smart health connected speaker does not escape false notes smart health innovation

In the musical field, there are many flagship companies. JBL is one of them and very quickly followed the trend of the smart health connected speaker. She continues on this path with the JBL Playlist, an object created for the health home and listening in a living room or bedroom. Still playing the game of simplicity, it remains to be seen if the sound quality is really worthy of the name. The answer in our Review.

The smart health connected speaker is one of the objects that we find most regularly during evenings with friends or family. This product is now part of everyday life, and JBL is one of the most popular brands. Notably recognized for its portable and reduced-size machines, it also thinks of more homebody users with the Playlist. A device that is simple to install, use and has a pleasant sound, this is what the brand is committed to. A waltz of promise that does not go without some bad notes.

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Mark : JBLCategory: smart health connected speakerConnection: Bluetooth / WifiCompatibility: iOS / AndroidPrice: € 179Availability: immediateTested with: Huawei Honor 8

Unboxing of the JBL Playlist smart health connected speaker

With its packaging, the JBL Playlist does not revolutionize the genre. We are in a very classic scheme for a smart health connected speaker, without too much madness in terms of colors. The product on a gray background, the brand, some indications on the functionalities and voila. The box is however very easy to open and quite practical. Inside, you immediately realize that JBL wants to offer an easy-to-use product. And for good reason, the box contains very few objects.

Most of the space is taken up by the smart health connected speaker, but everything else actually fits in a small black card. In it, we find everything you need to operate the device. The manual, a power cable, an adapter, and that's it. Those who hate long installations will therefore be reassured from the first glimpse of the machine and its few external components. Too bad we can't find no jack cable included, just to quickly enjoy his music.

Design and ergonomics of the JBL Playlist

When we talk about the JBL Playlist smart health connected speaker, we can say that simplicity is a real thread running through this product. Indeed, the machine has a very sober design, unadorned and with a unique color over its entire surface. If its shape will please some and not others, we can still regret the lack of variety in the look of the device, the JBL logo on the front being the only one to break a certain monotony. Despite this, the JBL Playlist can't really be discreet in the places where it is placed. Difficult to imagine a lot of decorations in which she could really fit.

In terms of ergonomics, the smart health connected speaker blows hot and cold in terms of its capacity. Regarding the commands directly installed on the device, it is a flawless. The buttons, few in number, respond well to pressures and are covered with a material pleasant to the touch.

We meet however some problems with the latter, which detected the smartphone without launching the music for several minutes. So we have some doubts as to the ability of the object to be used anywhere in the house. Same assessment for Wifi which is struggling to find its way at the start. Once these problems are encountered, everything seems to work fine. However, there is something to dampen the enthusiasm of some.

Getting started and applying the JBL Playlist smart health connected speaker

As explained several times above, the JBL Playlist is easy to use. This is obviously the case in its handling, with a fewer orders on the device himself. The installation reflects this desire to offer a accessible and practical machine : you connect the speaker smart health connected with the power cable … And that's it. On the "physical" side in any case, since it is still necessary to configure the application allowing to control the machine remotely.

It should therefore be specified that the JBL Playlist is compatible with Chromecast, and has been managed since the health home app. This is about the only platform to which the machine is linked, which may displease some, including users of Apple products and their AirPlay. That said, Google’s ecosystem is already more than adequate for compatibility with the most important services. From Deezer to Spotify, music lovers should easily find their account. As specified in the previous category, we are still entitled to some connection problems during the first attempts.

But then, what about the functioning of this application? As with other objects linked to Chromecast, it allows define the location of our smart health connected speaker. Those who already have such devices will find a familiar system, while getting started is quick among newcomers. Few features are offered, which is perfectly normal since the JBL Playlist is sold as a simple speaker, no more no less. Nevertheless, more pronounced and more precise control via the application would not have been too much.

The sound quality of the JBL Playlist

This is the big question that can decide whether or not to buy a speaker. If we appreciate the options and control offered by smart health connected objects, we must not forget that we choose this kind of product to listen to music or lyrics. In the latter case, the JBL Playlist is doing very well: podcasts or radio broadcasts are very pleasant to the ear. The voices are particularly clear and stand out well from any background sound. Aside from the sudden bursts of laughter that the machine can barely bear, that's a good point.

However, this is not the only context in which the machine shows difficulties. These are notably the treble problem and tend to sizzle when the sound is a little too loud. Even without focusing on it, you can't help but notice some acidity. On the side of bass and bass, however, it's just the opposite. A powerful sound, without unpleasant variations and which particularly honors the music based on these registers.

Depending on what you're listening to, the JBL Playlist smart health connected speaker can enchant you as well as frustrate you. It all depends on what you are looking for in this product. For 175 euros, we are far from a shameful sound, but this one still could have offered better performance.

The JBL Playlist smart health connected speaker facing the competition

As the smart health connected speaker market grows day by day, the JBL Playlist has no shortage of competitors. It remains to be seen if it can cope with what they have to offer.

Fender Monterey

Let's start with the Fender Monterey, a device close to the JBL product in terms of capacity and sound. Just like the latter, we find here treble that struggles to convince, while the bass is the real highlight of the machine. In terms of design, the advantage goes rather to the Monterey, as its retro look, but timeless, also makes it a very significant decorative object. On the other hand, it is on its ergonomics that we will linger to find real problems. We cannot indeed control nothing from your smartphone, but only via the buttons on the top of the machine. A black point for this smart health connected speaker which was hitherto more than satisfactory, even more when we discover its price: 349 euros.

Bose Soundlink III

Just like JBL, Bose is one of those giants of the smart health connected speaker that we meet everywhere. With the Soundlink III, the company offers an object still effective today. To speak directly of the annoying problems, this one has a disadvantage opposite to that of the JBL Playlist: bass that is not at the level. For the rest, we are faced with a high-performance creation, particularly in terms of design. Robust, simple to use and with 14 hours of battery life. If it is a speaker dating a little today, it is thus within the reach of all budgets and can be found around 180 euros.

Beats Pill +

With the Beats brand, the trinity of flagship companies for smart health connected speakers is complete. With the Pill +, we get out of the genre to which the other three products belong, this one being made for transport. If his sound rendering is less efficient than others, its size and possibility to take it everywhere with you compensates for this fact. Moving requires, it is very easy to use and offers a beautiful power despite its appearance. Available around 180 euros, we will be more likely to recommend it to those who are unable to stay put.

Conclusion of the JBL Playlist smart health connected speaker

The JBL Playlist is clearly not free from defects. Despite the bass and bass very well rendered, difficult to overlook the acidity of its highs. We note in addition to connection issues (Bluetooth and Wifi) during the first tests, although they are less numerous thereafter. However, it should not be forgotten that this smart health connected speaker is made to be accessible, whether we're talking about users or their wallets. On this point, it is a great success. Physical installation is done in seconds and its handling is very intuitive. The integrated Chromecast system has a lot to do with it, especially for its simplicity.

Good points

• Simple installation

• Efficient ergonomics

• Bass and bass well rendered

Negative points

• Treble acidity

• Connection problems (in Bluetooth and Wifi)

• No Jack cable provided

Design and ergonomics – 6

Getting started and application – 6

Sound quality – 6

Value for money – 7

6.3

Design and Ergonomics : JBL wanted its smart health connected speaker to be both simple to install and to use. We can say that from this point of view, society has succeeded in what it undertook. However, the connection problems encountered are really damaging and make the experience less pleasant than what the product promised.

Getting started and application : Included in the Chromecast range, the JBL Playlist therefore benefits from the same application as the Google health home in particular. However, there are quite a few features on it. And impossible to choose another platform since it is the only one compatible with the smart health connected speaker.

Sound quality : Here, we go from very good to very average. If the bass and bass are honored by the speaker, the same cannot be said of the treble. These don't spoil the experience, but it taints it clearly.

Quality / Price ratio : Given the competition, we can say that the JBL Playlist is in the middle of the genre's standards. If the various problems of the machine do not allow to say that the price is perfectly fair, it has the merit of not reaching a staggering sum.

AB SMART HEALTH REVIEW