Front left view of the JBL Charge 5 BT speaker.

JBL Charge 5 Bass Problem

Unfortunately, the usual way to activate the JBL Charge 5 bass does not work and is a problem. Further, we know of no other way to switch this mode ON. But you could simulate it by adjusting an equalizer app on your streaming source device. Hopefully, JBL will add this feature in a later version of the firmware.

But if this did work, it might operate as follows, just as it has on other JBL Charge speakers.

Now when ON, this mode would make the passive bass radiators vibrate noticeably more.  Moreover, this bass setting would add a decidedly “thumpy” aspect to the content playing. This could make this speaker sound much bigger than it really is.

JBL Charge 5 Bass Problem: Proposed Solution

First off, by default, this BT speaker would have this bass mode ON by default.  Moreover, if this toggling actually worked, then it would also add more treble as well as extra bass as well.

Picture of the -Volume Down- and -Bluetooth- buttons on the JBL Charge 5.
The -Volume Down- and -Bluetooth- buttons on the JBL Charge 5.

JBL Charge 5 Bass Problem: Detailed Steps In Our Proposal

Someday we hope that you’ll be able to turn bass ON. It would work by pressing the Volume Down (-) and Bluetooth buttons. Then hold them in for about ten seconds.  Finally you would release them when the oval ring lights up.

Find these buttons on the top of the speaker.

Picture of all lights lit on the top button panel on the JBL Charge 5.
All lights lit on the top button panel on the JBL Charge 5.

Also, to reverse what you did above, then again, you would press the Volume Down and Bluetooth buttons. Hold them in until the oval button ring lights up once more.  Then release.  Finally, when the ring goes dark, the bass function would go back to what it was before.

Qualifiers

    1. Speaker firmware version for this test: 0.5.2.0.

Other JBL Charge 5 Posts

    1. JBL Charge 5 Watts RMS
    2. How Many Watts Does the JBL Charge 5 Have
    3. Restart JBL Charge 5 — How to Do It
    4. How to Know JBL Charge 5 Is Fully Charged
    5. Hard Reset JBL Charge 5 — How to Do It

References

    1. Official JBL Charge 5 Product Page
    2. Where to Buy the JBL Charge 5