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JBL is known for making high-quality audio products that are also affordable. These products often turn out to be diamonds in the rough, and they almost always sound great for the price. So what happens when the company leaves its low-cost path and goes all-in on a flagship set of all-guns-blazing, active noise-canceling earbuds with a unique screen.
Is a new pair of noise-canceling earbuds about to join our list of the best ones? Well, the game is split into two parts. The JBL Tour Pro 2 are way better than the brand’s other earbuds, like the great JBL Live Pro 2, which have active noise cancellation that might be the best I’ve ever used. But the big changes are clear right away.
For starters, the front of the case has a really cool color touch screen. This, dear reader, is a beautiful thing. It’s wonderful. It’s fun, and it makes it easy to answer calls (how many times have we tried to touch the right earpiece in the right way, only to hang up on a nice caller?) It is easy to scroll through and gives you quick access to ANC profiles, alarms, spatial audio, and other features.
Every day, we play with EQ profiles and other useful extras that might not have been worth the trouble if they were locked away in an app that required our phones.
JBL Tour Pro 2 review: Design
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The AirPods are ice white and have no sharp edges, but JBL has given them a more angular, “look at me” look. Here, there are lips and notches made of different materials and finishes, like the rubberized driver housings, the matte top plate, and the accents on the stems that are made of mirror-finish metal.
On the outside of each bud is the word “TOUR,” and the tails have the JBL logo. These are JBL’s best headphones, and the way they are made shows that. For now, let’s not use the touchscreen. No one has forgotten about the bottom of the case. This has a rubberized part that gives it grip and makes it less likely that you’ll accidentally knock it off your desk. It’s a small thing, but those of us who like to gesture will love it.
The dynamic drivers are 10mm, which is a big jump from the 6.8mm drivers in the JBL Tour Pro+. They are also listed as being compatible with Bluetooth 5.3 LE audio. So, it’s a shame that no higher-resolution codecs, like LDAC or aptX, are supported (standard, HD, Low Latency or otherwise).
With up to 50 hours of playtime (or 30 hours with ANC turned on) and a very good 10 hours of playtime in the buds alone before they need to be charged, they also have more endurance than most of the other headphones at the same level. The Sony XM4s have 8 hours in each bud, but only 16 hours in the case. You can buy this earbuds from its official website.
JBL Tour Pro 2 review: Connectivity
![JBL Tour Pro 2 review](https://compsmgnew.robertdweide.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Capture-663-239x300.jpg)
When you take off the back of the screen, you’ll find a DisplayPort, a 3.5mm audio jack, three USB 3.2 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Type B connector, three HDMI 2.0 ports, and everything else you’d want from a gaming machine in this price range.
Though many connectors are available, some users may be disappointed that the monitor does not include USB-C or HDMI 2.1. Users can still receive the same 4K resolution and frame speeds without HDMI 2.1 by using a DisplayPort connection instead.
JBL Tour Pro 2 review: Features
In addition to SBC and AAC, the new LC3 and LC3+ audio codecs can be played via Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity; noise cancellation, “Ambient Aware,” and “TalkThru” modes give you additional control over the volume of ambient noise; and EQ presets, a graphic equalizer, three spatial audio modes, and Harman’s Personi-Fi technology give you a plethora of options for fine-tuning your listening experience.
The JBL Headphones app is one of the most robust, with a wide range of useful functions and personalization settings. The Tour Pro 2 has a respectable battery life of up to 50 hours when not using the noise-cancelling mode, which is the most power-intensive of the headset’s many features.
JBL Tour Pro 2 review: Sound Quality
Other than the case, the Tour Pro 2 is a pair of premium earbuds. They feature adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC) and ambient sound mode, as well as 10mm drivers, spatial audio, and JBL Pro sound. Personi-fi 2.0 enables you to tailor the audio profile to your listening preferences, and an ear tip fit test ensures the correct fit.
JBL states that you may expect up to eight hours of use with active noise cancellation (10 hours without) and three more charges in the case, with a quick-charge capability that provides four hours of use in 15 minutes. VoiceAware technology incorporates a collection of six microphones for phone calls. The earphones are IPX5 rated, so they should be able to survive workouts without issue.
JBL Tour Pro 2 review: Battery life
![JBL Tour Pro 2 review](https://compsmgnew.robertdweide.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Capture-664-300x183.jpg)
The earbuds automatically pause and play when withdrawn from or placed into the ear, along with a few other peculiar functions. “SilentNow” enables you to use the Tour Pro 2’s noise-cancelling functions without a Bluetooth connection, allowing you to enjoy some peace and quiet without interruption while saving a bit of battery life.
This might theoretically be used when sleeping, as you can set a timer and have an alarm sound at the end, although the form of the earbuds is not particularly conducive to dozing off.
JBL Tour Pro 2 review: Price
This price puts them in direct competition with Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 ($249 / £249 / AU$399) and the Bose QuietComfort 2 ($299 / £279 / AU$429), two of the best true wireless earbuds you can buy today. In the same category, the Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds are also among the best, at $279.99 / £250 / AU$449.95
This pricing eliminates the JBL Tour Pro 2 from consideration for our top budget earbuds buying guide, where the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus, Beats Studio Buds, and Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 reign supreme (albeit they don’t provide as many features).
JBL Tour Pro 2 review: Conclusion
The ViewSonic XG321UG is a cheaper alternative to the Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX, my pick for best monitor of 2021. The shortcomings of the XG321UG, most notably its lack of HDMI 2.1, have grown more obvious since last year as the monitor market has advanced. More OLED and Mini-LED gaming displays are available now than in 2021.
Still, the XG321UG is a formidable choice for gamers in need of a 32-inch monitor due to its excellent HDR performance, 4K resolution, and quick refresh rate. Edge-lit LED screens have been discontinued. The future will be mini-LEDs.
JBL Tour Pro 2 Ratings