JBL Tune Flex Earbuds Review

However, JBL Tune Buds do better in both areas with longer battery life, so I recommend them to those who want bass-first tuning. Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Noise Cancelling earphones top the race in the same price range because of their best NC and hi-res LDAC codec.

The manufacturer offers them in white, black, and blue. After opening the box, I found three pairs of in-canal ear tips and one pair of open tips in a universal size. The latter allows users to listen more to their surroundings, while the former fits like usual ear tips. Both types can quickly secure a fit in the ears, but neither creates a proper seal. So, I experienced a loss in audio, and noise cancellation didn’t work as expected. The TalkThru Mode lets you stop for an instant chat without removing your headsets. With the Ambient Aware Mode, one can stay tuned to their surroundings while listening to their favorite melodies in a busy area.

• Make hassle-free and hands-free calls in stereo with four dedicated mics, which ensure perfect clarity of the in-call voice.
• VoiceAware allows you to control the amount of mic input routed back into your earpieces, allowing you to choose how much of your voice you can hear.
• 12mm drivers are smartly designed and enhanced by the stick form factor to deliver pure bass sound for every beat.
• With Smart Ambient technology, Tune Flex offers Active Noise cancellation, so you can hear what you want and less of what you don’t.
• If you want to focus on your music without disturbance from the ANC, the total playtime cuts to 24 hours. The single charge gives 6 hours of playtime, and the case adds another 18 hours.
• Ambient Aware Mode allows users to tune into their surroundings anytime, making them feel safer when they’re out in the world.

• The IPX4 waterproof rating lets you use them while doing intense workouts in the gym or jogging outside. This rating makes these earbuds durable by resisting sweat and water drops.
• Avoid submerging or using them while swimming or showering because they can’t survive heavy water.
• Never miss a beat with 32 hours of extended playback without the Active Noise Cancellation. On a single charge, they offer 8 hours, and the charging case adds another 24 hours.
• Two microphones with the ANC let you minimize audio distractions while listening to your favorite tracks.
• They also support fast charging, so you can enjoy two continuous hours of playtime in 10 minutes.
• The JBL Headphones App lets users enjoy music by customizing their listening experience.

With their stem design, they can still balance well in the ears most of the time, but sometimes you want better sound or added security. The charging case is handy to carry in jeans while traveling or walking on the road. Touch controls are available for each stem and work well without oversensitivity. Instead, I found a slight delay between pressing the touch area and the command happening.

The case’s lid flips open to reveal charging docks, while status LEDs are below the cover. At the bottom of the charging case, you can find the USB Type-C charging port, through which you can charge.

Unfortunately, during my testing, I found the Active Noise Cancellation to be poor compared to its price. While listening to music, I mostly stuck with the in-canal ear tips and the maximum noise cancellation. JBL Tune Flex slightly compresses powerful low-frequency roars but doesn’t cancel any frequencies while recording sounds in a busy restaurant. The mic performance is not surprising because the in-ear seal is not impressive with either ear tip. If you prefer noise cancellation, buy TOZO NC9 Plus Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Wireless earpieces.

However, the TalkThru, Ambient, and Transparency modes performed as expected. My surroundings sound natural in the Ambient Aware mode, and the conversation comes clearly in the TalkThru mode. You can control these modes via touch controls or the JBL headphones companion app. These earphones have sub-par noise isolation and won’t necessarily block out rumbling plane or bus engines. However, the noise-canceling power seems no less effective than other competing mid-range wireless headsets. I get slightly less effective ANC when I wear them without a silicone tip.

If you choose the larger caps, you must adjust the sound settings in the JBL headphones app. Move a luger on the app’s primary screen to do this. The brand gives users the choice between an open fit and tips that stick more into their ears. Open fits are only helpful in home situations or when listening to music in the bedroom. With the closed caps, the fit, the noise cancellation, and the sound quality are better.

The campanion app is available for both Android and iOS users. You will get several additional features, including a custom equalizer to tailor the audio to your taste. One can adjust it manually or choose between five preset sound modes: club, vocal, studio, bass, and jazz. The Find My Buds feature lets you quickly locate one or both earpieces by playing music loudly. It will pinpoint where your earbuds are in the room.

The smartphone app also allows you to change the touch control gestures. By default, the long press activates Google Assistant. Additionally, the app helps you select the perfect pair of sealing tips by choosing the ear tip sound setting to match. Based on the war tips you pick from the Ear Tip Sound Settings section, select the Open or Sealing option.

They easily reproduce the sub-bass at the 34th second of Kendrick Lamar’s Loyalty track. I experienced the lowest sub-bass notes with serious subwoofer-like rumble here. The vocals on the track sound too crisp, an effect of the earpieces overreacting to the poor in-ear seal. Furthermore, a track with far less deep bass, Bill Callahan’s Drover, better reveals the audio signature. The drums sound almost roaring, but the drivers lend a layer of high-frequency and high-mid shine to the auditory thrums to give balance.

You can also use the in-app EQ to tone certain frequencies down or dial them up further. In instrumental music, like the opening scene from John Adams’ “The Gospel According to the Other Mary,” the earbuds again push the high and low frequencies forward.

Some auditors might enjoy the extra bass depth while playing this song, but with the EQ, you can tone down this response to something more realistic. The highs are splendid and smooth, never reaching painful treble peaks. However, they will have less shine or sparkle than a brighter earpiece. Strings and locals have a rich weight to them instead of a light-heartedness. Sony WF-C500 is a super affordable earbud that has good sound, even without ANC.

JBL Tune Flex features Bluetooth version 5.2, which helps to reduce signal drops and ensure smoother transmission. The latest SBC and AAC codecs deliver higher-quality sound with the lowest bit rates. While testing, the connectivity and signal transmission were smooth, and I didn’t encounter any of these issues. When I opened the charging case, my smartphone prompted me to connect to it. My only issue was that putting the earphones back in the case did not disconnect them, and the songs continued to play.

These earphones boast crisp, clear calls to make your conversations more transparent and smooth. During a call with my best friend, I experienced no dropouts or interruptions, even in a busy street. Still, if you want more clarity in your calls, use Apple AirPods Pro, which provides noise-canceling calls. However, if you work remotely for your agency or spend much time on video calls, JBL Tune Flex never exhibits tinniness, echo, or quietness. It defines significant competition at the same or above price range.

• Seamless Connectivity
• Active Noise Cancellation

• Bass-first Tuning
• App Features Customizable EQ