Review of JBL Free wireless headphones. Headphone design: on-ear or full-size? JBL Synchros E10

Premium headsets stand out from the crowd with their appearance, and often their price. The use of high-quality materials and eye-catching appearance prevail here. For these and other purposes, almost all manufacturers of such products have long had in their arsenal a couple of models of headsets for smartphones and other devices. Each of them wants to stand out and prove that their products are good enough to be noticed.

JBL is no longer new to the development of such headsets and new model J33A – may well win the hearts and ears of its users. Let's take a closer look at this “miracle”.

Equipment

There's nothing unusual here. A simple cardboard box, on the front of which there are our headphones in profile and full face. Looking at them for the first time, the thought creeps in: aren’t they too big for earbuds? Yes, big, but more on that later.

Inside the box there is a round carrying case, which hides a clip for fixing the wire and additional ear pads. The latter, by the way, surprised us from different sides: as always, they are silicone and come in three sizes, but they also come with foam ones. Why is it surprising? But because in them the sound changes a little, but more on that later.

Appearance and ease of use

As I said earlier – they are big. Not globally, but still more than any of its competitors.

Naturally, depending on the size of the ear pads used, their length also changes, but they still stick out from the ears like wine corks.

But this one is pretty significant drawback softens their design a little. There are metal elements and the connection of the cable to each ear is played out in a very interesting way. It seems to pass through the metal border, forming a knot, probably for fixation. But there is no fixation, so we can conclude that this is just a design move.

The body is made of plastic, quite durable. Even if you drop them (no matter what surface) and step on them, there is no doubt that nothing will happen to them.

The use of this material makes the headphones feel heavy.

The wire has a noodle shape that has proven to perform well in tangle tests. Approximately in the middle, the cable has a splitter into two channels, which in turn has a small compression harness. It helps to slightly reduce the branching length of the cable so that it does not dangle unnecessarily during walks or active workouts.

Traditionally for headsets, a call answer button is located on the section of cable leading to the left earpiece. There are no other keys here, so to adjust the volume you have to reach into your pocket for your phone. Like everyone else, when listening to music, one press stops the track, a double press switches to the next one, and a triple press to the previous one. When calling – answer and end the conversation. The quality of the microphone is good, the interlocutor can even hear the sweat running down your opponent’s forehead during negotiations.

And now there is one more disadvantage: the cable is too rigid for comfortable wearing. I’ll say right away that this headset is completely unsuitable for sports.

Let's say you connected it to your smartphone, tightened the harness, hid the cable under your clothes so it wouldn't interfere, and went to do an abdominal exercise. At about the third or fourth pull, the wire will pull one of the headphones out of your ear. I managed to remove both channels from my ears at once, but that’s me. As a rule, this often happens only if you use silicone tips. The foam ones fit and hold great, but they are not suitable for people with small ears.

The wire becomes a bigger problem during cold weather, because then it generally turns to stone.

The clothespin is small in size and prone to quick breakage or loss. Many users complained about it in their reviews of these headphones and I understand them perfectly. But we have to give her credit, she still sticks to clothes perfectly.

Summarizing the above, we can conclude that JBL went a little overboard in its attempt to make a comfortable headset. It is large and inconvenient and sometimes irritating due to the constant falling out of the ears. But maybe these shortcomings are compensated by sound? Let's figure it out.

Sound

At first impression the sound can be described as monotonous. That is, he does not stand out in any way. It has enough volume reserve, the sound is dense and viscous, like clay. It’s still tolerable to listen to heavy music on it, but it’s not suitable for lighter instrumentals like jazz or indie rock. And not because the whole essence of the genre is not conveyed here, but because you know what and how it should sound, but you don’t hear it in these headphones.

There’s no point in talking about the stage, since there simply isn’t one.

The sound is reminiscent of a tightly twisted rope, which weakens a little when you start playing around with the equalizer.

Of course, like many headphones, the sound changes significantly when you turn on the equalizer and manually adjust it. What should we do? iPhone owners, who instead of manual mode just presets? The answer is simple: be patient.

Not a single preset was able to bring out the highlight in the sound, unique to each headphone.

