The JBL CLUB 700BT are decent Bluetooth on-ear headphones for most uses. They look and feel very premium, are decently comfortable, and have a sleek retro design thanks to their exposed cables and metal hinges. Their well-balanced sound profile is suitable for a wide range of genres and content and can be fine-tuned via a parametric EQ within their companion app. They last nearly 55 hours off a single charge, which is outstanding, and they can be used passively with a standard audio cable if your battery happens to run out. When using them wirelessly, they have an integrated mic in the headphones themselves, but also feature an in-line mic so you can still take calls when using the headphones passively, which is nice. Unfortunately, the recording quality of the integrated mic is sub-par and suffers from a lot of distortion.
Our Verdict
The JBL CLUB 700BT are decent headphones for neutral sound listening. They have a fairly well-balanced sound profile that gives a fair amount of extra bass, but can be fine-tuned via a parametric EQ within the dedicated companion app. Unfortunately, due to their closed-back, on-ear fit, they don't have a very wide or open soundstage.
- Outstanding 55-hour battery life.
- Sleek and well-built design.
- Decently well-balanced sound profile.
- Dedicated app with parametric EQ.
- Only decently comfortable.
- Physical controls aren't the easiest to use.
- Poor noise isolation.
The JBL CLUB 700BT are decent on-ear headphones for commuting or travel. They don't clamp too tightly, and are decently comfortable, though they may cause your ears to get warm during longer listening sessions. Unfortunately, they don't do much to help with giving you quiet, since they block almost no background noise. On the bright side, their 55-hour battery life is outstanding, and they can be used passively with a wire if they happen to die in the middle of a long travel day.
- Outstanding 55-hour battery life.
- Sleek and well-built design.
- Decently well-balanced sound profile.
- Dedicated app with parametric EQ.
- Only decently comfortable.
- Physical controls aren't the easiest to use.
- Poor noise isolation.
The JBL CLUB 700BT are decent headphones for sports. They feel somewhat stable on the head, though they slide around during more intense workouts. They're also only decently comfortable and cause you to sweat more than usual during a run or while at the gym. On the bright side, their physical controls give you a ton of functionality, and the extra bit of bass in their default EQ helps to keep you pumped up.
- Outstanding 55-hour battery life.
- Sleek and well-built design.
- Decently well-balanced sound profile.
- Dedicated app with parametric EQ.
- Only decently comfortable.
- Physical controls aren't the easiest to use.
- Poor noise isolation.
The JBL CLUB 700BT are fair for office use. Their 55-hour battery should easily last an entire workweek, and they can be used passively with an audio cable as well. Unfortunately, they aren't the most comfortable, and while they don't clamp as tight as some other on-ear headphones, they may cause fatigue after a full workday. They also block very little background noise, so they aren't a good choice if you get easily distracted by coworkers.
- Outstanding 55-hour battery life.
- Sleek and well-built design.
- Decently well-balanced sound profile.
- Dedicated app with parametric EQ.
- Only decently comfortable.
- Physical controls aren't the easiest to use.
- Poor noise isolation.
The JBL CLUB 700BT can only be used via Bluetooth or with a wire. Therefore, they can't be used wirelessly with an Xbox One or PS4. While they work with Bluetooth-enabled PCs, their high latency and sub-par integrated microphone make them a poor choice.
The JBL CLUB 700BT are decent headphones for wired gaming. They can easily be plugged into the controller of a PS4 or Xbox One, and thanks to their audio cable's in-line mic, you can talk to your teammates. Unfortunately, they aren't the most comfortable, so they likely aren't the best choice for extended gaming marathons.
- Outstanding 55-hour battery life.
- Sleek and well-built design.
- Decently well-balanced sound profile.
- Dedicated app with parametric EQ.
- Only decently comfortable.
- Physical controls aren't the easiest to use.
- Poor noise isolation.
