JBL Tour Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds Review: A Compelling Case

Value When Reviewed

$249.95

Finest Costs Right now: JBL Tour Professional 2

Ever since true wi-fi earbuds first emerged in 2015, most have retained the identical core design. Two small buds (usually with a brief stem) that sit straight in your ears whereas in use, then dock right into a pillbox-shaped case for charging. 

Just a few corporations have deviated barely from this blueprint, however none fairly as a lot as JBL on the Tour 2 Professional. Whereas the buds themselves look very acquainted, the case is the primary to have its personal built-in show. 

And it provides a powerful vary of performance, from controlling audio and adjusting key settings to beginning timers and even turning right into a torch. Fortuitously, this hasn’t come at the price of most different key options, although one can find higher worth for cash elsewhere. Right here’s our full evaluation. 

Design & construct

• Spectacular 1.45in touchscreen on case
• Case barely larger than typical
• Earbud match might be higher

There’s just one place to begin on the subject of design: that case show. It’s a 1.45in LCD touchscreen, offering simply sufficient room to comfortably swipe throughout the straightforward consumer interface. 

JBL hasn’t quoted a particular decision for this display, nevertheless it doesn’t actually matter. There’s greater than sufficient element for it to be comfortably seen in nearly all lighting circumstances, which is the principle factor.  You may select between three ranges of brightness (low, mid and excessive), although even the bottom setting is sufficient more often than not. 

A easy proper swipe unlocks the display, avoiding the necessity for a fiddly PIN or password. This lockscreen wallpaper might be customised, utilizing both one of many preset designs or one thing of your personal. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The latter depends on the JBL Headphones app, accessible on Android and iOS. It’s additionally the place you select which of the six non-obligatory pages are proven on the case show: Ambient Sound Management (for ANC and transparency modes), Spatial Sound, Equalizer, VoiceAware (voice detection sensitivity), Auto Play & Pause and SilentNow (ANC activated with out music taking part in for a set period of time). 

Alongside core playback and quantity controls, timers, a bud discovering function and flashlight, there’s an in depth vary of performance right here. You may even use the case to reply calls and show notifications, although the latter usually cuts off key info.

Even so, I used to be shocked by how a lot I used the case as a substitute of my cellphone – it could possibly do nearly every part you want it for.

The one exception is telling me what tune/podcast is presently taking part in. I can simply play/pause audio or return to the earlier/subsequent observe, however ended up checking my cellphone to see what was developing anyway. Controlling music on the case nonetheless feels a bit an excessive amount of such as you’re utilizing an outdated iPod Shuffle.

However did JBL really want to incorporate an LCD show? A lot of the consumer interface is black and white, and an e-ink panel could be a lot simpler in your eyes. 

Trendy variations can nonetheless be responsive, and it could have advantages for battery life. Utilizing the case is preferable to getting distracted in your cellphone, however squinting on the small color show nonetheless isn’t best.

To accommodate this display, the Tour Professional 2 case is greater and bulkier than most. At 10 x 16 x 4.6 cm and 73g, it’s not fairly as simple to pop in a trouser pocket as most wi-fi earbuds. It’s a minor change, although, and so they’re nonetheless extraordinarily moveable. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Except for glass on and across the display, the case is all plastic. However a shiny end helps it look premium, particularly on the black mannequin I examined. You can too get the Tour Professional 2 in a beige ‘Champagne’ color for those who’d desire. 

The USB-C charging port is discreetly hidden on the backside, whereas a easy flick up simply above the show reveals the buds themselves. 

A brief stem design is one thing we’ve seen many occasions earlier than, and the uncovered steel means they appear good in your ears. However the remainder of the buds are created from a moderately cheap-feeling plastic, and I hoped for extra from such a premium product. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

There are three sizes of silicone eartips included within the field, and the JBL Headphones app features a easy take a look at to examine for those who’re getting a very good seal. 

Nevertheless, even after discovering the precise eartip dimension for my ears, the buds by no means felt safe. I used to be usually fearful that they may fall out whereas strolling down the road, so something extra strenuous is out of the query.  

In fact, that is solely my private expertise. You would possibly discover the Tour Professional 2 to be a a lot better match for you, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly one thing to pay attention to. 

Sound high quality

• Superb sound from 10mm drivers
• A number of customisation choices
• No hi-res audio help

So, how do the JBL Tour Professional 2 truly sound? The quick reply is excellent, albeit not fairly on the degree of some opponents. 

Twin 10mm drivers assist give the sound a heat and depth that isn’t all the time current on wi-fi earbuds. It’s detailed sufficient to listen to every particular person instrument within the background of a tune, but there’s nonetheless a satisfying hit of bass whenever you want it. 

This may be personalised to fit your tastes through the JBL Headphones app, the place you’ll discover an in-depth listening to take a look at. I didn’t discover any huge modifications earlier than and after the take a look at, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a pleasant function to have. 

For extra in-depth management, an equalizer can also be constructed into the case, permitting you to tweak the bass, mid and treble to your liking. There are 5 preset profiles – jazz, vocal, bass, membership and studio – all of which make a transparent distinction to the audio you hear. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

However the place the Tour Professional 2 loses out to rivals is the dearth of help for hi-res codecs: you may solely output in the usual AAC or SBC right here. It means the likes of Amazon Music’s ‘Better of Extremely HD’ playlist received’t truly be the CD high quality Amazon claims, however most songs nonetheless sound glorious. 

That features pop tracks reminiscent of Lil Nas X’s ‘Business Child’, the place a extremely produced backing observe and thumping vocals nonetheless don’t sound overwhelming. ‘As It Was’ could be very completely different in tone and elegance, however the buds are nonetheless capable of seize the subtleties of Harry Types’ voice. 

Even a way more stripped-back tune reminiscent of ‘Happier Than Ever’ by Billie Eilish is spectacular, sounding deeply immersive because it builds to a crescendo. 

In fact, the Buds Professional 2 don’t sound implausible throughout all genres. Traditional rock reminiscent of ‘Dancing Within the Darkish’ by Bruce Springsteen and Aerosmith’s ‘Dream On’ are a bit muddy and washed out at occasions, whereas classical music is a little bit of a combined bag. 

However usually, you may anticipate a wealthy, vibrant sound that’s greater than ok for informal listening. For those who’re severe about getting the very best audio, although, you’ll need buds that help at the least a type of hi-res codecs, such because the Sony WF-1000XM4 or the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Professional.

That is all far much less vital for voice-based content material, however relaxation assured that discuss radio and podcasts come by means of loud and clear. That readability is considerably misplaced when talking, regardless of the six microphones in complete, however you may nonetheless be heard comfortably on calls more often than not.

To verify of this, there’s a slider within the JBL Headphones app referred to as ‘VoiceAware’, which helps you to regulate the amount of your personal voice. For those who fear about talking too loudly or quietly whereas utilizing headphones, it may be helpful. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Noise cancelling & good options

• Efficient, personalised ANC
• Spectacular spatial sound mode
• On-bud controls might be higher

Energetic noise cancelling (ANC) is a vital function on wi-fi earbuds as of late, and JBL has applied it effectively right here. 

The ANC does a very good job of blocking out most exterior noise, however solely whenever you get a very good seal. With out it, numerous sound nonetheless reaches your ears, notably in loud environments. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

You may examine this through the JBL Headphones app by performing an ear canal take a look at, which supposedly scans your ear canal and adjusts the extent of ANC to finest swimsuit it. Just like the personalised sound, this doesn’t appear to make an enormous distinction to how effectively it really works, nevertheless it’s nonetheless value doing. 

There are two different essential listening modes accessible. ‘Ambient Conscious’ is JBL’s transparency mode, with an in-app slider permitting you to decide on how a lot sound is let by means of. At its most, this makes it very simple to listen to every part that’s occurring round you. 

You’ll additionally discover a devoted ‘TalkThru’ mode, which does a very good job of amplifying the sound of voices, permitting you to have a full dialog with out eradicating the earbuds. Nevertheless, it could possibly’t be used similtaneously both of the opposite modes. If (like me) ANC is your go-to setting, you received’t get a lot use out of TalkThru. 

One other key audio function is ‘Spatial Sound’, the place audio looks like it’s coming at you from all instructions. Not all songs are designed to be performed on this mode, however those who do sound spectacular. JBL provides three Spatial Sound modes – Film, Music and Recreation – however I didn’t discover any distinction between them. 

