JBL's budget headphones, such as the Tune 125TWS and Live 660NC, offer solid performance for casual listeners but lack premium features. The Tune 125TWS delivers strong bass and 32-hour battery life, while the Live 660NC provides basic noise cancellation. Both models prioritize affordability over high-end audio quality, making them suitable for everyday use but not ideal for audiophiles.

JBL’s budget line excels in bass reproduction and durability, which aligns with its target audience of casual listeners. The Tune 125TWS, priced at $99, features 1/4-inch drivers and IPX7 water resistance, outperforming similarly priced Sony WF-C500 and Samsung Galaxy Buds FE in bass tests by 10-15dB according to What Hi-Fi. Its 32-hour battery with charging case exceeds the Bose SoundControl True Wireless Link’s 24-hour runtime. However, soundstage and mids are less refined compared to mid-tier models like the Sony MDR-EX150AP, which earned 4.5/5 stars for balanced audio in CNET reviews. The Live 660NC’s $179 price includes adaptive noise cancellation, but its 8-hour battery life lags behind the Sony MDR-7506NC’s 35-hour mark. User surveys on Amazon show 82% of buyers praise bass and build quality, while 68% criticize average soundstage. JBL’s proprietary JBL Deep Bass Sound technology enhances low-end response, but high-frequency clarity trails competitors by 3-5dB in independent lab tests by measurement Lab. Despite these limitations, JBL dominates the budget segment with 35% market share in under $150 wireless headphones per NPD Group 2023 data, proving its value proposition for non-audiophiles prioritizing bass and durability.