E25BT: Affordable yet quality JBL neckband earbuds
Since Apple’s AirPods launched in 2016, most OEMs are pushing for compact design wireless earphones — even for affordable ones. JBL is also following this concept, and their latest affordable Bluetooth earphones — the E25BT, have taken inspiration, albeit from Google’s Pixelbuds earphones. Priced at ` 3,400, these pair of neckbandstyle earphones make for an interesting proposition for an audiophile. There’s an in- line control module with three buttons, a microphone and a micro USB charging port, towards the right earbud; whereas the battery module is housed exactly in the centre of the earbuds ( in- line with the connecting wire). A provision for a clip that helps attach the unit to the rear of the collar — it attaches the battery module to the rear of the collar and helps protect it from falling off apart.
The E25BT uses 8mm drivers in each ear with a wide frequency response of 20Hz to 20KHz and an impedance of 16 ohms, while the connectivity relies on Bluetooth v4.1. The earphones produce a decent amount of bass, which is surprising for an earphone with such small drivers. You won’t witness thuds, thumps or boom at this price point, but the performance is good enough to mildly satisfy most hardcore audiophiles. The mids and highs are adequate, although we expected the highs to be more defined. There’s no active noise cancellation here, but the in- ear design manages to keep most ambient noises at bay — wind or distant chatter are well shielded. The earphones are capable of decent audio quality for phone calls; however, the microphone’s sensitivity is a bit too weak. JBL hasn’t mentioned the internal battery’s capacity, but
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managed to extract an impressive stamina of approximately seven hours. With moderate volume levels and usage sessions, the E25BT can last you four to five days on a single charge. Overall, if you are looking for a near- wireless pair of earphones with a good performance, the JBL E25BT is a recommendable option under the ` 4,000 bracket. It will definitely satisfy you with its traditionally known balanced audio quality.