBL deals below. Plus, see our Amazon promo codes and stay tuned to our Memorial Day sales coverage. I also recommend checking out this Lowe's sale with up to 40% off patio furniture and appliances. The JBL Go 3 is the ideal Bluetooth speaker for traveling and outdoor adventures, and it's dropped to $29 at Amazon. It's IP67 waterproof and dustproof, and ultra-compact in size. But it still offers surprisingly strong sound and up to five hours of playback on a single battery charge. Our JBL Go 4 review determined that this is the perfect portable Bluetooth speaker for those on a budget. Small enough to take traveling, it still packs enough performance to soundtrack small gatherings while bringing useful features like IP67 water and dust protection, and multi-point connectivity. It also comes in a variety of fun colors. The JBL Clip 4 sounds great for its size and the ultra-portable design can be easily clipped to your clothing or bag while you explore. It's IP67-rated, so you can use it to listen to tunes pool-side or in the shower. The Clip 4 comes in a variety of fun colors, so you can pick one that best suits your style. Plus, it lasts for around 10 hours of playbackPrice check: $39 @ Best Buy Our JBL Clip 5 review said this is a great Bluetooth speaker that's truly portable, thanks to a clip that lets you hook it onto an array of things, and that boasts excellent sound quality. Its IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating means it's perfect for long walks, hikes and pool parties. Plus, its battery lasts for up to 12 hours with normal use, or can extend up to 15 hours with Playtime Boost mode enabled. This attention-grabbing Bluetooth speaker straddles the company's ranges of portable speakers and 'fun' party speakers. Our JBL Pulse 5 review mentioned that it did a solid job at pumping out upbeat tunes while putting on a dazzling light show. It's robust enough to take on your travels, and an eye-catching addition for a check: $249 @ Best Buy This speaker is perfect to get the party going. Our JBL Xtreme 4 review praised its incredible sound quality with adaptive EQ, thumping bass and 24-hour battery life. On top of that, it has an IP67 rating meaning it can survive spills and it can even be used as a power bank to charge your phone. It's heavy at 73.76 ounces, but it's a great speaker especially after a discount. If you want a speaker that can truly fill a space, this is it. Our JBL Boombox 3 review praised this speaker's impressively wide sound and thumping bass. It also lasts for up to 24 hours of battery life, and has a strong IP67 durability rating against water and dust. Just note that it's hefty, coming in at 14.7 pounds.
CNET
12-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
This Handy JBL Go 4 Bluetooth Speaker Is Ultra Portable and Down to Just $40
The weather is warming and plenty of us are ready for adventure. But whether you're traveling far or simply spending the day at the pool, having a mini Bluetooth speaker means you can listen to music anywhere you go. JBL makes plenty of great audio gear and right now Amazon has slashed the cost of this small but mighty JBL Go 4 portable Bluetooth speaker to just $40 -- the lowest price we've seen. There are several colorways at this price, too, so you can get the style you love. The JBL Go 4 is a compact Bluetooth speaker measuring in at just 3 inches. It has a small loop that you can use to attach to your jeans, backpack or keychain. Despite being small enough to put in your pocket or purse, it delivers 5 watts of power and ample volume. JBL equipped the Go 4 with a battery that can last up to 7 hours, so you can listen to your favorite music, audiobooks or podcasts for hours. To extend battery life by an extra 2 hours, tap Playtime Boost and you're set. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. If you're outdoorsy, you'll love that the JBL Go 4 is IP67 waterproof and dustproof. That means it can handle a splash from nearby pools, a day at the beach or a light drizzle. Need more volume? Connect the JBL Go 4 with another Go 4 or JBL speaker using Auracast. In addition to these cool features, you have plenty of colors to choose from so you can have a Bluetooth speaker that fits your taste. Why this deal matters Typically, the JBL Go 4 costs $50. It's a solid upgrade over the JBL Go 3 as it's equipped with stronger bass acoustics for a more powerful sound. At $40, this matches the lowest price we've seen, which makes now a great time to upgrade. But if you're looking for a private listening experience, see our best headphones and earbuds deals before you buy.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I tested this suave Bluetooth speaker from Sweden and it left me with mixed feelings – here's why