For those who like utilizing ANC only for some peace and quiet, JBL has one other mode for you. Referred to as ‘SilentNow’, it prompts ANC but in addition disconnects Bluetooth, serving to to cut back energy consumption.

You may select when it begins, how lengthy it lasts for and for those who’d like an alarm to sound on the finish. SilentNow feels simply that bit more practical than ANC by itself, and is ideal for naps on a prepare or aircraft. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

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As you would possibly anticipate, there’s additionally voice assistant help. That is Google Assistant (Android), Siri (iOS) or Alexa (each). It’s triggered through a easy faucet and maintain of the precise earbud, and works easily – offered your cellphone is related to the web. 

Nevertheless, not all of the on-bud controls are fairly so seamless. Varied faucets can be utilized to manage audio, change sound modes and make/handle calls, nevertheless it’s very simple to by chance set off them when making an attempt to regulate the match of the buds. 

There’s a major studying curve right here, so most individuals shopping for these buds ought to simply use the case as a substitute. 

Battery life & charging

• As much as eight hours with ANC on
• Round three full prices from case
• Helps USB-C or wi-fi charging

Battery life has been the largest shock relating to the Tour Professional 2 – in a great way. I used to be involved that having a show inside the case would severely have an effect on how lengthy they lasted, however I needn’t have fearful. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

JBL claims you may stand up to 10 hours of music playback on a single cost, plus 30 extra hours from the case. Extra sensible figures are eight hours and 24 hours with ANC on, however the adaptive ANC mode drops this to 6 hours and 18 hours respectively. 

Whereas I solely examined the Tour Professional 2 for a few weeks, that’s roughly according to my expertise. It means most individuals can use them for a full week without having to plug in to the facility. That’s in line with most rivals, however none of these have a case show. 

The USB-C to USB-A cable within the field shall be your essential charging methodology, though no energy brick has been included. You’re taking a look at round two hours earlier than the buds and case attain 100%, which is affordable. 

You additionally get Qi wi-fi charging, however at solely 5W, that is a lot slower. 

Value & availability

The Tour Professional 2 are a premium pair of wi-fi earbuds, so that they don’t come low-cost. 

Within the US, they price $249.95 direct from JBL and through Amazon or B&H. For those who’re within the UK, it’s £249.99 from JBL, Amazon, AO, Very or Currys. 

As the primary ever wi-fi earbuds with a display constructed into the case, that feels honest. However the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM4 ($280/£250) and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 ($299/£279.95) are higher in most different methods, whereas there are many cheaper options in our greatest wi-fi earbuds chart. 

Verdict

Pretty much as good because the JBL Tour Professional 2 are, there’s just one purpose to purchase them over the competitors: that case show. 

It doesn’t revolutionise the best way you utilize wi-fi earbuds, however many individuals will desire it to utilizing a cellphone or on-bud controls. It solely has one actual flaw, nevertheless it’s a giant one – you continue to can’t see what’s presently taking part in from the case itself.

However impressively, battery life hasn’t been compromised. Most individuals will nonetheless get a full week of utilization from the buds and case mixed, even with ANC on. The latter is customisable and really efficient, however the lack of hi-res audio means sound high quality takes a slight hit. 

Solely audiophiles will actually miss it, although, and most music nonetheless sounds glorious. Whereas the match and design of the buds aren’t excellent, neither ought to be a dealbreaker. 

However value could also be a sticking level, with the Tour Professional 2 up in opposition to a few of the finest wi-fi earbuds you should purchase. Until you like the concept of a display on the case, you’ll discover higher worth elsewhere. 

Specs

• Energetic Noise Cancelling 
• 1.45in LCD touchscreen (on case) 
• 10mm dynamic drivers 
• Six microphones 
• Wi-fi: Bluetooth 5.3, AAC, SBC 
• Voice management: Sure 
• Contact controls: Sure 
• Battery life: As much as 40 hours (together with case charging, ANC off)  
• Wi-fi charging 
• Ear ideas and wing ideas: Three sizes 
• IPX5 water resistance (buds) 
• IPX2 water resistance (case) 
• Weight: 6.1g per earbud, 73g case