On-Ear Headphones
JBL Live 670NC
8.1/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The battery beat their expectations
$129.95at Amazon
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1 / 5JBL
JBL Tune 500
The JBL Tune 500 is laser-focused on being a decent pair of budget headphones, but how much bang for your buck can it really deliver?
Overall Rating & value for money
5.8/ 10
5.8
0.010.0
A 5.8 puts its overall rating in the bottom 10% of on-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 15 of the 62 we've cataloged.
8.8/ 10
8.8
0.010.0
A 8.8 puts its value for money in the top quarter of on-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 15 of the 62 we've cataloged.
See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation
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Key specs
Weight
148 gBelow average148 g
57 g285 g
below average for on-ear headphones — based on 50 of 62 we've cataloged.
Design
- Weight
- 148 g
- Color Options
- Black, blue, pink, white
- Foldable
- Yes
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head
- Wearing Time Max
- 2 h
Build
- Material Chassis Primary
- Plastic
- Material Ear Cups
- Faux leather, padding
- Material Headband
- Plastic with padding
Connectivity
- Connection Type
- Wired 3.5mm
- Headphone Jack
- Yes
- Cable Type
- 3.5mm single-ended
Microphone
- Microphone
- Yes
- Type
- Single microphone
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
Features
- Inline Controls
- Yes
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
JBL Tune 500 Frequency Response (measured on a B&K 5128)
Click a line or a legend entry to highlight it. Click again to clear.Tap a legend entry to highlight its line. Tap again to clear.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | -21.8 |
| 25 | -18.4 |
| 32 | -14.5 |
| 40 | -11.0 |
| 50 | -7.3 |
| 63 | -3.5 |
| 80 | -1.4 |
| 100 | 0.9 |
| 125 | 1.0 |
| 160 | 0.1 |
| 200 | -1.6 |
| 250 | -2.9 |
| 315 | -5.2 |
| 400 | -8.0 |
| 500 | -0.9 |
| 630 | 1.9 |
| 800 | 2.7 |
| 1000 | 1.8 |
| 1250 | 1.7 |
| 1600 | 0.2 |
| 2000 | -0.2 |
| 2500 | 2.1 |
| 3150 | 7.1 |
| 4000 | 9.2 |
| 5000 | 10.9 |
| 6300 | 11.1 |
| 8000 | 11.3 |
| 10000 | 0.8 |
| 12500 | -6.3 |
| 16000 | -3.4 |
| 20000 | -21.5 |
JBL Tune 500 Attenuation (measured on a B&K 5128)
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Solid lines: passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 0.1 |
| 26 | -0.0 |
| 33 | 0.2 |
| 41 | 0.1 |
| 52 | 0.1 |
| 65 | -0.2 |
| 82 | -0.6 |
| 103 | -1.3 |
| 130 | -0.3 |
| 163 | -0.4 |
| 205 | -0.9 |
| 259 | -1.5 |
| 325 | -2.7 |
| 410 | -2.5 |
| 516 | -0.4 |
| 613 | 2.0 |
| 772 | 7.2 |
| 972 | 7.7 |
| 1220 | 3.9 |
| 1540 | 7.4 |
| 1940 | 11.3 |
| 2440 | 15.4 |
| 3070 | 20.5 |
| 3870 | 19.1 |
| 4870 | 25.8 |
| 6130 | 25.9 |
| 7720 | 25.3 |
| 9720 | 22.6 |
| 12200 | 15.0 |
| 15400 | 17.0 |
| 19400 | 28.1 |
SoundGuys review
Isolation2.4
Comfort & fit6.0
Connectivity5.0
Design5.9
Portability7.0
Features5.5
The verdict
The JBL Tune 500 delivers an impressive result considering its supremely budget-oriented price tag. It's got a litany of issues, but in terms of being a decent pair of headphones that's easy to pick up and use without worrying too much, it's actually pretty nice.
✓Liked: Cheap, Sleek look
✕Could be better: Short cable, Somewhat uncomfortable, Sound quality
Owners
How we verify ownersNobody who owns the JBL Tune 500 has written in yet.
Owner reviews are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not rewritten by us: at most we proofread typos, which is shown on the review’s own page and which the author can undo. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from owner reviews.
Own the JBL Tune 500?
Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying. Shown under a pseudonym. Sign-in needed to publish.
Questions from readers
What readers ask about the JBL Tune 500, answered by the people who own it.
Nobody has asked the owners yet.
Ask the first question →Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
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Brady SnyderContributorWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.
Tom TriggsContributorI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help you
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-large
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterI tried a $1,700 soundbar system, and it ruined TV speakers for meI fear I'm spoiled now.Shimul SoodEditorI went hands-on with JBL’s new Cove speakers, and one really stands outMore JBL speakers? Here’s the lowdown on the new Cove lineup.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterThe JBL Xtreme 4 does one thing the newer Xtreme 5 can’tThere’s still one very good reason I’d buy the older Xtreme 4, and it’s not the lower price.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterI built my own Dolby Atmos speaker system, but I still prefer headphones for musicInvesting in Dolby Atmos wasn't a waste, but listening through headphones is more than a gimmick.Brady SnyderContributorWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeMore On-Ear Headphones
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