Short answer: the JBL Cove P1. Both are rated 3.6/5 for sound quality (#57 and #58 of 167 medium speakers), and the JBL Cove P1 costs $399.95 against $599.99 for the Klipsch New York, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The JBL Cove P1 is the lighter, tougher choice. A battery-powered portable smart speaker with up to 14 hours of unplugged playback and IP56 dust and water resistance. At 7.2 lbs (3.26 kg) it weighs much less than the Klipsch New York at 56 lbs (25.4 kg). It is rated IP56 against IPX4 for the Klipsch New York. The catch: No independent acoustic measurements or tested reviews have been published yet, so its frequency linearity, distortion, and maximum output can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
What the Klipsch New York does well: Flagship Music City party speaker engineered for high-output events, featuring dual 8-inch high-excursion woofers and a high-efficiency horn-loaded compression tweeter producing up to 110dB maximum output with dual custom front ports for low-end punch. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Cove P1 lacks. The tradeoff: Weighs 25.4 kg (56 lbs), making vehicle loading and stair navigation demanding despite the wheels.
Buy the JBL Cove P1. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $200.04 less than the Klipsch New York.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: JBL Cove P1 3.4 to 3.8; Klipsch New York 3.4 to 3.8). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Cove P1 | Klipsch New York | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.95 | $599.99 each |
| Ranked | #57 of 167 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated | #58 of 167 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated |
| Amplifier Power | 120W RMS | - |
| App | JBL One | Yes (Klipsch Connect Plus) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Dimensions | 5.7” x 9.2” x 5.8” (146 x 233 x 147 mm) | 29.5” x 14.5” x 15” (750 x 368 x 380 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 4x 0.75” (20mm) tweeters | Horn-loaded compression tweeter, 2x 8” woofers |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP56 | IPX4 |
| Lights | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (Constant Sound Field) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready | - |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Voice Assistants | Alexa | - |
| Weight | 7.2 lbs (3.26 kg) | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Inputs | - | Bluetooth, 3.5mm Aux, 1/4” Mic, 1/4” Guitar |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes |
| Wheels | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Cove P1 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Pulse 6 vs JBL Cove P1
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II vs JBL Cove P1
- JBL Cove P1 vs Sony LSPX-S3
- Klipsch New York vs Sony LSPX-S3
- JBL Pulse 6 vs Klipsch New York
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Cove P1: $399.95 Estimated Amazon B&H Photo Video Crutchfield eBay
Pros: A battery-powered portable smart speaker with up to 14 hours of unplugged playback and IP56 dust and water resistance. It packs 120W RMS across a 3.0.1-channel acoustic architecture with a 4-inch woofer and 4-tweeter array, supporting Dolby Atmos Music and Constant Sound Field room-filling audio. Wi-Fi 6 streaming sits alongside Bluetooth 5.3, with AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Roon Ready. The JBL One app offers EQ and multi-room grouping with other Cove models or Bar MK2 soundbars, plus convenient room-to-room playback transfer via the physical Moment button.
Cons: No independent acoustic measurements or tested reviews have been published yet, so its frequency linearity, distortion, and maximum output can’t be compared with ranked speakers. At 3.26 kg and 23.3 cm tall, it is a substantial portable best suited to moving between rooms or taking to the patio rather than backpacking. It is relatively expensive at $399.95, and has no analog 3.5mm aux input (playback is Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB).
Full JBL Cove P1 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2026 (new) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 120W RMS |
| App | JBL One |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.7” x 9.2” x 5.8” (146 x 233 x 147 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 4x 0.75” (20mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP56 |
| Lights | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (Constant Sound Field) |
| Party Mode | Yes |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Alexa |
| Weight | 7.2 lbs (3.26 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch New York: $599.99 each Estimated Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Klipsch Vegas (smaller model, estimated 3.8/5) and the Klipsch Miami (smaller model, estimated 3.3/5).
Pros: Flagship Music City party speaker engineered for high-output events, featuring dual 8-inch high-excursion woofers and a high-efficiency horn-loaded compression tweeter producing up to 110dB maximum output with dual custom front ports for low-end punch. Features heavy-duty trolley wheels, up to 12 hours of battery playback, full-panel RGB light shows with side strobes, DJ sound effects, mic and guitar inputs with independent gain, and IPX4 weatherproofing.
Cons: Weighs 25.4 kg (56 lbs), making vehicle loading and stair navigation demanding despite the wheels. Battery life drops toward 8 hours with maximum volume and full RGB light show active.
Full Klipsch New York review and specifications →
| Released | 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Klipsch Connect Plus) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 29.5” x 14.5” x 15” (750 x 368 x 380 mm) |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded compression tweeter, 2x 8” woofers |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 3.5mm Aux, 1/4” Mic, 1/4” Guitar |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Weight | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons