Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Revolve for better sound quality, the JBL Flip 4 for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Revolve ranks #48 of 136 medium speakers at $220. The JBL Flip 4 ranks #63 at $70, $150 cheaper.
On the Bose Soundlink Revolve side: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand around it, unlike most portable speakers. Watch for: Not stereo. Strange sizzling treble, peaks and dips.
What the JBL Flip 4 gets right: Less bass than a Flip 5. The tradeoff: Battery failures are common.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Revolve is discontinued, but it still ranks #48 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Revolve if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Flip 4 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Flip 4 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Revolve at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Revolve | JBL Flip 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $220.00 Discontinued | $70 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #48 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #63 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | 66Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 660 g | 1.1 lbs / 510 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 3.2" x 6" x 3.2" (82 x 152 x 82 mm) | 6.9" x 2.8" x 2.6" (175 x 70 x 65 mm) |
| App | Bose Connect | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Drivers | 1x omnidirectional full-range transducer (~45mm) + 2x passive radiators | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 300ms |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 16W RMS |
| Max Volume | - | 92dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- JBL Flip 5 vs JBL Pulse 5
- Huawei Sound Joy vs Sony XB23
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Charge Essential
- Soundcore Glow vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Revolve: $220.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand around it, unlike most portable speakers.
Cons: Not stereo. Strange sizzling treble, peaks and dips. Overly boosted boomy bass at 75hz. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Revolve review and specifications →
| App | Bose Connect |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.2" x 6" x 3.2" (82 x 152 x 82 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x omnidirectional full-range transducer (~45mm) + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 660 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org) More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Revolve Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Soundcore Glow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Pulse 5
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- See all 21 comparisons
JBL Flip 4: $70 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Less bass than a Flip 5. Peaky lower treble.
Cons: Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.8" x 2.6" (175 x 70 x 65 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs / 510 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2 More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons