Bluetooth speakers exist in a variety of forms and sizes, but to be honest, most of them are quite basic; they don’t look like they could be used as headgear by a giant. JLab introduced the Blue XL Speaker Headphones last year, and it does an excellent job of blending the design of headphones with that of a speaker.
First, the design catches your attention, with each ear cup housing a 2.5 inch driver and a matching passive radiator attempting to output 30 watts over a 2.0 channel configuration. The entire thing folds up for easy storage, and the faux leather cushions look pretty snazzy (no surprise given the matching blue color, which is part of the company’s signature style), as users can wear them around their necks like a wrap or set them on a table to use as a bluetooth speaker. Yes, you read that right; typical over-the-head styling just doesn’t work with these things since they are simply too big for most people’s heads, turning an attempt to wear them into a comedy performance.
- 🔊 IMMERSIVE LAB QUALITY SOUND: Enjoy exceptional sound quality via 40mm drivers, bringing depth and clarity to your music. With 70+ hours of...
- 🧠🔇 SMART ANC AND BE AWARE MODE: Smart Active Noise Cancelation adjusts to the environment and continually learns how to best cancel noises,...
- ☁️ CLOUD FOAM COMFORT: Form-Fit Earcups are ergonomically shaped to the natural outline of the ear. The 1” Cloud Foam cushions and adjustable...
When it comes to sound, they really pack a punch. The dual drivers deliver a good blend of deep bass and clean highs thanks to JLab’s EQ settings, which prioritize vocals and a fair dose of low end. The frequency response ranges from 100 Hz to 20 kHz, with an impedance of 4 ohms. There’s enough power to drive a good volume, making it suitable for an outdoor gathering, a dorm room, or even a game day tailgating party, all of which small portable speakers struggle with. They can connect up to 30 feet away by Bluetooth 5.4 and support both SBC and AAC codecs, allowing for seamless streaming from phones, tablets, and laptops.
The battery life is actually quite impressive, since these things provide more than 20 hours of continuous listening on a single charge, which is not bad at all. The dual 3000 mAh cells also allow for a complete charge via USB-C in roughly 3 hours, and let’s be honest, a simple knob to regulate volume and playback is a welcome touch—no applications or convoluted menus to deal with. If you want to go large, they also provide wireless Share Mode, which allows you to pair with another compatible device.
At $99, they provide a daring alternative to your typical speaker or headphones. Anyone who likes a loud clear sound and a conversation starter will adore the Blue XL, and it just goes to show that sometimes the most memorable devices are those that take the road less traveled.
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