It has a minimal, attractive look and a customizable sound which works for a wide range of genres!

JBL’s Live 500BT scores points with a high battery life, the quick charging function, and the successful integration of Google Assistant – very handy for everyday tasks. However, the existence of background noise and the lack of support for high-quality audio codecs such as aptX or AAC can be seen as shortcomings. Apart from that, these portable Bluetooth headphones offer a harmonious, bass-heavy sound, making them fun to use.

So, who cares? You can pump up your bass or moderate your highs while also enjoying the clean separation and overall clarity of this sound profile. Hardcore bass-heads might be disappointed even with the bass frequencies boosted. But for those who listen to all kinds of genres and appreciate a realistic presentation of instruments, the Live 500BT is a solid choice. And considering the great call quality and extensive functionality, the Live 500BT may be hard to beat for the price.

They have a powerful bass that sounds a bit thumpy, which some fans of bass-heavy genres like EDM and dubstep may prefer. Their reproduction of vocals and lead instruments in the mid-range is nearly flawless, but some may find they sound a bit thin. Their treble is a bit uneven and most of the range is over our target, which means some may find them overly sharp. However, they have a full parametric EQ available inside their app that allows you to add as many points as you want to customize their sound profile to your liking, which is great.

While some people will appreciate the JBL Live 500BT's Alexa and Google Assistant integration, the real value here is for bass lovers who want some control over the sound signature. If you don't need anything but great audio, however, your options in this price range are many. Some of our favorites include the Plantronics BackBeat Fit 500, the Plantronics BackBeat Go 810, the Urbanears Pampas, and the Sennheiser HD 4.40 BT. But if it's big bass you're after, JBL delivers.