HMDX Jam Plus Portable Bluetooth Speaker

I am a bit of a sucker for bluetooth speakers. My wife teases me because over the last 6 months or so I have reviewed about a dozen. It may be somewhat surprising but I am noticing an gradual improvement in overall sound quality and overall performance even in this short amount - each new speaker seems to be a little bit better than the ones that I tested the previous month. The HMDX Jam Plus certainly fits that mold - as a stand alone speaker it has solid performance (especially for its size) but once it is paired to a second HMX Jam Plus - it really begins to shine.

Notes -

- As mentioned, two HMDX Jam Plus speakers can be paired for true stereo sound. The pairing process is super easy - set one speaker to left, one to right and hold each power button for 5 seconds (while it is off) - once you hear the drum you know that they are paired.

- As both a pair and as a solo speaker the sound volume is impressive - not quite to the Supertooth level, but at this price point I am shocked at the overall volume. At this price point you can buy two HMDX Jam Plus for the price of a moderately priced bluetooth speaker.... the HMDX sounds better than many of these middle-of-road bluetooth speakers (not to be confused with the high-end stereo bluetooth speakers NuForce S3-BT - which are elite).

- The sound quality is better than average - as you would expect for a speaker of this size the bass response is a bit shallow. As a whole the speaker lacks depth and crispness, but when you a second speaker this is largely negated. Again.... at this pricepoint it will be hard to do better.

- Need to be used in isolation of other bluetooth devices or you will get interference in the speakers causing them to sound full of static and muffled. This is not a issue isolated to the HMDX Jam Plus since I have the same problem with the SuperTooth Disco Twin

- The biggest negative is that speaker is prone to scratches - this compounded by the fact they a carrying case is not included. The speaker is small, but if you throw it into your backpack the speaker will get scratched.

- Small - roughly half the size of a can of soda/bear

- Rechargeable batteries - battery life is rated at 4 hours, but expect less when played at higher volumes

Final Verdict - The HMDX Jam Plus is nearly the perfect inexpensive bluetooth speaker. It offers plenty of volume, better than average sound, can be paired wireless - I just wish that it didn't scratch so easily. Even with that - I still recommend it to anyone who is looking for small stereo bluetooth speakers.

4 Stars

Please note - I received this speaker for reviewing purposes

[raulrocks]

Great review! Any idea if you can still pair two if you're using an audio cable connection as opposed to bluetooth?

[raulrocks]

Thanks, I'm aware they can't daisy chain. Since they are wireless, I meant can you connect a cable to one and can the other pick up the connection wirelessly. A Y cable is another option, but if it could do it wirelessly you'd get a much further distance that you could place them apart (unless you get a REALLY long Y cable).

[kennethgnielsen]

Can you use the mono setting to get both speakers to produce the full sound mono of course, or is it only for stereo?

[mattcondron]

HI...you seem like the perfect person to ask. I just got the JBL Flip. Love it. Can I use two of these without needing a wire to connect? Cheers

[amisfit]

PS Just heard the 4 hour battery life from a charge at the end. I missed it the first time. Are there better speakers you have found for battery life or are they all similar as the ones I have seen all say between 4 and 5 hours.

[greggh]

What do you mean by "pair?" You can use two of any portable speakers. You just need a Y cable or splitter. If you want stereo get a 3.5mm stereo to left and right mono cable. But you can't daisy chain these as they don't have an aux out.

[greggh]

I know that. But I didn't think one speaker transmits to the other speaker. I thought your bluetooth device alone transmitted to each left and right designated speaker.

[saxman]

brandonboogaard After having it paired with one device, I figured out that pairing with more devices is actually quite simple.  First, you just need to turn both the speakers on, wait for the steel drum tone on both, and then hold the play/pause button on one of the speakers until the Bluetooth light begins to flash rapidly (make sure that your device that's already paired has its Bluetooth turned off first).  From there, go to your 2nd device you wish to pair to it, turn its Bluetooth on, and then select Jam2 from the device list.  The speakers should then pair after a few seconds.  Hope this helps!

[RickTheGreatestPosterEver]

I bought a pair of these for $120 and while the pairing feature is awesome, I feel like the sound quality is inferior. The highs frequencies sometimes sound like hissing and static.

Can someone recommend a similar product with better quality and preferably a BIGGER cone?

[TheDrizzle]

Is the jam plus louder than the jam classic?

[charruaporelmundo]

Uffss..I'm like you...there already 15 days!..this ones or the JAM XT™ EXTREME RUGGEDIZED WIRELESS SPEAKER, wich one?...I do belive the second one has much more bat life....What do you think?

[SupperSarcasticGuy]

I work at a delightful place with no radio, and it's a big place my friend works on one side of the Deli and I work on the other side About 15 to 20 feet away form each other. My question to you is, since you have both how far from each other can both speakers be and still work?

[Kazukamichan]

I have the classic jam when on Bluetooth I notice if any Bluetooth device is near it, it kicks it out of Bluetooth

[jessmartinez]

my speaker keeps blinking a purple light while playing it makes the music stop for a couple second how can I fix it????

[fadedhounds]

does the jam2 light only come on if you have two of them?

[Montano]

I got one last week. For $40 and everte me I try connecting it it say "make sure the speaker is turned on or in range" can you help .

[sueseymour]

the scratching isn't an issue if u keep it in the container it comes in when packing it from place from place. I take mine to work every day. using the container. it also has its own space for ur charger so u do'n't loose it.

[amisfit]

How long does the charge last as I bought a Super Bass which is much smaller but once charged it lasts about 90 mins spoken word. I am therefore looking for a bluetooth speaker which can hold a decent charge. I can leave my current speaker on charge for a whole day for about 90 mins spoken word. Any recommendations because if you have viewed a dozen you may be the best person to speak to. My super bass is generic Chinese and good sound for the £ but terrible battery life.

[cuddles]

I thought you were going to show ONE playing first by itself and then both. Your video started out with BOTH playing music together. Would have been nice to hear just ONE playing alone.

[tamekaakamekadread]

My mom accidentally dropped my speaker in some water. How do I open it to see if I can repair it? Been searching online for help and nothing about actually repairing it