JBL Tune Beam 2 review: Dapper looks, clear sound for less than Rs 6,000
Getting a decent pair of wireless earphones at around Rs 5,000-Rs 6,000 is a tricky affair. Brands usually promise big but end up skimping on the basics. Options galore but none stand out as true value for money. JBL wants to change this notion with the new Tune Beam 2. These earphones pack a lot of cool technology including active noise cancellation (ANC), LDAC support, dual device pairing, and guarantee of outstanding battery life, at a price of Rs 5,999. But does the new JBL audio product deliver something special in the real world or add to the crowd, we try to find out in this India Today Tech review.advertisementDesign and fit: Clean, functional, comfortableThe JBL Tune Beam 2 earphones have a clean and functional design, a far cry from competition, most of which are loud and flashy. The charging case has a rounded rectangular shape with soft, curved edges. It is compact and fits comfortably in the palm, making it easy to carry around — whether in your hand or slipped into a pocket. JBL is using plastic, but the build quality feels surprisingly robust. It showed no visible signs of wear and tear even after multiple drops. The lid offers a secure grip holding up well to prevent the buds from popping out in the event you drop it accidentally. You get a trio of LEDs on the front, to indicate the battery level which is a nice touch that adds much-needed convenience otherwise missing on most of the competing products. On the flip side, the case is prone to smudging easily.
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The earbuds themselves offer a snug fit staying firmly put even during workout and brisk runs. The default silicone tips provide a comfortable seal. Three additional tip sizes are included in the box so most users should be able find the right fit. These can be worn for hours at a stretch without any significant discomfort. Touch sensors onboard let you play, pause, skip tracks, and even activate the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature. They are a bit overtly sensitive in my experience but not to the extent of being a deal-breaker.
Lastly, the JBL earbuds come with an IP54 rating, meaning they can survive a light drizzle or sweat (as well as dust) without any trouble. However, this ability is not extended to the case. This is fine because cases in its price range don't offer an IP rating.What about sound quality?For a pair of wireless earphones that cost under Rs 6,000, the Beam 2 can crank out pretty enjoyable sound. The inclusion of LDAC support is a big win for those seeking more detail and less compression, provided your phone supports this Bluetooth codec. On compatible devices, you will notice sharper instrument separation and finer textures in vocals and background elements. Even when falling back to AAC or SBC, which most phones use by default, the earphones deliver a consistently pleasing audio experience.
The sound profile is balanced when using JBL's preset equalizer modes which are accessible through the JBL Headphones app. Modes like Extreme Bass and Club instantly add extra punch and energy to tracks like Martin Garrix's "Animals" or "Carry You," Alphaville's "Forever Young," and Major Lazer's "Lean On." If you enjoy EDM or hip-hop, these presets make these earphones a satisfying choice in the sub-Rs 6,000 segment.The bass hits well enough for casual listening without overpowering the soundstage, making these earphones great for genres like house, trance, or pop-EDM. However, if you prefer heavy trap or dubstep with deep sub-bass, these earphones may feel a little light at the lowest frequencies.During my listening tests with Metallica's "All Nightmare Long," the earbuds handled fast guitar riffs, aggressive drums, and intense vocals quite well. While not targeting audiophiles craving every detail and spatial nuance (which larger over-the-ear headphones excel at), these earphones offer an energetic and enjoyable experience in their price range. They are also well-suited for modern Bollywood tracks with punchy beats and rich vocals.advertisementANC and call qualityActive Noise Cancellation (ANC) on these earphones works mostly as advertised. It's not class-leading, but it does a good job of cutting out office chatter, AC hums, and low-level street noise. The JBL app gives you control over ANC levels and includes Ambient Aware and TalkThru modes. The former lets in environmental sounds, so you are not completely cut off, while the latter lowers the volume and amplifies speech, which is handy for quick conversations.
Call quality is another area where JBL has made improvements. The Tune Beam 2 earphones have six microphones, up from four on the previous model, and the difference is noticeable. Background noise like wind or honking autos is handled impressively. Even during outdoor walks and rides, my voice came through clean and clear, with minimal interruption from the surroundings.advertisementBattery life: Surprisingly dependableBattery life is another area where the JBL Tune Beam 2 earphones quietly excel. With ANC turned off, the earbuds (with the case) easily lasted me about 9 days on a single charge, with an average of 3 to 3.5 hours of daily use. Even with ANC enabled, I got a solid 7 days of usage, impressive for a pair of budget wireless earbuds. My listening volume mostly hovered around 50 to 60 per cent, which is the sweet spot for both sound clarity and battery efficiency.Fast charging is supported too, and it works well. A quick 15-minute top-up delivers about 4 to 5 hours of playback time, making it perfect for those last-minute dashes out of the door. There is no wireless charging which is understandable given the price point. JBL also includes power-saving features like auto-standby and auto power-off, though in daily use, I rarely found the need to manually toggle them.Connectivity and JBL App: Reliable and user-friendlyWhen it comes to connectivity, these earphones get most of the basics right. Pairing is straightforward; just open your phone's Bluetooth settings, flip open the lid with the earbuds inside, and you are ready to connect. There is no dedicated pairing button though which could have made things easier for non-tech-savvy users. Once paired, the earphones automatically connect to the phone without any problem.
advertisementThere is no in-ear detection feature, which means your music won't automatically pause when you remove the earbuds. That might disappoint some, but JBL redeems itself with a handy dual connection feature. You can stay connected to your phone and laptop simultaneously without constantly switching or unpairing devices. During my time using it, this feature worked flawlessly with no dropouts or confusion.The JBL Headphones app ties everything together with a clean, intuitive user interface. It gives you access to all the expected features, customisable touch controls for playback and calls, ANC adjustment, and even a "Find My Buds" option. The EQ section deserves a mention too. JBL offers a few presets like Jazz, Vocal, Extreme Bass, Studio, and Bass but you can also create your own custom EQ by tweaking frequency bands.JBL Tune Beam 2: Should you buy them?For Rs 5,999, the JBL Tune Beam 2 gets all the basics right — good sound, strong ANC, solid battery life, and reliable call quality. The support for LDAC is a big plus, while the dual device pairing and responsive app controls add real value. It skips a few extras like wireless charging and in-ear detection, but those are easy to live with, considering their price. If you want dependable earbuds with great audio and everyday convenience, the JBL Tune Beam 2 is an easy recommendation.
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