Two JBL GO4 Speakers in Stereo: Why Didn’t I Do This Sooner?

This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.

Quick take

I had been using a single JBL GO4 for over a year, so I bought a second one and paired them as a stereo set. The difference was bigger than I expected: wider sound, more bass, and vocals that sit right in the middle. If you already own one GO4, adding a second is one of the best upgrades you can make for it.

What I tested

My original JBL GO4 in blue, used for more than a year
A second JBL GO4 in red, bought for this test
Stereo pairing (left/right) through JBL’s JBL Portable app
Listening to music with one speaker vs two, and watching films with the pair either side of an iPad

Two JBL GO4 speakers — My blue GO4 plus a new red one

What I found

The GO4 is IP67 dust- and waterproof, works with the JBL Portable app, and charges over a USB-C port with no cover to open.
In the JBL Portable app, stereo pairing, including which speaker is left and which is right, took only a moment.
Two speakers are not just louder. The sound spreads out, the bass has much more body, and vocals come from the centre, in front of you. To me it was more than twice as enjoyable as one speaker.
One GO4 already sounds good, but with one on each side of an iPad, films felt far more immersive.
The uncovered USB-C port is a big deal for a bathroom speaker: you never have to open and close a flap to charge it.
The downside: two speakers need two spots and two charges.

Who it’s for

Anyone who already has a JBL GO4 and enjoys it in the bath, outdoors or at a desk. A second unit turns a good little speaker into a proper stereo setup. The second half of the video has a stereo vs mono sound comparison, so you can hear the difference yourself.

【JBL GO5発売記念！】なぜ今までやらなかった？JBL GO4を2台でステレオ化したら別次元の音になって後悔した話

The video is in Japanese.

Limitations

This is based on my own listening at home, not measurements. I only tried stereo pairing with two GO4 units. The JBL GO5 was about to launch when I made the video, and I did not test it here.

Products

JBL GO4 Bluetooth speaker (the model I use): on Amazon Japan

JBL GO5 Bluetooth speaker (the newer model): on Amazon Japan

The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.

More reviews in English