The JBL Endurance Sprint are good sports headphones, decent enough for most use cases. They have a unique and sporty design that feels decently well-built and compact enough to carry around on your person. They also have a stable in-ear fit that blocks a lot of noise, making them suitable for running and working out as well as commute and travel. Unfortunately, they aren't the most comfortable headphones for long listening sessions, and their control scheme isn't as precise. They're also slightly lacking in active features, but on the upside, they sound balanced enough for most genres.
Our Verdict
Decent for mixed usage. The JBL Endurance Sprint have a cool sporty design that works well for most use cases. They are compact enough to carry around on your person despite their slightly larger than average earbuds. They're also stable enough for the gym and provide enough passive isolation to be suitable for most environments and for commute and travel. Unfortunately, they do not have the best controls and they aren't the most comfortable headphones to wear for really long listening sessions.
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Good noise isolation.
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Low leakage.
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Above-average sound quality.
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Slightly bulky and uncomfortable fit.
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Mediocre touch sensitive control scheme.
Decent for neutral listening. They have a well-balanced sound that delivers a good bass, treble and a fairly neutral but slightly underemphasized mid-range. This gives them a balanced sound overall but they tend to slightly push instruments and vocals to the back of the mix, due to their slightly recessed mid-range. They also have a big spike in their treble which won't be audible to most since it's at very high-frequencies but for some, they may sound a bit piercing. Unfortunately, like most in-ears, they do not have a wide and open soundstage so they won't be the ideal choice for more neutral listeners. They also do not get very loud, which may be a deal breaker for some.
Above-average for commuting. They're compact, easy to carry around and block a lot of noise passively. Also, they barely leak so you can play your music a little louder if you need to block even more noise. Unfortunately, they aren't the most comfortable wireless in-ears we've tested so they may not be ideal to wear for really long continuous listening sessions on long trips.
Good for sports. The Endurance Sprint have a stable ear-hook design that will prevent the headphones from falling off your ears no matter the physical activity. They also have good battery life and provide all the essential functions with their touch-sensitive control scheme. Unfortunately, their control scheme is not as precise and they do not come with foam tips for better comfort.
Average for office use. They block a lot of noise and barely leak. They will be suitable for most office environments and you can play your music at higher volumes without distracting your colleagues. Unfortunately, they won't be the most comfortable headphones to wear for really long listening sessions.
Below-average for gaming. They have a mediocre-at-best microphone, and too much latency to be suitable for gaming. They also have no companion app so they won't be as customizable as most gaming headsets and their Bluetooth connection is not compatible with consoles.
- 7.1 Mixed Usage
- 7.1 Neutral Sound
- 7.6 Commute/Travel
- 7.7 Sports/Fitness
- 6.9 Office
- 5.3 Wireless Gaming
- 5.1 Wired Gaming
- 6.6 Phone Calls
- Updated Feb 14, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Sep 06, 2018: Review published.
- Updated Sep 04, 2018: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
- Updated Sep 04, 2018: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Sep 02, 2018: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
Compared To Other Headphones
The JBL Endurance Sprint are decent mixed-usage in-ears but better sports headphones. They have a lightweight and well built wireless design that stands out a bit more than other sports-oriented wireless in-ears, thanks to the slightly larger earbuds and thick ear-hooks. They also have a rubberized coating that gives them a stylish and decently high-end look and feel, but the audio cable is somewhat thin and flimsy. They also have a slightly uncomfortable in-ear fit that won't be for everyone, and that's not as stable as some of the in-ears and earbuds compared below. On the upside, they have decently balanced sound for most genres and provide good enough noise isolation to be a suitable option for most environments and uses.
See our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds under $50 and the best budget wireless headphones.
The JBL Endurance Sprint are a slightly better headset overall than the Bose SoundSport Wireless. The Bose have a more comfortable semi-open earbud fit that most will prefer over that of the Endurance Sprint. They also support NFC pairing with mobile phones, have a better-balanced sound and a slightly more precise control scheme than the Sprint although it is a bit difficult to use due to the heavy rubber coating. On the upside, the JBL have a slightly longer battery life on average. They also have a more isolating in-ear fit which makes them a bit more suitable for noisy environments and commuting although they will not be as comfortable as the Bose.
The Jaybird Freedom 2 are a slightly better wireless in-ear than the JBL Endurance Sprint. The Jaybirds have a smaller form factor that will more easily fit into pockets, which makes them a bit easier to carry around on your person. They also have a more comfortable semi earbud fit that most will prefer over that of the Endurance Sprint and they have a customizable sound that you can easily EQ with the Jaybird MySound app. The JBL, on the other hand, have a slightly more rugged look and feel and deliver better noise isolation and lower leakage thanks to their in-ear fit. They also have a slightly more stable ear hook design for sports, but the earbuds do not stay in your ears as well as the Jaybird.
The Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless are slightly better headphones overall when compared to the JBL Endurance Sprint. The Anker offer better value for your money with a decently well-balanced sound and a better, more comfortable in-ear fit than the JBL. The Anker also have a longer battery life and a slightly more stable fit, since the in-ear seal of the earbuds is not affected as much as the JBL's when the headphones move around. The Anker also have a better, more precise control scheme than that of the JBL. However, the JBL have a better design, a more high-end look and feel, and block more noise for busy commutes. The JBL also have a few unique features like the magnetic ear hooks, which some may prefer over that of the Anker. They also have a slightly better-balanced sound than the Anker, although they do not get as loud.
The JBL Endurance Sprint are slightly better headphones overall than the JBL E25BT. The Sprint have a better build quality and a more sports-oriented design with IPX7 water resistance. They also have a better-balanced sound and a more stable ear-hook design that will prevent the headphones from falling off your ears when running or doing more intense physical activities. The JBL E25BT, on the other hand, are more portable and have a better control scheme. They also deliver a slightly longer battery life on average although they do not have an auto-off feature so they won't last as long the Endurance Sprint.
The JBL Endurance Sprint are a much more versatile sports headphone than the Sony WI-SP500. The JBL have a better isolating fit that will block more ambient noise in loud environments. They have stable ear hooks and a better, more durable, and water-resistant design than the SP500. The JBL also last longer on a single charge and sound much better, although they may not get very loud. On the other hand, the Sonys are bit more comfortable than the JBL. They also have NFC pairing which makes them easy to connect to mobile devices.
The JBL Endurance Sprint are better headphones than the TIN Audio T2. They have better sound quality and they are wireless, meaning they offer more freedom to move around and are best suited for sports. However, they have a touch-sensitive control scheme, which is nice at this price range, but it is very hard to use and registered unwanted commands often. They will also have latency which the T2 don’t have. On the other hand, the T2 are better-built headphones and feel more durable, thanks to their metal buds and detachable cable.
The AUKEY Latitude Wireless are slightly better mixed-usage headphones than the sports-oriented JBL Endurance Sprint Wireless. The AUKEY have better latency and isolate more noise, which can be useful in commutes. On the other hand, the JBL have a sportier look, and some might prefer the ear-hook design. The JBL also have a touch-sensitive control scheme, which is a nice addition at this price range, but it is fairly difficult to get used to. They do have better default quality but don’t have any EQ preset modes like the AUKEY.
The JBL Endurance Sprint Wireless are more versatile headphones than the AKG N200 Wireless. The JBL have better isolation performance, which is useful in your daily commute or at the office. Their ear-hook design is great for sports, and you also have a touch-sensitive control scheme, though it seems to be overly sensitive. The JBL also have a better battery life. However, the AKG have physical buttons that offer better feedback and are easier-to-use. The AKG also feel better-built, even if they don’t have an IP rating like the JBL, and they feel more comfortable for most since they don’t enter your ear canal as deeply. The AKG wireless range is significantly better and have less latency.
The JBL Endurance Sprint might offer better value for your money than the V-MODA BassFit Wireless. The JBLs have a similar audio reproduction that of the BassFit, but their fit isolates out more ambient noise, making them more versatile for everyday casual use. Also, they have a touch-sensitive control scheme, which is nice at an affordable price. However, it seems to be finicky and very sensitive, resulting in unwanted registered commands. On the upside, they have an official IPX7 rating and are waterproof. On the other hand, the physical buttons of the BassFit are easier to use during sports and they have a more high-end look. They also have a more stable fit thanks to the ear-hook design with stability fins.
The JBL Endurance Sprint Wireless and the JBL Endurance Dive are almost identical headphones in design. Their in-ear fit is the same, and the only real difference between these models is that the Dive have a shorter and thicker cable, which is better suited for swimmers. Performance-wise, they are very similar, but the Sprint have a small edge over the Dive. Their sound profile is more accurate, and we measured about two additional hours of continuous playback time on the Sprint. On the other hand, the control scheme of the Dive feels a bit more responsive, and they have helpful onboard storage since Bluetooth protocol won’t work in the water. They also have a better wireless range.
The JBL Endurance Sprint Wireless are better headphones than the Jabra Elite Active 45e. Their closed-back design is more versatile as they isolate more ambient noise, and their sound signature is accurate and well-balanced. They also offer better battery life than the Jabra. On the other hand, the physical control scheme of the Jabras is better than the very sensitive touch area of the JBLs. You also get an app that offers a few customization options and can connect them to two devices. They also feel a bit more secure inside the ears. The Jabra will be a better option if you want headphones to run outside with while being aware of your surroundings.
