JBL Tune Beam 2 review

Most of us don’t think twice before popping in a pair of earbuds. They’ve become second nature; almost like an extension of ourselves given how much we use them in our daily lives. Something you reach for before a meeting, during a walk, or to tune out the chaos on your daily commute. And the most intuitive ones? Well, they just slip into your routine without asking for too much attention.

That’s the kind of role the JBL Tune Beam 2 seems designed to play. There’s minimal flash or fuss here. Just a compact, feature-packed pair of earbuds that promises to deliver in terms of sound, comfort, and reliability.

And in a market crowded with budget-friendly TWS options all vying for your ears, JBL’s approach feels refreshingly understated. But is that enough to stand out? Here’s our JBL Tune Beam 2 review.

JBL Tune Beam 2: Build and design

The Tune Beam 2’s design isn’t chasing trends; it’s understated and charming. The charging case is small and matte-finished, with soft edges. This makes it easy to slip into any pocket or bag without the anxiety of scratches or smudges.

The triple LED indicators on the front give you clear battery or pairing feedback. Each bud has its own LED, which is a small but helpful touch when figuring out what’s charged and ready to go.

The earbuds themselves feature a short-stem form factor capped with silicone tips that feel secure. There’s a subtle gloss on the touch-sensitive areas, which contrasts nicely with the matte body.

Offered in black, white, and turquoise, the palette is muted and mature – a far cry from the garish neons and chrome finishes that still clutter the lower end of the market.

What really stands out, though, is the comfort. The earbuds feel light and well-balanced. You could wear them for an entire workday or a long flight without needing a break. And the IP54 rating means they’re ready for sweat, dust, and sudden downpours – basically, everything real life throws your way, and, at your ears.

The only stumble in the design department? The touch controls are a bit too sensitive. A brush of a hair strand, hoodie, or even an accidental nudge while lying in bed can activate a command. It’s not a dealbreaker, especially since you can tweak the touch control settings in the app, but it does take a bit of adjusting to.

JBL Tune Beam 2: App and features

JBL’s hardware is only part of the story here. The real flex is the JBL Headphones app, which goes well beyond what you’d expect in this price segment. Once paired (near-instantly on Android via Google Fast Pair) you’re dropped into a software suite that feels more flagship than budget.

From the start, the app gives you control over nearly every aspect of the buds’ behaviour. You get a fully adjustable Adaptive Noise Cancelling slider that lets you tailor exactly how much of the world you want to let in or block out.

ALSO READ: JBL Tune Series 2 launched with Bluetooth LE Audio, multi-device connectivity

There’s Ambient Aware for when you’re walking through traffic and want to stay situationally aware, and TalkThru for short conversations that don’t require taking your buds out.

But the customisation doesn’t stop there. There’s a spatial sound toggle, low-latency modes for movies and gaming, and six EQ presets ranging from ‘Bass’ to ‘Vocal’, all of which you can further tweak with a 10-band manual equaliser.

There’s also Personi-Fi 3.0, JBL’s own hearing profile system that tunes the audio based on a short listening test. Think of it like an eye test, but for your ears.

And yes, you can set up individual gesture controls for each earbud, enable Find My Buds in case they vanish under the couch, and even activate ambient sounds like rainfall or forest noise with a timer if you need help winding down.

One particularly thoughtful detail is that any EQ settings you create are saved and carried over when you switch devices. That means you don’t have to re-tune your sound preferences every time you jump from your phone to your tablet or work laptop. It’s a small but meaningful quality-of-life feature.

JBL Tune Beam 2: Sound quality

Let’s talk about what really matters – the sound. Straight out of the box, the Tune Beam 2 delivers JBL’s signature Pure Bass sound, and it doesn’t hold back. There’s a fullness and punch to the low end that immediately stands out.

If you’re a bass enthusiast, this will hit all the right notes. But sometimes, it can veer towards the muddy territory, which may put off some audiophiles. However, you can tone down the bass in the EQ settings with ease.

The mid-range remains clear and articulate, which means vocals, podcasts, and acoustic tracks still feel present and intelligible. Treble is handled with enough restraint that it doesn’t veer into sibilance, but there’s just enough sparkle to keep things airy.

Overall, the sound is rich and engaging, with enough headroom to adapt across genres, especially once you start tinkering with the EQ in the app. The imaging is also decent, with good separation and directional awareness.

Tracks like Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd sound lush and expansive, with the synths stretching across your headspace and the low-end adding weight without distortion.

Tracks like Around The World by Kings of Leon standout with crisp drums, gritty guitar riffs, and a balanced soundstage that feels far more dynamic than you’d expect from a sub-Rs 6,000 pair of earbuds.

Spatial audio, while present, is a bit hit-or-miss though. It adds some dimension to certain types of content but doesn’t fundamentally change the experience. Movie and game modes, however, do help with latency and are worth enabling if you notice lip-sync issues during video playback.

As for ANC, it’s surprisingly effective for everyday scenarios. It won’t match the vacuum-sealed silence of Sony’s WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort, but it does a solid job of dulling low rumbles and office chatter.

The real advantage lies in its adjustability. You can find a sweet spot between total isolation and natural transparency, which is something many pricier buds still struggle with.

JBL Tune Beam 2: Battery and connectivity

Battery life is another area where the Beam 2 pulls ahead of expectations. JBL claims up to 10 hours of playback with ANC on, and during testing, that figure holds up pretty well. We consistently got about 9.5 hours of continuous playback on a single charge.

So, you’ll easily get a full workday of listening – maybe even more if you toggle ANC off. The case adds another 30 hours of juice, bringing the total to roughly 40 hours before needing to reach for a USB-C charger.

Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection, and multipoint pairing works reliably when juggling between devices. You can take a call on your laptop, then jump back into your music on your phone without the typical unpairing drama.

Call quality is decent in most cases. Although in particularly noisy areas, like a crowded local station in Mumbai, a bit of background chatter can impact call clarity.

Unboxed Take: Should you buy the JBL Tune Beam 2?

The JBL Tune Beam 2 is all about subtle refinements. This is a product that gets the details right, from a polished, comfortable design to a surprisingly deep app ecosystem and sound that will delight bass lovers.

What you’re getting for Rs 5,999 is a thoughtfully engineered everyday companion. One that adapts to your lifestyle, delivers immersive sound, offers true customisation, and doesn’t make you compromise on essentials like battery life or comfort. It might not be the flashiest pair of earbuds you’ll own, but it could easily become the most used. However, if you’re still looking for alternatives in this price range, you can consider the CMF Buds Pro 2 or the realme Buds Air6 Pro.

For anyone tired of overhyped audio gear that overpromises and underdelivers, the Tune Beam 2 is a refreshing reminder that sometimes, quiet confidence is the ultimate flex.

For all the above reasons, the JBL Tune Beam 2 scores a commendable 4/5. For more such detailed reviews and comparisons, stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma.