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1 / 7JBL
JBL Tune 520BT
Overall Rating & value for money
7.6/ 10
7.6
0.010.0
A 7.6 puts its overall rating in the top quarter of on-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 16 of the 63 we've cataloged.
8/ 10
8
0.010.0
A 8 puts its value for money in the top half of on-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 16 of the 63 we've cataloged.
See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Audio quality
Key specs
Battery Life Wireless
60.87 hAbove average60.87 h
12 h100 h
above average for on-ear headphones — based on 42 of 63 we've cataloged.
Full Charge Minutes
120 minAbove average120 min
2 min240 min
above average for on-ear headphones — based on 35 of 63 we've cataloged.
IP Rating
NoneMost commonNone73%IP549%IP559%Mil-std-810g9%
None is the most common — on 73% of the 11 on-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 63).
Weight
157 gBelow average157 g
57 g328 g
below average for on-ear headphones — based on 54 of 63 we've cataloged.
Battery
- Battery Life Wireless
- 60.87 h
- Full Charge Minutes
- 120 min
- Charging Method
- USB-C
- Capacity
- 450 mAh
- Battery
- Yes
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Build
- IP Rating
- None
- Material Chassis Primary
- Plastic
- Water Resistance
- No
- Material Headband
- Plastic
Design
- Weight
- 157 g
- Clamping Force
- 200-400 g
- Color Options
- Black, blue, white
- Ear Pad Depth
- 17 mm
- Ear Pad Type
- Plastic, fabric
- Foldable
- Yes
- Headband Type
- Adjustable
- Wearing Time Max
- 4 h
Connectivity
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth wireless
- Headphone Jack
- No
- Bluetooth Codec
- AAC
- Bluetooth Version
- 5.3
- Cable Type
- None
- USB Charging
- Yes
- Multipoint Devices
- Yes - 2 devices
Microphone
- Microphone
- Yes
- Noise Reduction Type
- Passive noise isolation
- Type
- Single microphone
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
- Ambient Mode
- No
- Driver Count
- 1
- Driver Size
- 33 mm
- Driver Type
- Dynamic driver
- Frequency Response Signature
- V-shaped
- Impedance
- 30 Ω
- Max Spl
- 95 dB SPL
- Noise Cancellation Type
- None
- Sensitivity
- 102 dB/mW
Features
- Companion App
- Yes
- Control Type
- Physical buttons
- Eq Customization
- Yes
- Voice Assistant Support
- Google Assistant, Siri
Identity
- Model Number
- JBLT520BTBLKAM
Release
- Date
- 2024-03
- Msrp Usd
- 49.95 USD
- Year
- 2024
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
JBL Tune 520BTSoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
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 | -4.3 |
| 25 | -1.8 |
| 32 | 1.0 |
| 40 | 3.5 |
| 50 | 5.1 |
| 63 | 4.4 |
| 80 | 4.4 |
| 100 | 3.8 |
| 125 | 1.5 |
| 160 | -2.1 |
| 200 | -3.2 |
| 250 | -2.8 |
| 315 | -3.9 |
| 400 | -4.5 |
| 500 | -4.2 |
| 630 | -2.6 |
| 800 | -0.9 |
| 1000 | 0.0 |
| 1250 | 0.4 |
| 1600 | 1.5 |
| 2000 | 2.9 |
| 2500 | 4.9 |
| 3150 | 7.6 |
| 4000 | 7.5 |
| 5000 | 3.0 |
| 6300 | 4.7 |
| 8000 | 6.3 |
| 10000 | 0.8 |
| 12500 | -11.3 |
| 16000 | -11.0 |
| 20000 | -19.4 |
JBL Tune 520BT
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 | -3.5 |
| 26 | -10.3 |
| 33 | 0.4 |
| 41 | -0.1 |
| 52 | 0.2 |
| 65 | 0.7 |
| 82 | -0.7 |
| 103 | -0.4 |
| 130 | 0.1 |
| 163 | 0.6 |
| 205 | -0.3 |
| 259 | -0.4 |
| 325 | 0.3 |
| 410 | 1.7 |
| 516 | 3.8 |
| 613 | 5.7 |
| 772 | 8.3 |
| 972 | 8.3 |
| 1220 | 7.7 |
| 1540 | 11.1 |
| 1940 | 13.8 |
| 2440 | 19.2 |
| 3070 | 16.1 |
| 3870 | 20.6 |
| 4870 | 31.9 |
| 6130 | 34.0 |
| 7720 | 37.6 |
| 9720 | 31.2 |
| 12200 | 31.0 |
| 15400 | 32.1 |
| 19400 | 31.9 |
JBL Tune 520BT
4.9
3.4
4.3
4.8
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
SoundGuys review
Read the full review ›Isolation5.5
Battery life9.9
Comfort & fit6.5
Connectivity5.0
Design7.0
Portability7.5
The verdict
If you're looking for barebones on-ears that just work, it's hard to make a case against the JBL Tune 520BT. It sounds decent, is affordable, and does exactly what's on the label. It's just gravy that its modern electronics grant the use of features like Find My, rapid charging, and Fast Pair.
✓What we like
✓Sound quality
✓Price
✓Folds up for easy storage
✓Several colorways
✕What could be better
✕Clamping force
✕No wired listening options
✕App necessary for mobile use
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
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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 TriggsContributorDon't buy the JBL Charge 6. Buy these three speakers insteadThe JBL Charge 6 is a solid speaker, but these three alternatives may be worth buying instead.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterBest Bluetooth speakers to buy instead of JBLJBL speakers are popular, but they’re not your only option.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterI'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/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 TriggsContributorDon't buy the JBL Charge 6. Buy these three speakers insteadThe JBL Charge 6 is a solid speaker, but these three alternatives may be worth buying instead.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterBest Bluetooth speakers to buy instead of JBLJBL speakers are popular, but they’re not your only option.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterI'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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