Android users are luckier, since in third-party players (for example, PowerAmp) you can fine-tune the sound and then the headphones reveal themselves in all their glory.

The manufacturer claims the Pure Bass function, which makes low frequencies air. Yes, it is, but not always and not everywhere. This effect is noticeable only on Android (for the reasons stated above) and only with the participation of foam nozzles. And it seems to me that this is more of a marketing buzzword than actual technology. The bass still increased, but you still expect more from such loud foreign words.

Oddly enough, the actual sound is also affected by what attachments you use. For example, in silicone bass you feel noticeably less than in foam ones. However, the latter slightly suppress the high frequencies that are noticeable in silicone ones. This is rare in headphones like this.

That is, different genres require different attachments.

As for sound insulation, it’s not all that bad. Again, foam ear pads contain most sounds environment will be effectively muffled, while in simple ones it is definitely worse. But still, neither one nor the other will save you from a busy street full of loud trucks and honking cars. In the subway you will have to turn up the volume a lot and many headphones suffer from this, there is no escape from it. Unless you go to the surface and don’t go underground anymore.

Perhaps, if we ignore all the criticism that I just poured out, we can conclude that the headset does not sound phenomenal or standard, but it does not sound worse than some of its competitors. It seems to be on par, but unlike the products of other companies, there is nothing here that could stand out. No ringing highs, no nuclear bass. Many Chinese noname products will be able to give our hero a head start, and their cost will be 2 times less. But no one has canceled their trust in the brand.

JBL J33a Specifications

• form factor plug-in, in-ear
• emitter type dynamic
• speaker diameter 9.2 mm
• wired connection
• additional headset functions
• reproduced frequency range 10 - 24000 Hz
• resistance 32 Ohm
• Average sound quality

Results

In fact, the JBL J33a is a standard headset with a controversial design and simple, uncomplicated sound, which 100% fulfills its purpose - playing music and answering calls. Otherwise, these are large, strange and not comfortable headphones for everyone, which, judging by the reviews, are very unlikely to last you more than a year. But still, how competently, from the right angle, they are shown by the company in promotional photographs - bravo to the marketers!

Buy JBK J33a you can do it now. Price headsets start at 1150 rubles, but on average it is 1690 rubles. Honestly, they are not worth the money, because for half the price, it is very easy to find a headset with 2 heads better.

Already on sale Price from 1150 rub.

JBL produces headphones in a wide variety of categories. One of the latest is the JBL E55BT, which is distinguished by its affordable price and convenience.

Headphones JBL E55BT - Reviews

JBL E55BT cost $150 (8,500 rubles), impedance is 32 Ohms, speakers are 50 mm wide, frequency range is 20 Hz-20 kHz. The connection uses Bluetooth 4.0, which establishes and maintains communication from 10 meters away. The battery lasts for 20 hours. There is a 3.5mm jack and a corresponding cable for wired connection included. But what can these headphones do? Let's find out!

When compared to other JBL Bluetooth headphones, the lower quality of the E55BT becomes noticeable. But this is justified by the lower price, and besides, they still look interesting and youthful.

JBL E55BT is available in the most different colors, including black, blue, red, green, turquoise and white. The headband is covered with fabric, which adds comfort and looks stylish.

On the outside, the ear pads are plastic, artificial leather along the edges serves for sealing, on the inside, there is the same fabric as on the headband. Cheap but comfortable: the E55BT doesn't hurt your ears even after many hours of use. The headphones can be adjusted and customized to fit the head size of each user.

On the right earcup there is a button for Bluetooth pairing, as well as a volume rocker and a power button. The buttons do not have good tactile feedback and are too easy to press. On the left earphone there is only USB port for charging.

Sound quality

Despite more affordable price, the sound of the JBL E55BT is not inferior to other JBL headsets. The sound is high quality and bright, more than worth the price. The bass is a little less powerful than some of the company's other products, but still decent. In general, the entire sound range is balanced and verified.

50mm drivers provide high level volume. If you remove the headphones and put them down, the music will be heard no worse than from a smartphone speaker, but this can also be a disadvantage if you do not want to attract attention to yourself. There is no isolation or noise reduction in the E55BT.

Of course, there are a lot of features and settings missing here. These are just headphones that sound good, and nothing more.

Battery and operating time

JBL E55BT allows you to listen to music for up to 20 hours without the need to recharge. During testing, I used them 8 hours a day for maximum volume, and only on the third day they began to discharge - an excellent result. The E55BT can be safely recommended to those who are usually dissatisfied with the uninterrupted operation of headphones.

The manufacturer indicated that the time fully charged is a little less than 2 hours. In practice, they take longer to charge, but in any case the operating time ratio is impressive.

Connection and communication in JBL E55BT

JBL has a long history of producing Bluetooth headsets, so it's no surprise that the E55BT has excellent connection quality. Communication is maintained better than on many expensive headphones. Moreover, the JBL E55BT can connect to two devices simultaneously via Bluetooth. This allows you to immediately go to watching videos on your computer after listening to music on your smartphone.

You can also use a traditional 3.5mm audio jack. The corresponding cable is included, it is also wrapped in fabric and matches the overall style of the headphones. The connectors are gold-plated, and the cable has a quick on/off button.

JBL also has special applications, which add new functions and allow you to customize the company’s gadgets, but the E55BT unfortunately does not support them. Apparently the software is intended only for more expensive devices.

Bottom line

JBL E55BT are suitable for those who only need the ability to listen to music from headphones. The sound quality is not bad, they are comfortable and do not run out for a long time, but there are no other advantages.

If you need more features and best quality sound, it is worth considering other options, including those from JBL. The E55BT simply lives up to its price tag.

Bright JBL E55BT headphones – video trailer

If you find an error, the video does not work, please select a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

Headphones JBL Synchros E-series stand out for their brutal masculine design and include four models. These are impressive JBL Synchros E50BT with 50mm speakers and Bluetooth 3.0 module, more portable E40BT with 40mm speakers, on-ear E30 on the road, and light intracanal E10. All devices not only look good, but also sound decent, although let's not get ahead of ourselves and discuss everything in order.

Large headphones come in traditional cardboard box with a plastic holder inside, but the in-ear ones are equipped with an acrylic box that can be used as a case - a small thing, but nice.

As for the delivery package, it is very modest for all new products. Thus, the JBL Synchros E50BT contains a high-quality audio cable with a non-standard 2.5 mm plug that connects to the headphones. If the battery runs out, you can listen to music through the wire. It is equipped with a compact and convenient angled plug, rubberized, soft and completely devoid of memory effect, does not get tangled. In addition, there is another cable with a 2.5mm plug on one side and USB on the other. It is used to charge the headphones. The Synchros E40BT kit is completely identical. In the box with the JBL Synchros E30 you will find only a detachable cable with a microphone and a remote control, while the E10 model only boasts a set of silicone tips (S, M, L).

The headphones clearly have similar design features, but I suggest studying them separately, especially since in terms of sound they are quite different

JBL Synchros E50BT. Wireless flagship for all genres

The flagship model in the JBL Synchros E series has very impressive dimensions and an interesting, brutal design. For the most part, the headphones are made of plastic. Only a couple of decorative bolts in the front part are metal...

...And also a guide in the headband:

It is easy to adjust; you can do this even when the headphones are on your head. In addition, there are a pair of hinges for adjusting the pressure of the cups to the head and they are also used to fold the headphones. True, when folded they take up a fair amount of space, but for headphones of this size they fold up quite compactly. And this is a clear plus, unlike most models with 50 mm speakers:

Installed in E50BT bluetooth module 3.0, so the sound is in perfect order - no spikes, no wheezing, it “rocks” clearly and comfortably, and the signal easily penetrates a concrete wall. There is only one limitation - time battery life, although it is quite impressive - 18 hours listening to music or 24 hours conversation. Yes, yes - this is also headset, although the microphone is located far from the mouth, so normal conversation can only be achieved in relative silence. On a noisy street, it is better to pick up your phone. If the battery runs out at the wrong time, you won’t be left without music - just connect the supplied cable to the 2.5 mm plug on the left earphone:

It also houses all the controls: a Bluetooth connection button on the edge, keys for switching tracks and start/pause playback on a corrugated plastic plate. There's another tricky button there too. ShareMe- if you click on it, the mode of broadcasting the signal to other headphones that support this technology is activated, that is, you can transfer the signal to the same ones from a friend or girlfriend (the E40BT model also supports this feature) and listen to content from the same source together.

