The JBL Tune Beam 2 enters the crowded TWS earbud market as a successor aiming to refine the everyday listening experience. With larger drivers, enhanced call capabilities, and a lighter case, these earbuds present themselves as a strong contender in their segment. After spending some time with them, here’s a closer look at what they offer.
2Audio and Call Quality
The JBL Tune Beam 2 is equipped with 10mm dynamic drivers, delivering a broad frequency range. The sound profile leans towards JBL’s signature Pure Bass, offering a punchy and dynamic low-end that appeals particularly to genres like pop and electronic music. Beyond the bass, the mid-range and high frequencies maintain good clarity, ensuring vocals and instruments are distinct and present without being overly sharp.
A notable feature is the inclusion of JBL Spatial Sound, which aims to create a more expansive and immersive soundstage, transforming standard stereo content. The companion app further enhances the audio experience with a comprehensive equalizer, allowing users to select from various presets or fine-tune their own sound signature across different frequency bands. Personi-Fi 3.0 offers a personalized sound profile by conducting a brief hearing test, tailoring the audio output to your individual hearing characteristics for a potentially optimized listening experience.
For calls, the Tune Beam 2 steps up with a six-microphone setup, an increase from its predecessor. These microphones employ beamforming technology to focus on your voice, and algorithms work to reduce background noise and suppress echoes. In outdoor settings, the earbuds generally do a good job of minimizing wind and constant traffic noise. Your voice typically comes across clearly to the receiver. However, in very busy or unpredictable environments, some louder, sudden background sounds, like a door slamming or distinct footsteps, might occasionally be picked up by the person on the other end. While effective in many scenarios, call clarity can sometimes be subtly affected by strong wind.
The Adaptive Noise Cancelling feature performs well in everyday situations, effectively dampening ambient sounds in cafes, public transport, or general street noise. While it significantly reduces various frequencies, including lower hums and even some mid-range sounds like keyboard typing, in extremely loud environments, some external sounds may still be discernible. The app allows for customization of ANC levels, and includes Ambient Aware (to hear surroundings) and TalkThru modes (to lower music and amplify speech for quick conversations).
