JBL T290 Wired Earphone Black

8.7mm Driver · Pure Bass · Aluminium

JBL Sound in a Metal Housing

The 8.7mm dynamic driver in the T290 is slightly larger than the standard 8–8.6mm drivers found in most budget earphones — a larger driver surface area moves more air at low frequencies, which contributes to the bass extension and impact JBL targets with its Pure Bass tuning. JBL’s Pure Bass designation refers to their sound tuning philosophy derived from their professional speaker systems, where low-frequency accuracy and impact are prioritised alongside clear mids — the goal being an earphone that sounds engaging and full-bodied in music rather than thin and analytical. The T290’s sound character is notably more balanced than some competing JBL earphones: bass is present and impactful but does not bleed into the midrange, vocals sit clearly in the mix, and the high frequencies are open without harshness. The aluminium housing distinguishes the T290 in its price bracket. The aluminium shell is machined in a bullet-style cylinder, which distributes impact loads around the circumference of the housing rather than concentrating stress at one point — a form that is inherently more resistant to cracking than rectangular plastic enclosures. The metal housing also acts as a low-frequency resonance chamber, contributing to the bass character of the driver. At 13.6g total weight, the T290 is light enough for extended wear without fatigue.

Flat Cable · 45° Plug · Pouch

Build Details That Extend Lifespan

The flat cable is one of the T290’s most practical features for daily carry. Round cables store memory from being coiled — after a few weeks in a pocket or bag, a round cable holds its coiled shape and creates tangles with minimal handling. Flat cables, by contrast, flex in one plane only and do not store the same rotational memory, which means they pull out of a pocket or bag in a loosely folded state rather than a snarl. The flat rubber coating also provides grip for untangling the cable quickly. The 45° angled 3.5mm plug positions the cable downward from the headphone jack in the natural direction of cable routing — when the device is in a trouser pocket, the cable exits the jack at an angle that reduces the lateral bending force that accelerates connector wear compared to a straight plug that bends 90° at the jack. The rubberised plug housing provides additional strain relief at the connector. The carrying pouch — included in the box — protects the earphone and cable between sessions, reducing the kinking and abrasion that cables experience in the bottom of a bag. Three ear tip sizes (S, M, L) allow fit adjustment for different ear canal dimensions.

1-Button Remote · Mic · iOS + Android

Call and Playback Controls

The single-button inline remote provides the most-used playback and call controls from the cable: one press plays or pauses music; two presses skip to the next track; three presses return to the previous track; one press answers or ends a call. The remote is compatible with both iOS and Android devices — the button protocol used is the standard single-button CTIA remote specification, which is recognised by Apple and Android devices without platform-specific implementation differences, unlike the three-button volume remotes that can behave inconsistently across platforms. The built-in microphone handles call audio and voice assistant activation. The microphone is positioned on the remote housing, which places it at mid-chest level when the earphone is worn — an appropriate distance from the mouth for clear voice capture without the cable-handling noise that microphones mounted closer to the connector experience. The T290 is positioned in JBL’s lineup above the T110 (which also uses a 1-button remote and metal housing but with a smaller 8.5mm driver) and below the T210 (which uses a 3-button remote). For users who need volume control from the remote, the three-button T210 is the appropriate choice.

Right choice if you…

✔ Want JBL sound quality in a wired earphone — Pure Bass tuning with aluminium housing at an accessible price
✔ Use a device with a 3.5mm jack and want a durable daily earphone with mic for calls
✔ Carry earphones loose in a bag or pocket — flat cable resists tangling, pouch included
✔ Want metal construction over plastic — aluminium housing is more impact-resistant and more durable long term

Consider something else if…

✖ You need volume control from the inline remote — the T290 has a single-button remote only; volume adjustment requires using the device; the JBL T210 has a 3-button remote with volume controls
✖ Your device has no 3.5mm jack — Samsung S20 and later, Note 10+, iPhone 7 and later require a USB-C or Lightning to 3.5mm adapter
✖ You want wireless — see OnePlus Buds 4 or Philips SHB2505 for TWS options

Technical Specifications

In the Box

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I adjust volume from the inline remote?

No — the T290 has a single-button remote that controls play/pause, track skip and call answer/end. Volume adjustment is done directly on the device. If inline volume control is important to you, the JBL T210 has a three-button remote with dedicated volume up and down buttons.

Will these work with a phone that has no 3.5mm jack?

A USB-C to 3.5mm adapter is needed for Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, Note 10+, and other phones without a headphone jack. For iPhone 7 and later, a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter is required. The Samsung EE-UC10JUWEGWW adapter is recommended for Samsung devices for full microphone compatibility.

How do I use the single-button remote to skip tracks?

Press the button once to play or pause. Press it twice quickly to skip to the next track. Press it three times quickly to go back to the previous track. Press once to answer an incoming call, and press again to end the call. The exact timing sensitivity for double and triple presses varies slightly by device.

Condition

Brand New — Retail Packaging

Warranty

Manufacturer warranty (JBL)

Delivery

4–5 Working Days · Fully Tracked

Also Available at maibo