This is a review, listening tests, detailed measurements and EQ of JBL Endurance Run 2 Wired "sports" waterproof IEM. It is on kind loan from a member and is on sale for $9.95 on Amazon including Prime shipping (retail: $19.95).
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As you see, there are magnets at the end of each formed earphone to lower the amount of tangling. I found them comfortable to wear. There are over 15,000 reviews on Amazon (4.5 stars) which means many people feel the same way. Let's see if they are right performance wise.
JBL Endurance Run 2 IEM Measurements
After a few minutes of adjusting, the two channels locked in together with excellent seal, generating the following frequency response:
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The general shape is similar to our target. Seeing how our target is approximate, could it be that this curve is fine too? Listening tests will have to answer this question. Until then, here is the deviation from our target:
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Deviations are ±3 dB which should be audible.
Distortion is low enough at 94 dBSPL but I am not happy with the rise at higher SPLs:
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Impedance is low.
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Notice the slight variation in the same area that we had distortion.
Combined with average sensitivity, driving the Run 2 should not be hard:
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Group delay is uneventful as is the case with most IEMs:
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JBL Endurance Run 2 Wired IEM Listening Tests
After putting the largest tips on to get proper seal, the instant impression was "this is warm" but followed almost immediately with impression of "wooly" sound. Not much mind you, but it was clear that there was a bit too much of good thing in bass department, even for this bass lover. So out came the EQ tool:
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Let me say that on a couple of clips, I preferred the No-EQ sound due to nature of the bass in those clips. But otherwise, the equalization tightened the bass, increased spatial qualities (due to low treble boost) and interestingly enough, slightly less harsh sound. My only guess for the latter is reduction of harmonic distortion. Note that these are mild enough that you could easily live without them for less important content.
Without EQ, my sub-bass tracks felt like someone had put a pump in each ear and was pushing air inside of my skull! The sensation was quite uncanny. With EQ, that got reduced a bit but impressive bass was still there. Detail, again with EQ, was excellent and overall enjoyment at top level.
Conclusions
When I was at Microsoft, we would have routine reviews in front of Bill Gates. One of the common events was that he would yell at us for not using this and that technology from Microsoft Research who had done a recent demo of something for him. Just because Harman has researched listening preference doesn't guarantee that product groups attempt to productize. In the case of Run 2 IEM, we have an example of divisional alignment resulting in an ultra-low cost IEM which makes a good attempt at complying with Harman research target. They are 90% there, opting for more bass to likely compete with others who go overboard there. Fortunately it is a slight exaggeration that you can correct with a bit of EQ. Once there, you have an excellent IEM for the cost of a single sandwich at a fast food restaurant! What's more, the thing is waterproof to boot!
I am going to recommend the JBL Endurance Run 2 Wired IEM. Fine tune it a bit more and it would get my highest praise.
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