Latest news with #TuneBeam2
India Today
24-05-2025
- India Today
JBL Tune Beam 2 review: Dapper looks, clear sound for less than Rs 6,000
Getting a decent pair of wireless earphones at around Rs 5,000-Rs 6,000 is a tricky affair. Brands usually promise big but end up skimping on the basics. Options galore but none stand out as true value for money. JBL wants to change this notion with the new Tune Beam 2. These earphones pack a lot of cool technology including active noise cancellation (ANC), LDAC support, dual device pairing, and guarantee of outstanding battery life, at a price of Rs 5,999. But does the new JBL audio product deliver something special in the real world or add to the crowd, we try to find out in this India Today Tech and fit: Clean, functional, comfortableThe JBL Tune Beam 2 earphones have a clean and functional design, a far cry from competition, most of which are loud and flashy. The charging case has a rounded rectangular shape with soft, curved edges. It is compact and fits comfortably in the palm, making it easy to carry around — whether in your hand or slipped into a pocket. JBL is using plastic, but the build quality feels surprisingly robust. It showed no visible signs of wear and tear even after multiple drops. The lid offers a secure grip holding up well to prevent the buds from popping out in the event you drop it accidentally. You get a trio of LEDs on the front, to indicate the battery level which is a nice touch that adds much-needed convenience otherwise missing on most of the competing products. On the flip side, the case is prone to smudging easily. advertisement The earbuds themselves offer a snug fit staying firmly put even during workout and brisk runs. The default silicone tips provide a comfortable seal. Three additional tip sizes are included in the box so most users should be able find the right fit. These can be worn for hours at a stretch without any significant discomfort. Touch sensors onboard let you play, pause, skip tracks, and even activate the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature. They are a bit overtly sensitive in my experience but not to the extent of being a deal-breaker. Lastly, the JBL earbuds come with an IP54 rating, meaning they can survive a light drizzle or sweat (as well as dust) without any trouble. However, this ability is not extended to the case. This is fine because cases in its price range don't offer an IP about sound quality?For a pair of wireless earphones that cost under Rs 6,000, the Beam 2 can crank out pretty enjoyable sound. The inclusion of LDAC support is a big win for those seeking more detail and less compression, provided your phone supports this Bluetooth codec. On compatible devices, you will notice sharper instrument separation and finer textures in vocals and background elements. Even when falling back to AAC or SBC, which most phones use by default, the earphones deliver a consistently pleasing audio experience. The sound profile is balanced when using JBL's preset equalizer modes which are accessible through the JBL Headphones app. Modes like Extreme Bass and Club instantly add extra punch and energy to tracks like Martin Garrix's "Animals" or "Carry You," Alphaville's "Forever Young," and Major Lazer's "Lean On." If you enjoy EDM or hip-hop, these presets make these earphones a satisfying choice in the sub-Rs 6,000 bass hits well enough for casual listening without overpowering the soundstage, making these earphones great for genres like house, trance, or pop-EDM. However, if you prefer heavy trap or dubstep with deep sub-bass, these earphones may feel a little light at the lowest my listening tests with Metallica's "All Nightmare Long," the earbuds handled fast guitar riffs, aggressive drums, and intense vocals quite well. While not targeting audiophiles craving every detail and spatial nuance (which larger over-the-ear headphones excel at), these earphones offer an energetic and enjoyable experience in their price range. They are also well-suited for modern Bollywood tracks with punchy beats and rich and call qualityActive Noise Cancellation (ANC) on these earphones works mostly as advertised. It's not class-leading, but it does a good job of cutting out office chatter, AC hums, and low-level street noise. The JBL app gives you control over ANC levels and includes Ambient Aware and TalkThru modes. The former lets in environmental sounds, so you are not completely cut off, while the latter lowers the volume and amplifies speech, which is handy for quick conversations. Call quality is another area where JBL has made improvements. The Tune Beam 2 earphones have six microphones, up from four on the previous model, and the difference is noticeable. Background noise like wind or honking autos is handled impressively. Even during outdoor walks and rides, my voice came through clean and clear, with minimal interruption from the life: Surprisingly dependableBattery life is another area where the JBL Tune Beam 2 earphones quietly excel. With ANC turned off, the earbuds (with the case) easily lasted me about 9 days on a single charge, with an average of 3 to 3.5 hours of daily use. Even with ANC enabled, I got a solid 7 days of usage, impressive for a pair of budget wireless earbuds. My listening volume mostly hovered around 50 to 60 per cent, which is the sweet spot for both sound clarity and battery charging is supported too, and it works well. A quick 15-minute top-up delivers about 4 to 5 hours of playback time, making it perfect for those last-minute dashes out of the door. There is no wireless charging which is understandable given the price point. JBL also includes power-saving features like auto-standby and auto power-off, though in daily use, I rarely found the need to manually toggle and JBL App: Reliable and user-friendlyWhen it comes to connectivity, these earphones get most of the basics right. Pairing is straightforward; just open your phone's Bluetooth settings, flip open the lid with the earbuds inside, and you are ready to connect. There is no dedicated pairing button though which could have made things easier for non-tech-savvy users. Once paired, the earphones automatically connect to the phone without any problem. advertisementThere is no in-ear detection feature, which means your music won't automatically pause when you remove the earbuds. That might disappoint some, but JBL redeems itself with a handy dual connection feature. You can stay connected to your phone and laptop simultaneously without constantly switching or unpairing devices. During my time using it, this feature worked flawlessly with no dropouts or JBL Headphones app ties everything together with a clean, intuitive user interface. It gives you access to all the expected features, customisable touch controls for playback and calls, ANC adjustment, and even a "Find My Buds" option. The EQ section deserves a mention too. JBL offers a few presets like Jazz, Vocal, Extreme Bass, Studio, and Bass but you can also create your own custom EQ by tweaking frequency Tune Beam 2: Should you buy them?For Rs 5,999, the JBL Tune Beam 2 gets all the basics right — good sound, strong ANC, solid battery life, and reliable call quality. The support for LDAC is a big plus, while the dual device pairing and responsive app controls add real value. It skips a few extras like wireless charging and in-ear detection, but those are easy to live with, considering their price. If you want dependable earbuds with great audio and everyday convenience, the JBL Tune Beam 2 is an easy recommendation.
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Business Standard
06-05-2025
- Business Standard
JBL Tune Beam 2 review: Feature-rich wireless earphones with great sound
Audio accessories maker JBL has recently launched the Tune 2 series of wireless earphones in India. Leading the lineup is the Tune Beam 2, a pair of true wireless earbuds featuring adaptive noise cancelling and spatial sound support. On the connectivity front, the Tune Beam 2 comes with Bluetooth v5.3 (LE Audio supported) and Google Fast Pair for swift pairing with supported devices. JBL claims up to 48 hours of total battery life and a six-microphone setup to ensure clearer voice calls. The earbuds are compatible with both Android and iOS devices. On paper, the Tune Beam 2 appears to be a strong contender in its segment — but how does it perform in real-world use? Let us find out. Design and fit The JBL Tune Beam 2 comes in a compact box, which includes the charging case and earbuds, a USB-C charging cable, a user manual, and two additional pairs of silicone ear tips in different sizes. The charging case has a compact design with matte-finish to resist smudges. While the case is portable, it is on the heavier side even when empty. The front of the case features the JBL logo, just above a row of three LEDs that indicate the remaining battery level. A USB-C charging port is placed at the bottom. Opening the lid reveals a glossy interior with clearly marked left and right indicators. The earbuds are secured with strong magnets and remain firmly in place, but you can pick them out without any efforts. The earbuds themselves feature a stem-style design with soft silicone ear tips that provide a snug fit. They sit securely in the ears, remain stable during movement, and feel sturdy overall. However, extended use may lead to some ear fatigue. The earbuds have a clean, solid-colour body, while the touch surface sports a glossy finish. This area allows you to control playback, manage calls, and toggle ANC and ambient awareness modes. Connectivity and pairing The JBL Tune Beam 2 supports Bluetooth 5.3 and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. It also features multi-point connectivity, allowing it to stay connected to two devices at once. Google Fast Pair is supported on Android, enabling quick and seamless pairing. Pairing with smartphones is straightforward and hassle-free. However, connecting to a Windows laptop occasionally required multiple attempts. The earbuds are supported by the JBL Headphones companion app, which offers a user-friendly experience across platforms. Audio and features The sound performance of the JBL Tune Beam 2 is above average for mid-range earbuds, offering clear highs and dynamic, punchy bass. While the default tuning