INTRODUCTION

   How many of you knew that audio quality is not the very first thing people check when out to buy a new pair of headphones? Well as it turns out according to official statistics people care most about design, price and brand name than they do about audio quality and although it's understandable that not many people can afford to get a expensive pair of headphones (that didn't really come as a surprise to any of us) still not everyone is aware that SONY and Philips although both very good brands are not the only leading brand names in that particular market. Other manufacturers like JBL have been around for ages (JBL in particular was established in 1946) and have won the hearts of not only music professionals and audiophiles but also casual consumers all across the globe. Today we're taking a look at one of the last and highest end Bluetooth wireless headphones released by JBL the Synchros E50 BT.

   JBL, a unit of Harman International Industries, Incorporated, designs and builds audio equipment for consumers, the entertainment industry and the automotive industry. JBL takes its decades of experience making speakers and other equipment for concert halls and other public venues, and uses it to create audio equipment for consumers around the world. You can enjoy a movie, ball game or concert as part of a huge crowd or in your home - but either way, you can catch all of the sounds with superb clarity through JBL components.

   The Synchros E50 BT Bluetooth wireless headphones are Bluetooth V3.0 compatible (support A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP), follow the typical around the ear closed type design and make use of two large 50mm stereo dynamic drivers which produce full spectrum sound and feature a 20Hz-20KHz frequency response with 117dB sensitivity and 32 Ohm impedance. A built-in microphone is also present in the Synchros E50 BT but aside its sensitivity of -42dB and JBLs Pure Konnexx echo cancellation technology used we don't know much more about it. The dynamic drivers also feature JBLs PureBass Performance technology for deeper and richer bass but the real surprise comes from the ShareMe technology used which basically allows you to share whatever you're listening with another E50 BT/E40 BT Bluetooth enabled set of headphones and the 730mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery which provides up to 18 hours of audio life. So since on paper everything seems just perfect let’s see what the JBL Synchros E50 BT Bluetooth headphones are capable of.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

JBL packs the Synchros E50 BT inside a white box that has a large product picture at the front along with their logo and the 2014 red dot award.

The ShareMe technology is showcased on the right side of the box.

At the rear of the box we find the specifications and bundle contents lists (on the box it states that the drivers feature 115dB sensitivity) and a drawing of the E50 BT used to showcase its features.

The headphones are wrapped inside a plastic bag and placed in a formed piece of cardboard.

The contents of the bundle include the E50 BT headphones, 2.5mm to USB charging cable, 2.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable, user manual and warranty information booklet.

THE SYNCHROS E50 BT

The E50 BT headphones are medium sized, made primarily out of hard plastic and weight just 286g.

To showcase its size as usual we placed the headphones in hand next to the compact Jabra Revo Wireless.

The volume and play/pause track buttons are placed on the exterior of the left earcup (JBL has placed its logo on the exterior of both earcups).

Right over both earcups JBL has imprinted the name of this line.

It may have no practical use but these silver painted hard plastic parts look really nice.

Left and right markings are placed on the interior right above the earcups.

The microphone featuring echo cancellation technology is placed at the base of the left earcup.

JBL states that the E50 BT use 3.5mm mini jack but the end that goes into the earcup features a 2.5mm plug.

The Bluetooth on/off/pairing button is placed at the rear of the left earcup.

Both earcups feature large pads dressed with leatherette.

The earcups can't just swivel/tilt but they can fold as well two features we rarely see together.

The headpad may not be very thick but we found it to be surprisingly comfortable.

You can extend each end of the headband for up to 33mm (66mm total) via 16 increments.

Unfortunately JBL hasn't placed any visual markings on either side.

As expected the company logo is printed at the exterior of the headband.

CONCLUSION

   Although so far over the years I’ve used a total of 3 headphones by JBL the E50 BT is actually the first one to reach our lab as a media sample and the first wireless one I’ve ever gotten my hands on (the 3 I’ve used were wired models) so naturally I had high hopes from it. Fortunately it didn’t disappoint but after 2 weeks of rigorous testing we all think it could have been slightly better. Volume levels are very good and audio quality is very balanced with very good mids and a good amount of bass (we’d like a bit more however) but highs are just not as good and that affects detail. Design is very good, the frame is light and we really feel that the E50 BT is one of the most comfortable headphone sets we’ve used to date. On the other hand noise isolation is not great so at full volume you may end up disturbing people standing next to you (this is something that applies to most headphone sets however). Moving to the microphone I can’t say we tested it as thoroughly as the rest of the set but it works pretty well (people on the other end said they heard us loud and clear during testing) although nothing we haven’t encountered several time in the past. Battery life is where we all expected the Synchros E50 BT to shine and although we didn’t manage to hit 18 hours of continuous use we did hit almost 15 at roughly full volume levels a number which still is really quite impressive and matters a lot. The single most important issue with the E50 BT is its recharging system which uses a USB to 2.5mm cable and I still don’t know why JBL chose that since it’s really not easy for people to find if they lose the original.

   With a current price tag set at USD134.95 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and 149Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk) the Synchros E50 BT Bluetooth Wireless Headphones by JBL may not be what we consider expensive but they are also certainly not for everyone. With that out of the way we do feel that the price could be slightly slower considering that JBL could had done more but when taking into account build quality, volume levels, audio quality and features the E50 BT seems to be worth every single cent and that’s why it gets our Golden Award.

PROS

- Very Good Build Quality
- Very Good And Accurate Mids
- Good Bass Levels
- Volume Levels (Via Bluetooth)
- Battery Life (Up To 18 Hours)
- Wired & Wireless Use
- Earcup Controls
- Design / Available Colors
- Echo Cancelling Microphone
- Weight / Comfort
- Turn / Fold / Tilt Capable Earcups
- ShareMe Technology

CONS

- USB To 2.5mm Charging Cable
- Highs
- Price (For Some)