JBL Tune 130NC

It’s been nearly a year since I bought the JBL Tune NC 130 earbuds, and my experience has been quite positive.

Sound: 4/5
The audio quality is impressive for this price range, with above-average bass. The sound quality significantly improves when ANC is activated, and the app provides a versatile equalizer.

Connectivity: 5/5
Connecting them is a breeze; they automatically pair upon opening the case. Even with Bluetooth off, Google devices can detect them and prompt a connection.

ANC: 3/5
The Active Noise Cancellation is decent, reducing noise by about 10-15 dB and enhancing your listening experience. However, it doesn’t make a substantial difference in very loud environments. The talk-through feature tends to amplify surrounding noise excessively, making conversations difficult.

Voice Clarity: 3.5/5
Voice clarity on calls is good, with ANC kicking in to improve call quality. However, the person on the other end might hear amplified background noise, leading to complaints about the environment.

Charging: 5/5
Exceptional battery life for both the earbuds and the case. Even with heavy use, I only need to charge the case fully every 10-15 days, and the battery performance outside the case is impressive.

Durability: 5/5
These earbuds can handle rough use and have survived multiple drops from about 5 feet. The case is also quite sturdy.

Customizable Features: 5/5
You can customize keystrokes and functions through the JBL app, which is a fantastic feature.

Best Feature:
Tracking the earbuds is a lifesaver! I’ve misplaced them multiple times in cinemas, on the street, and at home, but I’ve always been able to locate them using the sound feature in the JBL app. Truly impressive—kudos!

Overall:
These are versatile, budget-friendly earbuds that are durable, offer great sound, and have decent noise cancellation. The software support is also commendable.

Thank you, JBL! ❤️ A happy customer.

I purchased these earbuds a month ago, opting for the 130NC model since I prefer a design that doesn’t hang down. However, they can slip out if you sweat. They are decent for home use in the sub-3,000 price range.

Pros:

• Excellent sound quality
• Custom equalizer with a user-friendly app
• Impressive battery life
• Effective ANC
• Supports USB-C and fast charging
• Power-saving mode
• Quick connect feature
• Intelligent audio control
• Responsive touch controls

Cons:

• Fit isn’t great; they may fall out easily
• Ambient Aware feature is mediocre; at full volume, it’s practically useless, and only sounds within a 1m radius are detectable.

I’m not a fan of headphones that seal the ear, but the sound quality is excellent, the connection is flawless, and they fit perfectly in my ears.

Let’s address the elephant in the room:

1) Are these earphones great? The answer is no.
2) Are they decent enough? Maybe.
3) Can they be improved with some modifications? Yes and no.

Edited review: I initially rated these four stars but am now reducing it to three because I’ve completely stopped using them; the cons outweigh the pros, making them unbearable.

As an audiophile, sound quality is crucial for me. After using these earphones for a month, here’s my list of pros and cons.

Pros:
1) They excel at music listening—just for music.
2) The battery life is outstanding (10/10); it’s truly impressive.
3) The build quality is solid.
4) The JBL app is quite impressive, allowing for modifications that can enhance sound quality.
5) Overall, they have a good sound profile.
6) Microphone quality is satisfactory.

Cons:
1) The app occasionally malfunctions, requiring me to return the earbuds to the case and reconnect, which can be frustrating.
2) The fit in my ears is never quite secure; I constantly worry they might fall out, which becomes annoying over time.
3) When watching videos, the vocal volume can sometimes be excessively loud, particularly during shouting scenes. I’ve used various earphones in the past, but I’ve never experienced this issue before.
4) There’s a noticeable lip-sync delay at the start of videos, lasting 1-2 seconds, which is quite bothersome. This happens consistently at the beginning of videos or when paused and resumed.
5) Most of the issues arise while watching videos: the lip-sync problem and sudden loudness when someone shouts are particularly distracting.

As I mentioned, these issues can be mitigated using the JBL headphone app. You can adjust the equalizer to address the volume inconsistencies and switch to video mode to resolve the lip-sync issue. However, the fact that the earphones rely on an app to perform optimally is a drawback. For instance, while they can connect to Bluetooth TVs, the app isn’t available for TVs, resulting in subpar performance. If you plan to use them with mobile devices or tablets, you can achieve better sound quality.

At this price point, I’d rate them a 7/10—not great, but decent. I’ve encountered better-sounding earphones in the past. If I’m being generous, I’d say they deserve a 7.5/10.