Under Armour Sport Flex Wireless by JBL Review

Updated on September 21, 2018, to take into account price changes.

Exercising is hard enough, but choosing a pair of headphones should not be. The association of Under Armor with JBL tries to facilitate the decision-making process. The Under Armor Sport Flex Wireless by JBL headphones are lightweight, comfortable and resistant to sweat. JBL and Under Armor even throw us a motivation bone with a free one-year Map My Run membership.

Does this mean that we should all reach the Flex when we flex?

What's inside

The striking red box is easy to read and understand. Inside, Under Armor and JBL keep things simple. Embraced by condensed foam, the Flex headphones are proudly displayed. Directly below pièce de résistance there are alternative hearing aids (S / L and hook enhancers without lugs), a micro-USB cable and a free 12 month membership for Map My Run.

How is JBL's Under Armor Sport Flex Wireless built?

Surrounded by a magnetic housing – that allows you to attach the headphones, preventing loss – The JBL 8.6 mm dynamic controllers do an excellent job of making ridiculous sub-bass. Plastic and silicone are the construction of the Flex headphones. The flexible zones are folded in and out to suit the needs of the user. Why would someone contort the neck band so obtusely that it looks like an ohm sign (Ω) is beyond me. But, the option remains.

When running, the neckband bounces around like a child after his third scoop of ice cream.

Although its dubious durability produces a gentle first impression, the cables have remained well. They have floated from the depths of my backpack and endured sharing a confined space in their pockets with several keys. The silicone ear cups are sturdy and feel more comfortable than our best training headphones, the Jaybird X3.

While the style of the neck band can be daunting for some, Under Armor and JBL did an excellent job of designing the headphones. Its slight form factor is discrete. Underlining the JBL logo is the RunSafe LED. The light is alternated through the multifunction button. Coincidentally, this also controls virtual assistants and allows users to answer and end calls.

When he runs, the neckband bounces around like a child after his third scoop of ice cream. Rebounding is a nuisance and subsequent vibrations degrade sound quality. But this can be overlooked, since you will use them to exercise.

Connectivity

The Flex works with Bluetooth 4.1 and the response of the command is agile. Operating Google Now and skipping tracks is instant. In addition, the initial pairing is fast. From then on, the Flex can easily reconnect.

Videos have a delay of two seconds, suggesting an SBC codec. Since these are training oriented, the delay can be forgiven. But fans of the soap opera will see the final phrase before listening to it with the JBL headphones and Under Armor Sport Wireless Flex, something to keep in mind.

Battery

Speed ​​Charge requires five minutes of charging for one hour of playback. An invaluable feature. The total duration is listed at 12 o'clock, which requires two hours of charging via micro-USB; no USB C, unfortunately.

It would have been good for JBL to include a way to manually check the battery. The only indicator of the users is the LED dot on the right side of the neck band. It flashes red, instead of blue, when the battery is low.

Sound quality

The general sound can be illustrated by imagining the ripped guy who always skips the day of the leg. Or, if you prefer, visualize the journalistic writing method, the inverted pyramid. The basses are ridiculously emphasized. The means are decent. And the tall ones, well, the tall ones are neglected.

Lows

Arcade Fire, "Everything Now" remixed by Bomba Estéreo, receives the Flex VIP subwoofer treatment. The listeners will feel that subwoofers were implanted in their skulls. It is worth noting that the power detracts from the details. The basses can be striking, but listen carefully. They lack dimension. It sounds like bass and sub-bass are fighting for the spotlight, instead of working in tandem.

Still, for exercise, minimums like these are more than enough to keep athletes motivated. Personally, it is exactly what I want when I push through strenuous plyometric exercises, weightlifting or calisthenics. (Note: These are difficult to hear casually, as they are fatiguing and – for better or worse – dizzy)

Listeners will feel subwoofers implanted in their skulls.

Mids

The media experiences an increase in volume but lack all attention to vocal nuances. "Kiss With A Fist" played by Florence + The Machine, runs great. The voice of Florence Welch and the guitar riffs of Tim McCall collide violently. Since the Flexes can not approach the mid-frequencies with finesse, the parts of Welch and McCall cut each other with brute force.

Highs

The Cranberries & # 39; Linger "lacks sharpness in the highs, they are present but are overwhelmed by more noticeable low frequencies, the highs usually awaken the listener and wake his ears, the low sounds, the high notes sound empty." During the introduction, it is clear that the Irish band wanted the treble to emit lightning, but even then, the JBL does not reach the mark.

Conclusion

Actually, these are a pair of headphones appropriate training for almost everyone, including runners, if you can pass the neckband that bounces, however, if not, it is recommended that you stay with Bose SoundSport Wireless. He goes for the neck Flex, however, plays very well with a helmet. In addition, these headphones are incredibly heavy for the bass, which is liked by athletes of all kinds.

For the next trainings, I will look for the Sport Wireless Flex headphones. His bass is as strong as I aspire to be and has a flexible and durable body to match.