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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 16 of the 63 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 16 of the 63 we've cataloged.
Key specs
Weight
148 gBelow average148 g
6 g318 g
below average for on-ear headphones — based on 52 of 63 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
SoundGuys review
Read the full 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.
✓What we like
✓Cheap
✓Sleek look
✕What could be better
✕Short cable
✕Somewhat uncomfortable
✕Sound quality
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
JBL Tune 500SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB) against the SoundGuys house target — the dashed curve. The closer the measured line tracks the target, the more neutral the tuning; peaks ride above the target, dips fall below it.
Frequency response — measurement data
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | -23.7 |
| 25 | -20.2 |
| 32 | -16.3 |
| 40 | -12.8 |
| 50 | -9.2 |
| 63 | -5.3 |
| 80 | -3.3 |
| 100 | -1.0 |
| 125 | -0.9 |
| 160 | -1.7 |
| 200 | -3.5 |
| 250 | -4.8 |
| 315 | -7.0 |
| 400 | -9.8 |
| 500 | -2.7 |
| 630 | 0.1 |
| 800 | 0.9 |
| 1000 | 0.0 |
| 1250 | -0.1 |
| 1600 | -1.7 |
| 2000 | -2.0 |
| 2500 | 0.3 |
| 3150 | 5.2 |
| 4000 | 7.4 |
| 5000 | 9.1 |
| 6300 | 9.3 |
| 8000 | 9.5 |
| 10000 | -1.1 |
| 12500 | -8.1 |
| 16000 | -5.2 |
| 20000 | -23.3 |
JBL Tune 500
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
Passive isolation — measurement data
| 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 |
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
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Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.
Tom TriggsContributor
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorMore On-Ear Headphones
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