JBL Tour Pro 3’s Smart Charging Case could be a game changer in true wireless earbuds
In a sea of similar true wireless earbuds, JBL Tour Pro 3 and it’s accompanying case are doing something truly different.
JBL has just announced the third edition of their flagship earbuds. The JBL Tour Pro 3 keeps the signature Smart Charging Case and brings a few new unique features.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 have all of the usual features you’d expect from high-end true wireless earbuds, such as Real-Time True Adaptive Noise Cancellation, a Smart Ambient mode which lets through some sounds, and Smart Talk which pauses the music and automatically enables ambient mode when it detects you talking. The earbuds also feature JBL Spatial 360 with head tracking, for an immersive, surround sound-like experience.
The standout feature of the JBL Tour Pro line has always been the Smart Charging Case. With its touchscreen display, view information and access controls without pulling out your phone. The third generation Tour Pro features a redesigned case, with a 30% larger, 1.57-inch screen, displaying more information. The display shows information such as what’s currently playing, the name of who’s calling, messages, the battery life of each bud and case, the time, and images. Controls such as music playback, volume, answer/reject calls, ANC mode and the level of ANC are a touch or swipe away. You can even customize the screensaver to show your own images. The case acts in a similar way to a smartwatch, not likely to completely replace your smartphone any time soon, but providing key information and quick controls. This can be great if you find yourself wanting to skip tracks on your phone, but getting sucked into a social media doom scroll.
With the JBL Tour Pro 3, the Smart Charging Case now also doubles as an audio transmitter. Another rare feature, this allows you to attach the case to a device via USB-C or audio jack, which can be great for devices without Bluetooth such as airplanes, gym equipment, older TVs or PCs. USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to 3.5mm audio cables are included in the box.
Also new with the third generation model is Auracast. This allows you to broadcast audio from the case to multiple Bluetooth devices that also support Auracast. Similar to the audio share feature available on Apple’s AirPods and Beats headphones.
To access more controls, use the JBL Headphones app. Here you can customize the EQ, adjust ANC and ambient sound control settings, check the fit, find your earbuds, and change the gesture controls. The earbuds feature Personi-Fi 3.0 and Personal Sound Amplification, so you can tweak the EQ and futher personalize the sound to your taste. In the app, you can also customize the Smart Charging Case, with the ability to add photos as wallpapers or switch the shortcuts.
Each earbuds features an armature driver for the higher notes and a larger 11mm dynamic driver for the mids and bass. In terms of calls, there’s a total of 6 microphones, including two beamforming outer mics on each earbud and an inner mic, which helps isolate noise. These mics alongside a windproof design and JBL’s Crystal AI Algorithm should help calls be clear for both the caller and recipient. There’s also a call equalizer, which lets you control how you sound and how the other end sounds to you.
JBL Tour Pro 3 features Bluetooth 5.3 LE and Hi-Res Audio Wireless, for 24-bit high-resolution audio on compatible Android devices. The LDAC audio codec supports three times more data than Bluetooth. The buds support Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, for one-touch pairing on Android and Windows devices.
For battery life, with ANC turned off you’ll get 11 hours on a single charge, plus an additional 33 hours with the charging case. Turn ANC on and you’re good for 8 hours on a single charge, plus 24 hours with the case. A 10-minute speed charge provides an additional 3 hours of listening. The case changes via USB-C or wireless charging.
In the box, you’ll find 5 sizes of eartips for the perfect fit. JBL Tour Pro 3 come in two colors, black and latte. While they’re a pretty unique pair of earbuds, they have a price tag to match. The Tour Pro 3 are available to pre-order today for $299.95, which is $50 more than the JBL Tour Pro 2 at launch. Shipping starts September 15. At that price, you’ve got to really want that Smart Charging Case. For comparison, Apple’s latest AirPods Pro are $199, while Google’s just released Pixel Buds Pro 2 are $229, but do either of them have a super cool touchscreen case?
