A great item if you want Google Assistant but want something which can add a bit more to your music experience.
JBL is a company which offers great speaker technology, and the ability to use voice control and link it to other compatible speakers is very welcome. It is a good alternative to some of the pricier options out there, and while it may not provide sound which could rival the top speakers out there, you still get a warm sound and great bass.
It is a relatively small device, which makes the sound quality even more impressive. There is an exposed woofer situated at the back, although it would be nice if this were at the front not just to improve quality but also to add something new to the mix design-wise.
There are some basic controls at the top of the speaker to give you physical control. Bluetooth pairing, mic mute, Google Assistant, volume control and a playback button will appeal to some who like an alternative to using their voice all the time.
Which could be good as well, as it does struggle to pick up voices when the volume is on the higher levels. Things could get quite shouty, especially if you aren’t anywhere near the speaker at the time. Which is frustrating, as so many of its rivals would pick up your voice even at a whisper. There were a few issues where the wrong artist was heard, which was frustrating.
There is also no way to voice call as of yet, which cheaper alternatives can do. But it does recognise different voices so answers can be more tailored towards what they need to hear. And you can create a little ecosystem of sound with other JBL Link or Chromecast speakers, and choose to play the same song on all of them or different in each room.
