The Tune Beam 2 is a solid all-around package for the price

JBL’s Tune series of headphones and earbuds have, in the past, done well to deliver good sound without breaking the bank. Now onto their second generation, the Tune Buds 2 and the Tune Beam 2 share a lot in common - 10mm drivers, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, active noise cancelation, six microphones, IP54 water and dust resistance, plus a 40-hour battery life with ANC enabled – with only the design (buds style vs AirPods stem style) separating the two. Is the Tune Beam 2 worth the price, and how does it fare in an already crowded mid-range segment?

JBL Tune Beam 2 makes for a decent budget audio option with good output

The JBL Tune Beam 2 is available in black, white and turquoise with a color-matched case, the Tune Beam 2 buds don’t reinvent the stem-style design and are comfortable to wear for extended durations. The matte finish on the case coupled with the flat rear and curved edges means it is easy to pocket, though I did occasionally find the buds a tad difficult to grasp while in the case.

Plus, there’s no Bluetooth pairing button on the case, so any subsequent re-pairing is via tap controls on the buds. You’d do well to install the companion app, as it opens up a full equaliser to personalise the audio profile, and the ability to select between preset spatial audio modes. Interestingly, the app also allows you to adjust balance between the two buds and limit the maximum volume, the latter handy if you’re handing the buds to kids in the household.

JBL has opted for a crowd-pleasing audio signature, with a bias for warmth and bass, yet without overpowering the vocals on most tracks, and most folks will love listening to energetic music on these buds even without veering to the Extreme Bass preset. Sound staging is good, although purists may want to consider the options from Nothing and Oppo in this segment. What was more impressive was how well the adaptive noise cancellation was implemented, cutting out the sounds of the outside world without the oppressive vacuum-like sensation common to earbuds with over-aggressive noise cancellation. ANC modes like Ambient Aware and TalkThru worked as promised, cutting down noise cancellation and music volume to let the announcements and conversations filter through. Listening to music at moderate volumes with ANC on, the buds lasted nearly all of the claimed 10 hours, and the case allowed for three more full charges.

Impressive app support, solid noise cancellation and a likeable audio profile all come together in the Tune Beam 2 at a value-for-money price point, earning the buds an easy recommendation.

Rating:8/10

Price: Rs. 5,499