The JBL E65BTNC Wireless are above-average mixed usage over-ear headphones that are versatile for everyday casual use. These wireless headphones are an upgrade to the similarly designed JBL E55BT Wireless, with noise cancelling and better build quality. However, their ANC feature is decent but slightly disappointing when compared to other high-end headphones. On the upside, they have good audio reproduction and have an amazing wireless range.
Our Verdict
Above-average for mixed usage. The JBL E65BTNC have good audio reproduction and have a versatile sound signature that is suitable for a wide variety of music genres. Their ANC feature is decent and blocks out ambient noise, making them a decent choice for commuting or to use at the office. Unfortunately, the bulky design of over-ears isn’t ideal for sports, but they are still stable for physical activity, and some will like their thumpy bass. Their latency is slightly too high for watching TV or gaming, but they perform better than most Bluetooth headphones.
- Comfortable and lightweight design.
- Good sound quality.
- Excellent wireless range.
- Bulky design.
- Lack of customization options.
Good for neutral listening. They have a well-balanced audio reproduction that most users will appreciate. They have thumpy bass, well-balanced mid-range, and a good treble. However, their bass is a bit hyped and the treble is slightly veiled, so leads and cymbals might lack detail and presence. On the upside, they are comfortable for long listening sessions.
Above-average for commuting and traveling. The E65BTNC have a noise cancelling feature that blocks out a decent amount of lower frequencies, like bus engine rumbles, letting you focus on your music. They are a bit bulky and might not be ideal for traveling around with, but their over-ear design is more comfortable for long flights than most in-ears. Their long battery life will also last you and can still be used wired if needed.
Decent for sports. Like most over-ears, the JBL E65BTNC are a bit bulky for more intense sports activities, but they are stable enough to run with. They are not very portable, even if they fold in a more compact format. On the upside, some may like their thumpy bass during sports to get pumped.
Above-average for office use. They isolate a good amount of mid frequencies, important for blocking out ambient speech, which will let you focus on your tasks. They also don’t leak too much, but you shouldn’t blast your music at very high volumes as you may disturb colleagues sitting close to you. On the upside, their battery life will last you well over a whole work day when fully charged, and they’ll be comfortable enough to wear for multiple hours.
Mediocre for gaming. If you use them wirelessly, their integrated mic is not the best for online gaming, but you can expect better performance from the in-line microphone. Also, if you don’t need a microphone, the JBL E65BTNC have good audio reproduction and are comfortable for long gaming. However, 120ms of latency is still a bit too high for gaming, but this can be resolved by using them wired.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 11, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Jun 17, 2019: We've updated the comfort score of this review to better represent how comfortable these headphones are.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The JBL E65BTNC are above-average closed-back over-ears that are versatile for a variety of use cases. These noise cancelling headphones have decent isolation performance but might be a bit disappointing when compared to high-end headphones in the same price range. However, they do everything pretty well and should satisfy most users. When compared to other headphones below, they tend to lack a longer battery life or a compatible app. On the upside, they have better wireless range, and the in-line microphone is a welcome addition. See our recommendations for the best noise cancelling headphones and the best noise cancelling headphones under $200.
The JBL Live 650 BTNC and the JBL E65BTNC Wireless are very similar headphones. They have a similar build and overall look, but the 650 BTNC are slightly better. The E65 feel slightly tighter on the head, and their ANC is slightly better for commuting. However, the Live are compatible with the JBL Headphones app, which offers an amazing parametric EQ. They have more battery life than the E65, which is convenient. On the other hand, the E65BTNC are better for watching video content thanks to their low default Bluetooth latency.
The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Wireless 2016 are better headphones than the JBL E65BTNC Wireless. They have better sound quality than the JBLs, leak less, and have an amazing 30-hour battery life. They also have a great control scheme and come with a nice solid case as well. The JBLs have an in-line microphone when the headphones are used wired, and they are more stable for physical activities. They also have better latency performance and a useful Bluetooth Sync button.
The JBL E65BTNC Wireless are better headphones than the Skullcandy Crusher Wireless 2016. The biggest difference between them is that the JBLs have a noise canceling feature while the Crusher Wireless have poor isolation performance. Sound-wise, the E65BTNC sound more neutral while the Skullcandy are more designed for fans of heavy bass. Most users will find the JBLs more versatile for everyday casual use than the Crusher Wireless.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are better headphones than the JBL E65BTNC Wireless. The Bose have a more neutral sound profile, and their ANC feature is one of the best we've tested to date. They're also one of the most comfortable headphones we've ever reviewed. On the other hand, the JBL have better wireless range and feel more stable since they have a higher clamping force on the head, which can be useful during physical activity. They also have an in-line microphone that the Bose lack.
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