Headphones — JBL VIBE FLEX PERSONALIZED

The Vibe Flex Personalized is the Vibe Flex true wireless earphone from JBL, a HARMAN International brand, sold through the personalization programme on the JBL web store, where buyers can order a custom-decorated unit. JBL's personalization tool lets owners add stickers, photos or text to a product, and the Personalized listing uses the same hardware and white SKU (JBLVFLEXWHTAM) as the standard Vibe Flex, which has a list price of USD 69.95.

Key specs that matter

A 12 mm dynamic driver sits in each earpiece. The quoted range is 20 Hz to 20 kHz, impedance is 16 ohm, sensitivity is 105 dB SPL at 1 kHz and the maximum output is 95 dB SPL. Music playback reaches 8 hours per charge, talk time up to 4.5 hours, and the case supplies a further 24 hours, giving 32 hours overall. A 10-minute top-up gives about 2 hours of listening, and an empty set refills in less than 2 hours. Each bud weighs 3.8 g, or 7.6 g for both, and measures 18.46 x 18.57 x 33.48 mm. The case is 25.85 x 49.37 x 54.84 mm and weighs 35.1 g.

Engineering and use context

The Flex uses a stick-open shape - the housing rests in the outer ear without plugging the canal, so no ear tips are supplied. The buds hold 40 mAh lithium-ion polymer cells at 3.85 V, while a 500 mAh cell at 3.8 V lives in the case, charged over USB Type-C from 5 V at 1 A. Bluetooth 5.2 carries A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6 and HFP 1.7, with transmitter power under 13 dBm across 2.4 to 2.4835 GHz and GFSK, pi/4 DQPSK and 8DPSK modulation. Call microphones have a sensitivity of -38 dBV/Pa at 1 kHz. Two Smart Ambient settings are available - TalkThru drops the music for conversation, and Ambient Aware mixes surrounding sound into playback. With VoiceAware the wearer decides how loudly their own voice is heard in the earpieces during calls. Protection is IP54 for the buds against dust and water spray and IPX2 for the case, and the working temperature limit is 45 degrees C. Playback and calls are operated by touch controls on the earpieces.

Pairing

The earphones contain their own amplifier and converter, so the only source needed is a phone, tablet or computer with Bluetooth and the A2DP profile. Sound settings are adjusted in the JBL Headphones app, which also toggles the ambient modes. The package holds the earbuds, the charging case, a USB Type-C cable and the safety and warranty leaflets.

Alternatives

For listeners who prefer an in-canal fit, JBL makes the sealed Vibe Buds with 8 mm drivers.