A major player in nomadic audio, JBL beefed up its game a few months ago to offer modest budgets a pair of headphones true-wireless up to date: the Tune 230NC TWS. A model that would combine endurance, insulation and sound performance.
Despite their ergonomic qualities, the JBL Tune 230NC TWS have not gone far from correctional because of their unbalanced and, to say the least, trying sound signature they offer out of the box. The equalizer present in the application saves the day and allows you to benefit from a sound experience with still some flaws, but much more pleasant, natural and generally satisfactory. JBL’s headphones are thus positioned as a pair of headphones true-wireless very honest, which must still face fierce competition and sometimes significantly more interesting in terms of quality / price.
Strong points
- Rich sound reproduction, well balanced and rather well defined after equalization.
- Pleasant and relatively complete user experience, well thought out companion app.
- Very solid autonomy (8 to 10 hours per charge).
- Comfortable carry.
- Fairly natural way of listening to surrounding sounds.
Weak points
- Highs that lack precision, with a slightly scintillating sound.
- Slightly soft bass.
- Shy active noise reduction.
- Headphones that have a tendency to slip.
NB: The reported price drop is calculated by comparing the lowest price of the day with the average of the lowest prices charged by all merchants for the product last month, with security rules to exclude prices from shops whose the VAT policy is not clear (known as “grey” shops, typically in the case of imports from China).
Alternatively
Undisputed king of the high-end sector, Sony gives birth here to a much more modest model than the excellent WF-1000XM4, but which manages to impress with its comfort and more than generous autonomy. The WF-C500s are also able to offer an honest sound experience thanks to a warm signature which is however tarnished by treble which is far too withdrawn. On the headphone segment true-wireless at less than €100, the WF-C500s therefore have almost everything to please, but the competition is likely to be tough given the number of equally capable models and sometimes offering the active noise reduction that they lack.