JBL
gingin98
I reeeaaallllllyyy want to love these , but my ears are on the small size , and sooooooooo , they don't fit as snug as I'd like ...
Sound is great , great battery life ...
If I could alter the design I'd make the speaker part designed with a extended inner ear tip , so the speaker would actually rest inside the ear , then I'd give it 5 stars ...
JBL , let me know when you've upgraded according to my request lol
cole wilcoxson
Still very inconvenient other than that they work okay
Bruce Johnson
Top quality product. Best sounding buds. Sounding like large speakers. Crisp audio. Worth the money.
Miz
I was in search of an additional set of nice ear buds or headphones, so when these JBL Endurance Zone one came up I jumped at the chance. JBL has a good reputation for sound and quality, and these are no exception, but they may not be for everyone. I will explain below.
Pros:
- Solid build quality, they don't feel like they could easily be damaged
- Overall sound quality is very nice. You also have a useful equalizer setting in the app. Bass could be better, but that seems to be a common theme across all buds. The higher end clarity is top notch.
- Very easy to use and put on.... unless you wear glasses, it can be a bit tricky.
- Battery life has been on par with similar buds that I have used. The charging case is nice to always give them a good charge after use.
Cons:
- I know some people don't like in the ear buds and these may appeal to them. For me the buds would flop against my ear quite a bit, especially while working out.
- The fit for someone with glasses is fair. You really have to adjust them to get them comfortable.
- The volume is very low even at full power. If you are in a loud environment these can lose overall sound clarity quickly due to them not being in the ear and the low overall volume ability.
- Price point is a bit too high for what you are getting I feel.
MAM
I'm new to open-ear headphones, so these took a bit of time to get used to. I was a little skeptical at first and was not sure the sound would be good with the headphones being outside of my ears, however, I found that the headphones still delivered crisp and clear sound quality. I have to admit that the environment that I use these in, isn't very loud to begin with so it will be interesting to see how these do in areas with more sound pollution. I love the design of these as they are attractive and sleek while being functional. The headphones fit securely without problems of falling or coming off even while walking (I've not yet run with them.) Overall, I'm glad I found these headphones and would recommend anyone looking for a pair they can be active with.
Teky Timbo
One of the weak points of open ear TWS is that they often don’t have enough bass but these are very decent in that regard. Now, you shouldn’t expect ear drum shattering bass but it is definitely one of the best that I’ve tried in this category (Soundpeats POP clip, Sansui, QZYCY Clip, etc.).
They paired easily and offer average connection range vs other TWS. The app offers a huge bevy of features (custom EQ, white noise, FW update, pulse dry, etc.) and so you can adjust various settings rather than using the touch controls. It’s also very comfortable for long wear given it's relatively light. My only minor gripe is that the case is far larger compared to the other TWS (check pic). But for the quality and features, it’s a very minor quibble.
These are not cheap but if you want the best quality in terms of sound and features, this is hard to beat.
invisi-net
Open ear styler headphones are among my favorite for daily use. I still like in ear in noisy areas since they act like ear plugs, but for day to day use I prefer this style since I can hear what's happening around me and they allow my ears to breath, vs getting all sweaty inside where there's no airflow.
I found these to be very comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, I'd totally forget they're there, even after a full day of use. Some glasses did bother my ears with these but others with a straight arm didn't so if you wear glasses just know that some might apply some extra pressure.
The only part I don't like about this style is the oversized charging cases, I'm shocked that no company has been able to find a way to make these smaller. On the positive side these do have a lanyard connection point, but they didn't come with one, why not???
I am struggling a bit with the price, these are great but the price is a bit high IMHO.
Cassetti
Having handled dozens of earbuds and headphones over the years, I consume more music than the average person, often around ten+ hours a day. I recently moved away from traditional in-ear earbuds toward open-ear earhook designs so I can stay aware of my surroundings while working, exercising, cycling, and having conversations. That context matters for how I evaluate these.
The first thing that stands out is comfort. My ears are fairly average in size and shape, and these earhooks are extremely comfortable. Once they’re on, they stay put without needing adjustment, even during cycling. There are no pressure points, and I can wear them for five or more hours at a time without discomfort. They also sit comfortably alongside sunglasses or reading glasses, which is something not all earhook designs manage well.
