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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for headphones with excellent overall sound quality, a very good soundstage, and best-in-class microphone quality, the EPOS PC38X would be a strong choice, especially for gaming, calls, and meetings, as they excel in those areas. However, they are not wireless, have poor noise isolation, and aren't suitable for exercise or travel due to their size and open-back design. On the other hand, JBL Tune Flex earbuds are much less expensive, offer very good sound quality, and are portable with features like sweatproof certification and active noise cancelling, making them versatile for casual listening, exercise, and travel. They also have a "Low Latency Mode," which is beneficial for watching videos or gaming. The choice between the two depends on whether your priority is critical listening and communication or portability and versatility in various environments. 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
Advantages of the JBL Tune Flex
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
9.5
7.3
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Gaming
10.0
8.5
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the JBL Tune Flex is very good.
Phone Calls
10.0
6.3
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the JBL Tune Flex is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
9.0
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the EPOS PC38X is good.
TV and Video
9.0
7.8
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.5
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.5 Hours
The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery. The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$139
$60
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the JBL Tune Flex costs $60.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The EPOS PC38X and JBL Tune Flex both have very good build quality.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the JBL Tune Flex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | JBL Tune Flex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | September 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 5.1/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
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 Tune Flex
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Dig into reviews and images
MajorHiFi
Gabby Bloch | May 2023
"JBL is offering a similar design and arguably better resolution than the more expensive AirPods 3rd Generation. Add to that a comfortable and versatile fit, an equalizer and pretty decent ANC, and you’ve got a quality wireless earphone. I would have loved longer battery life and more crystal calls, but for the price, you can’t complain. A solid deal overall."
Get a great deal on the EPOS PC38X or the JBL Tune Flex
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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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