JBL Tune 130NC TWS Review - Inexpensive Active Noise Canceling Headphones

Now active noise canceling function (ANC) is found not only in top-end full-size models. Much more often it is used in TWS-headphones, especially in-ear headphones. Thanks to their design, they tightly "plug" the ears, thereby providing passive protection against noise. These include the JBL Tune 130NC TWS.

This novelty continues the popular line of the brand, which also includes the JBL Tune 120 TWS model. A year ago she became one of the most bought in Russia. The Tune 130NC TWS has more than just noise cancellation. Its speakers have become larger and more sensitive, and the battery life has increased markedly. What else is good about the new JBL headphones, and how they can disappoint, we tell in our review.

Table of contents

• Specifications
• Appearance and equipment
• Connection and application
• Control
• Sound and noise reduction
• Autonomy
• Outcomes

Specifications

Appearance and equipment

JBL Tune 130NC TWS comes in a neat box. Inside are themselves headphones in a charging case, a bright orange USB Type-C cable, and two pairs of additional ear pads of different sizes. The tips are slightly larger than other TWS earbuds. If you usually use the standard ones, then it might be worth trying the smallest for a better fit.

The plastic of the case and the headphones themselves is matte and well resists fingerprints. There are four colors to choose from - blue, black, pink and white. The latter was just on our test, and it has stood the test of time perfectly. Even after a couple of weeks of using the JBL Tune 130NC TWS looked like they had just been taken out of the box.

The case itself is flat, fits well into a small pocket, can be easily opened and closed with one hand, while it does not play and does not spontaneously swing open.

When the case is opened, the current charge level indicator on the front panel of the case lights up. There is no separate button to check how much power is left.

The earbuds fit snugly into the case and can be removed without problems. Its shape, as well as the JBL inscription, helps not to confuse the "socket" - it should not be turned upside down.

It is much more difficult to figure out where the right earpiece is, and where is the left one, if you take them not from the case, but from the table. The letters L and R are inscribed on the edge next to the microphone and are barely visible.

In the ears of the JBL Tune 130NC TWS sit well, do not fall out and do not annoy with their presence.

Connection and application

Connecting to a smartphone does not cause any difficulties - just open the case. The earbuds start searching for pairing automatically and their LEDs flash blue. Bluetooth connectivity is established quickly on both your smartphone and computer.

A special JBL Headphones app is useful for control. In it, you can see the current charge level, adjust the controls and sound (manually or by selecting one of the presets). There is also a search function in case the "ears" are lost.

Control

In JBL Tune 130NC TWS, it is touch-sensitive and uncomfortable. The buttons are very sensitive and often work when you take off or put on your headphones.

Swipes do not work in this model, control is by means of touches, which are configured initially. The owner can only choose on which "ear" he will, for example, adjust the volume by touching, and on which one - to switch tracks.

A single touch can start or stop music, turn up the volume and turn on noise canceling.

Two touches are responsible for playing the next track, decreasing the volume, activating the TalkThru function (allows you to talk without removing the headphones) and accepting or ending a call.

With three touches, you can only return to the previous audio track.

A hold touch always causes voice assistant - Siri or Google Assistant, and also drops the call and turns the microphone on or off during a call.

Sound and noise reduction

Here JBL Tune 130NC TWS surprised me in a good way. They handle a wide variety of music genres, and even complex compositions sound balanced and not messy through the headphones. The bass is rich (a separate JBL Pure Bass technology is responsible for them), the mids and highs are also well developed.

The JBL Headphones app helps you to customize the sound to your liking. It has already selected equalizer presets for different styles, but it is also possible to create and save your own.

The noise canceling in the JBL Tune 130NC TWS does work, although the effect is modest. Headphones can handle the quiet, monotonous hum on an airplane or train and can muffle the loud voices of those around you, but only slightly better than conventional in-ear models.

Alternatively, you can allow ambient sounds to pass through. This allows you to hear on joggingwhat is happening around, or talk to the interlocutor without removing the headphones.

The JBL Tune 130NC TWS uses four microphones for communication. They pick up the voice perfectly, no complaints have arisen here. The interlocutor hears you clearly, while the voices in the background, although they are caught, remain unintelligible. So from a privacy point of view, everything is fine here too.

Autonomy

The headphones themselves received 70 mAh batteries, the case - 750 mAh. This is enough to listen to music all day without recharging your ears in the process. The declaredJBL Tune 130NC TWS / JBL Russia 8-10 hours of continuous music playback JBL Tune 130NC TWS honestly withstands.

Using the case, you can safely go without an outlet for a week or even more. And this is very encouraging, considering how quickly the Tune 120TWS was discharged, and after all, they did not even have a noise canceling function.

A USB Type ‑ C cable is included; traditionally, there is no power supply unit. After 10 minutes, the charge level of the headphones reaches 20%, and the case - 30%. It takes less than 2 hours to fully fill the battery.

Outcomes

The JBL Tune 130NC TWS headphones have changed little in appearance compared to their predecessors, but inside they have undergone a serious redesign. The noise canceling feature is here and it really works. In general, the sound is better, and the equalizer added to the application made listening to music even more enjoyable.

Autonomy is also pleasing. Now it's not a problem to spend all day in headphones without recharging them through the case every 4-5 hours. Not all TWS-headphones can boast of this, including those that are much more expensive. The recommended price for JBL Tune 130NC TWS is about 6,000 rubles, and considering the characteristics, it seems reasonable.

Upset in JBL Tune 130NC TWS only ergonomics. The main disadvantage is the inconvenient and inflexible control system. But you can get used to it and, given the merits of the model, it will not be the biggest sacrifice.

Buy

The author thanks Harman for the device provided for testing. The company had no way of influencing its outcome.