Review of JBL Synchros E50BT, E40BT, E30 and E10 headphones. Decent sound for every taste and budget

At first, Bluetooth headphones infuriated many music lovers due to poor ergonomics and the need to come to terms with a number of conditions. But gradually wireless models are pulled up to the wired ones.

It's time to test best models both categories. CHIP finds out which devices best suit certain music preferences, which are most convenient, and which best package and which ones are the most portable.

Headphone design: on-ear or full-size?

On-ear, as the name of the type of design suggests, is placed on the ear. For example, like , our optimal choice. Full-size ones, like the test winner from the category, completely cover the ear. Both types are divided into closed and open according to their acoustic design.

Closed-back headphones are more common, they reproduce low frequencies more assertively, and the music they produce sounds warmer and less detailed than open-back headphones. Open ones allow sounds to pass through the holes in both directions, so that a person hears background noise and does not completely disconnect from outside world. At the same time, those around him are also forced to listen to his music, and not everyone likes this.

Reproduction of low frequencies is highly dependent on the size of the driver. Many models are equipped with drivers with a diameter of about 40 mm and, reproducing sounds with a frequency of 20 Hz, can reach lower frequencies than a person can usually hear without straining.

Glossary: ​​Headphones

> Design type: overhead (on-ear)
The headphones are placed on the ear, which ensures the compactness of the entire design

> Design type: full-size (over-ear)
The headphones completely fit the ear, so they are larger in size than over-ear ones. The sound stage of full-size ones is also more voluminous compared to overhead ones.

> Type of acoustic design: closed
The sound stage of the headphones is isolated, the headphones block out external noise, resulting in warm and rich sounds.

> Type of acoustic design: open
The headphones transmit sounds, both external and internal, and sound insulation is relatively weak. Open-back headphones produce transparent, lifelike sound

> Input sensitivity
The sound pressure level of a signal with a power of 1 milliwatt, measured in decibels. The higher the value, the higher the volume

> Impedance
Frequency dependent impedance alternating current determines sound quality and level maximum volume

> Emitter
Loudspeaker built into the earcup, consisting of a magnet, moving coil, membrane and housing

Power: the role of impedance

Headphone volume is determined primarily by sensitivity, which measures the sound pressure level the headphones can produce per milliwatt of power, expressed in decibels per milliwatt (dB SPL/mW, where SPL is sound pressure level).

Second important parameter- headphone AC resistance or impedance, determined by variable coil: The lower the impedance, the more power from the input voltage. For portable players, low-impedance models are recommended - with an impedance below 100 Ohms.

The other side of the coin: the lower the impedance, the more distortion the amplifier produces. Top-end headphones are often characterized by an impedance of about 600 Ohms and require a powerful amplifier - a smartphone is too small for this.

Wires or Bluetooth?

Without a doubt, wires in headphones are annoying. Wireless technology seems to promise to improve the situation. It is important to know that audio streams are not transmitted over Bluetooth without loss: they are compressed using SBC or aptX codecs, so the sound quality of such headphones does not reach the level of wired ones due to reduced dynamics and detail. For fans of pop and rock music, as a rule, this is not a problem, but listening to dynamic classics or jazz may interfere.

Wired headphones transmit sound analoguely from the amplifier output, so distortion digital signal and compression artifacts are negligible. In addition, they do not require batteries or rechargeable batteries.

Sound quality: Bluetooth tries to stay away from wires

The most important criterion for headphones is playback quality. Depending on the style of music, each listener has his own individual preferences. Classical and jazz lovers should look for a model that allows you to distinguish all the sound and spatial nuances. For such genres, open wired headphones are best suited. If you like pulsating beat, pop, rock or hip-hop - choose closed systems with a rich, warm sound.

Of the Bluetooth headphones, we were most impressed by the JBL Everest 300, which deliver differentiated, multi-faceted sound with bright and powerful highs and lows. JBL masterfully reproduces even classic works, such as Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" as interpreted by Max Richter, with remarkable power for Bluetooth headphones. , and the test winner also made a good auditory impression.

Of the wired ones, the model transmits audio signals best of all. Beautifully balanced sound: these headphones reproduce individual instruments as accurately as possible and place them correctly in the surround sound picture. The same can be said about the more expensive Sony MDR-100AAP and our top pick.

Comfort: no pressure

The headphones should fit well. Ideally, you won't feel it at all. Therefore, they must have soft ear pads on the inside of the cups and padding on the headband. Very comfortable to wear, for example, lightweight ones. But not all headphones are suitable for every head shape. So, JBL Everest 300 can press unpleasantly if a person has a large head. For those who don't wear glasses, over-ear headphones are often recommended because they don't compress the ears. Those who wear glasses usually prefer over-the-eye glasses - they compress the temples of the glasses less. But to be sure, it’s better to try different options yourself.

Buttons on the cord or on the body allow you to control music or telephony functions. The highly sensitive touchpad on the earcup goes even further: as soon as you touch it lightly (for example, when changing position), some function is accidentally launched, and you have to listen for a long time to the noise from the touches, which echoes in the earcups, and is very annoying.

Headphones without a headband: miniature “plugs” with maximum sound

If you listen to music on your way to work, you may find headband headphones too bulky. Then the solution would be headphones without a headband: in-ear headphones - small capsules that go into the ear canal and completely plug the ear. This provides good sound insulation. There are also in-ear headphones (aka “earbuds”), which are placed in the auricle. For sports, in-canal ones are preferable because they are held more securely. True, they can create a feeling of pressure.

Earbuds like the Apple EarPods aren't for everyone; they can easily fall out if they don't fit securely into your ear. The ideal option would be “plugs”, which are selected by hearing aid specialists according to the individual shape of the ear.

Bluetooth devices are unsurpassed in portability - they do not have a cord that gets tangled and gets in the way. The best representatives: and recently presented. Wireless plugs, as a rule, also use Bluetooth, and this is their the main problem: The human head greatly muffles the signal, which affects the sound.

Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) technology, which is equipped, for example, in the Bragi The Headphone model, works better. However, during the first testing we often observed a disconnection. But what we liked: the sound control allows you to control the muting of noise environment– this function is integrated into Smart system Fitness on the more expensive Bragi The Dash model. Tiny in-ear capsules are separately interfaced with the player. They are almost invisible in appearance, but nevertheless are equipped with a built-in microphone for phone calls. But such tiny equipment costs a lot - as much as 300 euros (about 20,000 rubles).

Equipment: not always good

For wired headphones A detachable cable is desirable, like on the Noontech Hammo S: if damage is detected, it can be easily replaced. You can also connect longer cords or twisted cable. Most devices fold, making them easy to transport. But not all headphones come with a cover or case to protect them from dust and dirt.

In order not to remove the headphones every time the phone rings, most models have built-in microphones with control buttons. Of the Bluetooth headphones, only the model is deprived of these pleasures. provide a noise reduction function, which, however, only imposes constant background noise, which can interfere with listening to calm tracks, and cause headaches for sensitive people.

Portability: up to 26 hours of music playback

The tested wireless headphones can withstand an average of 24 hours of operation without recharging. In reality, they need to be plugged in every day. It manages the received energy best of all, working up to 26 hours without recharging. The battery charging time is also impressive – 90 minutes. The test winner, for example, for fully charged The battery time required is an hour more.

Leaders of our test

AKG Y50: perfect sound and ergonomics

With or without wire, Austrian manufacturer AKG knows what great headphones should be. makes a lasting impression, receiving almost all criteria maximum amount points. The device inspires respect with its very neat execution, first-class ergonomics and good packaging in the form of a soft case and adapter. As for the most important criterion - sound - the headphones reproduce excellent detailed, balanced sound, for which they receive a well-deserved hundred points. Moreover, the AKG Y50 is not the most expensive headphones in the test.

Pros: Best sound, excellent value for money, high ergonomics, excellent equipment

Minuses: Despite the excellent scores, the treble could have been a little livelier

Marshall Major II: for harsh rockers and more

distinguished by impressive sound and the most better ergonomics of all the headphones tested. Thanks to the bright, but not annoying high frequencies, the sound is light. The headphones, which visually match perfectly with guitar amplifiers from the same manufacturer, are especially good at reproducing rock and pop music. Only too resonant low frequencies and, in comparison with the rest of the test participants, not very high volume prevented them from receiving more points. However, in terms of packaging, the headphones could also score points: for example, there is no carrying case.

Pros: Impressive sound, very comfortable, stylish design, very good buy

Minuses: Quite strong low frequencies, limited packaging, no carrying case

AKG Y50BT: Very balanced sound

During testing, the full-size headphones impressed with their balanced sound. Compared to its wired counterpart, it lacks a bit of openness and transparency - this is a minus of wireless technology. But when playing songs with pronounced mid frequencies, the headphones are distinguished by excellent voice reproduction. They sit firmly on the head without squeezing it, but 300 grams of weight are felt. The device is characterized by good configuration and battery endurance - the operating time without recharging is more than 26 hours. However, the battery takes a relatively long time to charge – as much as 2.5 hours.

Pros: Balanced sound, very good reproduction voices, good battery life

Minuses: Quite bulky and heavy, less than Y50 high-quality reproduction sound

Marshall Major II BT: Punchy Sound Without Cables

Unlike its wired counterpart, they are more made in the traditions of world famous guitar amplifiers: These headphones produce rich sound, ideal for heavy riffs. Sound wireless version characterized by a relative predominance of bass. Thanks to the fact that the headphones fit perfectly, you can enjoy music for hours – the battery life allows it. The British only slightly missed the mark with the packaging - for example, the delivery set does not include a case for transportation. The box contained only the headphones and cable. But given the affordability, you can live with this.

Pros: High level volume, subtle treble, good battery life, very comfortable, good buy

Minuses: You can hear the predominance of low frequencies in the sound, there are some shortcomings in the configuration

JBL E45BT- compact on-ear headphones with 40 mm drivers and a pleasant appearance! JBL, a division of Harman, is known for its wide range of headphones: from simple headphones to professional studio solutions. Before us is a representative of the second generation of the mid-price E-series. Unlike the budget T-series, there are no outright savings on details. The overpayment for excess functionality and expensive materials is also invisible. Although, there were some strange marketing restrictions, but first things first.

The fashion for abandoning the 3.5 mm jack in flagship smartphones makes us think about wireless technologies. It turns out that in 2017 the transition will hardly bring any inconvenience. Bluetooth technology I got rid of childhood illnesses a long time ago - using a wireless connection is convenient! With the advent of the fourth iteration, energy consumption has dropped to minimum level- one might say imperceptibly. The audio quality is also good. The potential of the technology provides sound comparable to wires, certainly in the mid-price segment. A full set electronics in the case, selected by the company’s engineers taking into account the characteristics of the sound drivers, allows you not to think about whether the smartphone will rock the headphones or not. There is nothing to say about convenience: the absence of a wire gives a new degree of freedom and reliability of the design - the case when you try it and are unlikely to refuse in the future. At the moment when the answer to the main questions is received, all that remains is to choose a model.

Specifications

• Type of headphones: on-ear, open.
• Design: folding.
• Membrane diameter: 40 mm.
• Impedance: 32 Ohm.
• Sensitivity: 96 dB.
• Frequency response headphones: 20 - 22,000 Hz.
• Wireless connection: Bluetooth 4.0.
• Wired connection: Detachable 2.5mm Jack cable.
• Battery capacity: 610 mAh.
• Opening hours: up to 16 hours.
• Charging time: 2 hours.
• Weight: 186 grams.

