Design and features:This wired noise-canceling portable ear-insert models ear plug-like design and electronic noise canceling feature reduce both outside noise and sound leaking out into your environment.
Additional features:Has integrated volume control, microphone, and call connect/disconnect control.
Sound quality:We found the Vibe Buds 2 delivers sound quality that falls in the very good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks and excellent active noise reduction. With the Equalizer and VoiceAware set to off and Noise Canceling and Smart Audio mode set to on using the JBL Headphone app (as received state of the earphone) the
bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is a bit prominent and boomy. The
midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is somewhat grainy and a bit hazy and congested (think sonic traffic jam) ; the mid and upper midrange is a bit prominent. The
treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended, but is somewhat prominent and a bit sizzly (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer have a sound reminiscent of bacon frying), smeared and dry. The sound also has a good sense of liveliness and is somewhat open--sound-wise it almost seems like you don't have anything plugging up your ears and does a decent job of recovering room ambience. Mixed character - warmish bass with neutral midrange and coolish treble. The overall sound can best be summarized as a bit bassy, somewhat grainy, and a bit sizzly and dry. The tone settings of the app do have a noticeable effect on the sound of these earphones.
Noise Canceling: Excellent noise reduction across the entire frequency range with the low frequencies reduced the most. Orientation changes the noise reduction characteristic - when the noise is coming from the front a bit more high frequency noise can be heard. The noise cancelling electronics do not produce any background noise that is noticeable even in low ambient noise environments.
Comfort and Fit:As typical of stemless in-ear models they produce a sense of pressure in the ear canal opening that might be uncomfortable for some.
Small
Users with small ear bowls might find that the earphone body feels a bit bulky in their ear bowl and are mostly held in place by the section of the earphone that is inserted in the ear canal and the ear bowl support, but that they will stay in place during casual use and are very stable even with vigorous head movement.
Medium
Users with medium sized ear bowls will probably find that with or without the ear bowl supports this model stays in place with no problems for casual use and that they are very stable even during vigorous head movement.
Large
Users with large sized ear bowls will probably find that with or without the ear bowl supports this model stays in place with no problems for casual use and that they are stable even during vigorous head movement.
Incidental contact with the touch controls can cause unintentional volume level changes, playing, pausing or ambient sound monitoring.