From a durability standpoint, these feel purpose-built for outdoor use. The IP68 rating gives real peace of mind for heavy sweat and unexpected rainstorms, and they’ve handled wet rides without issue. One unique feature I really appreciate is the PulseDry function, which vibrates the drivers to help shed water after exposure. I haven’t seen this on other earbuds I’ve owned, and it’s genuinely useful. The charging case also deserves mention. The three LED indicators clearly show charge status, which is a small but thoughtful detail I wish more manufacturers included.
Sound quality is impressive for an open-ear design. As expected, you won’t get the same deep bass you’d hear from in-ear or over-ear headphones. With EQ disabled, the bass is a bit flatter than some higher-priced open-ear models I own, but the built-in EQ easily fixes that if you want more low-end presence. Vocals and instruments come through clean and crisp with no distortion, and the maximum volume is quite high. At normal listening levels, sound leakage is minimal, but at max volume your music will be audible to people more than ten feet away.
Call quality is solid for this form factor. Noise processing does a good job reducing steady background sounds like fans or engines. Sudden noises like doors closing can still come through, but people on the other end reported that I sounded fine with no complaints.
Battery life has been consistent at about six to seven hours per charge, and the quick-charge feature is genuinely helpful when you need extra playback time. I also noticed no heat buildup during long listening sessions or charging.
Overall, these are well-designed, comfortable, and rugged open-ear earbuds that work especially well for long wear and active use. As long as you understand the inherent limitations of an open-ear design, they feel reasonably priced for what they offer and are easy to live with day to day.
Canis
These are 32 ohm 'speakers' and should be easy to drive for almost everyone. More on that later...
These are probably the most comfortable IEM's I own, and I have around 7 pairs. I barely know they are there when not in use. They are meant for activities so everything is open and airy...that way you can hear what else is going on around you. Of course they can hear your music slightly as well...so perhaps drop the volume when you play Funky Chicken (perhaps not?).
The App: Wow, I am impressed by the app. It installed itself without any hunting. Then it asked if I wanted to pair it...yes please. And that is what it did...I was listening to music in no time. The app gives me...you...options. Volume limiter, which might be useful at times. Balance adjustment...volume adjustments...and a pretty darn good equalizer.
I started off with one of my reference songs (baseline music)...'Trippin' Like I Do' by Mystic Braves. It has a deep thumping and a plucky bass line with some serious soundstage presence. The vocals are upper midrange and bright (in the recording). The JBL's sounded pretty good all by themselves set to neutral. The bass is thin here though...much too thin for Mystic Braves. I open up the equalizer, and there are already some presets for different kinds of musical genres...Jazz...Rock...etc. None of the presets did the trick from my ears memory of the song on my home system. JBL allows me...you...to do our own equalizing and to save it. After just a few tweaks...there it was...just right.
It's not a bass hog...if you want that...go elsewhere. You will probably want a closed IEM to get that kind of bass. That's not the point of these. These are for folks on the go. It shines in the midrange and treble...bass is still decent though. The song had great soundstage and the vocals were airy and concise.
I moved on the King Tuff's 'Sun Medallion'...which has a tubey sound...with an edge. Used my custom preset and it was glorious. So I already have the best rock EQ...I'll work on my jazz and classical next time I use these.
The quality of the earphones is very good...and as I said...very comfortable.
Volume: It can be played from a cellphone as I stated earlier. 32 ohm is easy to drive. However...if you want a little extra, use a good dongle amp. There's no such thing as too much power in audio. Why use an amplifier that can go louder than my...your ears can bear? Because many many times you will want to listen at low volumes...and the human ear will clip bass and treble at low volumes. So amplify the signal...and the same volume level will be fuller...more dynamic. Probably a bit more bass as well.
For activities...this is a very nice value for good audio. Well engineered, and comfortable.
Oh and waterproof...feel free to run in the rain.
Phone calls? Ask someone else. I don't like being disturbed when out and about...I never take calls. But it has 4 mics...so I imagine it works well.
Tia Brumbaugh
These open-ear headphones are comfortable, secure, and sound great for workouts and everyday use. I really like being able to hear my surroundings while still enjoying clear audio, and once they’re on, they stay put and feel lightweight even during longer sessions. Overall they are fairly easy to use and the size fits well with my small ears.
That said, my first pair arrived defective—the left side wouldn’t turn on at all. I had to return them and get a replacement. Thankfully, the replacement pair works exactly as expected and has been solid since. A frustrating start, but a strong product once I had a working set.
Kolton T
I will say I'm super impressed by the packaging and quality of materials, it's a very professional and high end feel. I've owned many other headphones and by weight, texture, branding, and presentation I can tell these are well designed. The case is larger than most similar headphones I've owned, which I'm hoping should translate to longer charge time, and so far I put the headphones back in the case each time I use them and after a week I haven't even had to worry about recharging the case yet. The sound quality is good and the lows are surprising audible for an open ear concept. The volume is nice and loud too compared to others I've owned, which I like because sometimes it can be difficult to hear all the layers of music with open ear headphones. I'd say at max it's louder than any other Bluetooth pair I've ever owned.
When it comes to phone calls, I've usually been disappointed by other Bluetooth headphones in the past as people have not been able to hear me well. I've had to take others off and hold them up to my mouth in order to clear enough sound for others to hear. I will say with these, after a few uses, it appears that I can leave them in ear and talk at a normal voice and people can hear me just fine which is a relief and that's what I would expect for high end headphones like this. So, call quality holds up to par.
Only critiques: my ears are probably a tad smaller than average, but medium, and these just don't feel quite snug enough. I feel like I need to adjust them to keep them in the right place more than I'd like. So, if your ears are slightly bigger this might be a plus, but for small ears be careful. When I run steady at a jogging pace without sudden shifts in direction they stay on fine but if I do anything where I cut or jump, like basketball or crossfit, they will easily jostle out. Then, when I go to push them back into place, the touch feature on each headphone is very sensitive so I usually end up pausing the music on accident, which can be frustrating.
Overall, I'd say these hold up to their claims in big ways and I'd recommend giving them a shot as I think the quality and value make them worth it.
1Barkeep
I am so happy with these headphones. The set up was super easy through the app and took seconds and they were ready to go.
I am not terribly tech savvy and I was able to figure out how to operate them. I spent an hour on a phone with a friend that likes to talk and the reception was crystal clear. She said my microphone sounded exactly the same as when we speak on my phone. I wear glasses and they fit comfortably and securely. In that hour, I moved around folding laundry, bringing packages in from outside, changing bed linens and they never moved even the tiniest bit. The controls were instantly responsive.
I also played some music through them and it worked equally well. They charged very quickly and I love the amount of time you can use them before a recharge is needed. They are divine.
Reviewer
I don't have particularly small ears - at least I didn't think so before I tried on these JBL Open-Ear Headphones.
They were packaged nicely and I was really excited when I received them. Unfortunately, they just didn't fit my ears. You hold them to the side, and then rotate the little microphone down into your ear. It didn't work for me. The speaker kept popping out and the back made my ears stick out from the side of my head like tiny Dumbo ears. When I thought the speaker was in place, I'd move my head and it'd slide out again. The tiny little headphone grills also started irritating my inner ears because of the rubbing.
The most frustrating part of all it was that every time I tried to adjust them to place them in my ear, the music would turn on and off because it's touch sensitive.
Unfortunately this was a miss. 3 stars because it seems like a well-built set of headphones but the fact that it was uncomfortable for me to wear (with apparently smallish ears) and the fact that the music kept turning on and off when I was putting them in is a no-go for me.
Redux fanciful
These JBL open-ear buds have a lot of features that really stand out:
• The sound is excellent. I own another pair of open-ear buds, and these easily blow those out of the water.
• Comfort is another big win—they’re super comfortable, even for long wear.
• The app is also fantastic and adds a ton of useful features.
o You can customize the sound separately for music and calls, which is a nice touch.
o There’s a “find my buds” feature that lets you play a sound in the left or right bud (very helpful for when you inevitably misplace one).
o There’s also a “relax” mode where you can mix calming sounds like waves, rain, forest, or a campfire and set a timer—combined with how comfortable these are, it actually makes them great for sleeping.
o There’s a pulse sound feature to push the water out if the buds get wet, similar to what some smartwatches do.
