JBL Tune Beam 2 Review: Punchy Bass, Powerful ANC & 48-Hour Battery

Photo Credit : JBL

When it comes to true wireless earbuds that balance thumping bass, crystal-clear calls, and robust Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), the JBL Tune Beam 2 stands out as a compelling contender in the sub-$100 segment. Building on the success of its predecessor, the Tune Beam 2 brings larger drivers, more microphones, and advanced personalization through the JBL Headphones app. In this in-depth review, we’ll explore every facet—from design and comfort to sound quality, ANC performance, battery life, and more—to help you decide if these earbuds deserve a spot in your ears.

Design and Comfort

The Tune Beam 2 sports a modern, short-stem design with a matte plastic finish and subtly glossy touch panels. Its IP54 rating means it can shrug off light splashes and sweat, making it workout-friendly. JBL includes multiple sizes of silicone ear tips to ensure a snug seal, crucial for both passive isolation and optimal bass response. While the earbuds themselves are lightweight and ergonomically shaped for extended wear, the charging case is noticeably larger than some rivals, creating a bulkier pocket profile 

Key Points

Form Factor: Short stem, matte finish, IP54 splash resistance 

Fit: Multiple ear-tip sizes; secure and comfortable

Sound Performance: JBL Pure Bass Meets Clarity

At the heart of the Tune Beam 2 are 10 mm dynamic drivers tuned for “Pure Bass Sound,” JBL’s signature profile. But the sound signature isn’t all about heavy lows—the mids and highs remain articulate, providing a balanced experience that works across genres. In our testing:

Bass: Punchy and impactful without overpowering vocals

Mids: Clear and forward, making podcasts and vocals shine

Highs: Crisp treble detail without harshness even at higher volumes

If you crave deeper low-end, the JBL Headphones app’s EQ presets and customizable Personi-Fi 3.0 feature let you sculpt the sound to taste 

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) That Packs a Punch

True to its name, the Tune Beam 2’s ANC delivers impressive attenuation for the price. After enabling ANC in the app, a tap on the earbud immediately dunks ambient hums—think air-conditioners or distant traffic—into relative silence. Key observations:

Low-Frequency Noise (e.g., engines, air vents): Effectively silenced

Mid-Frequency Noise (e.g., typing, chatter): Heavily reduced, though very sudden sounds may still peek through

Wind Handling: Wind noise is recognized and suppressed quite well

The earbuds also support an Ambient Aware (transparency) mode and a Talk Thru feature, which pauses music and opens the mics for quick chats without removing an earbud 

Call Quality: Clear Voice Pickup

With six beamforming microphones (up from four on the original Tune Beam), these earbuds aim to capture your voice clearly even in noisy environments. In practice:

Clarity: Voices sound natural with minimal distortion

Noise Suppression: Background chatter and constant noises are dampened; wind noise can still intrude at times

Echo Suppression: Conversations remain intelligible, though extremely loud surroundings (e.g., construction sites) may test the system 

Battery Life and Charging

One of the Tune Beam 2’s standout features is marathon battery performance:

Earbuds: Up to 10 hours with ANC off; ~7 hours with ANC on

Case: Additional 38 hours, totaling ~48 hours of playtime on a full kit

Fast Charging: A 10-minute top-up yields around 1 hour of playback

This endurance comfortably outlasts most competitors in the <$100 category, perfect for travel or long workdays 

JBL Headphones App & Personalization

The free JBL Headphones app (iOS and Android) unlocks a suite of features:

EQ Presets & Custom Profiles: Tailor your sound or choose from genres like “Bass Boost” and “Vocal”

Personi-Fi 3.0: Adaptive sound calibration based on your listening preferences 

Soundscapes: Soothing ambient sounds for focus or relaxation

Earbud Find: Play a tone to locate misplaced earbuds

Auto-Power-Off: Customize idle shutdown times

While the app is feature-rich, note that multipoint management and mode switching (ANC vs. Ambient) require app configuration before being accessible via touch controls

Connectivity & Multipoint Pairing

Thanks to Bluetooth 5.3, the Tune Beam 2 maintains a rock-steady connection up to 12 meters from your device. They also support multipoint pairing (two devices simultaneously), though switching can be sluggish and occasionally prone to brief audio hiccups. Most users will find single-device pairing sufficient, but power users who toggle between phone and laptop may notice delays 

How They Stack Up: Competition Overview

Model	ANC Quality	Battery w/ ANC	App Support	Price (INR)
JBL Tune Beam 2	Very Good	~7 hrs + 38 hrs	Extensive (EQ, Personi-Fi)	₹5,499 (≈$99)
Redmi Buds 6 Pro	Good	~6 hrs + 26 hrs	Basic (Android only)	₹4,999
JBL Live Pro 2	Good (post-update)	~7 hrs + 20 hrs	Moderate (EQ only)	₹9,999

Vs. Redmi Buds 6 Pro: Tune Beam 2 wins on battery, ANC depth, and app features, though Redmi’s multipoint is more user-friendly 

Vs. JBL Live Pro 2: Similar battery and ANC (after firmware updates), but Beam 2 offers smoother video-mode switching and fresher design 

Pros & Cons

Pros

Punchy yet balanced JBL Pure Bass sound

Impressive ANC for the price bracket

Marathon battery life (up to 48 hrs total)

Feature-packed JBL Headphones app with Personi-Fi personalization

Secure, comfortable fit with IP54 rating

Cons

Bulky charging case

Multipoint pairing can be slow and glitchy

ANC and Ambient modes must be enabled in the app before use

No in-ear detection for auto-pause

 Is the JBL Tune Beam 2 Worth It?

For budget-minded audiophiles seeking punchy bass, robust ANC, and all-day battery life, the JBL Tune Beam 2 delivers a rare blend of performance and features in the <$100 segment. While its charging case is on the larger side and multipoint pairing isn’t flawless, its sound quality and app-driven customization set it apart from rivals. Whether you’re commuting, working out, or simply winding down with your favorite playlist, the Tune Beam 2 offers a well-rounded experience that punches above its weight.