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What we think
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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for high-quality sound for music, calls, and gaming, especially if you play competitively, the EPOS PC38X would be the better choice despite its higher cost. It offers a best-in-class microphone perfect for clear communication and exceptional overall sound quality. However, it is wired, less portable, and not suitable for exercise or air travel, as it has poor noise isolation and no active noise cancelling. On the other hand, the JBL 510BT is budget-friendly, wireless, and more portable, with a foldable design and features like sweatproof certification, making it suitable for casual use and light activity. It, however, provides fair sound quality and is not ideal for immersive gaming or critical listening. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL 510BT
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.5
6.2
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the JBL 510BT is only fair.
Gaming
10.0
5.4
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Phone Calls
10.0
5.1
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
5.6
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
TV and Video
9.0
5.5
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The JBL 510BT and EPOS PC38X are both poor for noise reduction, though the JBL 510BT is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
38.0 Hours
The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery. The JBL 510BT has 38 hours of battery life.
Cost
$139
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the JBL 510BT costs $30.
Build Quality
8.5
6.5
The EPOS PC38X has very good build quality, while the JBL 510BT has only fair build quality.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the JBL 510BT compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | JBL 510BT |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | February 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 5.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 38 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 158.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
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Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
JBL 510BT
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Sam Smart | September 2023
"The JBL Tune 510BT is affordable and compact, making it a great companion for a commute, so long as you don't need active noise canceling. If you wear glasses or have ear piercings, the on-ear design might not be comfortable, since the ear cups will squish your ears."
Get a great deal on the EPOS PC38X or the JBL 510BT
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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