JBL Tune 230 NC TWS Noise Cancelling Headphones Review

JBL Tune 230 NC TWS Noise Cancelling Headphones Review

True Wireless Bluetooth headphones are no longer a luxury these days. They make it possible to no longer bother with the jack port and to obtain exciting options for attractive prices most of the time. These JBL Tune 230 NC TWS offer exciting possibilities for a very affordable price.

Not all active noise cancelling TWS wireless earbuds are worth considering, but the JBL Tune 230NC TWS is a very different product. There is good sound quality, good battery life and a convenient application to adjust the sound or control.

JBL Tune 230 NC TWS Noise Cancelling Headphones Review 2

Box includes:

  • JBL TUNE 230NC earbuds
  • 3x tip sizes
  • Charging case
  • USB-C to USB-A charging cable
  • Manuals
PROSCONS
Comfortable, well-built designOnly AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs
Pleasant audio qualityANC is just OK
App includes adjustable EQ
Good battery life

Specification

JBL Tune 230NC
$CHECK PRICE
BrandJBL
Model230NC True Wireless StereoEarphones
Released2nd Sep 2021
ColorWhite, Black, Blue
TypeIn-Ear
ConnectivityTrue Wireless Stereo (TWS)
Driver TypeDynamic
Driver Size (mm)5.8
Impedance16 Ohms
Active Noise CancellationYes
Frequency Response20 Hz to 20 kHz (Wireless)
Sensitivity105 dB SPL at 1 kHz
Water ResistantIPX4
BluetoothVersion 5.2
Bluetooth ProfilesA2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6, HFP 1.7
Frequency2.4 GHz (2.4 to 2.4835 GHz)
Battery capacity70 mAh
Battery Life (Hrs)Upto 34.8 hrs
Quick Charging10 Minutes for 2 Hours
Wireless ChargingNo

Design

Design is an important point these days, and apart from aesthetics, it makes the object in question functional and ergonomic. The design is quite nice and practical in terms of comfort once the headphones are in the ears.

JBL Tune 230 NC TWS Noise Cancelling Headphones Review 3

Visually, this model of TWS headphones from JBL turned out to be unusual: oval and slightly sloping “bubbles” of speakers with a tip for ear pads inserted into the ear canal are connected to relatively flat control pods. The instructions clearly show that this design involves installing the gadget inside the auricle and then, as it were, snapping into place like a lock. Let’s say right away that with well-chosen ear pads, this design sits tightly and does not fall out even with active sports.

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JBL Tune 230 NC TWS Noise Cancelling Headphones Review 1

The Tune 230 NC material is soft-touch plastic, similar to the outer coating of the charging case and is entirely not easily soiled when used (rubber ear pads with a classic mounting hole).

Of the structural elements, we note several microphones (two on the speaker and one on the leg), a protective metal mesh and an operation indicator. There is also a contact pad on the leg, which can be configured in the application for various control actions and two contacts for charging the earphone in the case.

Around the case, there is a slight flattening, quite discreet, which adds a little subtlety to the design. On the back of the case, the USB Type-C charging port is passed at the bottom and, what is more, is protected in a small recess that keeps the cable in place and protects everything.

The headphones themselves are quite simple and look like most headphones of the same type with a few subtleties. Indeed, a flattened part on the stem allows the tactile control parts to be properly located with holes for the microphones on top with a small JBL logo and a connection status LED. On the rest, it is very basic and without major design innovations.

Only the tips have a small orange part that recalls the brand’s colours, but this is done very discreetly. These headphones have been designed to make them practical and discreet while being nice and ergonomic in the ears.

Sound quality

The sound quality is the essential point of an audio device, at least in my opinion. Here the JBL Tune 230 NC TWS are quite good overall, they offer a reasonably basic harmonic frequency range, but the JBL signature equalization is once again very well done. Everything is done in collaboration with Harman / Kardon, the parent company of JBL, which adds precision to the sound quality; it is very well thought out and of excellent quality.

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Overall, these headphones are good in terms of sound quality; the sound is clear precise and is not equalized to hide defects like many but above all to allow quality sound and take advantage of all the potential of the different components.

Controls

JBL Tune 230NC is controlled via touch panels, and after successful pressing, you will hear voice confirmation.

A single press on the right earbud controls playback; it switches between noise reduction modes on the left one. Double tapping the right earbud will play the next track, and triple tapping the previous one. TalkThru mode is activated by double-clicking on the left earpiece, and the user hears his voice during calls.

If someone calls you, by pressing twice, you can answer the call and end it during the conversation. A long touch and hold during a call mutes or activates the speaking microphone, and the rest of the time, it calls the voice assistant.

Noise reduction

This point surprised me about these JBL Tune 230 NC TWS. Indeed for headphones at this price, the noise reduction is excellent. It is activated by simply touching the left earpiece, and the effect is guaranteed. It reduces surrounding noise excellently and without much loss of audio quality.

This is very practical in public transport, sports, or even cutting yourself off from the world during revisions in the library; it is a real asset given the effectiveness of this noise reduction. 

Application

JBL Tune 230 NC TWS Noise Cancelling Headphones Review app

The Tune 230NC comes with proprietary JBL Headphones, available for Android and iOS. After successful pairing via Bluetooth, you need to launch the software and proceed with personalization.

On the main screen, in addition to the current charge status of each of the headphones and the case, there are sliders for activating noise reduction, ambient sound control (transparent mode for outdoor and conversation), and setting up profiles for watching videos and listening to music.

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Equalizer activation and installed presets are at the bottom of the application screen, and global settings are in the upper right corner. In general, customizing for yourself and choosing a comfortable scenario for using the Tune 230 NC is not at all difficult.

Comfort

In terms of comfort. The tips are conical with a flat end to allow them not to fit too much in the ears while enabling them to hold correctly; it is excellent.

They connect very quickly; just open the box, and everything will be displayed in the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone, this is a real comfort for me. Once connected, you no longer need to touch your smartphone; everything can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant or Alexa and via touch gestures.

The other positive point concerns the comfort of these headphones; they are quite light, which is a significant advantage; you don’t feel them in the long run, which allows you to keep them on for a long time without feeling too much discomfort. Is very good. In addition, the shape of the headphones is very well thought out, which prevents pain on the inner wall of the ear.

Battery life

Battery life is undoubtedly an essential point on a pair of Bluetooth headphones, especially on headphones that are so pleasant to wear.

JBL Tune 230 are equipped with 70 mAh batteries (each earbud) and 750 mAh batteries (case). It took me a very long time to discharge these devices. On average, the models worked for about 8 hours with active noise cancellation at a volume level of 60-70%. It’s not bad at all.

These headphones hold the charge very well; we do not need to recharge constantly, which is good. In addition, you can take advantage of fast charging with a charging time of up to 2 hours and 1 hour of listening time in 10 minutes of charging. Everything is recharged via the USB Type-C port, making the box compatible with any cable of the same type.

Conclusion!

The JBL Tune 230 NC TWS are excellent True Wireless headphones with active noise reduction; they are very comfortable and offer quality sound that will not break the sound wanted by the artists. The equalization is well done and allows good musical immersion with noise reduction that works wonderfully. In addition, the design enables discretion and comfort, which is perfect for keeping them for a long time without having any potential discomfort.