The connection is easy and quick - hold down the Bluetooth button on the headphones for a couple of seconds, select the appropriate device in the settings of your smartphone or computer, that's it - enjoy the music:

The same button has a built-in status LED that can glow in red and white - it looks stylish. For example, during charging it glows red, when the headphones are fully charged, it switches to white.

The headband and ear pads are made of soft and pleasant to the touch leatherette:

The cups completely encircle the ear and do not put pressure on it, so you can sit in these headphones even the whole day without discomfort. The pressure to the head is average and this is enough so that the headphones do not fly off, even if you shake the skull thoroughly.

Again, I repeat, the model is of very impressive size, not for the street. Although I often meet comrades in the city with larger specimens on their heads. The main thing is that the headphones fit comfortably - just right for long journeys.

I came across a model with red inserts. There are also options with blue, lilac and gray, plus white and silver:

Concerning sound, then we were pleased with the deep, correct bass. Not infrabass, but their number is exactly what it should be in my understanding. The mid frequencies are good, if not even a little protruded, but in moderation, exactly as it should be. They play well and do not overlap other ranges. The high ones are also ok, and again there is the right amount of them: where required, it clicks clearly and rings gently. High frequencies are reproduced easily and unobtrusively, and do not hurt the ears.

I also liked the fairly wide stage, that is, the sound is around the head, and not inside - this is a plus. The sound insulation of headphones is controversial. When they play, you will hardly hear anything from outside world, but when turned off, sounds “outside” come through. By the way, others will also appreciate your music.

The volume reserve is more than enough. When connecting a wire, the sound does not change much, except that on a Mac it becomes a little flatter.

Overall, this is a universal model. No revelations, but it plays perfectly well and is suitable for any genre. It will appeal to both bass lovers and those who prefer a light, airy sound. Average cost of headphones - 6300 rub..

Technical specifications JBL Synchros E50BT:

• sound emitters - dynamic, 50 mm;
• reproduced frequency range - 20–20000 Hz;
• impedance - 32 Ohm
• sound pressure - 117 dB at 30 mW;
• Battery life - 18 hours (music playback) / 24 hours (headset)
• weight - 300 g.

JBL Synchros E40BT. Wireless flagship on the go

The headphones are a cross between those described above and the simpler E30 model. And we are talking about both design and sound capabilities.

For example, the headband is made entirely of plastic, although there is a comfortable eco-leather cushion at the bottom. The cups themselves are equipped with similar ear pads, they are also soft, almost completely cover the ears and do not put much pressure on them. You can comfortably listen to music for a long time.

The design of the hinges is completely identical to that of the older model. The cups fold with a pleasant click and in this state the headphones take up half the space - you can hide them in a jacket pocket or in a backpack.

The controls are also absolutely identical to the E50BT. They are located on the left cup, there is a Bluetooth button with a built-in light indicator - the click is clear, the stroke is short, it’s pleasant to press and at the same time random clicks not happening. The buttons for controlling the player and the ShareMe function built under the plate function similarly. By the way, the latter can be used in combination E40BT-E50BT.

In terms of autonomy, the device lags a little behind the flagship, providing up to 16 hours listening to music, but in comparison with many competitors this is an outstanding indicator. In headset mode they will work even longer - 24 hours, although the design features of the microphone are the same as in the older model. So it is advisable to communicate on the phone via E40BT in silence.

In terms of sound, the model is universal, like the flagship. The stage is not so wide, but it is there, which is nice. Bass is excellent. There is not too much and not too little - enough for any genre, be it heavy metal or electronic, including dubstep. The impact is clear, but not booming, so there will be no ifrabass, but you won’t feel a lack either. As I wrote above, it is universal and should appeal to most users who are not spoiled by more solutions high class with prices ranging from $200 and up.

The mids are also good and do not stand out from the general background, but are fully distinguishable. The highs are juicy and sonorous. The conclusion is simple - its cost is 5000 rub The headphones work 100%. One of best offers in its price range. By the way, in terms of color design, they also repeat the E50BT: there are black, white, red, blue and purple options.

Technical specifications JBL Synchros E40BT:

• Bluetooth 3.0 (2.402–2.480 Hz);
• sound emitters - dynamic, 40 mm;
• impedance - 32 Ohm
• sound pressure - 115 dB at 30 mW;
• microphone sensitivity - –42 dB;
• Battery life - 16 hours (music playback) / 24 hours (headset)
• weight - 205 g.

JBL Synchros E30. For those who want more height and lightness

This is an even more compact and portable model, but wired. By the way, the cable is removable and connects to the headphones with a 2.5 mm plug. The cable is rubberized, quite thick, with virtually no memory effect, very similar to that of the E50BT, but also includes a one-button remote control with microphone (fully compatible with Apple devices and works with most Android smartphones). The remote control is plastic, compact - it is easy to find it and the button on it. The click is clear, the button travel is short, the pressing force is average. The remote control is a pleasure to use. As a headset, the headphones work exactly the same as the supplied Apple ones, that is, well and without any special frills.

It is also worth noting the compact angled plug. I prefer these, with straight plugs there are more problems - either they get in the way, or the wires at the base break.

Like the model discussed above, Synchros E30 is made entirely of plastic, excluding decorative bolts. The headband is also plastic, as is its length adjuster. It moves as easily as in the older model, there is a ratchet, and it is fixed quite securely. At the bottom of the headband there is a soft leatherette cushion:

The ear pads are also made of leatherette and press against the head quite firmly. After 30-40 minutes of listening, you may need to take a break, although everyone's ears are different.

The hinge of the cups is exactly the same as in the older model - with two degrees of freedom. But you won’t be able to fold the headphones too much - if only there was one more hinge in the headband itself, then it would be good:

In addition to blue, there are also white, lilac, black and red models to choose from:

Unlike the flagship, Synchros E30 is not so bassy. There is bass, but less deep. There is a distinct, soft beat. A booming return, so that you feel in your chest that it is not there. Neutral headphones in terms of bass. Everything is fine with the middle ones - they are reproduced clearly, clearly, there are no complaints about them.

The tall ones are also fine - not the most airy, but in terms of quality and quantity they will suit most. One could even say that they will appeal to those who prefer a slight predominance of high frequencies over other frequencies. Just such a case.

The stage is quite wide - the sound is not in the head, but around - I liked that. There is sound insulation, but the headphones are clearly not for the metro; you can hear the surrounding noise if there is no music playing. The volume reserve is close on the MacBook and with a small margin on the iPhone. Although the issue here is not the headphones, but their resistance of 32 Ohms. An amplifier or more will help powerful source sound. However, the iPhone 6 Plus pumps them up easily.

JBL Synchros E30 are suitable for pop music, electronics, chill-out, in principle they cope well with heavy music, although on complex compositions some instruments may be mixed. Overall they sound nice. Average cost of headphones - 4000 rub.

Technical specifications JBL Synchros E30:

• sound emitters - dynamic, 30 mm;
• reproduced frequency range - 20–22000 Hz;
• impedance - 32 Ohm
• sound pressure - 114 dB at 30 mW;
• cable length - 1.2 m
• weight - 150 g.

JBL Synchros E10. Light and bassy

In-canal Synchros headphones E10 captivates with its minimal weight, comfortable fit in the ears and very soft, if not delicate, silicone tips. You don't feel them in your ears at all, which is cool.

The accessory is equipped with a fashionable noodle cable, but unlike the wires of the two models discussed above, this one has a memory effect. So it’s better not to collect it in the menu, but to carefully wrap it around your fingers and hide it in the included box when the headphones are not needed.

There is a remote control with a button and a microphone. It is completely identical to that of the Synchros E30 - compact, convenient, with a good button and the usual headset functionality. The plug is also similar - angled.

If you decide to use your own attachments or buy third-party ones, pay attention to the rather large sound guide:

The headphones are almost entirely made of practical matte plastic, excluding the back plates - they are metal.

As for the color options, they are the same as in the two older models:

This in-ear headphones, so that the sound is positioned clearly in the head. There is no talk about any width of the stage here. In terms of volume, there is a small margin on the Mac and an impressive one on the iPhone.

Synchros E10 has excellent bass - lovers of soft and enveloping bass will really like it. But they are still lacking in detail. If the composition uses very infrabass, it will merge into a hum. Electronic and dubstep sound great, pop music and chillout sound good too. It chops very nicely and is heavy.

Mid frequencies are reproduced well, but here they are, as they say, back to back. There is no ringing clarity. Although the ringing highs somewhat compensate for this, and you get a completely balanced sound. It is worth noting that the Synchros E30 will have more highs, but less bass.

Review of JBL Tune 600BTNC headphones

The JBL Tune 600BTNC are Bluetooth headphones with active noise reduction. The number of similar models on the market in Lately is growing at a rapid pace, and it's not hard to see why. The ability to "turn off" ambient noise is quite attractive, and their active mode means that the sound quality will be less dependent on the signal source. And, of course, you can use these headphones with smartphones that do not have a traditional mini-jack output.

The large number of models in this segment means competition and a downward trend in prices, although some companies continue to produce premium headphones. Many manufacturers have entered this game, and JBL is one of them. Back in 2016, when we tested the Everest Elite 700 headphones from this company, at that time they were noticeably cheaper than many competing models. And now, two years later, the Tune 600BTNC is offered for the same amount. From the outside they look very bargain purchase, but provided that they do their job well.

Parameters and design
Overall, the JBL Tune 600BTNC look pretty normal. They are smaller than full-size models and are essentially overhead. The headphones are equipped with dynamic drivers with a diameter of 32 mm, but the material from which they are made is not specified. Such speakers are noticeably smaller than the 40 mm ones that are usually equipped with models of this class. However, this should not bother those who love deep low frequencies. JBL knows how to create equipment with truly deep bass, and some devices even had a lot of it.

JBL uses a technology in its headphones that it calls Pure Bass Sounds. The company does not explain in too much detail how it works (most likely, there is not even one technology, but a combination of several). In any case, its goal is to get the same lively bass on music of different genres that we are used to hearing from the wonderful JBL acoustics.

Tune 600BTNC can be used like regular wired headphones when connected via a cable with mini-jack 2.5 / 3.5 mm connectors, which is included in the kit. Also included with the headphones is an orange USB charging cable. When using Tune 600BTNC with wired connection The active noise reduction function can also be activated. For wireless connection in headphones used relatively new technology Bluetooth version 4.1, but without aptX support (as in premium models), only with SBC.

The need to support the aptX codec, and, accordingly, the possibility of transmitting Lossless audio in headphones intended mainly for use on various types of trips, can be argued. In my opinion, few owners of such headphones will care this fact. All in all, similar solution JBL seems quite reasonable.

But the operating time on a single battery charge (charging for 2 hours), which is 12 hours per wireless mode, is very good news. Pairing and unpairing via Bluetooth is easy and simple, the wireless connection is stable, and the distance over which you can listen to music is quite significant. It must be admitted that there are more expensive models in which Bluetooth implementation is noticeably worse than that of the Tune 600BTNC.

Now let's look at the active noise reduction system. Although more complex (and don't forget, more expensive!) competing models have many settings for this system, JBL has only two possible modes– on and off. So for lovers of technical toys there is very little room here, but everyone else will appreciate the ease of using the headphones. To control the active noise reduction system in Tune 600BTNC there is not even a corresponding mobile application-V in this case it is not necessary.

Externally, the Tune 600BTNC looks quite ordinary, especially in comparison with some other JBL models. For a small additional cost, you can purchase the Tune 600BTNC headphones in blue, white or pink flowers. Moreover, the shade of the latter is very peculiar.

Either way, for around $130 you're getting some very well-made headphones. The ear pads are dense, but quite deep, which in my opinion gives excellent results. In addition, the fact that the headphones are on-ear, rather than full-sized, provides more efficient sound transmission into the ear canal and more comfortable wearing for a long time.

The Tune 600BTNC's controls include buttons for volume up and down, song selection, active noise canceling on and off, and power on.

The button layout is well thought out and convenient, which almost completely eliminates erroneous presses. The charging connector is located in the upper part of the case, which, on the one hand, protects it well from dirt, but on the other hand, makes it impossible to listen to music when it is connected. Of course, with 12 hours of battery life it doesn't look like this big problem, however, in the case of, for example, long air flights, it is still better to use a wired connection - so that when you get off the plane you do not end up with completely discharged headphones. The Tune 600BTNC does not come with a storage case, which is a bit disappointing given the portable status of this model, but on the other hand, is easily explained by its low price.

How were the Tune 600BTNC tested?
Before testing, we left the Tune 600BTNC connected via cable for 24 hours to pre-warm up, since they arrived brand new. The headphone test itself took place when connected to a Sony Xperia XA1 smartphone, both via wire and Bluetooth, and was also used for testing iPad Air. Chord Electronis Hogo2 was used as a reference device. As test material we had several Lossless compositions in FLAC format, however, the bulk of the content was taken from Tidal, Deezer and Netflix.

Sound quality
To start, we turned off Bluetooth and active noise reduction and tested the Tune 600BTNC in normal wired connection. The results of this trial were positive. The most important thing here was that, despite our concerns, the bass was controlled and pleasant. As a result, the sound of the headphones turned out to be musical and cheerful. Heaven/Hell by Chvrches sounded powerful, exciting and emotional. At the same time, the bass was fast enough to accurately convey the rhythmic pattern and energy of this composition.

When switching to Bluetooth no There wasn't much support for aptX. To be completely precise, the maximum sound quality will be when the Tune 600BTNC is connected to a source using a cable, but switching to Bluetooth results in a very slight reduction in it. Level background noise very low and practically unnoticeable to the ear at any volume of the music itself.

The fundamental sonic character of the Tune 600BTNC remains the same when going wireless. These headphones always reproduce music very positively. They are best suited for listening to catchy songs and especially when you like the sound louder. However, when listening to songs with live instruments weak point Tune 600BTNC become more obvious. Overall tonal balance is good, but tight dynamic range at mid frequencies it deprives the music of the realism inherent in it.

The performance of the headphones' active noise cancellation system is impressive. When compared to the Bower & Wilkins PX or Sennheiser PXC550, the JBL headphones lose out due to the lack of noise cancellation adjustment and they do not have the voice recognition technology of the PX. However, in contrast to this, it can be noted that when turning on noise reduction on the Tune 600BTNC there is no noticeable effect on the character and quality of the sound. The depth of noise suppression in this model is sufficient for comfortable listening to music in in public places. I'm not sure the Tune 600BTNC would be my choice for listening to music on a plane for 12 hours, but at least The balance between suppressing external sound and transmitting it to some degree is chosen well.

Conclusion
The holiday season is still underway, and a pair of headphones that can block out external noise seems like a real temptation. The headphone cable is one thing you'll want to get rid of, too, and the last thing you'll think about is subtle changes in sound when listening to music by the pool or in a hotel lobby.

To be completely honest, you'll have to spend a little more if you want real hi-fi headphones. The Tune 600BTNC are more likely to entertain than to accurately reproduce every nuance of a recording. These headphones are also unlikely to cope with the sound of the turbines of a taking off airliner. However, let's not forget about the cost of the Tune 600BTNC, which is a tempting reason to become their owner “here and now.” These are truly comfortable and exciting sounding headphones that deserve our highest recommendation.

Verdict

Overall rating: 8 out of 10

Liked:

Lively and exciting sound

Good active noise reduction system

Good build

Did not like:

Slightly overloaded midrange

No aptX support

No case included

Ratings
Workmanship: 8
Ease of use: 9
Sensitivity: 8
Design and usability: 8
Sound quality: 8
Quality/price ratio: 0
Overall rating: 8

Inexpensive and quite successful wireless headphones: bright design (if you don’t take into account the black model), instead of eco-leather, fabric, full set buttons, the ability to connect via Bluetooth and cable...

Contents of delivery

• Headphones
• Audio cable
• microUSB cable
• Documentation

Design, construction

First, some official information:

The E-Series line of headphones is especially popular in Russia: they are very bright, affordable, and fully correspond to the JBL brand in terms of their sound character. Together with the addition, we are expanding the series with models in new colors and in an improved form factor - now everyone can find headphones to suit their mood and get excellent sound with maximum comfort,” says Evgeniy Konov, CEO HARMAN Russia.

