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JBL Pulse 6 Debuts as Lantern-Style Speaker With 360° Lighting

The company presents the Pulse 6 as a room-ready ambient lamp with USB-C lossless playback, new bedside and sunset modes, and a move from PartyBoost to Auracast that alters speaker pairing.

Overview

  • JBL announced the Pulse 6 and opened U.S. preorders on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, listing a $329.95 price and a September 6 ship date.
  • The device combines a 360-degree customizable light array with an illuminated carrying handle and lamp features such as a double-tap Bedside Lamp and a Sunset Mode that can dim over a 60-minute timer.
  • Key technical specs from JBL include a 30W RMS woofer and 10W RMS tweeter, a 42Hz–20kHz frequency range, IP68 dust and water protection, up to 12 hours of battery life, and USB-C lossless audio support.
  • JBL replaces its PartyBoost linking with Auracast and Bluetooth 6.0 for multi-speaker setups, a change that may prevent direct interoperability with older PartyBoost-era Pulse models and which buyers should confirm before upgrading.
  • JBL claims improved acoustics and an AI Sound Boost feature to reduce distortion and deepen bass, but independent hands-on tests of the speaker’s sound and real-world lighting quality are still pending.