Changing a small piece of silicone changes the purpose of the Tune Flex 2. The open tips sit loosely enough to let the room in. Switch to the sealing tips and the same pair can do a more convincing job on a commute. JBL supplies both in the box.
In depth
JBL Tune Flex 2 review
Published
Best forPeople who switch between an open fit at home and a closer seal away from it.
At a glance
- Noise cancellation
- Supported
- Weight
- Black / White / Turquoise4.4 g per earbudGhost Black / Ghost Mauve / Ghost White4.2 g per earbud
- Battery life
- Up to 8 h (ANC on)
- Connections
- Bluetooth 5.3multipoint
Pros
- Two tip styles and matching app settings accommodate different uses.
- Multipoint adds a practical connection upgrade over the first Tune Flex.
Cons
- Open tips reduce bass and cancellation.
- Changing the fit means carrying the spare tips.
Fit & Noise Cancellation
- Open tips
- Three sizes of sealing tips
The open option avoids the enclosed sensation that some listeners dislike, but the tip can’t keep external sound from entering the ear. The Bass Arena heard a substantial drop in deep bass and cancellation with the open tips on its comparison pairs. For a commute, start with sealing tips and select their corresponding setting in the app. 1
Sound
- 12 mm dynamic drivers
- Adjustable EQ
Tip and tuning work together here. Make sure the software matches what’s on the buds before boosting the bass. Someone switching repeatedly between styles might keep one familiar recording handy to hear whether the fit has shifted on just one side.
Connectivity & Battery
- Two-device multipoint
- Up to 8 hours with ANC
Multipoint is a practical addition over the original Flex when your phone and computer both handle calls. JBL rates the Flex 2 for up to eight hours per charge with ANC, or twelve without it. Top-ups from the case extend those totals to 32 or 48 hours respectively. 1
Alternatives
If a sealed bud is going to stay sealed, the stemless Tune Buds 2 offers up to ten hours with ANC and has fewer fit decisions to make. An existing Flex owner who wants two live device connections or more time between case visits has a concrete reason to look at the second generation.
Verdict
Get the Flex 2 for the freedom to change how much of the room you hear. Someone who needs silence on every journey should give more weight to a reliably sealed fit than to the extra open-tip option.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- The Bass ArenaJBL Tune Flex vs Tune Flex 2 (opens in a new tab)https://www.thebassarena.com/blog/tune-flex-2
Hands-on comparison of open and sealing tips, low-bass response and multipoint versus original Flex.