The JBL Tune 230NC True wireless earbuds are a really solid set of earbuds from JBL featuring active noise cancellation and true wireless stereo modes that deliver superb sound performance. As with most JBL earbuds, the JBL Tune 230NC is designed to deliver a deep low-end with powerful bass response that really hits hard and makes music sound much more punchy and engaging. The 230NC earbuds come with 10mm drivers that deliver really nice and solid sound performance with plenty of volume output – they can deliver loud sound performance with practically no distortion and you can hear all the details in the music with pristine clarity.
In addition, these earbuds come with active noise cancellation with smart ambient modes which work really well to minimize background audio noises; it also has ambient aware modes which allow you to tune into your surroundings when required, making these earbuds great for outdoor sports or running. They are also IPX4 water-resistant and sweatproof which makes them suitable for gym and workouts, and have a wide frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with superb bass performance which makes them great for working out to the beat of the music.
Sound Performance
The JBL Tune 230NC delivers really deep and punchy bass with a warm sound signature. Compared with other earbuds we have tested, the JBL Tune 230NC certainly excels at delivery low-end punchy beats that you can feel in your ears. Although they have really deep bass, the highs and midranges are surprisingly crisp and clear with clean vocals. We listened to a couple of music soundtracks including EDM, rock and hip-hop and they sounded very engaging and detailed on these earbuds, with really deep punchy bass.
While the bass on the JBL Tune 230NC is deep, it does not sound overwhelming like the Skullcandy earbuds nor does it feel bloated. We were quite surprised that you can also hear the bass at lower volume levels – the music does not sound tiny or less detailed at lower volume sound levels. You can also push the volume on these earbuds to maximum and get virtually very little distortion; the sound remains clear and crisp, and vocals sound smooth without any harshness in the upper treble ranges.
Vocals sounded very crisp and clean on the JBL Tune 230NC. Although the earbuds have a warm sound signature, we did not hear any coloration in the vocals – they sound natural and well-defined at every volume level. With these earbuds you practically get crystal clear highs and really nice lows, which is a mix of the best of both worlds. The earbuds also provide good sound isolation and fit nicely inside your ears, allowing you to hear the bass without any sound leakage.
Active Noise Cancellation
One of the key features of the JBL Tune 230NC is the active noise cancelling feature. We were very surprised at how good the noise cancellation on the JBL Tune 230NC was – it can effectively block out 80-90% of ambient background noise and once you put these earbuds on, you can instantly feel the difference during outdoor runs and gym workout sessions. These earbuds can practically block out all background distractions and minimize noise from being heard while wearing these earbuds.
We really liked the ambient aware mode which works really well and is especially useful if you are using these earbuds outdoors and need to hear your surroundings. When the ambient aware is switched on, you can practically hear everything around you and get a good sense of your surroundings while still hearing the music clearly. The earbuds also support TalkThru modes which allow you to have a quick chat without removing the earbuds – it automatically lowers the volume level to a point where you cannot hear it – and allows you to have a conversation conveniently. You can tell that a lot of R&D and testing went into these earbuds and the JBL Tune 230NC is definitely a quality product that delivers great sound and superb noise cancellation.
Specifications
Apart from the active noise cancellation, the JBL Tune 230NC comes equipped with 4 microphones that provide really clean vocal pickup for hands-free calls. We were able to take calls while doing outdoor workouts and the earbuds were able to pick-up our voice with crystal clear clarity without any background noise. These earbuds can easily deliver between 8-10 hours of playtime on a single charge, and the charging case provides an additional 30 hours of listening time. These wireless earbuds have a sturdy design with IPX4 water-resistance and are practically sweatproof – they are the perfect earbuds to take outdoors and they stay inside your ears even during rigorous runs or workouts.
Compared with other noise cancelling earbuds, the JBL Tune 230NC is an all-rounder – it features an outdoor sweatproof design, active noise cancellation, crystal clear sound and wireless Bluetooth streaming. You can also use the JBL app to adjust the EQ settings and change volume controls according to your preferences. These wireless earbuds also come with different earbud tip sizes to choose from so that you can get a good fit inside your ears, which is really useful for sound isolation and to hear the bass clearly.
The Verdict?
The JBL Tune 230NC is a solid all-round set of earbuds that delivers superb sound performance and effective active noise cancellation. Compared with other earbuds, the JBL Tune 230NC has much more to offer with a combination of active noise cancellation, deep bass and wireless Bluetooth music streaming and an IPX4 water-resistant design. These earbuds can be used in virtually any setting and are particularly good for workouts and outdoor activities where you can exercise to the beat of the music with deep punchy notes. We also liked the ambient aware mode which allows you to hear your surroundings clearly while doing workouts, and the TalkThru feature which automatically decreases the music volume so that you can have a conversation without needing to take off your earbuds. The battery life is a solid 10 hours with an additional 30 hours with the charging case, and the earbuds take approximately 2 hours to reach a full charge. Overall, these are some of the best earbuds that JBL has to offer with active noise cancellation and we highly recommend them.