• They fit very securely, which makes them great for workouts and the battery life is impressive—I can confirm at least 28 hrs before a reacharge, but I didn’t test up to 32 hour claim.
• Call quality is very good too, without amplifying background noise like some other styles do.
• They’re waterproof (though I didn’t personally test that).
• The thoughtful design details in contrast lettering are a huge plus: The orange accents on the mostly white buds and case make them easy to spot, and the large “L “ and “R” lettering is surprisingly helpful without looking flashy.
There only a couple of negatives, which may not be negatives for everyone:
• If you have very small ear lobes, these probably won’t work well—but that’s true for most open-ear designs. My wife is extremely petite and loved the sound, but they fit loosely on her and fell out a couple of times.
• If you wear glasses in addition to smaller lobes, the fit may feel a bit loose as well.
• The charging case is on the larger side, even slightly bigger than my other open-ear buds case. Something to consider if you’re putting them in a small purse.
That said, the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. Overall, these are a great pair of open-ear buds with excellent sound, comfort, and features for the price.
TroupALoop
The JBL Endurance Zone open-ear wireless headphones BLEW ME AWAY; as a passionate audio consumer, I've never experienced better open-ear headphones. They are excellent in every way.
The Endurance Zone sound clear and natural, feature astonishingly clear call quality, and pair with an exceptionally feature-packed and well-optimized app.
SOUND:
I've never heard better sound from an open-ear design. Usually, open-ear headphones sound thin, tinny or shrill. Not the Endurance Zone!
JBL benefits from the research of Harman International, Inc., which is the company behind the "Harman Target" sound standard. They've tuned the Endurance Zone to a natural, neutral sound that just sounds "correct" right out of the box. Neither treble nor bass is exaggerated. Granted, they aren't as bass-heavy as in-ear headphones, but with how well they're tuned, that's hardly noticeable.
The Endurance Zone changed my opinion about the possibilities of open-ear designs.
Even so, you can easily adjust the sound via the app:
APP:
The "JBL Headphones" app pairs with the Endurance Zone, bringing a whole suite of features, from control adjustment to volume limiting and equalization.
The app features one of the best equalizers I've seen in a mobile headphone app. In addition to several preset sound profiles, you have total control over ten frequency bands. The app is snappy and responsive, with no noticeable bugs, and is simple and intuitive to use.
CALL QUALITY:
I called my partner while using the Endurance Zone and asked her how I sounded. Did I sound better than the built-in microphone on my iPhone? YES, she said. MUCH BETTER. Clearer, crisper and more present. JBL have really achieved something here; most other earphones don't sound great for phone calls.
COMFORT:
The Endurance Zone disappears on the ear, with no pinching, rubbing or heat. Shaking my head side-to-side, they don't shift, they just vibrate a touch. They feature a soft-touch rubberized coating with a flexible, springy ear hook. For me, comfort couldn't get any better.
VERDICT:
The JBL Endurance Zone are the best open-ear wireless headphones I've ever tested, and set the standard for open-ear sound and functionality. For those seeking excellent sound while enjoying the safety benefits of open-ear headphones, this is the new gold standard.
Heather Lynn Hawley
These are open-ear style, so I wasn’t expecting booming bass or total isolation — and that’s not what they’re built for anyway. But what they *do* offer is impressive.
The sound is **clear and well-balanced**, with decent bass that gets a nice boost if you use the JBL app. They’re not as loud or bass-heavy as the Endurance Peak 4s (which I also own), but they hold their own, especially for casual listening or calls. Speaking of which, **call quality is crisp and reliable**.
Fit-wise, they’re **snug and comfortable**, though I was able to shake them loose with a bit of effort — so I’d say they’re best for **light workouts, walking, or everyday use**, rather than intense training. One standout feature is the **moisture-clearing vibration mode** — it gently shakes out water from the drivers if they get wet. Super clever, especially for sweaty sessions or rainy days.
