TREBLAB HD77  Speaker Review

Reviewed Feb 10, 2022 at 10:27am
Writing modified Aug 03, 2022 at 02:59pm
Tested using methodology v0.8 
TREBLAB HD77
6.7
Music 
5.9
Videos/Movies 
7.6
Podcasts 
3.2
Voice Assistant 
7.2
Outdoors 
 2

The TREBLAB HD77 is a small and well-built portable Bluetooth speaker that comes with a removable carrying strap and carabiner clip, so you can attach it to your bag when you're out and about. It has a similar design and build to speakers from JBL's Flip series like the JBL Flip 5. It's rated IPX6 for water resistance, meaning it can withstand being in direct contact with water for up to three minutes, so you don't have to worry about it getting a bit wet when taking it outdoors with you. Thanks to its 360-degree design, this stereo speaker offers a wide and immersive-sounding soundstage. However, like most speakers its size, it lacks a thumpy low-bass and doesn't get very loud. Unfortunately, unlike the JBL Flip 6, it lacks sound customization features like a graphic EQ to tweak its sound to your liking.

Our Verdict

6.7
Music 

The TREBLAB HD77 is alright for music. This stereo speaker has a fantastic soundstage perceived as open and spacious thanks to its 360-degree design. Its sound profile is fairly neutral, and vocals and lead instruments sound present in the mix, though its mid and treble ranges are a bit uneven, causing them to sound muddy and dull at times. Also, like most speakers its size, it doesn't get very loud and lacks a thumpy low-bass. Unfortunately, there aren't any sound customization features like a graphic EQ or presets to customize its sound to your liking.

Pros
None
Cons
  • Lacks sound customization features.
5.9
Videos/Movies 

The TREBLAB HD77 is middling for watching movies and videos. It offers an immersive soundstage perceived as wide and spacious. However, its uneven mid and treble ranges make voices and dialogue sound alternately muddy and veiled at times. Like most speakers its size, it doesn't get very loud and lacks low-bass, so you can't feel the thump and rumble in action-packed movies and videos. Also, it has high Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices, which causes syncing issues between the audio you hear and the visuals you see. That said, some apps compensate for latency differently, and your experience may differ.

Pros
None
Cons
  • Lacks low-bass.
  • Lacks sound customization features.
  • High Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices.
7.6
Podcasts 

The TREBLAB HD77 is good for podcasts. It's incredibly portable, so you can listen to your favorite podcasts and audiobooks anywhere you go. Thanks to its 360-degree design, it has excellent directivity, meaning you can hear your audio clearly from most angles. Unfortunately, while voices sound mostly clear and present in the mix, the unevenness in its mid and treble ranges makes them sound alternately muddy and dull at times. That said, while it doesn't get very loud, it's still loud enough for use in small spaces, like listening to your podcast in a small office.

Pros
None
Cons
  • Lacks sound customization features.
  • Compression artifacts present at max volume.
3.2
Voice Assistant 

The TREBLAB HD77 doesn't support voice assistants.

7.2
Outdoors 

The TREBLAB HD77 is decent for outdoor use. It's well-built and rated IPX6 for water resistance, certifying it to withstand being in direct contact with water for up to 3 minutes, so you don't have to worry about it getting wet when taking it outdoors with you. Its small and lightweight design makes it incredibly portable, and it comes with a removable carrying strap and carabiner clip so you can attach it to your bag when you're out and about. Unfortunately, it doesn't get very loud, and it lacks a thumpy low-bass. There are also compression artifacts at max volume that degrade the quality of your audio as you bump up the volume.

Pros
  • IPX6 rating for water resistance.
Cons
  • Lacks low-bass.
  • Compression artifacts present at max volume.
  • 6.7
    Music
  • 5.9
    Videos/Movies
  • 7.6
    Podcasts
  • 3.2
    Voice Assistant
  • 7.2
    Outdoors
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Aug 03, 2022: Added comparison to Bushnell Wingman speaker in 'Style' box.
    2.  Updated Feb 10, 2022: Review published.
    3.  Updated Feb 03, 2022: Early access published.
    4.  Updated Jan 25, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The TREBLAB HD77 comes in Black, Blue, and Gray. This review represents the test results for the Black variant; you can see its label here. That said, these variants are expected to perform similarly.

    If you come across any other variants of this speaker, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.

    Note: The manufacturer released an updated version of this speaker that supports Bluetooth 5.0 and advertises an improved microphone performance and battery consumption. The test results in this review represent the latest version of this speaker. The older version supported Bluetooth 4.2.

    Popular Speaker Comparisons

    The TREBLAB HD77 is a small portable Bluetooth speaker that's strikingly similar to speakers from JBL's Flip series like the JBL Flip 6 and JBL Flip 5, though it has RGB light rings on its sides. It comes with a removable carrying strap and carabiner clip, so you can easily bring it along with you when you're out and about. It has an incredible, open-sounding soundstage, and unlike the JBL Flip 5, it can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. It also features an AUX input to wire your devices to the speaker. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a companion app with sound customization features like a graphic EQ or presets to tweak its sound to your liking.