The JBL CLUB 700BT are mediocre headphones for phone calls. While they have an integrated mic, it isn't the best, and your voice sounds muffled, lacking in detail, and distorted. The integrated mic also struggles to separate your voice from moderate ambient noise such as a busy street. That said, they have an in-line mic on their included audio cable, which is handy if you prefer a wired connection.
- Outstanding 55-hour battery life.
- Sleek and well-built design.
- Decently well-balanced sound profile.
- Dedicated app with parametric EQ.
- Only decently comfortable.
- Physical controls aren't the easiest to use.
- Poor noise isolation.
Changelog
- Updated Oct 25, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Jun 01, 2020: Review published.
- Updated May 26, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated May 19, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The JBL CLUB 700BT are decent Bluetooth on-ear headphones. They look quite a bit more premium and durable than the JBL Live 400BT Wireless, though their sound profile isn't quite as well-balanced out-of-the-box. They also don't block very much background noise, and if you want something that'll give you some peace and quiet, consider the Beats Solo Pro, which do a much better job thanks to their ANC feature. Check out our recommendations for the best on-ear headphones, the best wireless Bluetooth headphones, or the best headphones overall.
The JBL CLUB 700BT are slightly better Bluetooth on-ears than the JBL Live 400BT Wireless. The 700BT are more comfortable and look and feel much more premium and well-built. They also have less distortion, and a much longer 55-hour battery life, which is outstanding. On the other hand, the 400BT have a slightly better-balanced out-of-the-box sound profile, feel a bit more stable on the head, and block a bit more background chatter.
The JBL CLUB 700BT Wireless are better headphones than the JBL E55BT Wireless. The 700BT are on-ear headphones with a drastically longer 55-hour battery and a better control scheme that's slightly easier to use and offers more functionality. They also look and feel better built and have a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box. They also have access to a good companion app with a fully parametric EQ, while the E55BT don't have customization options. While neither headphones do a very good job at blocking out background noise, the 700BT leak much less audio, so you can turn up your music to mask noises without bothering those nearby. The E55BT have an over-ear design that some people may prefer for extended periods.
The Marshall MID ANC Wireless are slightly better Bluetooth on-ear headphones for mixed usage than the JBL CLUB 700BT. The Marshall have a better hard carrying case, much better controls, and an iconic retro design that some people may love. They also have a slightly better-balanced sound profile that's much more consistent among various users and better noise isolation thanks to their ANC feature, though it still works only decently well. The JBL have a much longer 55-hour battery life and a dedicated companion app that lets you customize their sound via a parametric EQ.
The JBL CLUB 700BT Wireless are slightly better Bluetooth on-ear headphones than the Beats Solo3 2018. The JBL have more a more robust control scheme, a slightly better-balanced sound profile, a longer battery life, and a better app that includes a parametric EQ and presets. On the other hand, the Beats' sound profile is more consistent among users and reseats, and they feel more stable on the head.
The Beats Solo Pro and the JBL CLUB 700BT Wireless are both decent Bluetooth on-ear headphones. The JBL are more comfortable as they don't clamp nearly as tightly. They also have a significantly longer battery and a better-dedicated companion app with a parametric EQ. On the other hand, the Beats feel more durable, have a more neutral default sound profile, much better noise isolation thanks to their ANC feature, and offer seamless pairing to Apple devices.
The JBL Live 500BT Wireless and the JBL CLUB 700BT Wireless are similarly-performing headphones with different designs. The 500BT are over-ear headphones that some people may find more comfortable for extended periods, as they don't put as much pressure on your ears as the on-ear design of the 700BT. The default sound profile of the 500BT is also a bit less muddy and boomy sounding, though both headphones' sound reproduction can be customized with a parametric EQ through their companion app. While the 37-hour battery of the 500BT is impressive, the 700BT last nearly 55 hours, which is remarkable. Other than that, both headphones are similar and it comes down to whether you prefer over-ear or on-ear headphones.
The JBL Live 460NC Wireless are slightly better on-ears than the JBL CLUB 700BT Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Live 460NC have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and have an active noise cancelling (ANC) feature that's able to cut down a decent amount of noise around you. However, the CLUB 700BT have better battery life and come with a carrying pouch.
