I recently got my hands on the JLab JBuds Lux ANC, and I was eager to test them out in various conditions. As I sat in a noisy food court during peak hours, I started my review by testing the microphone pickup. Let’s dive into my experience with these headphones, and I’ll share all the details, pros, and cons to help you make an informed decision.
First Impressions
From the moment I unboxed the JLab JBuds Lux ANC, I was impressed by their sleek design and solid build quality. They offer a lot of features for their price, making them seem like a great value for money.
Mic Pickup Test
I tested the mic pickup of the JLab JBuds Lux ANC in a noisy food court. The mic did a decent job, but some noise still got through. In windy conditions, the performance was average, with wind noise audible. Overall, the mic pickup is satisfactory but could be improved.
Features Overview
These headphones offer a range of features:
- Active Noise Cancelling (ANC): Effectively reduces mid-range noises, such as human voices and traffic, but struggles with low frequencies like subway rumblings.
- Transparency Mode: Allows brief conversations but amplifies higher frequencies more than mids, resulting in a somewhat unnatural experience.
- Battery Life: Offers up to 70 hours of battery life.
- Customization: Controls, noise cancelling intensity, transparency, and sound quality settings can be adjusted using a graphic EQ.
- Audio Sharing: Unique feature allowing wireless audio sharing with another JBuds Lux, though untested in this review.
- Connectivity: Supports USB Type-C for lossless audio and multipoint pairing, which works seamlessly.
Unique Features
One feature that stood out to me was the ability to share audio wirelessly with another pair of JBuds Lux. Unfortunately, I couldn’t test this since I only had one pair. But it’s a rare feature, even among premium headphones.
Another notable aspect is the USB Type-C connection for lossless audio. This is great for audiophiles who want the best sound quality.
Performance Tests
Noise Cancelling
In real-world tests, the ANC performed well for mid-range noises but struggled with low-frequency sounds. It’s suitable for use in cafes and other moderately noisy environments but not for complete silence on flights.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of the JLab JBuds Lux ANC is one of its highlights. The headphones are tuned to emphasize the upper bass, giving a rich and enjoyable sound. They reminded me of the old Marshall headphones with their golden sound signature. However, the mids and highs lacked vibrance, and track separation could be cleaner.
There are two audio modes: Music Mode and Movie Mode. These modes are supposed to offer a more immersive 360-degree sound, but I couldn’t notice much difference between them.
Transparency Mode
The transparency mode lets you hear your surroundings but isn’t perfect. It amplifies higher frequencies more than mids, making voices sound muffled and environment sounds unnatural. There is also a noticeable hiss.
Comfort and Build
The build quality is impressive for the price. The headband is stretchable, and the plastic doesn’t feel cheap. The ear pads are soft and plush, but the ear cups are a bit shallow. This might be uncomfortable for people with larger ears.
Build Quality and Comfort
The build quality is decent for the price. The headband is stretchable, and the plastic doesn’t feel cheap. However, the earcups are shallow, which might be uncomfortable for people with larger ears.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Effective mid-range noise cancelling
- Long battery life
- Good sound quality with customizable EQ
- USB Type-C for lossless audio
- Seamless multipoint pairing
Cons:
- Average mic performance in noisy conditions
- Transparency mode could be better
- Lacks advanced audio codecs like aptX HD or LDAC
- Earcups may be uncomfortable for large ears
Conclusion
The JLab JBuds Lux ANC headphones offer a good balance of features and performance for their price. While there are areas for improvement, such as the mic performance and transparency mode, they provide decent sound quality, effective noise cancelling, and a long battery life. For those looking for affordable headphones with a solid feature set, the JBuds Lux ANC are worth considering.
These headphones are seriously underrated. They offer a lot for their price
If you want customizable, affordable headphones with good sound quality and long battery life, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC are worth considering.
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