    See also our recommendations for the best golf cart speakers, the best portable Bluetooth speakers, and the best waterproof speakers.

    JBL Flip 5

    Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the TREBLAB HD77 or the JBL Flip 5. The TREBLAB can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono and has better directivity, resulting in a wider and more immersive-sounding soundstage. There's an AUX input to wire your devices to the speaker. Its battery also lasted around three hours longer during our tests, though this varies depending on your usage. That said, the JBL offers a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box. It's compatible with the JBL Portable app and can connect to other PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers. It can also pair to two devices at once, which is handy when you need to quickly switch between audio sources.

    Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM

    The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the TREBLAB HD77. The Ultimate Ears is a larger portable speaker that can get louder than the TREBLAB with significantly less compression present at max volume, so audio quality remains clean and clear at louder volume levels. It has a better-balanced sound profile that can produce a more extended low-bass, and you can customize its sound thanks to the graphic EQ and presets in its companion app. However, the TREBLAB is smaller, making it easier to bring along with you on the go. It's also better built and offers a wider-sounding soundstage.

    JBL Flip 4

    You may prefer either the TREBLAB HD77 or the JBL Flip 4, depending on your listening habits. The TREBLAB offers a wider and more open-sounding soundstage. Its battery also lasted around two hours longer in our tests, though this varies depending on your usage. However, the JBL has a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box and has less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. It supports voice assistants through your smartphone and can pair to multiple other JBL Connect+ speakers.

    Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3

    The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is a better speaker than the TREBLAB HD77 overall. The Ultimate Ears is better built and features a graphic EQ and presets you can use to customize its sound to your liking. It can get a bit louder, with less compression present at max volume, so audio sounds cleaner at louder volumes. It also has an incredible battery life of over 17 hours, though this can vary depending on your usage. That said, the TREBLAB is a bit smaller in size, making it more portable. You can also wire your devices to the speaker via its AUX input.

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    Test Results

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    Design
    Style
    RGB LightsYes

    The TREBLAB HD77 is a small, portable Bluetooth speaker with a similar design to JBL's Flip speakers, like the JBL Flip 5. However, it features two RGB light rings on its sides that you can't turn off while the speaker is on. The Black color variant is pictured above, though you can also find this speaker in Gray and Blue. If you're looking for a similar speaker with golf-oriented features, check out the Bushnell Wingman.

    9.2
    Portability
    Volume
    60 in³ (991 cm³)
    Weight
    1.3 lbs (0.6 kg)
    Power Source
    Battery & USB
    One-Hand Carry
    Yes

    The TREBLAB HD77 is incredibly portable. This small and lightweight speaker is battery-powered, so you don't need to plug it into an outlet to use it when you're outside. It also comes with a removable strap and carabiner clip, so you can clip it to your backpack when you're on the go.

    8.5
    Build Quality
    Material Quality
    Great
    Water Resistance
    Waterproof (IPx6)
    Dust Resistance
    Yes (IP rating unspecified)
    Impact Resistance
    Yes (IK rating unspecified)
    Floats In Water
    Unspecified

    The TREBLAB HD77 has excellent build quality. It feels pretty solid and sturdy overall, with a very similar build to JBL's Flip speakers, like the JBL Flip 5 and the JBL Flip 4. Its controls are rubberized, and there's a plastic flap on its rear to protect its inputs. Also, the ends of the HD77 are made of thick plastic with an RGB light ring surrounding them. It's rated IPX6 for water resistance, meaning it's certified to be protected against direct contact with water for up to three minutes, so you don't have to worry about it getting wet when taking it outdoors with you. The manufacturer's website also mentions you can use this speaker in the shower.

    7.8
    Controls
    Ease Of Use
    Great
    Feedback
    Decent
    Music Play/Pause
    Yes (Physical)
    Call Answer/End
    Yes (Physical)
    Volume Up/Down
    Yes (Physical)
    Track Next/Previous
    Yes (Physical)
    Microphone On/Off
    No
    Additional Controls
    No

    The TREBLAB HD77 has a very good selection of easy-to-use rubberized controls. You can long-press the power button to turn the speaker on/off and can double press it to connect it to another compatible speaker and create a stereo pair. You can press the play button to play/pause your audio, answer phone calls, and long-press it to decline calls. You can press and hold the volume buttons to skip your tracks or backtrack, and can press them both at the same time for 5 seconds to factory reset the speaker.

    The TREBLAB HD77 emits audible chimes and feedback to inform you of when it's on/off, once it's reached max volume, when it gets connected or disconnected from a paired device, and when its battery is low. Its light rings also turn red when shutting the speaker down and while it charges. Unfortunately, aside from audible feedback, there isn't a battery indicator to inform you of its remaining battery level. There also isn't any feedback to inform you of when you've reached its minimum volume, and there's no way to turn the speaker's lights off.

