Long Term Review JBL Tune 660NC

JBL Tune 660NC: A Budget-Friendly Noise-Cancelling over the ear headphones

I have owned my JBL Tune 660NC for over a year now, and they just broke! So its the perfect time for a long term to review! But dont worry I did manage to fix them and you can do.

The Lowdown

The JBL Tune 660NC are a medium spec active noise-cancelling (ANC) over the ear bluetooth headphones. They have impressive battery life and solid sound quality, all without breaking the bank.

Design and Comfort

The JBL Tune 660NC sports a minimalist design with an all-plastic build, which keeps them lightweight and portable. While the design might not scream luxury, it’s practical and functional. The on-ear style means the ear cups rest directly on your ears, which can cause some discomfort during extended use, especially if you have sensitive ears. However, their foldable design makes them easy to tuck into a bag, perfect for commuting or travel.

Sound Quality

When it comes to sound, the JBL Tune 660NC delivers a balanced audio experience. The bass is punchy and prominent, which is great for genres like pop and hip-hop. However, some users might find the bass a bit overwhelming, especially if you prefer a more neutral sound profile. The mids and highs are clear, making vocals and instruments stand out nicely.

Active Noise Cancelling

One of the standout features of the JBL Tune 660NC is its active noise-cancelling. While it might not match the performance of high-end models, it does a commendable job of reducing ambient noise, making it easier to focus on your music or podcasts in noisy environments. This feature is particularly useful for commuters and frequent travellers.

Battery Life

Battery life is another area where the JBL Tune 660NC shines. With ANC turned on, you can expect up to 44 hours of playback, which is impressive for any pair of headphones, let alone budget ones. This means you can go days without needing to recharge, making them ideal for long trips or busy schedules.

Connectivity and Features

The JBL Tune 660NC supports Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring a stable and reliable connection with your devices2. They also feature Bluetooth multipoint, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously, which is a handy feature for those who switch between their phone and laptop frequently. However, there’s no companion app, so you won’t get any additional customization options.

Audio Fail

After a year of happy commuting with these headphones, suddenly the audio stopped working on the left ear. Luckily all it took was a quick google search leading me to ifixit.com to find that I was not the first to have this issue. I prised the headphone case off with a flat blade as directed on ifixit, and undid the 4 small screws. Then I found the two springs that connect to the pads on the circuit board. as highlighted in the picture.

Next I cleaned up those contact points and added a small blob of solder to each so the springs would have more surface to conduct with. Finally I reassembled the case and tested. And now once again the headphones are restored to pumping out tunes to both ears.

So would I recommend these headphones? Well you get what you pay for with most headphones and despite their shortcomings being able to fix a device rather than scrap them, is a winner for me and the environment. And if you ever lose the sound in one ear, you know what to do now