JBL Synchros S400bt Review | 93 Data compared

The JBL Synchros S400BT (also referred to as the S400+ BT) are a highly capable pair of wireless on-ear Bluetooth stereo headphones reviewed by Chris Rose on CRDesigns. Available in multiple colors like Black, Black & Gray, and White, these comfortable headphones deliver exceptional sound quality characterized by powerful low-end bass and sharp high-end vocals. Despite having an on-ear design that does not fully cup the ears, they do a remarkable job of canceling out background noise, allowing users to listen to music clearly even when near loud external audio sources. The reviewer notes that they stack up impressively against popular competitors like Beats by Dre. The review explicitly outlines several key advantages and drawbacks of the headset: Pros: JBL Professional Audio Sound: Features PureBass Performance and aptX encoding for a high-quality audio experience. Advanced Connectivity: Includes Bluetooth 3.0 and simplified NFC pairing technology. User Interface: Offers intuitive touch controls accompanied by a unique LED lighting trail. Hardware Features: Built-in microphone, a 3.5mm auxiliary cable for wired use, and up to 15 hours of continuous music playback time. Included Accessories:...

The PCMag UK review of the JBL Synchros S400BT wireless headphones awards the device a 4.0 "Excellent" rating, characterizing it as a bass lover's dream come true. Retailing at $229.95, these on-ear Bluetooth headphones are built with a stainless steel headband, numbered click-stops, and plush padding, ensuring an exceptionally comfortable fit even during long listening sessions. Performance-wise, the audio profile features a highly sculpted sound signature that delivers a massive, club-like sub-bass response alongside boosted highs to prevent cloudiness. The headphones also include NFC pairing, an estimated 15-hour battery life for music playback, and a detachable cable for wired listening. The primary pros highlighted in the review are the powerful, distortion-free audio performance with immense bass, the outstanding wearing comfort, and the convenience of a detachable backup cable. Conversely, the cons focus heavily on the highly sculpted sound profile, which will likely horrify audio purists seeking flat or natural frequency responses. Additionally, a major drawback is the finicky, left-ear touch-sensitive control panel; its extreme sensitivity makes it incredibly easy to accidentally pause tracks or mistakenly call the last person on...

The JBL Synchros S400BT is a high-end pair of Bluetooth 3.0 headphones priced at $229.95, designed with a durable stainless steel headband, matte sidings, and a compact, collapsible frame perfect for travel. Its standout features include an NFC chip for effortless pairing, a futuristic LED light trail that animates during use, and touch-sensitive gestures on the left ear cup to easily control tracks and volume. In terms of performance, the 40mm drivers produce an abundance of strong, rumbling bass that remains distortion-free at high volumes. The internal battery performs reliably, delivering roughly 14 hours of mixed usage out of its advertised 15-hour playback rating. Despite its premium features, the review highlights several notable drawbacks, particularly its frustrating proprietary charging system that forces the 3.5mm headphone jack to double as the charging port. Audio performance is heavily skewed toward the low-end, leaving high-range tones feeling noticeably subdued. Additionally, the physical power and Bluetooth buttons are flush and difficult to distinguish by feel, the headband could benefit from thicker comfort padding, and the indoor Bluetooth range is unexpectedly weak at just 20...

The JBL Synchros S400BT is a highly portable, on-ear wireless headphone model that offers a premium build and a comfortable fit thanks to its soft earcup padding and a 14-step extendable stainless steel headband. The design allows the earcups to rotate and fold down to the size of a hand, making them ideal for travel. A standout feature is the intuitive, touch-sensitive left earcup, which lets users swipe to control volume, skip tracks, and manage phone calls, accompanied by a responsive LED light circle. Bluetooth 3.0 with aptX encoding ensures high-quality, CD-level wireless audio with a stable connection up to 25 feet, while NFC technology on the right earcup simplifies the pairing process. In terms of performance, the headphones deliver superb audio quality with excellent space, airiness, and stereo imaging, though they lean slightly heavy on the bass and benefit from manual equalizer adjustments. The built-in battery provides a strong performance, boasting up to 15 hours of music playback or 20 hours of talk time. Notable pros include the robust construction, Bluetooth aptX integration, long battery life, and comfortable long-term...

The JBL Synchros S400BT wireless headphones offer a sturdy build with a significant amount of heft, featuring earcups that hinge and rotate 180 degrees for easier storage. Performance-wise, they deliver a highly energetic, bombastic, and powerful sound with a heavy emphasis on bass that will easily satisfy "bassheads". Additionally, they include useful modern tech features like an NFC chip on the right earcup for rapid smartphone pairing, an integrated microphone, and a 15-hour battery life backed up by a 2.5mm wired headphone cable option. However, the headphones suffer from several design flaws, including a loose fit that causes them to wobble and slip off easily, and earpads that warm up the ears after only a few songs. The large touch-sensitive control panel on the left earcup is highly unintuitive, often failing to respond accurately to track-skipping or volume adjustments. Sonically, the headphones lack refinement and detail; the overbearing and untamed bass frequently overpowers subtler tracks, drowning out delicate vocals, strings, and percussion.

The JBL Synchros S400BT wireless on-ear headphones feature a durable, premium design that blends matte-coated plastic, stainless steel, and a comfortable leather-cushioned headband. Equipped with 40mm drivers, they deliver full, high-quality audio across various music genres, complemented by an impressive battery life that consistently exceeds the advertised 15 hours. The left earcup integrates brainy touch gesture controls for playback and volume adjustments, alongside a dual-purpose 2.5mm jack for charging or wired listening when the battery dies. The right earcup rounds out the feature set with convenient NFC tap-to-connect functionality. Despite these magnificent design and sound qualities, the headphones suffer from severe Bluetooth connectivity issues. The signal is highly spotty, requiring an absolute line-of-sight with the source device; simple actions like turning your head or moving the phone out of a breast pocket can completely cut off the audio. Additionally, the touch gestures feel somewhat uninspired and tacked-on considering the steep $229 price tag. Because of these fundamental wireless shortcomings, the reviewer concludes that the package fails to justify its premium cost, especially when cheaper alternatives—like JBL’s own $99 wireless E40BT—offer...

The PCMag review of the $229.95 JBL Synchros S400BT highlights powerful, distortion-free audio performance for bass lovers, featuring a heavily sculpted sound signature with boosted highs and intense lows. The headphones are described as exceptionally comfortable due to ample cushioning and a stainless steel headband, with the added benefit of a detachable cable for wired use. Conversely, the review notes the highly sculpted, non-flat audio profile makes them unsuitable for audio purists. A significant design drawback identified is the, finicky, touch-sensitive left earcup, which is prone to accidental, unwanted controls during handling.