JBL Endurance Run 2 Wired IEM Review

[posvibes]

$29AUD here;

Thanks @JSmith for that, but literally when I posted ca AUD$60.00 bucks was the going price. I have a sneaking suspicion that Amazon can dynamically price individual customers. I'm a Prime Member and I have noticed these price disparities before, prices that can change quickly. Call me paranoid, but on the odds of a spontaneous buy signal, a record and profile of previous purchases etc.

I have noticed/imagined sometimes the same behavior at AliExpress.

 

[CedarX]

From what I have read that strong bass boost is how JBL likes it for their "sports" headphones, and I imagine the thinking is that it works best at the gym or outdoors.

That said, in the case of these cheap earphones, Harman's ridiculous boom-tizz/smiley face curve is reaching new heights with a huge (bigger) hole in the mid-range and (even) more bass.

Why is it ridiculous if it’s how JBL and JBL’s customers like it?

 

[JSmith]

Amazon can dynamically price

$28 today... $1 less.


JSmith

 

[boswell]

in Aus price difference maybe due to wireless vs wired, I saw the BT ones then checked as apples aren't apples

 

[milosz]

Amazing at this low price, and a "Household Name" brand, besides.

I've never found an IEM that I can wear. They ALL hurt my ears, even the custom ones. Alas.

 

[CedarX]

I've never found an IEM that I can wear. They ALL hurt my ears, even the custom ones. Alas.

Although “hurting” is subjective, you fall into this preference group of trained listeners who absolutely dislike any IEM target!

 

[jhaider]

I have these; I got them for use in the gym.

Ditto, albeit the 1st gen, which don’t seem that different. @Sean Olive sold me with a twitter post. Also bought several for family members. The extra bass is fine for that kind of casual listening.

There is only one negative: the smallest tips are still too large for my ear canal, so they don't stay in.

Interesting. I find the extra rubber bit helps quite a bit. By contrast, something like a Truthear Zero is just painfully large.

 

[wwenze]

Amazon JP price

(Ignore the free shipping? Think I have it set to Japan address at the point of screenshot)

 

[JSmith]

Amazon JP price

USD $14.48, AUD $22.18.


JSmith

 

[DSJR]

More to the point it shows measuring consistency in a difficult setup across two different rigs where the tiniest movement can throw out results.

That said, in the case of these cheap earphones, Harman's ridiculous boom-tizz/smiley face curve is reaching new heights with a huge (bigger) hole in the mid-range and (even) more bass.

But the Harman curve *sounds* like a decent large pair of speakers, at least to me. Not a U shaped smiley sound at all, again, at least to me. A 'flatter headphone measured response' *to me,* sounds more like the Linn speaker horrors of old, if not an NS10-esque tone (maybe that's an exaggeration). That bass curve adds realism to my ears, which do seem to prefer in-ears for best 'sound' these days as long as I'm not playing at whisper quiet levels, upon which the lower-hf fades out

 

[markanini]

But the Harman curve *sounds* like a decent large pair of speakers, at least to me. Not a U shaped smiley sound at all, again, at least to me. A 'flatter headphone measured response' *to me,* sounds more like the Linn speaker horrors of old, if not an NS10-esque tone (maybe that's an exaggeration). That bass curve adds realism to my ears, which do seem to prefer in-ears for best 'sound' these days as long as I'm not playing at whisper quiet levels, upon which the lower-hf fades out

How are you evaluating it, which IEM or headphone, stock response or with EQ?

 

[AudioSceptic]

I have these; I got them for use in the gym. There is only one negative: the smallest tips are still too large for my ear canal, so they don't stay in. I called JBL and they said that there are no smaller tips. Other than that [not-too-small] problem, I have no complaints. Performance for cost is great!

All IEMs come with many sizes of tips, also available as spares. I'd look for some that have the same fitting as the JBL and have smaller options. RHA seems particularly good for the range of tip sizes.

 

[restorer-john]

How are you evaluating it, which IEM or headphone, stock response or with EQ?

Circle of confusion rears it's ugly head, again...LOL.

 

[DSJR]

How are you evaluating it, which IEM or headphone, stock response or with EQ?

Not professionally, but the Xero 2 iems, which follow the Harman curve quite closely and with very low distortion, have the body/power and perceived 'weight' in timbres that I fondly remember from the better larger speakers I used to sell and own. Take that sub 100Hz out, and it becomes shallow and 'HiFi' for want of a better description, at least to me. I know I'm talking subjectively which may not fit well with some of you here or elsewhere, but the Harman curve suits me well and the low bass if done right, just makes for a more realistic experience in my book.

 

[USER]

In case anyone wants to see how these very same IEMs measure on the IEC711-based "clone" coupler that many amateur measurers use (e.g. most on squig.link like mine).

Edit: I think our left and right channels are switched.

Note that it is a lot easier to measure IEMs on the "IEC711" coupler (though it can take me 20+ tries to hit the 8kHz resonance, which is what *I* want to hit). I measure with the fixture sideways and the IEMs resting on soft material, which is something Amir can't do. The resonances at around 150-200Hz in Amir's results are due to the slight jostling of the IEM as the sweep played so consider them smooth. I'm not criticizing. It could be strongly argued that the IEC711 does not reflect real life use or fit as it doesn't use an artificial ear (whose pinna gain is, additionally, responsible for a lot of the difference between 1-6kHz). I have measured numerous IEMs that Amir has and the differences are remarkably consistent. This is the first time that the same exact IEM has been measured in both of our systems, however.

My big question is if the resonance at around 12kHz is less problematic on IEC711 than on GRAS 45CA-10 (and thus more "accurate"). The latter doesn't have one at 16kHz though.

When I get these back I will measure them again and perfectly match the right channel resonances with Amir's in order to create a better comparison.

My set-up is as follows: IEM -> IEC711 -> Apple USB-C Dongle --> Room EQ Wizard (REW) --> Corrections (including sub bass corrections for the ADC, which most do not do.)

I'll share my conversion filter once I am finished with the project. It could be helpful for you all for comparisons and testing the many results on found on the web with EQ. I myself am interested in the GRAS 45CA-10 pinna gain.

And, yes, what I am trying to say is that you can get "Harman" quality results for around $110 in equipment.

 

[AudioSceptic]

Not professionally, but the Xero 2 iems, which follow the Harman curve quite closely and with very low distortion, have the body/power and perceived 'weight' in timbres that I fondly remember from the better larger speakers I used to sell and own. Take that sub 100Hz out, and it becomes shallow and 'HiFi' for want of a better description, at least to me. I know I'm talking subjectively which may not fit well with some of you here or elsewhere, but the Harman curve suits me well and the low bass if done right, just makes for a more realistic experience in my book.

Exactly which Xero 2 (Zero 2?) are those? I see several with similar names on Amazon and ebay.

 

[AdamG]

Exactly which Xero 2 (Zero 2?) are those? I see several with similar names on Amazon and ebay.

Maybe theses ? (I like these a lot. Great bass and sub bass)

Linsoul 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 in Ear Monitor, Updated 10mm Dynamic Driver IEM​

Amazon.com

 

[AudioSceptic]

Maybe theses ? (I like these a lot. Great bass and sub bass)

Linsoul 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 in Ear Monitor, Updated 10mm Dynamic Driver IEM​

Amazon.com

Thanks. I've always thought that they look quite chunky, enough to make me wonder if many have the problems with them described by JeffGB above.

 

[AdamG]

Thanks. I've always thought that they look quite chunky, enough to make me wonder if many have the problems with them described by JeffGB above.

Off topic. But I have smallish ears and they fit fine. They are actually smaller than they look and they have a smaller ear aperture and fit better. They are light and I can sleep with them in without the pillow pressure I get from others. Maybe you could say they have a low profile when inserted.

 

[ROOSKIE]

Well I ordered 3 sets today.
JBL did not charge me sales tax for some reason and my credit card had some JBL bonus 10% back offer.
Along with another discount I had, all said they were $24.xx total for 3 sets. Yay.
These I will keep in the car and some other extra spots.
Thanks!