My only real surprise was the **price point** — it’s a bit higher than I expected for this style of earbud. But if you’re looking for a solid open-ear option with smart features and good sound, these are definitely worth considering.
slwf
The headphones are charged with USB-C. They do not come with a charge block. The left side controls volume. The right controls on/off and skip forward and back. I have not used the for a phone call and not likely ever so that has not been tested.
Overall I like the headphones. The sound is good. Build quality is good. I can hear the surrounding room enough to know to turn off the sound if I need to focus on my surroundings. The hooks are comfortable and secure if not wearing glasses or pulling something over your head while they are on. I wear progressive glasses so the fit is not perfect. They are comfortable enough that at times that I forget they are on my ears, if the sound is off. I like that they do not press into my ear canal. That type rarely will stay due to fit and they can hurt. The JBL Endurance Zone headphones fit. They have survived a few drops to the ground after pulling something over my head. Oops. No damage.
There are a few things that cause a bit of frustration though. When worn for many hours, they start to make my ears sore. They still sit a bit into my ear to hold the speaker in place. I struggle to find the exact place to tap to adjust sound and turn them off. But when I'm adjusting them, I always find those spots causing them to swing wildly for volume or on and off. Double tap sometimes is missed. Timing is important to ensure a double tap vs a single tap done twice.
I would get these again.
Tina
Overall, these are a decent pair of headphones for the price. First, the sound quality is amazing. It’s rich and deep, which surprised me considering these are open-ear. There is also a JBL app you can download to change the sound balance which is really cool. Second, the case is heavy duty but also quite large. Definitely not something you could comfortably put in your pocket as a woman. I like the battery indicator lights on the case so you can quickly get a general idea of the charge they have left. You have to go into the app to see the exact percentage of battery life. Connectivity wise, once I paired these I’ve had no issues with them connecting every time I use them. The biggest con for me is more to do with anatomy. I have very small ears, and every in-ear airbud I’ve tried makes my ears hurt. I wanted to try something open ear, and while these fit, they are a little tricky to place on my ears so that they actually stay on during exercise. However, my husband had no issue with the fit of these, so I think it honestly comes down to ear shape. I do prefer these to the Bose open-ear model, these are more affordable, I like the features better, and they stay on your ear more comfortably. Lastly, these don’t come with a charging cord. I know most companies don’t include that anymore, but for the price I would expect a charging cord.
Ruby
These JBL headphones are amazing! I don't even know where to start. To have headphones that are dust and waterproof (IP68) is astounding. How incredible is it to know that your headphones won't be damaged if you wear them in the shower or in the rain?
The sound is unbelievable! I can't fathom how open-ear design headphones can deliver such booming and crisp sound. The quality of music is truly astonishing. I love that regardless of the volume, they're still open-ear and you can hear your surroundings. I'm so glad that JBL was able
to accomplish such a rich sounding headphone without compromising safety.
The app has SO many amazing features. You're able to "find my headphones by enabling app requests. This is a great way to safeguard your headphones and ensure they don't get lost. Some other apps have this feature but they don't work as well or efficiently. The app also has
some really amazing sound aspects like audio mode vs video mode. You can also edit the equalizer, sound balance and optimizer options to obtain the best settings for you. There are options for auto power off and even a way to change the gesture options (1 tap VS 2 taps VS 3
taps). I love that the gestures are customizable because once you get in the habit that 1 tap means play/pause, you don't want to relearn new gestures.
The playtime Is surprising, too. can listen to these headphones all day with the battery hardly draining. The case also charges the headphones when they're put up, which is a great way to keep them at full capacity. To add to this perk, they also charge fast as well!
The design of the headphones is a lovely touch, they're comfortable and easy to wear. They're a simple concept and once you get used to putting them on, it becomes second nature. After wearing them for a while and getting used to them, I hardly recognize I have them on. They become part of you and it's the perfect solution for long days in the office or spending hours around the house cleaning,
After using these non-stop for several days, I'm fully confident in their capability and their quality. I highly recommend these headphones and couldn't imagine a better product. They're a great value for the cost and I'm thrilled to have found the perfect open-ear headphones!
