The JBL Reflect Mini 2 In-Ear headphones are almost identical to the Reflect Contour 2 headphones I recently reviewed. They are sweat-proof and made for an active lifestyle. The main difference between the two is that the Mini 2 has an in the ear design, whereas the Contour 2 is an over the ear design. Some may be wondering if that is the only difference then why bother writing another review for the Mini 2? Turns out the Mini 2 I reviewed is not really all that identical to the Contour 2. Read on for the full review of the JBL Reflect Mini 2 In-Ear Headphones to find what the differences are.
Specifications
The JBL Reflect Mini 2 In-Ear headphones have the following features and specifications:
- Driver: 5.8mm dynamic driver
- Frequency response: 10Hz – 22kHz
- Impedance: 14 Ohm
- Connection: Micro USB for charging
- Bluetooth: 4.2
- Battery: Rechargeable lithium ion
- Playback time: 10 hour
- Weight: 15g
What’s In The Box
- Mini 2 In-Ear headphones
- 3 size ear tips (S, M, L)
- 3 size enhancers (S, M, L)
- Charging cable
- Sport carrying pouch
- Documentation
Design
The JBL Reflect Mini 2 headphones look almost exactly like the Contour 2 except for the fact that the Mini 2 is in-ear while the Contour is an over the ear design. I usually find that over the ear designs work better for an active lifestyle because they tend to stay in place better than in-ear designs. Not so with the Mini 2, it stayed in place just as well as the Contour did. I was able to move about quite a bit without having the Mini 2 coming loose in my ear. It did move a bit, but nothing that a quick re-adjustment wouldn’t take care of.
The single reflective cord on the JBL Reflect Mini 2 sits around the back of your neck, making workouts even more comfortable by keeping the cord out of the way. The reflectivity of the cord helps to keep you visible if you happen to be out running after dark.
Like the Contour 2, the Mini 2 have interchangeable Freebit enhancers and ear tips. The enhancers are made of the same material as the ear tips and cover the body of the earbuds and have a tiny ear hook that sits against the ear to hold it in place. They come in S, M, and L and do a great job of making the Mini 2 headphones feel like they have been custom fit for your ear. I found that the large size worked best for me, it provided for a snug, comfortable fit that stayed in place.
The JBL Reflect Mini 2 are also sweat-proof (IPX5). I repeated the same test that I did for the Contour 2, mowing the grass on a hot, humid day, and the Mini 2 passed the test without a problem.
Ease Of Use
Setting up the JBL Reflect Mini 2 headphones was simple. Turn them on, and the headphones go into pairing mode automatically. Find them on your devices Bluetooth list and pair them. The in-line control was also easy to use. The middle button is the power/call answer/hang-up button. The volume up button also serves as the next track button by holding it down for three seconds. The volume down button is also the prev track button, again by holding it down for three seconds.
Sound
Now we come to the area where I noticed the most significant difference between the JBL Reflect Mini 2 headphones and the Contour 2, the sound. Highs and mids were about the same on the Mini 2 as they were on the Contour 2, they were well balanced and sounded very well. The bass, on the other hand, was more pronounced on the Mini 2. It wasn’t annoying and over loud, but the bass sure did make its presence known. To make sure that you get the optimal sound from the Mini 2, take the time to find the right fitting ear tips and Freebit enhancers. This makes a world of difference as a bad fit will diminish the sound of even the best headphones.
Reception/Call Quality
I was able to move approximately 50 feet away from the JBL Reflect Mini 2 in-ear headphones before I started losing signal both indoors and outdoors. This is more than enough range for typical use or Bluetooth headphones. Calls were sounded clear on both ends of the line, but there was still a bit of echo. While the echo was annoying, it wasn’t so bad that it prevented the Mini 2 headphones from being used for calls.
Battery Life
The JBL Reflect Mini 2 headphones have a claimed battery life of 10 hours. I tested them with the volume set at 50% and the source never further than 5 feet away and was able to get 10 hours and 18 minutes of play time before they needed recharging. Your results may vary depending on usage.
Price/Value
The JBL Reflect Mini 2 are priced at $99.95USD. For this price, you get great sound, and most importantly, sweat/workout proof headphones. Even with those benefits in mind, there may be some who feel the price is a bit high for headphones.
Wrap Up
The JBL Reflect Mini 2 in-ear headphones are a tiny set of headphones that you can use while working out. They are sweat-proof, stay in place, have great battery life, and the sound is well rounded. If you are looking for a set of sport headphones that can stand up to an intense exercise session, make sure you check out the JBL Reflect Mini 2 in-ear headphones.
