Is JBL often faked? And why is it a problem?

To begin with, why is it generally bad to buy a fake products? There are numerous compelling reasons. Counterfeit items, by their nature, are inferior to the originals and tend to have low-quality components that lead to rapid breakdown. This not only impacts the reputation of the company but also influences public perception. In other words, there are plenty of reviews online stating that JBL products sound terrible, but it often turns out that many of those dissatisfied with the quality had unknowingly purchased counterfeit versions from China, which are far from the genuine JBL experience.

Although it is true that fake products cannot deliver the same level of sound quality as professionally engineered originals, they often lure customers with their low prices. These counterfeit items are hastily assembled using whatever materials are available, without the expertise and experience of professional engineers. If these counterfeit products were of genuine quality, they would not be sold at such low prices, and the talented individuals behind their assembly would likely be employed by established companies like JBL. However, the reality is that the market is flooded with counterfeit portable speakers and, to a lesser extent, JBL headphones. Harman, the company that owns JBL, AKG, and several other brands, has been engaged in a continuous battle against suppliers and sellers of counterfeit audio equipment in the post-Soviet region for the past three years.

How to distinguish a fake speaker?

Let's start with a simple example, but it is important to note that fake speakers are produced in large quantities each day. The low quality of such fakes is striking, even if one do not know what to look at. For example, the speaker itself might have the JBL logo in a photo. Instead, there will be just an orange rectangle on which they forgot to “sign”. Instead of a serial number, QR code and helpful information in various languages, there will be a complete absence of such details. Furthermore, the Harman logo, which represents the company that owns the JBL brand, is often missing as well. Additionally, the overall quality of the packaging box itself is poor, characterized by low-grade cardboard and poor print quality.

In theory, it is not possible to continue further, but what if the speaker was without its packaging? Well, without proper packaging, the speaker is vulnerable and can overheat within a few minutes. First of all, we look at the logo: genuine speakers have the logo recessed into the casing, whereas fake ones may have a poorly glued logo. The buttons on the counterfeit speaker are smaller in size and clumsily protrude from the surface, resembling the teeth of a cave troll. The mesh on the acoustic grills of an authentic speaker is significantly denser. A counterfeit speaker cannot match such quality.

Whether fortunate or unfortunate, not all fake products exhibit such obvious flaws. The JBL Charge, in particular, has gained widespread popularity and love, providing ample opportunity for counterfeiters to refine their skills. As a result, it is not always easy to immediately distinguish between an original and a fake. To identify authenticity in such cases, one must carefully observe and pay attention to minute details. Let's consider the highly popular JBL Charge 3 as an example.

Fake packaging in 99% of cases does not have a strap to hang the box on the window display. The cardboard quality and printing on the packaging are usually slightly inferior, with less saturated colors and a lack of textured prints or embellishments. Upon opening the package, instead of finding luxurious fabric packaging, informational flyers, and branded booklets, one is often greeted with a plain plastic bag and instructions devoid of logos. Occasionally, there might be a stroke of luck where a regular 3.5 mm audio cable is included at the bottom, which is not typically found in the original packaging.

The speaker itself has been replicated almost identically, and the craftsmanship is quite good. However, there are noticeable differences that can help identify the person responsible for creating the counterfeit version. One such difference is the presence of a memory card slot, which is often found in fake JBL speakers but not in the genuine ones. The weight may also vary. Typically, handmade replicas are lighter because they use simplified circuitry, and it's unclear who assembled the amplifier. To provide a comparison, the original Charge 3 weighs around 800 grams, while the counterfeit weighs approximately 600 grams.

Another aspect to consider is the charging unit and USB cable. The genuine power supply typically has a lot of logos and specifications, while the fake version may lack any useful information and be of lower quality. Moreover, the original USB cable is designed in a flat "noodles" format, whereas the counterfeit cable is often round and slightly shorter, despite bearing JBL logos.

All these nuances are also relevant for other fake models, be it JBL Go, Pulse or Flip.

JBL Portable Speakers

How to distinguish fake headphones?

With headphones, everything is a little simpler: they are cheaper, so faking a JBL T460 JBL T460BT for $30 is less profitable than a portable boombox, which costs 10 times more. But they are actively faked, too. In determining a fake from the original, the same principles will help us as with portable speakers.

The packaging for the authentic model is crafted from thick cardboard with high-quality printing, and the headphones are securely placed in a dedicated compartment. In contrast, fake versions are packaged in thin cardboard boxes with low-quality printing, a barcode is often missing, the logo color could differ from the original — for instance, instead of orange, it might be a pale yellow or a bright red shade. Also pay attention to the model name, as counterfeit variations might alter it, such as changing "Everest 300" to "Everest N300" or "S300."


In terms of their external appearance, there are noticeable differences between genuine and fake headphones. The absence of the JBL logo on the case is a clear indication of a fake product. Fake versions often have poorly crafted ear cushions with visible folds, irregularities, and uneven lines. The design differs depending on the model. For example, the swivel bowls may not rotate as they should, the folding mechanism might be positioned differently, and the control buttons may be present on only one ear cup instead of both. Because it is cheaper.

JBL Headphones

What to do if you have already bought a fake product?

JBL/Harman seem to be serious about fighting piracy and say that over the past year they have closed more than 40 illegal outlets in Runet (Russian Internet). However, handmade JBL products continue to be sold frequently. This raises the question of why this phenomenon persists. Moreover, even if you bought a fake JBL product, there is a limited possibility of rectifying the situation. JBL advises customers to promptly return the counterfeit speaker along with the receipt to the store and request a refund. By law, you have 14 days from the date of purchase. Then make a claim for the sale of fakes and write to the manufacturer. The support service will help resolve the issue with the store and, if necessary, take appropriate actions to prevent others from purchasing the same fake speaker or headphones. Not the fact that this will return your money, but justice will prevail.

JBL Audio Systems

Conclusion and general advices

One important advice is to avoid chasing low prices and refraining from purchasing JBL products from unauthorized sources. Since JBL is an American brand, ordering cheaper originals from China is not a viable option. The prices for genuine JBL equipment are relatively consistent, whether it's on Aliexpress or Amazon. Therefore, if you come across a supposedly original JBL speaker at half the price, even during events like Black Friday, it should raise concerns and warrant extra caution. It's crucial to remain vigilant during sales events like Black Friday, as statistics indicate a surge in the sale of fake products disguised as unprecedented discounts during this time.

It is advisable to conduct a thorough external inspection of the product or at least the packaging, and we already have a checklist of what to look for. This includes checking for the presence of the Harman logo and the JBL logo on photos of the headphones or speakers, as well as verifying additional information such as the serial number, technical specifications, and QR code. It is essential to carefully examine the parameters provided on the official Harman or JBL or on our website, and then compare them with the characteristics of the product you have found. The product name, weight, dimensions, and functionality should align with the official specifications.