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The Happy Plugs Joy Speaker aims to offer good vibrations, a pleasing design and stunning, portable build. Don't worry, it's only a Bluetooth speaker. And for the most part, this diminutive portable speaker achieves what it sets out to do. It has an eye-catching shape fit for fashionistas, decent all-round audio and impressive build quality. But unfortunately for the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker, it just falls short of its competitors in a couple of crucial areas. Before we get into that, though, let's start with a sound assessment. Due to its tiny size, the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker is pretty limited in terms of the quality and volume it can produce. It has a single 45mm, 5W full-range driver that produces typically clear, tonally-accurate audio. Some sounds can get a touch edgy at times – especially those in the treble range while listening at higher volumes. But again, I still felt that the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker sounded fine given its intrinsic limitations. Specifically, I was surprised by the meatiness of the bass on offer. Next to the not-much-smaller JBL Go 4, I found the Joy speaker capable of dishing up superior low-end impact. You won't find the extra serving of detail that some of the best Bluetooth speakers can deliver, though, with more subtle sonic ornaments often hard to uncover. It's also worth noting that the speaker only harnesses the basic SBC Bluetooth codec, so you won't be able to enjoy higher-quality aptX files at their very best. Perhaps unconventionally, the draw of this speaker isn't all too much to do with sound – it's about style. Happy Plugs refers to the Joy Speaker as 'fashion tech designed in Sweden', giving it a real sense of identity. Its rounded look, attractive color options and lace attachment certainly give it that je ne sais quoi, something that can often be overlooked in a cheaper, more bare bones speaker such as this. Speaking of price, this Happy Plugs product will set you back just $49.99 / £39.99. Realistically, that's pretty standard stuff for a speaker in this weight class but still, it's a looker for the money. Competitors like the JBL Go 4 and Sony SRS-XB100 have very similar list prices. Other than its winsome design, the Happy Plugs Joy doesn't really do enough to set itself apart from some pretty fierce competition, in my view. That predominantly comes down to its disappointing feature-set. Sure, the built-in mic works to a commendable standard and the ability to pair another Joy Speaker for stereo sound is handy, but that's about it as far as features go, bar the inclusion of an AUX port for wired listening. There's no companion app or way to adjust EQ – something I'd expect for a speaker released in 2025. Another issue is the poor dust- and waterproofing offered by the Joy Speaker. It is only IPX4 rated, meaning it can withstand some water splashes or rainfall, but little else. Given you see a whole bunch of competitors, like the Ultimate Ears Miniroll, offering IP67-rated protection against dust and water submersion, IPX4 just feels a bit underwhelming, I'm afraid. When you pair the fairly feeble protection against the elements with the speaker's 5W maximum power output, it's safe to say the Joy Speaker is better suited to bedroom use, rather than taking into the great outdoors or a party environment. And if a small, personal speaker is all you're looking for, the Happy Plugs Joy is still an OK option at a reasonable price. Its stylish edge will no doubt earn its fair share of plaudits, even if there's a shortage of features and undercooked protection against the elements. Overall, I'd still say you're better off with the JBL Go 4, or even one of the best waterproof speakers like the excellent Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 – both of which offer impressive audio in a similarly mini package, but one that can also be dunked fully in a pool and survive. $49.99 / £39.99 (about AU$80) Launched in January 2025 The Happy Plugs Joy Speaker released at the beginning of 2025, carrying a very modest list price of $49.99 / £39.99 (about AU$80). That price applies to each of the four color variants this speaker comes in, namely: Black; Blue; Green; and Pink. The Happy Plug Joy Speaker's main competitors at this price-point include the excellent JBL Clip 5 and supremely durable LG XBoom Go XG2T – more on those in the 'Also Consider' section. Lacks companion app and EQ adjustment Middling battery life Has effective built-in mic I don't like to do this, honestly I don't – but I'm going to start on a negative note. The Happy Plugs Joy Speaker has a pretty limited set of features. For a speaker released in 2025, that's pretty disappointing – even for a small one like this. A lot of that stems from the omission of a companion app, which instantly restricts what this thing can do. You won't find any ways to adjust EQ, view connected devices or get the visual on battery life, for example. That's a bit of a let down when you consider that small options like the JBL Go 4 offer all of this and more (we'll talk more about this little treasure later). There are some features of note, though, like the inclusion of a built-in mic, stereo pairing and an AUX port for wired listening. Now, in fairness, the inbuilt microphone is above average – I found call quality to be slightly superior to my phone in speaker or earpiece mode. Similarly, when recording a voice note, I felt that my speech was clear at varying distances, even if there was a bit of feedback lurking in the background. Stereo pairing is a handy inclusion, especially as this speaker can't get too loud – more on that later. AUX is cool too if you're into wired listening, but I suspect most will stick with Bluetooth. This uses version 5.3, which is plenty good enough – although some competitors are using version 5.4 as of the time of writing. On top of this, you're getting up to eight hours of playtime with the Happy Plugs Joy. That's fairly average stuff. Sure, it's superior to the seven hours offered by the JBL Go 4, but it's vastly inferior to the fantastic 16 hours you'll get with the Sony SRS-XB100. A strong battery life would've added some much needed credit into this speaker's account, but ultimately it just feels a bit uninteresting, feature-wise. Features score: 2.5/5 Decently clear all-round audio Surprisingly full bass output Fairly weak power output Sound-wise, I was left with conflicting thoughts on the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker. Right off the bat, I can tell you that the manufacturer's claim of 'high quality audio' is stretching the meaning a bit. When tuning into That Lady Pts. 1 & 2 by The Isley Brothers, I found some percussive elements to be a touch tinny-sounding at high volumes and side-by-side with the JBL Go 4, vocals occasionally lacked control. But overall, I still felt that sound quality was solid for both its size and price. And in some areas it outclassed the Go 4. For instance, when bumping Dasha - Tour Mauborg Remix by Fusion Affair, the bass thump running throughout hit with significantly more impact and weight when listening via the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker. Similarly, I was impressed by the depth of the drum machine in Black Eye by Allie X, even if the speaker wasn't quite dynamic enough to replicate the bouncing effect of the bass bounding throughout the intro. In addition, I sensed that the acoustic guitar running through Come sweet death, second impact by Megumi Hayashibara was fairly expressive and tonally accurate. It was also pleasantly forward until vocals entered the fray and deservedly assumed the limelight. I will caveat that with a note that densely layered tracks, such as I Want You by Moloko, aren't expertly emulated, with synths, vocals, percussion, strings and more sometimes bunching up to create a slightly restricted-sounding result. But much of that is down to the inherent limitations of speakers this small. You're rarely going to be smacked by a majestically broad, nuanced soundstage or massively full-sounding profile from a model this mini – I have tested enough speakers of this size to know it. I wasn't getting a huge dose of detail out of my favorite tracks either, with more granular sonic elements often left under wraps. That reminds me: this speaker only supports the basic SBC codec – no aptX or LDAC for less-compressed Bluetooth streaming this time out, I'm afraid. Another issue that's pretty typical of tiny speakers like this is relatively low power output. And the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker doesn't look to buck that trend. It has a single 5W 45mm driver that can't get all too loud. Sure, it will have enough power for solo bedroom listening, but if you're turning up to the party with this, you're going to be left wanting more. On that note, if you're more of a party animal, it's well worth checking out our guide to the best party speakers. So here I am, left with pretty mixed feelings. Overall, I'm leaning towards a positive outlook on the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker – and not just because of the name. It offers generally clear audio, surprisingly attention-grabbing bass output and stereo sound – if you have two paired in stereo mode. But there are some imperfections, too, including occasionally tinny output, restricted volume potential and a lack of detail. Sound quality score: 3.5/5 Small, stunning appearance Outdated IPX4 waterproofing Beautiful color options But arguably the main strength of this lil' speaker is its eye-catching design – after all, Happy Plugs itself describes the Joy Speaker as 'a statement piece'. I'm not sure if it's quite the fashion revolution that it's made out to be, but still, I really like the look of this speaker. (Is it worth mentioning that some of the TechRadar team call this review sample Grogu? I suppose I just have.) The Joy speaker almost has a rounded trapezoid structure, with a classy-looking fabric speaker grille on its front and reverse side. It also has five small, easy-to-use button controls on the top, which subtly blend into the rubber casing that coats the edge of the device. These include play/pause, call and volume controls, as well as power on/off and Bluetooth. There's a small LED that flashes to indicate if the speaker is charging or in pairing mode, which is a useful visual prompt as well. On the side of the Joy Speaker, you'll discover a tab, under which lies a USB-C port that can charge the speaker from 0-100% in two and a half hours, as well as an AUX port. This will let you play music via a wired connection, if you feel so inclined. One more highlight – I'm a big fan of the color options available here. I tested out a broccoli-shade green model, but there's also a dusty pink or blue and a deep black variant available. These colorways compliment the speaker's 'fashion tech' identity to a tee and make for a nice break from the plain, single color direction a lot of rivals go in. This is all positive stuff so far, but when it comes to practicality, this speaker is a bit of a mixed bag. First, the pros. The lace attached to the side