Design and features:This Bluetooth wireless portable ear-insert model provides very good sound. Although it lacks active noise reduction, the ear plug-like design helps to reduce both outside noise and sound leaking out into your environment. The Vibe Buds has a volume control plus an integrated microphone and player function controls. Additional features include - Either earpiece can be used alone for one ear monitoring of Bluetooth streamed audio and telephone communications. Carrying case/charging cradle has built-in rechargeable battery that the manufacturer claims can be used to add an additional 24 hours of play time for a total of 32 hrs. Manufacturer claims water resistance for earphones (IPX54) and for charging case (IPX2). It has touch controls with default settings for music player transport, call connect/disconnect, digital voice assistant activation, and Bluetooth volume controls. Has Bluetooth pairing alert tones. Has speed charge feature: 10 min of charging will provide 2 hr. of playtime. Supports Apple Siri and other digital voice assistants when used with Bluetooth connected devices that have those features. Supports multi-point connection for two Bluetooth devices. JBL Headphones app download for Apple and Android mobile devices can be used to show battery level, enable ambient mode, customize the touch controls, adjust the earphone's tonal balance, create custom or use pre-made EQ presets, find a misplaced earphone by causing it to emit a loud tone, update the earphone's firmware, and adds other features. Bluetooth connected Apple mobile devices using iOS Version 5 and above will show the battery level. The Vibe Buds comes with 3 pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, USB-A to USB-C connector charging cable, charging cradle/recharger battery/carrying case, Warranty Booklet, Quick Start Guide.
Sound quality:We found the Vibe Buds 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. With the Equalizer and ambient monitoring mode set to off 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 boomy. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is somewhat grainy and a bit hazy and a bit 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.
Comfort and Fit:We found that these earphones as typical of 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, but that they will stay in place during casual use and are stable during fairly vigorous head movement.
Medium/Large
Users with medium and larger 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 during fairly vigorous head movement.
Incidental contact with the touch controls can cause unintentional playing, pausing, and volume level changes.