Equipment

The headset comes in a cardboard box. The first thing the buyer sees is a colorful wrapper with images of the product from all possible angles.

Below it is the main box in matte black. The headphones are packaged in a presentable manner and are presented to the buyer immediately after opening the box. Be careful, the JBL E45BT is initially attached to the podium using twisted plastic wire. The packaging is made with high quality. The device is a pleasure to unbox!

Just below the headphones, in a plastic envelope, the rest of the kit is hidden: an audio cable, a microUSB cable, a short manual and a warranty card. Unfortunately, there was no room for the carrying case and the mains adapter. If the absence of the latter can be tolerated, it is a common accessory that every smartphone owner has. That cover, even the simplest one, was worth putting on. The headphones are portable and are supposed to be worn in a bag, and not just around the neck.

Appearance and ease of use

The model is aimed at people with different tastes, so a wide range of colors is offered. From classic black and white, to bright blue, red and discreet turquoise. The materials used do not differ depending on the color.

The Trashbox editors ended up with a black version. The first impression is a simple appearance, without any frills. At the same time, the design cannot be called rustic and, especially, tasteless. A variety of materials are used in the finishing: glossy and matte plastic, metal, fabric and leatherette. Non-intrusive decorative elements are noticeable, which emphasize that the model belongs to the JBL line.

The cups are made of matte plastic. The outer part is decorated with textured patterns. A large JBL logo is located in the center. No paint, each letter is a separate element made of glossy plastic. It's worth noting that the cups rotate just over 90 degrees for a better fit.

The ear pads also have a small degree of freedom in the plane perpendicular to the cups. The interior is lined with leatherette. The quality of the material is not satisfactory, the seam is neat. The speaker is protected by a cloth with embroidered channel markings. Each cup consists of two parts, which are screwed together with screws.

Apparently, the headband is based on a steel plate padded with soft material. The design is covered with thick fabric - an unusual move; as a rule, manufacturers limit themselves to leatherette. At the same time, in a light version, the fabric will require careful attitude. On top part a logo is applied, and glossy plastic inserts with the name of the product line are added at the base. The headband is adjustable, the moving parts are made of metal, no supporting plastic.

The main feature of compact headphones is the ability to fold. JBL E45BT is no exception; the cups are compactly stored in the headband. The final design will not take up much space in your bag, and in winter it will fit in your jacket pocket. All elements responsible for folding are metal, it looks and feels reliable.

Due to the many adjustments, the design turned out to be the most universal. The fit on the head is soft, the headphones literally hug the head, the ears are not compressed. After prolonged use there is no discomfort. Wireless headphones are heavier than their wired counterparts, but the weight is pleasant, you get used to it quickly. It is worth understanding that on-ear headphones open type They don’t isolate you from the outside world in any way; a soft landing only makes the situation worse. The only complaint is the fabric covering of the headband. The material is quite slippery and fixes the structure on the head much worse than competitors made of leatherette. At the same time, the headphones are suitable for sports: running, active cycling - no problem, JBL E45BT will not fall off your head. Before purchasing, I recommend trying on the headphones and looking for a comfortable position on your head in advance.

Controls and functionality

Unlike traditional headphones, wireless models are not without controls. JBL E45BT is no exception; everything you need is located on the right earcup.

The headset is turned on using a lever with a built-in status indicator. There are only three modes: power on - lights up white; the headset is connected to the device - lights up blue; pairing mode with a new device - flickers blue. To switch to pairing mode, there is a separate button with Bluetooth logo. Two devices can be connected at the same time, switching between them is automatic and works correctly.

There are three traditional buttons to control playback. The volume keys on the headset control the level of the connected device; situations with separate levels on the smartphone and headset do not arise. Long press switches track. The play/pause button can also be used to accept or reject a call. The built-in microphone is rather nominal. Even in a quiet room, interlocutors complain about the kick drum effect, any additional noise completely drowns out the microphone, and you have to constantly ask again.

Like other wireless devices, the hero of the review is equipped with a 610 mAh battery, which requires recharging, for which there is a microUSB port and an LED indicator on the left cup. Stated time battery life JBL E45BT - 16 hours, charging takes approximately 2 hours. The figure is not unfounded - in the mode of 3-4 hours a day at medium volume, the headphones last about a week.

The headphones transmit information about the current charge to the smartphone. If the level is not displayed, you can use the application. The headset also reports low levels sound notification and a flashing indicator. During charging, the indicator lights up red. When the full level is reached it goes out.

In addition to connecting via Bluetooth, it is possible to connect an AUX cable, for which a 2.5 mm jack is provided on the right earcup. In this mode, the charge is not consumed. The headset electronics are disabled, therefore neither the buttons nor the microphone work. The supplied fabric-braided cable is equipped with a microphone and a single button. An unusual detail is the plug at an angle of 45 degrees, a practical solution.

Sound

For testing we used OnePlus 3T with Oxygen 4.1.6 (Android 7.1.1) on board. Music files - Google Play Music, the settings are set to high quality.

The sound character of the headphones is average, there is no booming bass, and the highs do not prevail either. JBL E45BT are not just another headphones created to please the stereotype “more bass, better sound.” There's everything here in moderation; the engineers managed to find the right balance.

It should be noted that complex compositions, rich in instruments, suffer from a lack of detail. In the case of OnePlus 3T, after connecting the cable the situation does not change. I think that a smartphone with a dedicated audio chip and music in FLAC will improve the situation, but the JBL E45BT is not positioned as a Hi-Fi device. The headphones are created for the mass consumer and fully comply with the capabilities regular smartphone paired with a streaming service or downloaded MP3 music.

Even at high volumes you can feel the safety margin, no wheezing or extraneous noise! Wireless connection works correctly. When watching videos soundtrack plays without delay. The range allows you to move freely around the apartment; the signal can reach at least one concrete wall.

Among the shortcomings is the lack of a companion application. The company has My JBL Headphones in its arsenal, but the program only supports the flagship Everest line. I think that the restriction is strictly marketing; inexpensive headphones do not have the ability to customize the sound. Fortunately, out of the box the JBL E45BT is configured quite well, but those who wish to do so just have to master it third party tools. The same ViperFX, which not so long ago, will cope with the task.

Let's sum it up

JBL E45BT- a universal choice for those looking for compact wireless headphones for every day. The company managed to create an attractive model that looks nice and sounds decent. High-quality assembly and folding design complete the picture; the headphones are reliable and easy to use!

Pros:

• Foldable design.
• Balanced sound.
• Attractive design.
• High quality performance.
• Opportunity simultaneous connection two devices.

Minuses:

• 2.5 mm Jack for cable connection.
• Poor sensitivity of the built-in microphone.

You might not like it:

• Heavier than wired counterparts;
• No transport case included;
• Lack of companion app.

In today's review we will move away from the topic of choice in-ear headphones and let's talk about headphones of a different form factor. Despite my dislike for on-ear models, I have a fairly positive attitude towards in-ears, and I think that they are the most best option between the hefty “mugs” and the unloved “plugs” by many.

Specifications

Driver: 15.4mm dynamic driver
Frequency response: 15Hz-25KHz
Impedance:32Ω
Sensitivity: 114dB
Cable length: 1.2m
Plug: 3.5mm

Box

The headphones are supplied in a branded box from the PenonAudio store.

Equipment

The kit includes a case for storage and transportation, many foam ear pads, a clothespin for attaching the cable to clothing and so-called earhooks.

Appearance

The headphones look pretty simple. The main part is made of metal, the inner part, on the speaker side, is made of plastic. On the body there are compensation holes and a dot indicating the right channel.

The cable is excellent for its price; it is silver-plated copper in a durable silicone sheath - soft, flexible and elastic. There is a slider to adjust the length.

Ergonomics. Noise insulation

The headphones are small and fit comfortably in the ear. Noise isolation is very weak, which is typical for headphones given form factor a.

What do they sound like?

Musical material

Already traditional musical material - two discs (Classic CD and Modern CD) contain musical compositions of various genres with descriptions of the tracks, a demo disc Dali Stereo Demonstration CD and Prime Test CD #1. Test disc Dr. Chesky - The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc.
And also other entries. All music tracks are in lossless formats.

Sound sources

Sound sources, portable audio players Aune M1s, Cayin N3, Fiio X3 II, ZiShan DSD and other portable players.

Sound

I am quite skeptical about such a phenomenon as “warming up”. But I still listened to the seller’s recommendations, and before writing a review, I played them on various musical materials for a total of more than 200 hours. I listened to the headphones for several hours after unpacking, after which I connected them to the station and left them to play. The sound has actually changed a bit. The bass became more defined, excessive brightness at high frequencies disappeared, they became smoother. Therefore, I recommend giving the headphones a good run.

The bass for me, as a non-ardent basshead, is simply excellent. The lower bass lacks a little massiveness and density, but the midbass is very pleasing - fast, agile and elastic.

Mid frequencies are slightly emphasized. The vocals sound winning - lively and emotional. Musical instruments have a natural and natural sound, with clear separation and positioning on the imaginary stage. The virtual scene itself is clearly built both in width and depth.

High frequencies are clear, clean and detailed. After “warming up,” the slight excess brightness completely disappeared. They became smoother and more pleasant. Plates, bells, and coins retain their luster and shine, but there is no unpleasant ringing or sand. Overall, a very non-fatiguing presentation, even after long listening sessions.

As for musical preferences, the headphones are omnivorous and are suitable for any genre, style and direction, from hard rock and metal, to classical music. Vocal parts and opera singing sound especially great.

I will not compare BS1 with other, cheaper ones - TY Hi-Z HP, Colarad C01, VE Monk, etc., since for me personally they are head and shoulders above the sound quality. In terms of price-sound ratio, BS1 is closer to headphones in a higher price range, such as MrZ Tomahawk, VE Asura, Rose Masya.

You can purchase BS1 in the PenonAudio online store or on the trading platform

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 a newcomer to the development of such headsets, and the new J33A model 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. 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 rather 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, which have only presets instead of manual mode? 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 a Pure Bass function, which makes the low frequencies airy. 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 will effectively muffle most environmental sounds, while plain ones will definitely do less well. 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.

Wireless plugs JBL Free made serious competition to earbuds from.

In terms of functionality, they are not inferior, but users do not have to pay extra for the brand, and seriously pay extra.

Although, plugs and inserts differ somewhat in shape and advantages.

Earbuds are much easier to insert into your ears, but earplugs still take some getting used to.

On the other hand, plugs provide better sound insulation, which is simply necessary when you have to travel frequently. public transport, or be in noisy places all the time.

Absolutely wireless earbuds are not that easy to develop.. After all, each tiny capsule contains a separate battery and... Thanks to this, the capsules are not connected to each other by wire and are so convenient to use. At the same time, you cannot use a ready-made solution from Apple; you need to look for your own unique solution. It seems that the developers did a great job with this, because the completely wireless JBL Free plugs are rapidly gaining popularity. Still would! After all, these are wireless vacuum plugs at a very reasonable price.

How convenient are they? everyday use? What sound do they make? Are users satisfied with them? Let's look at all this in more detail.

Let's start with the technical data. Here are the general characteristics of these little ones.

Specifications

Type	Wireless vacuum in-ear plugs
Communication and range	Bluetooth 4.2 with a radius of up to 10 m
Communication standards	A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
Frequency	10-22000 gigahertz
Type and number of emitters	One in each module, dynamic
Microphone	Built into the right module
Battery	The headphones themselves last 4 hours The case keeps the modules charged for 20 hours
Weight and size	Weight: 99 g Module diameter: 5.6 mm
Case Features	Waterproof according to IPX5 standard Materials: silicone and plastic

Unpacking and packaging

The best thing about headphones of this type is that you don’t need wires to charge them every day.

They are recharged in a special case while they are resting. But the case itself is charged from the mains if necessary. It is very comfortable.

So, the package includes: the headphones themselves, ear pads in two versions, a charging pad-case, capsule covers for a better fit in the ears in two versions, a charging cable.

It is not advisable to get this model completely wet. On full immersion They are definitely not designed for water.

If someone sweats a lot while playing sports, there is a danger of not only losing the headphones, but also damaging the speakers with excess moisture. In this case, it is better to buy a special sports model.

Another side of the coin is absolutely - you need to adapt to carrying them with you.

You can carry them in the charging case. This way they definitely won’t get confused.

In addition, they will always be in good shape, which is also nice. However, the case itself is rather large and hard. This can cause discomfort, because you just can’t put it in your pocket.

You can, of course, simply throw the headphones into a bag pocket or clothing pocket, but due to their small size there is a risk of losing them. So, the lack of wires has its downsides.

Operation

These little ones synchronize without any special bells and whistles, although sometimes with some shamanism, as is usually the case with completely wireless ones.

You need to turn on the headset triple click on the buttons of both modules. There's only one important point- you need to take them out of the case one by one, strictly first the right one, then the left one.

If synchronization of the modules does not occur, it must be done by triple pressing both buttons again. Enable Bluetooth on the companion device. Identify the headphones and you're done.

You won't be able to switch from one audio source to another automatically.

You will have to repeat the entire procedure, which will take a little time if you are switching, say, from a smart phone to a laptop, etc.

The leading earphone is the right one. A signal is received from the sound source and transmitted to the left earphone. Also in the right earphone there is a microphone for answering calls, so in mode mobile conversations only the right section remains active. The right earphone can be used separately as a mono headset.

It is worth noting that they will not be able to hear you through such a headset, so this is more just in case, but for full communication it is better to speak into the smart microphone. Alas.

The connection with the device is generally good and stable, the signal is not interrupted or lost. There is a slight delay during synchronization, but very little.

So using JBL Free is quite comfortable. When playing video, everything goes just as smoothly.

Control

The lion's share of commands is set on the right module. Here the start and pause works as usual. You can also answer the call in the classic way.

All this is a normal single click. Double pressure triggers voice control.

The left module is responsible for rewinding tracks. A single press skips the track. Double tap triggers the return.

What can be attributed to the significant disadvantages of the control is that the sound volume is not regulated on the plugs themselves; it will have to be adjusted on the transmitting device.

Sound

How do JBL Free vacuum plugs sound?

After all, no matter how comfortable and reliable the headphones are, the main thing about them is the sound itself.

Here, of course, much depends on musical preferences and tastes, as well as on the perception of sound.

And everyone understands that it’s stupid to expect full-fledged surround sound from plugs with tiny speakers.

The headphones sound good, especially if they fit perfectly in the ear. With a slight shift or pressure, the bass is of course immediately muffled, which can be annoying while listening. It all depends on whether these plugs are suitable for your configuration. If we talk about high frequencies, sometimes a slight humming can be heard on them. If your hearing is thin, this can be stressful. In general, electronic music sounds good on them.

JBL Free is not super powerful. If someone likes it to rumble and hammer, they may not be enough.

However, good noise insulation plays a role here, compensating to some extent for the power.

And such a situation, whatever one may say, will cause less harm to the hearing than a long stream of too much water directed directly into the ears.

In addition, the combination of noise insulation and power is enough to listen to music in noisy places with comfort.

In any case, it is better to try the plugs before purchasing them. How they fit into the ear, comfortably or not, will affect not only the comfort and condition of the ears, but also the sound quality.

If the modules turn out, move, they often have to be adjusted, or they constantly rest against something, this will certainly not only lead to ear pain, but will also deprive the joy of comfortable listening to your favorite music.