Short answer: the Klipsch Austin for better sound quality, the JBL Go 5 for the lower price. The Klipsch Austin ranks #15 of 47 small speakers at $80. The JBL Go 5 ranks #24 at $44.95, $35.05 cheaper.
What the Klipsch Austin offers: Dual passive radiators give more low-end presence than most mini speakers. Watch for: Not as deep bass as higher ranked speakers.
The case for the JBL Go 5: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. The tradeoff: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights.
Buy the Klipsch Austin if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Go 5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Austin | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 | $44.95 |
| Ranked | #15 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~70Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Broadcast Mode) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (10W reverse USB-C charging) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 397 g | 0.5 lbs / 230 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Drivers | 1.5" (38mm) full-range with dual passive radiators | 45mm |
| Charging Time | 2 hours | 3 hours |
| Dimensions | 4.3" x 4.3" x 1.7" (109 x 109 x 43 mm) | 4" x 3" x 1.7" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Output Power | 10W RMS | 4.8W |
| Max Volume | 89dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Frequency Response | - | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- Bose Soundlink Micro vs JBL Go 4
- JBL Go 4 vs Harman Kardon Neo
- JBL Go 4 vs Sony SRS-XB12
- JBL Go 5 vs Sony SRS-XB12
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Klipsch Austin
The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch Austin: $80 Amazon
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.
Cons: Not as deep bass as higher ranked speakers
Full Klipsch Austin review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~70Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 89dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 10W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Broadcast Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (10W reverse USB-C charging) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 397 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch Austin vs Marshall Willen
- Klipsch Austin vs B&O Beoplay P2
- Klipsch Austin vs Anker Soundcore Mini
- Klipsch Austin vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Klipsch Austin vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- Klipsch Austin vs Marshall Willen II
- Klipsch Austin vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Klipsch Austin vs JBL Clip 5
- See all 19 comparisons
JBL Go 5: $44.95 Amazon
Pros: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking. 7-band custom app EQ, up from the Go 4’s 5-band. USB-C wired audio input.
Cons: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights. Still lacking bass and not very clear overall. Mono downmixing produces an audible growling artifact, the same issue noted on the JBL Charge 6. Falls well short of similarly priced rivals like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. Weak off-axis dispersion and an uneven, upper-mid-heavy tonal balance. Doesn’t get meaningfully louder at max volume, just harsher.
Full JBL Go 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 4" x 3" x 1.7" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 4.8W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 230 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons