A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize gaming, calls, and music quality with superior microphone performance, and don't mind the lack of wireless convenience and a higher price, the EPOS PC38X would be your choice. These headphones excel in sound, comfort, and have a boom mic for clear communication but they aren't suitable for exercise, have no noise isolation and aren't portable. On the other hand, if you're looking for more affordable, portable, and exercise-friendly earbuds with decent sound and good app control customization, then JBL Tune Buds could be a better fit. These are sweatproof and dustproof with active noise cancelling but have lower sound and mic quality, especially for gaming and calls. 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 Tune Buds
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.5
6.2
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Gaming
10.0
5.4
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Phone Calls
10.0
4.9
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
5.8
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
TV and Video
9.0
6.1
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.7
The JBL Tune Buds is only fair for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Battery
N/A
10.4 Hours
The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery. The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$139
$60
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the JBL Tune Buds costs $60.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The EPOS PC38X and JBL Tune Buds both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the EPOS PC38X and the JBL Tune Buds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | JBL Tune Buds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10.4 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 10.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
See more
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 Tune Buds
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the EPOS PC38X or the JBL Tune Buds
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,900
Recommendations made
18,435
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
