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The American company JBL is one of the recognized leaders in the production of portable wireless products. Many of those who have purchased Bluetooth speakers of this brand admit that they were interested in their low price and were surprised by the high sound quality. Is the brand able to replicate its success in wireless headphones? Let’s try to answer by getting familiarized with the new model JBL TUNE600BTNC.
With its Tune 600 BTNC, JBL aims to provide a simple, entry-level headset. And this is indeed what characterizes this product, far from the finishes of the Everest range, for example. The JBL T600 BTNC Bluetooth headset is a closed on-ear model with an active noise reduction function, extremely versatile, that can be used with a wired or Bluetooth connection, depending on the source used. It has a long battery life of 22 hours (12 hours with noise reduction), comfortable feeling, and can make phone calls and interact with Google Assistant or Siri voice assistants.
JBL Tune 600BTNC Noise Cancelling On-ear Headphones Review
Tune 600BTNC Specifications – not finished
Type: Over-ear Noise Cancelling Headphones | Bluetooth: 4.0 | Battery: 30 Hours | Charging: 4 Hours | Drivers: Dynamic | Drivers-Size: 45 mm | Weight: 385g
Package
The JBL Tune600BTNC headphones come in a standard cardboard box. Upon opening the box, you will find inside the headset an audio cable for wired listening, a micro USB cable for charging, a warning card, a warranty card, the necessary documentation but no carrying case included.
Design & Ergonomy
The JBL T600 BTNC headphones were designed to offer superb comfort; thus, they have a padded headband and thick pads with a polyurethane leather (PU leather) finish. This set ensures long listening sessions without causing discomfort to its user.
We tend to find over-ear headphones more comfortable to wear than on-ear, but the 0.38 pounds (173 grams) of this product are easy to forget. The JBL T600 BTNC Bluetooth headsets are practically adjustable and foldable, making it easy to store it in a pouch or bag when not in use.
The headband cushion and ear cushions are finished in fine artificial leather, whereas all other structural elements are made of high-quality plastic. Judging by how tightly the ear pads are pressed against the ears, there should be a steel slide inside the headband that also adds resistance to the overall construction.
JBL T600 BTNS’s most surfaces are matte, but there are also glossy details – you have to handle them with extra care; otherwise, they will quickly lose their original gloss. Without them, the headphones would look rustic.
These headphones’ passive isolation is excellent with treble and midrange sounds but not so much with lower frequencies through, as we notice quite quickly when placed the headphones on our ears. By activating the noise reduction, the lower frequencies (and the low mids) are slightly attenuated. Overall, both passive and active isolation is quite good for a product of this caliber.
Bluetooth & Technology
The JBL T600 BTNC headset can easily be paired with any smartphone, tablet, or laptop. The operating range is about 10 m, which offers great freedom of movement to its user, and its long battery life of 22 hours (12 hours with noise reduction) ensures to accompany you all day long, even during long trips.
Very versatile, the JBL T600 BTNC headphones are also equipped with a 3.5 mm mini-jack input for use when the battery or empty or to use wired sources such as an audiophile player, a CD player, etc.
As far as the battery life is concerned, we measured 20 hours and 45 minutes in Bluetooth, while activating noise reduction reduces the autonomy to 11 hours. The charging time is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Latency, measured at 150 ms, is a little above our comfort level, though it will allow you to enjoy a movie.
It is then possible to easily control the music by asking your assistant to change the title, decrease the volume, launch your favorite playlist or even pause the music—all without having to take your smartphone out of your pocket.
The JBL T600 BNTC Bluetooth headset’s compatibility with Google Assistant and Siri voice assistants does not stop music management. Also, it allows you to respond to your slightest requests. For example, you can ask for today’s news, the outside temperature, the time of your next meeting, etc.
Noise Cancelling
In addition to a very good passive isolation offered by the closed structure and the strong padding of the ear cushions, the JBL T600 BTNC Bluetooth headphones also incorporate active noise reduction. Once activated, it very effectively reduces noise from the outside environment. This function is a perfect solution to cut you off from surrounding noise and immerse yourself in music, which is especially useful when you are on public transport or on a busy street.
Sound Quality
The JBL T600 BTNC Bluetooth headset incorporates two dynamic transducers 32mm in diameter. It displays a frequency response ranging from 20Hz to 20kHz, for a sensitivity of 100dB at 1kHz / 1mW.
The soundstage reproduced by the JBL T600 BTNC Bluetooth headphones is spacious, with clear highs, detailed mids, and invigorating bass.
The JBL Tune600BTNC can be used in 4 ways for audio: wired, Bluetooth, wired with the noise reduction system, and Bluetooth with the noise reduction system. But regarding the way you use headphones, the sound rendering is similar. However, it is in Bluetooth that the performance is the most balanced, even if this headset is far from providing an irreproachable audio experience.
The manufacturer promises JBL Pure Bass sound on the Tune600BTNC, and we can say that it keeps its promise. The bass is both deep and powerful.
However, being too emphasized is also a problem. The other frequencies cannot be expressed, and it is necessary to avoid pushing the volume too high; otherwise, the distortion becomes noticeable. Treble and mid-range sounds are attenuated, but the bass goes through.
The connection between the pads and the ear is not optimized, so the insulation is not as efficient as with in-ear or circum-aural headphones. Once you activate the noise reduction system, the bass frequencies are a little more attenuated. This is quite satisfactory for a headset sold in this price range.
Conclusion
The market for wireless headphones is growing rapidly, it is not easy to surprise the buyer with another headset, but JBL by HARMAN has succeeded once again. While outwardly similar to the hit T450BT, the novelty has received innovations in design and improved ergonomics.
The TUNE600BTNC headphones are characterized by recognizable brand features that made JBL portable acoustics popular – they are well made, play very well, and do not raise doubts about the justification of the price. This is not surprising for a brand that has been producing audio equipment for over 70 years.
Benefiting from JBL expertise, the JBL T600 BTNC Bluetooth headset combines comfort, acoustic qualities, and versatility.