of the speaker looks sleek and is super effective for hanging it off a backpack or nearby attachment. There are also four mini rubber feet on the speaker that keep it in an upright position, even if it gets knocked a little. But I have one major gripe: the dust and waterproof rating. The Happy Plugs Joy Speaker is only IPX4-rated, meaning it's resistant to light rain and splashes of water, but little more. For a speaker in this age, that's simply not cutting it. Almost every major manufacturer is putting out IP67 – or at least IPX7-rated speakers, which enables them to survive submersion under water for extended periods of time. IPX4 isn't ideal for listening at the beach or in the shower, for instance, whereas a speaker like the Ultimate Ears Miniroll will easily be able to pull through. Design score: 4/5 Price is in-line with competition Sound is about what you'd expect in this range But competitors offer superior feature-set and durability At $49.99 / £39.99, the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker very much blends in with rivals including the JBL Go 4 and Sony SRS-XB100. It's by no means expensive, but not a crazy bargain either. Due to its age, you can occasionally find the Go 4 for less than $40 / £30, which is phenomenal value for money, so with time, I'd hope to see the Joy Speaker discounted to a similar level. For a speaker of its size, the Joy Speaker does perform pretty well where it matters most – sound. Of course, you're not going to get perfectly crisp, detailed or booming audio, but for the most part it's expressive and clear enough to keep you engaged and enjoying your queued tunes. And of course, it is very easy on the eye. There's not a lot of power here and it's not so well protected against the elements, but if you're just looking for a speaker to use in your bedroom, it will do the trick, no problem. Ultimately, there are a host of better-value options out there. I mentioned the JBL Go 4 there, which can sound a little thinner through the low-end but does have EQ adjustment options, a useful companion app and superior protection against the elements. Even the LG XBoom Go XG2T – which I marked down for limited EQ presets – still had some… and it offered superior battery life. In its own right, the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker is fine value-wise. It gets the basics right, but just skips out on a few too many niceties to outdo its rivals. Unless you're a real lover of its design, I'd wager that you'll be tempted to consider some of those other options. Value score: 3.5/5 You're all about styleIf the most important thing for you is stunning looks, the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker is well worth considering. It comes in four neat colorways, has a mini, curved build and dons well-sized buttons to boot. You're on a budgetThe Happy Plugs Joy isn't outrageously cheap for a speaker of this size, but it's definitely not overly expensive either. At $49.99 / £39.99 it's a nice option if you're on a budget, although there are some small competitors, like the LG XBoom Go XG2T, that can be found at a similar pricepoint on sale, so make sure to weigh your options. You want top-tier sound qualityGiven that it's a small-sized speaker, the Happy Plugs Joy sounds decent. But if you want a beautiful sonic experience for this size, you'll be better off with an option like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 – more on that below. You're looking for a speaker that's shower or beach-readyOne of my biggest gripes with this speaker is its weak dust and waterproofing. It's just IPX4 rated, meaning it can survive water splashes, but not submersion or anything. That's not great considering a lot of competitors, like the JBL Go 4, can withstand being dunked a meter underwater for 30 minutes. JBL Go 4The JBL Go 4 is a diminutive, stylish and solid-sounding speaker that's ideal for on-the-go listening. It offers pretty controlled audio given its size and surprising levels of loudness. On top of that, it has a superior IP67 waterproof rating, in-app EQ adjustment and cool color options to match. Read our full JBL Go 4 review. Tribit Stormbox Micro 2Tribit has been putting out some amazing value audio tech over the past two years and the Stormbox Micro 2 is no exception. With excellent sound quality, fantastic protection against the elements, an awesome 12-hour battery life and the ability to charge your phone, there's just so much to love here. Read our full Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 review. Tested for one week Mainly used at our music testing space at Future Labs Predominantly tested using Tidal I spent hours playing music on the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker. I tried it out in a handful of environments, but mainly at our music testing room at Future Labs to best judge the audio quality in a quiet, controlled space. When blasting tunes, I mainly took to Tidal using my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, where I streamed tracks from our carefully curated TechRadar reference playlist, as well as my personal library. I also tested the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker alongside the JBL Go 4 to compare sound quality, design elements and loudness. First reviewed: February 2025 Read more about how we test