    In The Box

    • TREBLAB HD77 Bluetooth speaker
    • Removable carrying strap
    • Micro-USB to USB-A charging cable
    • Carabiner clip
    • 3.5mm AUX cable
    • User manual
    • Product upgrade information card
    • Giveaway registration card
    Sound
    6.5
    Frequency Response Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Slope
    -0.44
    Std. Err.
    3.12 dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    73.4 Hz
    High-Frequency Extension
    15.1 kHz

    The TREBLAB HD77's frequency response accuracy is fair. Its sound profile is fairly neutral. Vocals and lead instruments sound clear and present in the mix, though there's some unevenness in the mid and treble ranges that causes them to sound muddy and dull at times. Also, like most small speakers, it lacks a thumpy and rumbling low-bass. Unfortunately, unlike the JBL Flip 6 it lacks sound customization features like a graphic EQ or presets to tweak its sound to your liking.

    Note: The TREBLAB HD77 was tested horizontally on its base.

    Raw Frequency Response
    See details on graph tool
    Binaural Recording @ 1m
    Binaural Recording @ 2m
    9.0
    Soundstage
    See details on graph tool
    Directivity Index
    1.79 dB
    Stereo
    Yes

    The TREBLAB HD77 has a fantastic soundstage performance. This stereo speaker has excellent directivity thanks to its 360-degree design, resulting in a wide and spacious-sounding soundstage, meaning you can hear your audio clearly from most angles. You can also pair this speaker to another HD77 to create a stereo pair.

    Note: The test results represent the most recent version of the TREBLAB HD77, that supports Bluetooth 5.0. If you own the older version of this speaker that supports Bluetooth 4.2, you can’t connect it with the newer model to create a stereo pair.

    5.7
    Dynamics
    See details on graph tool
    SPL @ Max Volume
    86.9 dB SPL
    DRC @ Max Volume
    4.24 dB

    The TREBLAB HD77 Bluetooth speaker has middling dynamics. It doesn't get very loud and isn't suitable to use in large spaces or outdoor settings. However, it still gets loud enough to use in smaller rooms and spaces, like in your bedroom. That said, there's a lot of compression present at max volume that affects the quality of your audio as you bump up the volume. For a TREBLAB speaker with a better dynamics performance, check out the TREBLAB HD-Max.

    Active Features
    8.7
    Battery
    Battery Life
    11.1 hrs
    Charge Time
    2.5 hrs
    Power Saving
    Yes
    Charging Port
    Micro-USB
    Battery Powered
    Yes

    The TREBLAB HD77's battery performance is excellent. It lasted a little over 11 hours from a single charge during the testing process, making it suitable for long listening sessions. That said, battery performance varies depending on your usage habits and selected volume level, and the manufacturer says its battery life gets shorter as you increase its volume. There's a power-saving feature that shuts the speaker down when it isn't connected to a device and when it's left idle for 10 minutes.

    0.0
    Voice Assistant
    Alexa
    No
    Google Assistant
    No
    Speakerphone
    Yes
    Siri
    No
    Voice Assistant
    No
    Voice Activation
    No
    Microphone Mute
    No
    Far-Field Performance
    No Assistant
    Ambient Noise Performance
    No Assistant
    0.0
    App
    App Name
    No App
    iOS
    No
    Android
    No
    EQ
    No
    Stereo Pair Mode
    No
    Party Mode
    No
    Multi-Room
    No
    Connectivity
    Wired
    Aux Input
    Yes
    USB Audio
    No
    Other Ports
    No

    Aside from its charging port, the TREBLAB HD77 features an AUX input to wire your devices to the speaker.

    6.6
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth
    Yes
    Bluetooth Version
    5.0
    Bluetooth iOS Latency
    234 ms
    Bluetooth Android Latency
    293 ms
    Bluetooth Range
    305.1 ft (93.0 m)
    Multi-Device Pairing
    No

    The TREBLAB HD77 has fair Bluetooth connectivity. It has fantastic range, so your device remains paired to the speaker, even from far away. However, it has high Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices, which causes syncing issues between audio and visuals, so it isn't great for watching movies and videos. That said, some apps compensate for latency differently, and your experience may vary.

    Note: The manufacturer released an updated version of the TREBLAB HD77 that supports Bluetooth 5.0. While the user manual that came with the model tested in this review states that the speaker supports Bluetooth version 4.2, it also came with a product update information card stating the speaker supports Bluetooth 5.0, confirmed during testing.

    0.0
    Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi Version
    No Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi Frequency Band
    No Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi
    No
    Apple AirPlay
    No
    AirPlay Latency
    N/A
    Google Chromecast
    No
    Chromecast Latency
    N/A