In my personal opinion, the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 is definitely a better speaker overall compared to the JBL Flip 5. Let me break down the reasons why I believe this to be true.
First and foremost, the build quality of the BOOM 3 is superior to that of the Flip 5. The BOOM 3 feels more solid and durable with its sleek fabric design and sturdy build. On the other hand, the Flip 5 feels a bit plasticky and less premium in comparison.
When it comes to sound performance, the BOOM 3 also outshines the Flip 5. The BOOM 3 is capable of getting much louder without experiencing noticeable distortion or compression. This means you can crank up the volume and still enjoy clear and detailed sound. In contrast, the Flip 5 tends to struggle at higher volumes, resulting in a less enjoyable listening experience.
One notable advantage of the BOOM 3 is its longer battery life. With up to 15 hours of playtime, you can go longer without needing to recharge compared to the Flip 5, which offers around 12 hours of playtime. This can be especially handy for outdoor activities or extended listening sessions.
In terms of soundstage performance, the BOOM 3 also takes the lead. It offers a more immersive and spacious soundstage, allowing you to better distinguish individual instruments and vocals in your music. This adds depth and dimension to your listening experience, making it more enjoyable overall. The Flip 5, while still decent, falls a bit short in this aspect.
Another advantage of the BOOM 3 is its ability to play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. This means that if you have a stereo audio source, such as certain music tracks or movies, the BOOM 3 will reproduce the left and right channels separately, providing a more accurate and immersive sound reproduction. The Flip 5, unfortunately, lacks this capability and will downmix stereo content to mono, resulting in a less dynamic and engaging listening experience.
To sum it up, the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 is the superior speaker when compared to the JBL Flip 5. It boasts better build quality, gets louder without compromising sound quality, has a longer battery life, and offers a more immersive soundstage performance. Additionally, its ability to play stereo content in true stereo adds another layer of enjoyment.