We've upgraded our Headphones Test Bench to 2.0! This update brings several key changes to our tests and usages, making it easier than ever to interpret our sound results based on your personal preferences. You'll also find a brand-new interactive graph tool featuring multiple targets (including our own!) for you to explore and compare.
For a full breakdown, check out our changelog, which includes detailed commentary from our test designer explaining the rationale behind our update.
We'd also love to hear your thoughts: your feedback helps us keep improving, so join us in the comments!
Test Results
The JBL CLUB 700BT are well-designed and premium-looking on-ears. They're all black and have a somewhat retro-look thanks to the exposed wire on each ear cup. Overall, these headphones look much more premium and high-end than the JBL Live 400BT Wireless.
These headphones are decently comfortable. Since these are on-ear headphones, they may get slightly uncomfortable after long periods. Luckily, they don't clamp as hard as some other options, like the JBL Live 400BT Wireless or the Beats Solo Pro Wireless. Unfortunately, due to their well-padded ear cups, they tend to get hot very quickly.
The controls of the JBL CLUB 700BT are decent. They have a lot of physical, clicky buttons along the side of each ear cup, including a large button on the 'JBL' logo on the left side. The buttons give a good selection of controls, including a 'bass boost' feature, but unfortunately, they aren't the easiest to use as the buttons are close together and it can be difficult to know which button you're pressing. The headphones also don't give any voice feedback prompts, making it tougher to know which button you've pressed.
The JBL CLUB 700BT have mediocre portability, though they aren't as bulky as most over-ear headphones. Unfortunately, the ear cups don't swivel to lay flat, but the headphones can be folded up in two different ways to make them smaller.
The JBL CLUB 700BT come with a sub-par soft carrying pouch. While it won't protect the headphones from drops or bumps, it's covered in a rubbery material that feels waterproof enough to protect them from light rain or splashes.
The build quality of the JBL CLUB 700BT is good. They're primarily made of good quality and dense plastic. The hinges and yokes are all metal and feel well-built and premium. While their physical buttons feel like they'd be waterproof, these headphones don't seem to have any IP rating for dust or water resistance. Overall they feel well-built, but their exposed wire is likely their weakest point.
The JBL CLUB 700BT are decently stable on-ears. They should stay on fine if you need to quickly jog to catch a bus, but may not be the best for more intense workouts or exercises.
- JBL CLUB 700BT headphones
- 1/8" TRRS audio cable with an in-line mic
- USB-C charging cable
- Carrying pouch
- Manuals
The sound profile of the JBL CLUB 700BT is quite well-balanced and accurate. They have a bit of extra bass that gives them extra thump and kick, without being too overpowering. Overall, they're well-suited for a wide range of genres and content.
The frequency response consistency is mediocre. As is somewhat expected from on-ear headphones, they're quite sensitive to fit and seal, and people with long hair or glasses will likely experience their bass very differently. You may also have to adjust them slightly on your ears to get the same sound reproduction every time you wear them.
The bass accuracy of these headphones is okay. While the entire range is quite over-emphasized, it's still fairly even and flat. Overall, these headphones give a fair amount of extra thump and kick, though unfortunately, their bass delivery varies noticeably across users, and is sensitive to the quality of the fit, seal, and whether you wear glasses. The response here represents the average bass response, and your experience may vary.
The mid accuracy of these headphones is excellent. Almost the entire range is accurate and flat. While low-mid is slightly over-emphasized, it shouldn't be too noticeable and your music shouldn't sound muddy or cluttered.
The treble accuracy of these headphones is good. Low-treble, which is responsible for the detail of almost all instruments, is almost entirely perfectly balanced and flat. Unfortunately, some mid-treble frequencies may sound dull and listless, while others sound slightly harsh and piercing. High-treble is the most uneven, though it's at high enough frequencies that it shouldn't be noticeable to most people. Like with most on-ear headphones, their treble delivery is sensitive to fit and seal, and you may need to adjust them to get the same treble reproduction every time. The response here represents the average treble response, and your experience may vary.