Video
Test Results
The JBL Endurance Sprint have a unique and sporty look that will work for some. They look decently well-built thanks to their dense, and heavily rubberized earbuds. The buds and the ear hooks are bit larger than most wireless in-ears with a similar design and have a magnetic base which allows the hooks to lock into place so you can easily clip them to your backpack, keychain, or wallet. Overall, the Sprint look and feel like decently well-made sports headphones, and they stand out a bit more than other sports-oriented designs thanks to the larger earbuds and cool rubber coating. However, this may also be a deal breaker for users that want a more understated design for working out.
The JBL Endurance Sprint are somewhat comfortable headphones but take a lot of adjusting to find the right fit. They have a typical in-ear design but with larger than average ear hooks. The hooks are fairly malleable and fit well behind your ears, but the earbuds have a twist-to-lock wear procedure that can be a bit finicky and doesn't always create the best fit in the ears. They also do not come with as many tip sizes so they will feel like regular in-ears once you get the right fit which won't be ideal for all listeners. Like the Plantronics BackBeat Fit, they should be comfortable enough for sports and casual listening, but they won't be the ideal headphones for really long listening sessions.
These headphones come with a touch-sensitive control scheme that provides all the essential functions. However, it can be a bit difficult to use accurately, unlike the physical controls provided by the AKG N200 or V-MODA BassFit Wireless. The controls' layout is straightforward; swipe up and down on the right earbud for volume pressing, the JBL logo manages calls, pauses or plays your music and tapping 2 or 3 times skips and rewinds tracks. Unfortunately, the relatively small touch surface doesn't always track your swipes accurately. Swiping for volume would often rewind or skip tracks accidentally which can get quite frustrating when you're working out. The touch surface is also very sensitive so you may accidentally pause your music when adjusting the fit or have the headphones playing audio when you just dangle them around your neck which is a real pain when listening to audiobooks and podcasts. On the upside, the audio feedback when increasing volume or skipping tracks is decent.
The JBL Endurance Sprint are very breathable headphones. Like the Beats Powerbeats3 Wireless and most in-ears, they do not cover the outer ear, which remains relatively cool when exercising and working out. They do cover a bit more surface area than typical in-ears due to their ear-hook design but it's a negligible difference and won't make you sweat like on-ears or over-ears do.
The Endurance Sprint are easy to carry around on your person. They're decently compact and despite the slightly larger than average ear hooks and earbuds they should still easily fit into most pockets and bags. Unfortunately, they do not come with a good case or pouch which slightly reduces their overall portability.
The JBL Endurance Sprint do not come with a case which is slightly disappointing for sports headphones.
The JBL Endurance Sprint have an above-average build quality for a wireless in-ear. They have dense and rubberized earbuds with thick earhooks that feel decently sturdy. The earbuds especially look rugged and durable however the audio cable that links the two buds is fairly thin. It's not as rubberized as the rest of the design and not flat or braided like some of the more premium in-ears we've tested. They should be sturdy enough to last you a while and have IPX7 waterproofing. However, since we do not yet have a water and sweat resistance test, we cannot vouch for their durability and resistance against water damage. If you like the design of the Sprint but feel like the cable may not be durable enough for your use case, then you might want to consider the JBL Endurance Peak True Wireless instead, although they are quite a bit more expensive. You can also take a look at the Endurance Dive if you prefer a shorter and thicker cable.
These headphones have a stable ear-hook design that's good for sports. The ear hooks prevent them from falling off your ears even during the most strenuous of exercises. However, the earbuds do not always stay put and may slide out of your ears from time to time especially if you do get the right sized tip for your ears. The enhancer attachment that goes around the tip of the buds helps reduce this issue by adding more points of contact with your inner ear but if you do not get the twist-to-lock wearing procedure right they will pop out of ears somewhat often. On the upside they are still stable enough to be a good sports headphone for running and working out, you just have to get the right fit. If you don't like the ear-hook design and would prefer a design with stability fins, but would want something that performs like the Endurance Sprint, we suggest looking at the JBL Everest 110 instead.
- JBL Endurance Sprint Headphones
- Earbud tips (x3)
- Stability Enhancer
- USB charging cable
- Manual
The JBL Endurance Sprint have excellent frequency response consistency. Assuming the user is able to achieve a proper fit and an air-tight seal using the assortment of tips that come with the headphones, they should be able to get consistent bass and treble delivery every time they use the headphones. However, if the user fails to achieved a proper and air-tight seal, they could experience a drop in bass.