is decent, the sound quality improves noticeably with customisation through the JBL Headphones app. The app includes several useful audio settings like equalizers, spatial sound modes, Personi-Fi, and sound balance controls—giving users the freedom to tailor their listening experience in depth. Personi-Fi 3.0: This feature lets users personalise the sound based on their individual hearing profile. It runs a quick hearing test and then generates a custom sound profile to optimise the audio experience. I personally found this feature effective—after enabling it, the overall clarity improved, and the bass felt strong but never overpowering. The earbuds handled different music genres like jazz and rock with ease, and sound remained balanced even at higher volumes. Smart Audio & Video Mode: This setting lets you switch between Audio and Video modes depending on your content. 'Audio mode' enhances the music listening experience, while 'Video mode' reduces latency to ensure better lip-sync accuracy when watching videos or streaming content. Spatial Sound: For a more immersive experience, Spatial Sound offers three presets—Movie, Music, and Game. Each mode tweaks the surround sound field slightly to match the type of content being consumed, adding depth to the audio output. Gesture control: The earbuds support touch controls, which can be customised through the companion app. You can assign gestures like single tap, double tap, or tap-and-hold to functions such as switching between ANC and Ambient Aware, activating TalkThru, or summoning a voice assistant. For example, my setup includes a single tap to toggle ANC and Ambient Aware, double tap for TalkThru, and tap-and-hold to activate Siri. Equalizers: The EQ section includes several presets like Studio, Bass, Club, Extreme Bass, Vocal, and Jazz. There's also an option to create your own custom EQ profile. This detailed control is great for more demanding listeners and helps fine-tune the sound to personal preference. Relax Mode: The app also includes a Relax Mode, featuring calming nature sounds such as crackling fire, ocean waves, birdsong, and rain. You can mix multiple sounds and set a timer for up to 60 minutes, making it a nice addition for winding down or meditating. Noise cancelling The JBL Tune Beam 2 features adaptive noise cancellation (ANC), which performs reasonably well for everyday use. In typical environments like busy streets or noisy indoor spaces, the earbuds manage to filter out much of the background noise, allowing for an immersive listening experience. However, in louder settings—such as heavy traffic or construction zones—some ambient sound still seeps through. ANC can be toggled directly from the earbuds, and its effectiveness also depends heavily on getting the right ear tip size and adjusting the volume appropriately. The transitions between phone calls and listening on the earbuds are seamless. The JBL Headphones app enhances the noise control experience with manual settings for ANC, Ambient Aware, and TalkThru modes. These options let you fine-tune how much external sound you want to let in. I found the ability to customise the ANC level particularly useful, especially when I didn't want to be completely isolated from my surroundings. The TalkThru feature came in handy during face-to-face conversations, allowing voices to pass through clearly without needing to remove the earbuds. Calling Call quality on the JBL Tune Beam 2 is solid, thanks in part to the well-placed microphones on the stem-style earbuds. Even in noisy environments, voice clarity remains strong, and background sounds are mostly filtered out, preventing the caller's voice from sounding muffled or drowned. Each earbud features a triple-microphone setup—six microphones in total—which delivers noticeably better performance compared to many other earbuds in this range. Voices on both ends of the call come through clearly, and the connection remains stable. The JBL Headphones app also includes dedicated sound and voice settings, allowing me to fine-tune both how I sound and how the caller's voice comes through. This adds a nice layer of customisation to the calling experience. Battery Life The battery life on the JBL Tune Beam 2 varies based on usage patterns, but in general, the earbuds easily last multiple days on moderate use when combined with the charging case. JBL claims up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge with ANC enabled, and up to 12 hours without ANC. The case provides an additional three full charges, bringing the total battery life to up to 40 hours without ANC or 30 hours with ANC. In practice, this holds up well for daily use and makes the earbuds a reliable option for travel or long listening sessions. Verdict Priced at Rs 11,999, the JBL Tune Beam 2 offers dynamic sound along with useful features like spatial sound and adaptive sound control. Its strong app integration allows for deep customisation of audio preferences, and the impressive battery life adds to its overall value. That said, there are a few trade-offs such as lack of auto play/pause functionality, which is offered by some competitors in this price range.