The peaks and dips performance of these headphones is great. Almost the entire frequency range is even and well-balanced. However, the big dip in mid-treble, followed by the large peak, may make some frequencies sound especially sharp and piercing.
The imaging of these headphones is good. The GD graph shows the group delay is below the audibility threshold, resulting in tight and accurate bass and treble ranges. The L/R drivers of our unit are also decently well-matched, helping with fairly accurate placement and localization of objects (voice, instruments, footsteps) in the stereo image. Note that these results are only valid for our unit and yours may perform differently.
The passive soundstage of the JBL CLUB 700BT is bad. The on-ear design doesn't interact much with the pinna, therefore these headphones don't have a speaker-like soundstage. Their closed-back design also doesn't sound as open as open-back headphones. Overall, their soundstage sounds fairly small and unnatural, on top of being inside your head rather than in front.
The JBL CLUB 700BT don't have any virtual soundstage features.
The weighted harmonic distortion of these headphones is great. The entire range is within good limits, even at higher volumes, resulting in clear and pure audio reproduction.
These are the settings used when testing. Therefore, our results are only valid when these headphones are used with these settings.
The noise isolation of the JBL CLUB 700BT is bad. They don't block any low-frequency noise, like the low engine rumble of bus or plane engines. While they block a bit of background chatter, they don't block nearly as much as most other on-ears or over-ears. On the bright side, they do a good job of blocking out high frequencies sounds like fans or A/C units. If you're looking for on-ear headphones with an ANC to help cut down more noise around you, take a look at the JBL Live 460NC Wireless.
The leakage performance of the JBL CLUB 700BT is great. Even at higher volumes, the leakage is well below the noise floor of most offices.
The JBL CLUB 700BT have an integrated microphone in the headphones themselves, as well as an in-line mic if you use them wired.
The recording quality of the integrated microphone is mediocre. While on phone calls, your voice sounds thin, muffled, and distorted. Note that we only tested the integrated microphone, and the in-line mic on the wire may perform differently.
Update 10/27/2021: These headphones have been updated to test bench 1.5. In this update, we made changes to the way we test noise handling. We now use a subjective evaluation of our audio clips. This new method has resulted in different results than what we had reported in our previous test bench. As a result, the scoring of this box has changed, and we have updated our results.
The noise handling of the integrated microphone is disappointing. While the person you're speaking to should be able to hear you in quiet environments, your voice gets easily drowned out in even moderately loud situations like a busy street. Note that we only tested the integrated microphone, and the in-line mic on the wire may perform differently.
The battery performance of the JBL CLUB 700BT is excellent. The nearly 55-hour battery life is remarkable and is among the highest we've ever tested. They also fully charge in 1.5 hours, which is great, and they feature an auto-off timer to help conserve even more battery life. Unfortunately, they don't provide audio while charging, but they can be used passively with a wire should your battery die on you.
The JBL CLUB 700BT are compatible with the good JBL Headphones app. Unfortunately, the app doesn't give you many customization options, and only gives you an EQ, presets, and the ability to turn your auto-off timer on/off. On the bright side, the EQ is fully parametric, allowing you to finetune the way they sound.
The JBL CLUB 700BT are Bluetooth 5.0 headphones that can be paired to two devices simultaneously, which is convenient. Their line of sight range is excellent, though this is very dependant on your surroundings, and real-world usage will vary. Unfortunately, we recorded high latency on all devices, though again, apps and devices tend to compensate for this differently, so your mileage may vary with real-world usage.
These headphones only support Bluetooth for a wireless connection.
The JBL CLUB 700BT can be used wired with any 1/8" TRRS cable. The included cable features an in-line mic, so you can continue to take phone calls even when using them wired, which is great.
Thanks to the in-line mic on their wire, the JBL CLUB 700BT are fully compatible with Xbox One by plugging them into the controller.