JBL Pulse 3 Hands-on, First Impressions

After two years since the announcement of the Pulse 2, JBL has finally released its successor, the Pulse 3. It was unveiled during CES 2017 in January then made its way here in the Philippines in September. Find out our initial thoughts about this cool-looking speaker below.

JBL’s Pulse lineup became the brand’s most visually appealing Bluetooth speaker thanks to built-in LEDs and water-resistant body. That trend continued with the Pulse 3 and it’s even better than before.

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Pulse 3 is its design. Gone are the metal mesh found on the original Pulse and Pulse 2 and instead now features a glossy plastic. This has a drastic effect on its light show as it is now fuller and brighter.

Found below is the speaker with a textile mesh covering that is similar to the JBL Charge 3. The metallic JBL badge is placed right in the middle.

Looking at the back are the buttons and controls. There’s the LED indicator for the battery level, the buttons for the power, Bluetooth, Connect+, light presets, volume up, volume down, and Play.

Found under the flap are the 3.5mm audio port and the microUSB port. What’s missing here JBL Prism color sensor lens which has been replaced with a software feature found in the JBL Connect app.

At the top and bottom are the bass radiators with a glossy plastic exterior. Unlike the Pulse 2 that you can place upside down, the Pulse no longer recommends that for obvious reasons.

Another thing you’ll notice about the Pulse 3 is its size as it’s way bigger than the previous Pulse speakers. It’s heavier too, at 960g compared to the 775g Pulse 2, but still very much portable and can easily fit in a backpack.

As for its build, the Pulse 3 feels more premium and less rugged. The glossy plastic that encases the lights is prone to fingerprints although you won’t notice it when the lights are on. We’re also concerned that it would easily get scratched if it gets toppled or placed on its side.

Lastly, water-resistance has been improved. While the Pulse 2 is only splash-resistant, the Pulse 3 is now IPX7-certified meaning it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter in depth.

JBL Pulse 3 specs:
Bluetooth version: 4.2
Support: A2DP V1.3, AVRCP V1.6, HFP V1.6, HSP V1.2
Transducer: 3 x 40mm
Output power: 20W
Frequency response: 65Hz – 20kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio: >80dB
Battery type: Lithium-ion polymer (3.7V, 6000mAh)
Battery charge time: 4.5 hour @ 5V 2.3A
Music playing time: up to 12 hours (varies by volume level
and audio content)
Bluetooth transmitter power: 0 – 9dBm
Bluetooth transmitter frequency range: 2.402 – 2.480GHz
Bluetooth transmitter modulation: GFSK, n/4-DQPSK, 8DPSK
Dimensions (H x W x D): 223mm x 92mm x 92mm
Weight: 960g

The JBL Pulse is available at A. Refinery Stores for Php10,995USD 187INR 15,883EUR 178CNY 1,364. Stay tuned for our full review.