Short answer: the JBL Charge 6 for better sound quality, the Tozo PA1 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 6 ranks #11 of 135 medium speakers at $199.95. The Tozo PA1 ranks #51 at $36, $163.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge 6 gets right: it sounds more neutral than the Charge 5, with a flatter frequency response through the mids and treble since the Charge 5 was quite rolled off up high, and there are EQ tweaks available to dial in the sound further. Set against that: bass is still boosted by default, the mids are recessed, it’s bright above 2kHz, and the overall response is fairly V-shaped.
The case for the Tozo PA1: switching to the bass model gets the flattest response, with pretty deep bass for the money. The tradeoff: it peaks in the upper mids, low treble, and has a big peak in the upper treble.
Buy the JBL Charge 6 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Tozo PA1 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 6 | Tozo PA1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $36 |
| Ranked | #11 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #51 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 102dB | 98dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 990 g | 1.3 lbs / 581 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 9" x 3.9" x 3.7" (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) | 8.3" x 3.6" x 2.4" (210 x 91 x 61 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 67mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Output Power | 45W | 20W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 220ms |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 6: $199.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Seems more neutral than the Charge 5. Flatter frequency response through the mids and treble as the Charge 5 was quite rolled off up high. Use this EQ from Joy/Oluv and turn down the lowest bass slider for the best sound quality. Oluv has even more paid EQs specifically for the GG and TL models indoors and outdoors here
Cons: Still some boosted bass by default. Mids are recessed. Bright above 2khz. Quite a V shaped frequency response.
Full JBL Charge 6 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 9" x 3.9" x 3.7" (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 102dB |
| Output Power | 45W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 990 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - outdoor test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs SoundCore Boom 2 - David vs Goliath
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - basstest (bigger=better?)
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6, Xtreme 4 & Earfun UBoom X - taking sound to the top
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 6 or the JBL Charge 5? don’t go home till you watch this!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown!
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - better with EQ?
- Oluv Patreon: An evening with the “best portable speakers”?
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Plus vs JBL Charge 6 - fight!
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Charge 6 🎶👌Unboxing 📦vs Jbl Charge 5 Short Test Audio i Hz.
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 6 Review - Worth Upgrading Even If You Have The JBL Charge 5
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Charge 6 - good or bad?
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 6 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Tozo PA1: $36 Amazon
Pros: Use bass model for flattest response. Pretty deep bass for the money.
Cons: Peaks in the upper mids, low treble and a big peak in upper treble.
Full Tozo PA1 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 220ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3" x 3.6" x 2.4" (210 x 91 x 61 mm) |
| Drivers | 67mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 98dB |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 581 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: 1 million views! Best Budget Tws? Tozo Pa1 Review and sound test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow has deeper bass than the Bose Flex but………..
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: On A Ledge 🪟 Soundcore Motion 300 vs Tozo PA1 ⚒ Battle of the Budget Handheld Bluetooth Speakers
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Newly Released! Skullcandy Terrain XL 🦨 Quick Overview & Sound Comparison with JBL Flip 6 & Tozo PA1
- Reddit Search for Tozo PA1 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons