JBL Grip with Auracast Redefines Portable Speaker Category

Harman continues its relentless pace of innovation in consumer audio with the new JBL Grip. The newest member of JBL's iconic portable speaker lineup introduces another rugged design priced below the popular JBL Flip, combining bold sound with a new ambient light feature that is fully adjustable and adapts to the moment. The definitive go-anywhere, waterproof, dustproof, and dropproof speaker also supports multi-speaker wireless connection with Auracast, giving a whole new meaning to party mode.

With a fast pace of innovation in the true wireless stereo (TWS) space, most brands are scheduling product updates outside of a regular refresh cycle. As the consumer arm of GN Group, Jabra has the resources to follow through with this accelerated pace and quickly embrace features that are relevant for consumers. Having updated the firmware of its original Jabra Elite 8 Active and Elite 10 products early this year, the company now announced the next iteration Gen 2 of those very same products.

At IFA 2023, Jabra introduced two premium true wireless earbud models, both seating at the top of the market in terms of technology and features. Both offer Spatial Sound with Dolby Atmos, Advanced ANC, and optimal battery life. Very similar in design to previous Jabra models, the Elite 8 Active are tested to be the toughest earbuds with military standard for ruggedized electronics, with IP68 rating and Jabra ShakeGrip, while the Elite 10 are the new top tier earbuds optimized for Dolby Atmos with Dolby Head Tracking.

This article offers an interesting perspective on the challenges and solutions that the electronics industry in general and the audio industry specifically needs to consider when requirements for waterproof, moisture-proof, splash proof, weather-resistant, and sweat-proof are increasingly demanded by consumers. "While the marketing points on the box might claim IPx7, IP68, or sweat proof, from a manufacturing perspective, there are gaps in the different processes to achieve these standards," Lindberg writes. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, July 2020.