The physical controls are a major strength, with clear source selection and dedicated knobs for volume, tone, instruments, and effects. They are quicker and more satisfying than relying on the...
Pros: Battery life (if portable), Weight convenience
Cons: App reliability, Remote control usability
The top-panel controls are useful and comprehensive, covering playback, volume, Bluetooth, microphone mute, and voice-assistant access. Reviewers especially liked the circular volume control when it registered gestures properly.
Pros: Overall sound quality, Design and aesthetics
Cons: Multi-speaker pairing reliability, Smart features
The dedicated playback and volume controls are convenient and well liked, reducing the need to reach for a phone during everyday use.
Pros: Overall sound quality, Overall satisfaction
Cons: Price / value for money, App reliability
On-device playback controls are praised as working perfectly.
Pros: Frequency response balance, Loudness / maximum volume
Cons: Weight convenience, Lighting effects
Touch controls cover the core playback functions cleanly, letting users adjust volume, pause, play, and navigate tracks with simple gestures.
Pros: Overall satisfaction, Overall sound quality
Cons: Trueplay room tuning, Smart assistant integration (Alexa
On-device controls were praised for covering core playback, Bluetooth, XBass, and TWS functions without always needing the app.
Pros: Magnetic mounting, Frequency response balance
Cons: Backwards compatibility, Distortion at high volume
The physical playback, volume, Bluetooth, and Auracast controls are straightforward and dependable. Familiar JBL layouts help returning users operate it immediately.
Pros: Music performance, Battery life (if portable)
Cons: Lighting effects, Charging cable inclusion
The new top-mounted touch controls are widely seen as a welcome, premium-feeling addition and make basic playback and volume changes easy without a remote.
Pros: Design and aesthetics, Overall sound quality
Cons: Value for money, App reliability
Front-facing controls are praised for convenient volume adjustment and one-press source switching.
Pros: Placement footprint, speaker size
Cons: HDMI ARC, HDMI ARC support
Physical controls are straightforward and convenient for volume, input, playback, and switching speaker modes. They reduce dependence on the app for basic operation.
Pros: Inter-speaker connectivity, AI Room Calibration
Cons: Value for money, Music performance
Physical controls are practical and generally well received, with side buttons for playback, volume, presets, Bluetooth, and voice-related functions. They make the speaker easier to use without digging through HEOS...
Pros: Music performance, Voice clarity
Cons: Small-room suitability, Smart assistant integration (Alexa
On-device controls were considered adequate to strong, especially when they let the user manage music or lights without pulling out a phone.
Pros: Loudness / maximum volume, Drop resistance durability
Cons: Microphone, Speakerphone quality
Play, pause, volume, and separate assistant-volume options are useful, but the invisible touch targets make the controls less intuitive than physical buttons.
Pros: Music performance, Voice assistant responsiveness
Cons: Value for money, Bass performance
Basic playback and volume controls are accessible on the main cabinet. Track skipping and radio-station navigation remain shortcomings.
Pros: Design and aesthetics, Overall sound quality
Cons: Placement footprint, Midrange performance
The only physical knob and power control sit on the rear of the active speaker, making direct adjustments awkward. Most users will rely on the remote, app, or TV remote...
Pros: Bass performance, Value for money
Cons: On-device controls, Auto-off and standby behavior
On-device control is one of the clearest weaknesses. Beyond rear-mounted power/source and setup switches, there is no convenient speaker-mounted volume or mute control, leaving everyday operation heavily dependent on the...
Pros: Design and aesthetics, Small-room suitability
Cons: Distortion at high volume, On-device controls