Choosing Between Premium and Portable: Morel BIGGIE ($299) vs JBL Flip 5 ($79.95)

The portable Bluetooth speaker market has evolved dramatically in recent years, with options ranging from budget-friendly units to premium audio solutions. Today we're comparing two very different approaches to portable audio - one focusing on sound quality, the other on versatility and durability.

Understanding the Category

Portable Bluetooth speakers need to balance multiple competing factors: sound quality, battery life, durability, and portability. While all speakers make these trade-offs, they typically lean heavily toward one strength. Some prioritize rugged durability for outdoor adventures, while others focus on delivering premium audio for more controlled environments.

A Tale of Two Approaches

The Morel BIGGIE, released in August 2024, represents a premium approach to portable audio. It's essentially a high-end bookshelf speaker that happens to have a battery and Bluetooth. Meanwhile, the JBL Flip 5, from 2019, exemplifies the classic portable speaker - compact, rugged, and ready for adventure.

Design Philosophy and Build

The BIGGIE takes its design cues from high-end home audio, with a substantial MDF cabinet and sophisticated driver arrangement. At 5.7 pounds, it's portable but meant more for room-to-room movement than backpack carry. The removable leather-style handle adds a premium touch while maintaining practicality.

The Flip 5 follows JBL's proven cylindrical design, weighing just 1.2 pounds with a rugged fabric covering and rubber ends. Its IPX7 waterproofing means it can handle full submersion in water - something the BIGGIE wasn't designed for.

Technical Deep Dive

Audio Architecture

The BIGGIE employs a true two-way speaker design with a 1-inch soft dome tweeter and 4-inch woofer. This separation of high and low frequencies allows each driver to focus on what it does best. The 60-watt Class D amplification (split 45W/15W between woofer and tweeter) provides substantial power while maintaining efficiency.

The Flip 5 uses a single racetrack-shaped driver paired with passive radiators for bass enhancement. While simpler, this design has proven effective for portable use, though it can't match the clarity and separation of a two-way system.

Sound Quality

Having heard both speakers, the BIGGIE's audio advantage is clear, especially in controlled environments. Its frequency response extends from 40Hz to 20kHz, providing deeper bass and more natural sound reproduction. The dedicated tweeter delivers crisp highs without harshness, while the woofer handles midrange and bass duties cleanly.

The Flip 5's single-driver design starts rolling off at 65Hz, meaning you lose some of the deepest bass notes. However, it projects well for its size and excels at outdoor use where ultimate fidelity is less critical.

Modern Connectivity

The BIGGIE sports Bluetooth 5.3 with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), offering improved range and stability over the Flip 5's older Bluetooth 4.2 implementation. It's also Auracast-ready, anticipating future broadcast audio capabilities.

Both speakers offer ways to expand their sound field - the BIGGIE through True Wireless Stereo (TWS) pairing, and the Flip 5 via JBL's PartyBoost feature. TWS creates a proper stereo image, while PartyBoost focuses more on filling larger spaces with sound.

Real-World Performance

Indoor Use

The BIGGIE truly shines indoors, where its sophisticated driver arrangement and DSP (Digital Signal Processing) can work their magic. Room acoustics complement its capabilities, and the wider soundstage becomes apparent. For home theater use, a pair of BIGGIEs in TWS mode could serve as capable TV speakers, though they lack any specific home theater processing.

The Flip 5 performs adequately indoors but doesn't offer the same room-filling presence or clarity. It's more suited to background music or casual listening.

Outdoor Performance

Here's where the tables turn. The Flip 5's weatherproof design, robust construction, and focused sound projection make it ideal for outdoor use. While the BIGGIE can certainly be used outdoors, its lack of weather resistance and more delicate components make it less suitable.

Battery Life and Charging

The BIGGIE's 20-hour battery life at moderate volumes matches modern expectations, and its fast-charging capability (4 hours from a 20-minute charge) is impressive. The Flip 5's 12-hour battery life is adequate but not exceptional, and it lacks fast charging.

Value Consideration

At $299, the BIGGIE represents a significant investment but delivers authentic high-fidelity sound in a portable package. The Flip 5 at $79.95 offers impressive value, especially considering its durability and proven track record.

How to Decide

Choose the BIGGIE if:

• Audio quality is your primary concern
• You'll mainly use it indoors
• You appreciate proper stereo imaging (when paired)
• You want modern connectivity features

Choose the Flip 5 if:

• You need genuine durability and waterproofing
• Portability is crucial
• You're budget-conscious
• You frequently use your speaker outdoors

The decision ultimately comes down to your primary use case. The BIGGIE delivers superior audio quality and modern features at a premium price, while the Flip 5 offers proven durability and portability at a more accessible price point. Both excel at their intended purposes, but they're designed for different listeners with different needs.

Morel BIGGIE Portable Bluetooth Speaker Deals and Prices

JBL Flip 5 Portable Speaker Deals and Prices