That is, if you see JBL E series headphones, then know that this is first and foremost good value price quality. Now let's look at the representative of the JBL E45BT line.

Headphones at retail cost about 5,000 rubles, which, naturally, leaves its mark on appearance- everything is very simple, although one cannot say that it is tasteless. The model is offered in different colors, there are black, white, green options, on official photos There are even blue and red ones.

I got a modification made of white plastic; instead of the boring eco-leather, the headband is trimmed with fabric, which is already good. Of course, the fabric can quickly change color during active use, but it all depends on the care of the owner. The cups fold inward, so the headphones can be carried in a jacket pocket, the guide is made of metal, and the hinges are well made. On the outer part of the headband there is a company logo, visible to others when the headphones are on the neck. The ear pads are made of eco-leather, the speaker is covered with fabric, there are large channel designations, that is, the letters R and L. The parts of the cups are twisted with unusual screws, something you don’t see often. There are no serious complaints about the assembly - you can say about the gaps near the buttons, about the indicator light being too large, about the uneven joints at the bottom, but all this fades when you remember the price. In addition, we are pleased with the details, the corrugation on the outer part of the earphone, large logos with good design, and the same fabric on the headband. The headphones are pleasant to hold in your hands.

On the right cup there is a power button, activation of pairing mode, volume and playback control buttons. You can also answer the call by pressing the button on the cup. The headphones can work in wireless mode, but there is also a connection via a cable; there is a 2.5 mm jack on the earcup, it’s strange why they chose this option, a 3.5 mm jack would also fit here. MicroUSB connector for charging on the left cup, you can use any cable, tested.

Wearing headphones is comfortable, but comes with caveats. Headphones are on-ear, not “monitors,” so you need to forget about passive noise reduction. All sounds around are clearly audible. People with large, unusually shaped ears are unlikely to like the JBL E45BT; I highly recommend trying it on before purchasing. In my case, everything was not bad, but there is a feeling like from tight shoes - no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t achieve comfort. The small ear pads lose their shape too easily, but even if you shake your head, the JBL E45BT doesn't pop off.

Working hours

The stated operating time is about 16 hours, charging takes two hours. In ordinary life, the headphones work for about as long as stated, the gadget is very unpretentious and does not require daily charging - for those who rarely listen to music, the charge will last for a long time. Let me remind you that if the headphones are dead, you can connect the included cable, it has a button and a microphone - it works with the iPhone, I checked it. For iPhone 7, of course, you will need an adapter.

Sound quality

The operating range in an apartment is about 6-7 meters maximum, then interruptions begin and the connection is lost. I tested the headphones with an iPhone 7 Plus, there were no problems connecting, the device name in the Bluetooth menu is original, JBL E45BT. I listened to music from iTunes, on the VOX player, on SoundCloud, podcasts, in general - a variety of sources, everything was like in life. Despite the budget, the sound quality is not bad for Bluetooth headphones, you immediately notice metallic overtones in a number of tracks, a lack of detail, especially if you turn on classical compositions, but you can quite live with the JBL E45BT if you are lenient about problems in terms of sound. Yes, you can take expensive headphones, and even connect AudioQuest to Lightning, and only FLAC, and digitize yourself - but there are probably more people who will buy the JBL E45BT and carry it every day, listen to music and be happy. In general, I advise you to do this if you are looking for an inexpensive device.

The quality of speech transmission is a C, the interlocutors complained that they could not hear me very well, although I was talking in the silence of the apartment.

conclusions

As mentioned above, in retail the headphones cost about 5,000 rubles; in this form factor, the JBL E45BT has very few competitors for this money; first of all it is others wireless devices JBL. Sony has the MDR-ZX220BT model, I haven’t tested it, I can’t say anything, Creative has the WP-350 headphones, not bad, with aptX support, you can also buy. The rest of the offers for this money are quite strange, JBL has a name, good packaging, and quite good characteristics. So, given the crisis, I won’t find fault - you can safely buy the JBL E45BT if you are looking for inexpensive wireless headphones for every day.