JLab Audio JBuds Air

Design and features:

These earphones have an integrated microphone and volume, music player function, and call connect/disconnect controls for use with paired Bluetooth devices. Additional features include three switchable EQ modes that change the tonal balance of the headphones, support for Apple Siri and Google Assistant voice commands when Bluetooth paired to devices that have those capabilities, and manufacturer claimed water resistance. The JBuds Air comes with three pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, one pair of earbowl supports, and a charging/carrying case with a built-in battery and integrated USB charging cable that the manufacturer claims can be used to recharge the earphone batteries up to two times between its own charges. The free JLab Audio app provides various signals that are intended to "burn-in" audio devices, but otherwise seems to be a shopping link to other JLab products..

Sound quality:

In its Signature EQ mode we found the JBuds Air 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. The overall sound can best be summarized as slightly bassy and dry. The bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is slightly prominent and boomy. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is fairly even but slightly grainy and dry (has a sound reminiscent of a finger being rubbed on paper). The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended fairly extended but is slightly prominent and dry and a bit sizzly (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer have a sound reminiscent of bacon frying). While the sound has a good sense of liveliness and is fairly open sounding (sound-wise there is no strong sense that you have something plugging your ears) this model only does a so-so job of recovering the room ambience of a recording (the sense of the acoustic space in which the audio program that's being listened to was recorded). The EQ settings do have an effect on the sound - compared to the Signature setting the Bass Boost setting increases the bass, and the Balanced setting slightly reduces the bass. Both the Balanced and the Bass Boost settings also cause sounds that should be heard as centered between the earphones to shift to the left.

Comfort and Fit:
As typical of in-ear models they produce a sense of pressure in the ear canal opening that might be uncomfortable for some. Users with small ears might find that the earphone body does not fit securely into their ear bowls and that the earphones are mostly held in place by the section of the earphone that is inserted in the ear canal. Users with medium and larger sized ear bowls will probably find that this model fits and stays in place with no problems for casual use and that they stay in place even during vigorous head movement. Some users might find that pushing on the controls to actuate the functions drives the earphone further into the ear canal and causes ear discomfort.

The JLab Audio JBuds Air portable Bluetooth wireless earphones have an isolating ear-insert design. These earphones are intended for use with Bluetooth enabled audio devices including cell phones and have a claimed reception range of around 30 feet. They have a built-in microphone and integrated Bluetooth volume, music player function, and call connect/disconnect controls. Additional features include 3 switchable EQ modes and support for various digital voice assistant functions when used with Bluetooth capable devices that have those features. The JBuds Air is claimed by the manufacturer to be water resistant and comes with three pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, one pair of earbowl supports, charging/carrying case with built-in battery and integrated USB charging cable. It is covered by a 24-month warranty.