JBL Tour Pro 2 TWS Earbuds Review

• True Adaptive Noise Cancelling (ANC): Four noise-sensing mics dynamically adjust to surroundings, minimizing distractions for an optimized audio experience
• Water-Resistance: With an IPX5 rating, the earbuds resist water splashes, ensuring durability in various environments
• Smart Ambient Technology: Easily control ambient sound with a button touch and customize settings using the JBL Headphones app
• Legendary Pro Sound: JBL’s extensive research delivers a superior sound curve with precise, distortion-free audio for an immersive listening experience
• Personalized Alarms: Set alarms directly through the smart charging case, adding convenience to your daily routine
• Wireless Charging: Qi-compatible wireless charging for the case offers convenient, cable-free recharging
• Total Control at Your Fingertips: Effortlessly control audio settings, manage calls, and monitor battery levels through the smart charging case’s user-friendly interface

• Crystal Clear Calls: The 6-mic crystal call algorithm ensures clear conversations even in challenging environments, enhancing overall call quality
• Advanced Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 ensures robust and efficient wireless connectivity for a seamless audio experience
• ANC Mode Control: Fine-tune ANC settings through the JBL Headphones app for a personalized noise-canceling experience
• VoiceAware Feature: Control the amount of mic input routed to your earbuds for a customized listening experience during calls
• Seamless Experience: Control earbud settings, manage calls, and check battery levels without using your phone, thanks to the smart charging case
• Extended Battery Life: Enjoy up to 10 hours of music playback on a single charge, with an additional 30 hours provided by the case
• Convenient Ambient Sound Control: Adjust the ambient sound level with a simple button touch, offering a personalized listening experience

Another notable set of alternatives is Sony WF-1000XM4, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3, and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, available between $144.97 and $279. Through the Adaptive Sound Control technology, Sony’s buds act as a guide to smart features and can choose settings that suit where you are and what you are doing.

One of the things that are similar in Sound Zone from Sennheiser is when it comes to features that have a location, but sound quality is their most vital point, such as with True Wireless 3 Momentum, where you achieve balance throughout the entire range of frequencies. In the audio category, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are even more vigorous competition for their ability to cancel out noise more than any earbud we’ve ever tested.

You are given three brightness options: low, mid, and high. A simple right swipe brings up the screen and bypasses the need to pull out a fiddly PIN or password. In the case of this lock screen wallpaper, it is possible to customize the item separately by choosing one of the preset designs or something you create yourself. It depends on the JBL Headphones application, which was designed for Android and iOS. It’s also where you choose which of the six optional pages are shown on the case display: Ambient Sound Control (for ANC and transparency modes), Spatial Audio, Equalizer, VoiceAware (voice detection sensitivity), Auto Play & Pause and Silent Now are included.

Apart from the glass on and around the screen, the case is a polymer. However, a glossy finish adds to the premium look, especially for the black model. You also have the option to choose the Champagne ‘beige’ color Tour Pro 2. The USB-C charging port is beneath the device, allowing a simple flip-up above the display to showcase the buds.

And how does the JBL Tour Pro 2 perform in terms of audio? The short answer is spot on, though not as sophisticatedly worded as the few competitors that have entered. Dual 10mm drivers ensure that the sound is clear and has a quality and depth that cannot always be available in wireless earbuds. It is full-bodied in a way you can distinguish each instrument that comes out of the background of a song without losing the enjoyable bass punch whenever required.

This is customizable according to your preference through the JBL Headphones app, incorporating an intense hearing test. It is quite nice, although I’ve observed no significant changes before and after the test. An equalizer is also present in the case, allowing for greater control on the bass, mid, and treble you may feel comfortable with. Five factory presets, Jazz, Vocal, bass, Club, and Studio, make significant shifts in your sound.

An even minimally stripped-down effort such as ‘Happier Than Ever’ by Billie Eilish is remarkable, sounding profoundly immersed and compounding to a climax. Unsurprisingly, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 is not beyond reproach regarding sound quality across all genres. When it comes to classic rock, the radio often sounds muddy and washed out, for example, Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Dancing in the Dark’ or Aerosmith’s ‘Dream On,’ while classical music is a little bit of a mixed bag.

You’re going to get a sound that is rich and vivid enough for the unpretentious listener. This is a lot less serious in the world of voice content, as talk radio and podcasts are crystal clear no matter what. If you want an excellent-sounding pair of earbuds, it’s best to look for buds with one or more of those codecs, including the Sony WF-1000XM3 and Buds 2 Pro.

