In today's portable audio landscape, Bluetooth speakers need to balance sound quality, portability, and durability. The Morel BIGGIE ($299) and JBL Clip 5 ($80) represent two distinct approaches to these challenges, targeting different users with unique priorities.
The portable speaker market has evolved significantly in recent years. When JBL launched their first Clip series speaker in 2014, the focus was primarily on basic portability. The new Clip 5, scheduled for June 2024 release, demonstrates how far compact speakers have come, with features like Auracast support and improved battery life. Meanwhile, the Morel BIGGIE represents a premium approach, prioritizing sound quality while maintaining reasonable portability.
The Morel BIGGIE employs a sophisticated two-way design with dedicated drivers: a 1-inch soft dome tweeter for high frequencies and a 4-inch woofer for mid-bass. This separation allows each driver to focus on its optimal frequency range, resulting in clearer, more detailed sound. The 60-watt Class D bi-amplification system (45W woofer + 15W tweeter) provides substantial power while maintaining efficiency.
The JBL Clip 5 uses a single full-range driver with a passive radiator for bass enhancement. While this simpler configuration can't match the BIGGIE's frequency separation, JBL's expertise in small speaker design helps it deliver surprisingly full sound for its size.
The BIGGIE's broader frequency response, particularly in the low end, means it can reproduce bass notes that the Clip 5 simply cannot. This difference becomes particularly noticeable with bass-heavy music or movie soundtracks.
Weight and size differences tell a clear story:
The Clip 5's integrated carabiner makes it incredibly versatile - attach it to a backpack, belt loop, or tent. The BIGGIE, while portable enough to move around the house or take to a friend's gathering, requires more deliberate transport.
Both speakers employ modern lithium-ion batteries, but with different priorities:
The BIGGIE's fast charging feature is particularly useful for home use, where quick top-ups between gatherings are common. The Clip 5's battery life is impressive given its size, easily lasting through a day of outdoor activities.
The Clip 5's IP67 rating means it's fully dustproof and can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. This makes it ideal for beach trips, poolside use, or even shower listening. The BIGGIE, while well-built, isn't specifically rated for water resistance, suggesting it's better suited for covered outdoor spaces.
Both speakers utilize Bluetooth 5.3, offering:
The Morel BIGGIE includes:
The JBL Clip 5 offers:
The BIGGIE excels with complex musical arrangements, where its separate tweeter and woofer can properly render different frequency ranges. Classical music, jazz, and well-produced rock all benefit from its more sophisticated driver setup. The Clip 5 performs admirably with popular music, focusing on clear vocals and punchy mid-bass, though it can't match the BIGGIE's bass extension or overall clarity.
While the BIGGIE can serve as a decent temporary TV speaker thanks to its full-range sound and higher volume capability, neither speaker is ideal as a primary home theater solution. The Clip 5's size and frequency response limitations make it better suited for casual video content like YouTube or social media.
At nearly four times the price, the BIGGIE needs to justify its premium position. It does this through:
The Clip 5 delivers exceptional value through:
Consider the BIGGIE if:
The Clip 5 makes more sense if:
Both speakers show how far portable audio has come, but they serve distinctly different needs. The Morel BIGGIE represents a premium audio-first approach, while the JBL Clip 5 exemplifies the evolution of ultra-portable design. Your choice should align with your primary use case and value expectations rather than purely specs or price.
| Morel BIGGIE | JBL Clip 5 |
|---|---|
| Price - Base investment required | |
| $299 (premium audio focus) | $80 (excellent value for portability) |
| Size - Impacts portability and sound capabilities | |
| 7"W x 7"H x 4-1/2"D (semi-portable) | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (ultra-compact) |
| Weight - Critical for carrying and mounting | |
| 5.7 lbs (occasional transport) | 0.63 lbs (clip-anywhere portability) |
| Audio Configuration - Determines sound quality potential | |
| Two-way: 1" tweeter + 4" woofer with 60W bi-amplification | Single full-range driver with passive radiator |
| Frequency Response - Range of sound reproduction | |
| 40Hz-20kHz (fuller bass response) | 95Hz-20kHz (limited low end) |
| Maximum Volume - Important for outdoor use | |
| 95dB @ 1m (suitable for parties) | Not specified (adequate for personal listening) |
| Battery Life - Time between charges | |
| 20 hours + fast charging (4hrs from 20min charge) | 12-15 hours (with Playtime Boost) |
| Water/Dust Protection - Outdoor usability | |
| Not rated (indoor/covered use recommended) | IP67 (fully waterproof/dustproof) |
| Connectivity Features - Flexibility of use | |
| Bluetooth 5.3, TWS pairing, 3.5mm aux, USB-C charging out | Bluetooth 5.3, Auracast, Multi-point connection |
| Special Features - Additional value adds | |
| Custom DSP, fast charging, phone charging capability | Integrated carabiner, EQ app control, waterproofing |
| Best Use Case - Primary intended purpose | |
| Home/patio audio with premium sound quality | Active lifestyle with maximum portability |
The Morel BIGGIE offers superior sound quality with its two-way driver system and 60W amplification. While the JBL Clip 5 sounds good for its size, it can't match the BIGGIE's fuller bass response and clarity.
The JBL Clip 5 is significantly more portable at just 0.63 lbs with an integrated carabiner clip. The Morel BIGGIE at 5.7 lbs is transportable but meant more for moving between rooms or occasional outings.
The Morel BIGGIE costs $299, while the JBL Clip 5 is priced at $80. The significant price difference reflects their different target markets and capabilities.
The Morel BIGGIE offers up to 20 hours of playback and features fast charging. The JBL Clip 5 provides 12-15 hours with Playtime Boost enabled.
The JBL Clip 5 is fully waterproof and dustproof (IP67 rated), making it ideal for outdoor use. The Morel BIGGIE can be used outdoors but should be kept protected from weather.
The Morel BIGGIE is better for parties with its 95dB maximum volume and fuller sound. The JBL Clip 5 is more suited for personal or small group listening.
Both speakers feature Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and can easily connect to smartphones. The Morel BIGGIE also offers a 3.5mm auxiliary input for wired connections.
The Morel BIGGIE provides significantly better bass response, reaching down to 40Hz compared to the JBL Clip 5's 95Hz lower limit.
The JBL Clip 5 is ideal for beach use with its waterproof design and ultra-portable size. The Morel BIGGIE isn't recommended for beach use due to lack of water resistance.
Both speakers support multi-point connection, allowing connection to multiple devices. The Morel BIGGIE adds TWS pairing for stereo sound with two speakers.
The JBL Clip 5 offers excellent value at $80 for its portability and features. The Morel BIGGIE justifies its higher price through superior sound quality and additional features.
Choose the JBL Clip 5 for active lifestyle and on-the-go use. Pick the Morel BIGGIE if you prioritize sound quality and mainly use it at home or for gatherings.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: theabsolutesound.com - ecoustics.com - crutchfield.com - techradar.com - crutchfield.com - tpdhifi.com - audioxpress.com - nlp.stanford.edu - eisa.eu - muzix.eu - howtogeek.com - soundguys.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - gymcaddy.net - jbl.com - mm.jbl.com - soundguys.com - th.jbl.com - hu.harmanaudio.com
