Short answer: the Klipsch Austin, comfortably. Its dual passive radiators give more low-end presence than most mini speakers, while the JBL Go 3 is genuinely pocket-sized at 0.5 lbs (209 g) but has not much bass at all and a strange mids peak. The Austin’s own weakness is that its bass is not as deep as higher ranked speakers, but it is the fuller of the two at $53.25 against $39.95.
Buy the Klipsch Austin. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $13.30 saving on the JBL Go 3 is not enough to make up the difference.
If battery life is a priority, the Klipsch Austin is rated for 12 hours versus 5 hours for the JBL Go 3.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Austin | JBL Go 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $53.25 | $39.95 |
| Ranked | #15 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #28 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~70Hz | 87Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Broadcast Mode) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (10W reverse USB-C charging) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (397 g) | 0.5 lbs (209 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Drivers | 1.5” (38mm) full-range with dual passive radiators | 36mm full-range driver |
| Charging Time | 2 hours | 2.5 hours |
| Dimensions | 4.3” x 4.3” x 1.7” (109 x 109 x 43 mm) | 3.4” x 2.7” x 1.6” (86 x 69 x 40 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 10W RMS | 4.2W |
| Maximum SPL | 89dB (Manufacturer specified) | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Frequency Response | - | 110Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Klipsch Austin compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs Klipsch Austin
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Klipsch Austin
- Minirig Mini 2 vs Klipsch Austin
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Klipsch Austin
- Klipsch Austin vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
Klipsch Austin: $53.25 Amazon eBay
Pros: Dual passive radiators give more low-end presence than most mini speakers. Clear mids and crisp trebles. Rugged rubberized build with a metal grille; IP67. Supports TWS pairing with a second Austin. Measured bass extension of ~70Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as deep bass as higher ranked speakers
Full Klipsch Austin review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 10W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~70Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.3” x 4.3” x 1.7” (109 x 109 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.5” (38mm) full-range with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 89dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Broadcast Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (10W reverse USB-C charging) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (397 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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JBL Go 3: $39.95 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Go 5, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5.
Pros: Genuinely pocket-sized at 209g. IP67 rated, survives full submersion in a meter of water for 30 minutes. Rope loop for clipping to a bag. Measured bass extension of 87Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not much bass at all, strange mids peak.
Full JBL Go 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 4.2W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 87Hz |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 2.7” x 1.6” (86 x 69 x 40 mm) |
| Drivers | 36mm full-range driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 110Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (209 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL GO 3 Review - vs Tribit Stormbox Micro - best small cheap speaker? More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: Jbl Go 3 vs Sony XB12 Sound Battle With Sound Sample More from DLXWillington →
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