X

UA Sport Wireless Flex by JBL has speed charge, RunSafe LED

The UA Sport Wireless Sport Flex is a new neckband-style sports headphone that ships on Dec. 30.

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials
  • Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer
See full bio
David Carnoy
ua-sport-flex-wireless-1
Enlarge Image
ua-sport-flex-wireless-1

The UA Sport Wireless Flex ships soon.

 JBL

We haven't loved previous JBL-engineered Under Armour wireless sports headphones, but the new neckband-style UA Sport Wireless Flex ($130) might have the potential to break that streak. Available for preorder now, it's due to ship on Dec. 30. (UK and Australian prices weren't available but that converts to about £100 or AU$175.)

Although it's not so different from JBL's other neckband-style Bluetooth headphones, it has a few sports-oriented features, including a "RunSafe" LED with three flashing modes, "bend-and-stay flex zones" in the neckband for an adjustable fit and a "speed charge battery" that gets you 1 hour of playback with just 5 minutes of charging time (battery life is rated at 11 hours at moderate volume levels). It's also worth mentioning that the earbuds adhere to each other magnetically.

JBL says the headphone has been tuned with its "bold, powerful JBL Charged Sound." I'm not sure what that means, but hopefully the bass isn't bloated and the headphone has decent clarity and definition.

As soon as I get a sample, which should be in a few weeks, I'll let you know they stack up against the competition. Until then, here's a look at the headphone's key features, according to JBL.

UA Sport Wireless Flex features

  • Adjustable flex zones
  • 11+ hour battery with speed charge
  • RunSafe LED
  • Magnetic buds
  • Bluetooth wireless
  • JBL Charged Sound
  • Easy four-button controls
  • Sweat resistant