JLab B-Flex X-Bass Laptop Speaker Review

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Reviewed by: R. Scott Clark
Reviewed on: January 25th, 2012 JLab B-Flex X-Bass Laptop Speaker

If you're reading this on a laptop, the odds are good that your speakers can cause an audiophile to suffer severe internal bleeding. And while that's not necessarily a bad thing, you could probably still stand to upgrade your speakers to a nice USB alternative with a little more oomph. Today we're taking an in-depth look at JLab's B-Flex X-Bass, an odd little system that incorporates a subwoofer into a package smaller than a can of Red Bull. Press on to see how it stacks up in our review.

USB digital audio
Excellent volume
Passive subwoofer delivers strong bass response
Single connection with zero excess cable slack
Not constrained to desk or laptop use

Midtones are lacking without EQ tweak
Sound is highly directional from side of laptop
Minimal stereo separation
No analog input for MP3 players

Speaker Design
When it comes to selecting USB speakers to replace the ones built into your laptop, there's typically a few varieties to choose from. Some speakers are meant to be stood on a desk and aren't particularly well suited for couch use, some may latch onto the sides of the laptop screen, and still others will grasp the top of the screen in a one-piece soundbar configuration. No matter the design there's usually an excess of USB cable slack to contend with along with excess connecting wire if the speakers are split. Throw in yet another cable if the speakers happen to be analog.

JLab shuns these traditional designs with their B-Flex line of USB speakers and instead takes a more asymmetrical, cable-free approach that's sure to turn heads. In essence, the B-Flex takes a pair of stereo speakers rests them atop of a flexible metal USB stalk that behaves like a reading lamp. The appearance is so off-kilter that it honestly becomes a slight distraction when plugged in. (Did my laptop suddenly grow a satellite dish? A tumor?) Still, it's hard to argue with the reduced bulk and insane portability of the little guy. It takes all of one second to plug the speakers in, and one second to remove them. Three seconds if a bag is involved. The stalk design shares a trait with soundbars in that it's versatile enough to be used on a couch, but unlike soundbars it can also be used with a desktop computer if there's a powered USB hub nearby.

So how does the new B-Flex X-Bass expand upon the unique design of the original B-Flex, you ask? By incorporating a small removable bipod forged out of a cent's worth of sturdy plastic. Don't laugh. Believe it or not this tiny kickstand acts as an excellent conduit for resonating the X-Bass' imposing sound through wooden desks. That is, of course, assuming your laptop isn't so thick that the kickstand is raised off the desk like it is with my 17" gaming behemoth. The other, more obvious function of the kickstand is to stabilize against bass kicks at high volume - an excellent function to have considering the X-Bass now sports a passive subwoofer that adorns the top of the speaker pod.

While not unprecedented, the use of a subwoofer is certainly a rarity for laptop speakers, and I've yet to see any others incorporate it into such a small enclosure at only 5" x 1-1/2" x 1-7/8" without the stalk. The subwoofer's silvery dust cap does wonders for contrasting with the smooth black of the casing, though I can't help but wish there was a metal grille protecting the woofer like there is for the micro drivers. Even though the metal dust cap and rubber boot seem durable enough on their own, the silk screened JLab logo scratches off easily with a fingernail. Alas, JLab fails to provide a protective travel case for the X-Bass, and I'd hate to see how a rogue HDMI or USB cable plug would mark up the woofer or scratch the glossy surface inside the abyss of my laptop bag.