Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential 2. Both are rated 3.3/5 for sound quality (#71 and #74 of 150 medium speakers), and the JBL Flip Essential 2 costs $85.90 against $94.86 for the Klipsch Nashville, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
What the JBL Flip Essential 2 does well: Essentially a Flip 5 in a new shell: the same single 44 x 80mm racetrack driver and 20W amplifier, rated down to 65Hz. The tradeoff: There is no tweeter, and side by side comparisons found it does not sound as good as the Flip 6, with less bass; its bass stops growing above about 70% volume, so turning it up mostly adds loudness, not weight.
What the Klipsch Nashville does well: Sturdy rubber-coated build. ~24 hour battery life with fast 18W USB-C charging; can reverse-charge your phone. The tradeoff: Upper bass boost.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential 2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $8.96 less than the Klipsch Nashville.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential 2 | Klipsch Nashville | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $85.90 | $94.86 |
| Ranked | #71 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #74 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm racetrack fullrange + 2x passive radiators | 2x 57mm fullrange |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 20W RMS |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Broadcast Mode) |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C, 10W) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (520 g) | 2.1 lbs (970 g) |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (175 x 68 x 70 mm) | 7” x 3.1” x 3.2” (178 x 78 x 81 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~64Hz |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | - | 89dB (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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 Flip Essential 2: $85.90 Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL Flip Essential (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5).
Pros: Essentially a Flip 5 in a new shell: the same single 44 x 80mm racetrack driver and 20W amplifier, rated down to 65Hz. In a side by side loudness test it got louder than the JBL Grip, and listeners comparing it with the Marshall Emberton found it more open sounding and clearer. IPX7 waterproof, 520 g, USB-C charging and Bluetooth 5.1 with two phones connected at once.
Cons: There is no tweeter, and side by side comparisons found it does not sound as good as the Flip 6, with less bass; its bass stops growing above about 70% volume, so turning it up mostly adds loudness, not weight. No app, no EQ, no PartyBoost or stereo pairing, a claimed 10 hours of battery, and IPX7 covers water but not dust.
Full JBL Flip Essential 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (175 x 68 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm racetrack fullrange + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (520 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- AudioTribe: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Flip Essential 2 FULL TEARDOWN in Just 15 Minutes!
- Speaker Fan: JBL Flip 6 VS JBL Flip Essential 2 VS JBL Grip Loudness Test - Which Is Louder?
- HQ AUDIO Exchange: JBL Flip Essential 2 vs. Flip 6 | Bass Sound Test!
- Cristian Catalin’s Sound&Video: JBL Flip Essential 2 VS Marshall Emberton - sound comparison
- Angelicaaudio: Mini JBL Flip Essential 2 vs. JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth Speaker Review
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Klipsch Nashville: $94.86 Amazon eBay
Pros: Sturdy rubber-coated build. ~24 hour battery life with fast 18W USB-C charging; can reverse-charge your phone. IP67 rated. Measured bass extension of ~64Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Upper bass boost. Bass not as deep as the top ranked speakers. Boosted lower treble, sounds a little harsh like most Klipsch speakers.
Full Klipsch Nashville review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~64Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7” x 3.1” x 3.2” (178 x 78 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 57mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 89dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Broadcast Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 10W) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (970 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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