JBL E55BT Quincy Edition Review

July 27, 2017 6:58 pm

The highly anticipated collaboration between world-renowned musician and producer Quincy Jones and JBL is here. But is it worth the hype and $50 increase in price? Find out in our JBL E55BT Quincy Edition Review.

JBL E55BT Quincy Edition Review

Packaging

From the jump, the packaging on these headphones outdo the original. The box features a matte black to gray gradient with a shiny embossed photo of the gray and gold Quincy headphones. A gigantic gold “Q” decorates the front of the box while the musician’s photo smiles sweetly on the back next to his signature alongside the text “Hear With Your Heart!” I feel one degree closer already.

Build & Design

These headphones are much more luxe than the original product. While the frame appears to look essentially the same, distinct differences are more noticeable when you pick them up. The fabric headband has been switched out for a leather-bound headband. Personally, I think the headband could use a little more cushion for the price, but it isn’t a deal breaker. The ear cups are padded with leather that feels stronger and bound more durably than the archetype. This offers a good amount of padding for long listening sessions. Overall, the headphones are comfortable, but the fit could be better. Like its predecessor, I think the clamp force could also be tighter on the bottom and provide a better seal. But, again, it’s not the end of the world.

Features

The coolest feature, hands down, is hearing Jones’ voice when you turn the Bluetooth headphones on and ready them to pair. His voice returns when you connect, disconnect, and turn off your device. The JBL E55BT Quincy Edition also features buttons to pause/play your music, switch back and forth between tracks, adjust the volume, and take calls over a Bluetooth connection. The built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 20 hours of wireless play, but ships with a detachable cable equipped with an in-line mic and controller for when you run out of battery.

Sound

These headphones are fit with 50mm drivers and tuned by the man himself, Quincy Jones. As JBL writes, ‘the legendary producer Quincy Jones has fully endorsed and added his personal touch to the renowned JBL sound as found in theaters, arenas and studios around.” This sound signature, to me, is pretty good. The audio is nice and full. The bass is definitely present, but I was expecting it to knock a bit harder. The mids are clear while the upper-mids and highs are a bit more forward. The overall tone is warm, which I like. Overall, these headphones are solid and a decent investment at the $200 price tag.

If interested, JBL E55BT Quincy Edition headphones are available at the lowest price at Audio 46 when you use discount code “majorhifi” during checkout. These cans are also available at a competitive price on Amazon.