The bass is excellent. LFE (low-frequency response) is at 10Hz, indicating a deep and extended bass. Low-bass, responsible for the thump and rumble common to bass-heavy music and sound effect is hyped by about 2dB. Fans of heavy bass may like this. Mid-bass, responsible for the body of bass guitars and the punch of kick drums is within 0.3dB of our neutral target. High-bass, responsible for warmth, is underemphasized by about 2dB. Overall, the bass of the Endurance Sprint is deep, thumpy, without sounding boomy.
The mid-range performance is great. The response throughout the range is well-balanced and even, however, low-mid and mid-mid are underemphasized by about 3dB. This thins out the vocals and lead instruments a little bit and nudges them towards the back if the mix.
The JBL Endurance Sprint have a very good treble range performance. The response is quite even throughout the range and quite well-balanced. Low-treble is flat and within 0.9dB of our neutral target. Mid-treble is also flat, but overemphasized by about 2dB. Overall, their treble produces just the right amount of detail and brightness, but the sibilances (S and Ts) may sound a tad hyped on certain tracks.
The imaging of the Endurance Sprint is excellent. The weighted group delay is at 0.16, which is very good. The GD graph also shows that the group delay response never crosses the audibility threshold, suggesting a tight bass and a transparent treble reproduction. Additionally, the L/R drivers of our test unit were well-matched in amplitude, frequency, and phase response, which is important for the accurate placement and localization of objects (voices, instruments, video games effects) in the stereo image.
The soundstage is poor. Since creating a large and speaker-like soundstage is partially dependent on having a speaker-like pinna activation, and in-ear headphones bypass the pinna (the outer ear) and don't interact with it, their soundstage will be perceived to be small and located inside the listener's head. Their closed-back design also means that their soundstage won't feel and open as open-back earbuds like the Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless and the SoundSport Free.
The JBL Endurance Sprint have a good isolation performance. Although these headphones don't have active noise cancellation (ANC), their in-ear design provides a lot of isolation. This is similar to what we have seen with some other in-ears like the Jaybird X3 and Beats BeatsX. In the bass range, where the rumble of airplane and bus engines sits, they provide more than 13dB of isolation which is above-average and quite impressive for a passive isolation. In the mid-range, important for blocking out speech, they isolate by about 21dB, which is very good. In the treble range, occupied by sharp sounds like S and Ts, they achieve 37dB of isolation, which is also very good. If you prefer sports headphones that let you be aware of your surroundings, take a look at the Jabra Elite Active 45e.
The leakage performance of the Endurance Sprint is excellent. These headphones do not leak in the bass and mid ranges, resulting in a very thin sounding leakage. The significant portion of their leakage is concentrated over a very thin band around 5KHz. The overall level of the leakage is not very loud either. With the music at 100dB SPL, the leakage at 1 foot away averages at 26dB SPL and peaks at 51dB SPL, which is about the same as the noise floor of an average office.
The recording quality of the integrated microphone is mediocre. The LFE (low-frequency extension) of 285Hz means speech recorded/transmitted with this mic sounds noticeably thin. The HFE (high-frequency extension) of 3.3KHz results in a speech that lacks detail and is noticeably muffled. The response between the LFE and HFE points is not very even either.
The microphone of the Endurance Sprint has a sub-par noise handling performance. In our SpNR test, it achieved a speech-to-noise ratio of 10dB, indicating that it is best suited for quiet environments as it may struggle to fully separate speech from background noise even in moderately loud situations.
The Sprint have a decent battery life of 9 hours and only took about 1.7 hours on average for a full charge. This makes them a decent option for the casual and heavy user, and they automatically turn off when inactive to conserve power, which extends their battery life. They should last long enough for most use cases but may not be the ideal choice for more heavy users with very long listening sessions. Unfortunately, the power saving feature can be a tad too aggressive and switches off after 5-10 mins which can be a bit frustrating at times depending on your use case.
The JBL Endurance Sprint do not come with a compatible app for added customization options. If you want a more customizable sound then check out the Jaybird Tarah. Although they do not sound as good as the JBL with their default sound profile. They have a great app with a graphic EQ which makes them a bit more flexible for listeners with different listening tastes and preferences.
These headphones do not have multi-device pairing or NFC support. On the upside, their hold-to-pair procedure is not difficult to use.
The JBL Endurance Sprint, like most Bluetooth headphones with no low latency codecs, will not be ideal for watching movies or gaming. They have about 240ms of latency which is a bit higher than average Bluetooth headphones and will not be ideal for latency-sensitive use cases.
The JBL Endurance Sprint have no wired option. If you want a decent sounding, wired design with a universal in-line remote, then check out the 1More Triple Driver In-Ear.
These in-ear buds do not have a dock. If you want a headphone that's versatile and has a dock, try the SteelSeries Arctis 7. However, it won't be as compact and easy-to-carry around on your person