Run the ear canal test with the JBL Headphones app. You need to scan your ears and adjust Active Noise Cancellation accordingly. Unlike personalized audio, this does not seem to impact its functionality significantly, but it is still preferable. JBL has a transparency mode of ‘Ambient Aware’ with an in-app slider that lets you pick the sound level you want to let through. At its peak, it is so much easier to be able to hear everything that occurs around you.

In addition, the ‘TalkThru’ mode makes voices louder. Hence, you can talk without needing to remove earphones from your ears. Nevertheless, it can’t be utilized simultaneously as other modes. The other crucial audio element is ‘Spatial Sound,’ which makes the video sound like it is coming from all sides. While not all songs fit the purpose of this playing mode, those that do sound very powerful.

If you enjoy the peace you can achieve using ANC, there is another mode to JBL. Called ‘SilentNow,’ it turns on the ANC mode but also disconnects Bluetooth, another means of conserving power. You decide on its commencement, the duration, and whether you want a sounding alarm at the end of the interval. SilentNow is more potent than ANC. Therefore, it may be best to nap on a train or airplane.

The battery life has been most surprising for Tour Pro 2 in a positive sense. I was afraid that the lifetime of the buds would be severely compromised by having a display inside the case. JBL claims you can get up to 10 hours of music playback from a single charge and another 30 hours with the case. Much more reasonable figures for the respective hours of use with and without ANC are 8 hours and 24 hours, while in adaptive mode, these numbers fall to six hours and 18 hours.

Although I used my Tour Pro 2 only for a few weeks, it is close to my reality; it implies that people can carry the devices for almost a week without powering them. That’s true for most competitors, but few have a case display.

Below this, an ANC section allows you to change the settings from ON positioning through Ambient Aware and Talk Thru modes. The last option incorporates an ambient mic volume slider. One can adjust the ANC experience by toggling the Adaptive option (enabled by default) and allowing both the Leakage Compensation and Ear Canal Compression settings, which are off by default.

After that comes an EQ section with many presets. If you prefer more control over the drawing process, create a custom curve with ten bands or draw it manually. You can go to the Spatial Sound section to switch on different spatial audio effects JBL shares for films, music, or games. I advise against including them because it is a poor substitute for surround sound, which adds another level between you and your audio.

A Gestures feature allows you to flip between different control layouts, Ambient Sound Control, Volume Control, and Playback & Voice Assistant Control. I prefer giving functions to other gestures.

Will I say that it reaches the AirPods level or the ATH-TWX9? But far from this, it can be mainly reliable. It has a good level of bass that gives it some depth, and my voice is clear but not too loud. You can realize that clarity is better than the Live Pro 2. It would eliminate substantial noise in noisy surroundings yet still hold my voice in balance and forward. They are stable enough earbuds for calls and meetings in almost any environment.

The JBL Tour Pro 2 steps into the field of wireless earbuds with a clear emphasis on water resistance, having an IPX5 rating for both in terms of covering water and dust. Interestingly, the accompanying case has an IPX2 rating that further elaborates why closing this for the most secure protection is essential. The earbuds are resistant to moisture and dust, but it is important to note that the overall package belongs only to the splash-proof category, not highly waterproof.

Although the IPX5 rating is not as good as others in the market, it still provides reasonable protection. It is suitable for activities such as daily use or workouts where contact with water or sweat can be expected. However, it is interesting that some alternatives in the same class with higher certifications exist. For instance, the Jabra Elite 7 Active has an impressive IP57 rating, meaning it is dust-proof, and you can submerge it in water up to one meter for half an hour, thus greater resilience in harsh environments.

However, the final decision on what model to choose always depends on one’s preferences and how they will use their earbuds: casual listening or something more involved that would require additional water resistance. With market adjustments, numerous waterproof ratings accommodate different lifestyles, whereby customers can choose according to their needs and preferences. The waterproof rating indicates a logical reflection of the user requirements.

However, an additional benefit of the Multipoint Connectivity is the ability to use each earbud alone. With this freedom and the support of Bluetooth Multipoint, you can connect earbuds to two devices at once, a feature handy for those often switching between their cell phone and their computer.

This feature was mainly well executed, but a slight kink appeared when connected to an iPhone and a Mac. In the dual-device scenario, the JBL Headphones app sometimes did not recognize the earbuds and occasionally presented a workaround. However, the earbuds perfectly synchronized with multiple smartphones without any problem.

Multipoint Connectivity’s practicality is reflected in its ability to be applied in a real-world context. The Tour PRO 2’s convenience in quickly toggling among audio sources for individuals switching between their smartphones and computers is typically in line with the demands of daily life. JBL’s integration of Multipoint Connectivity enriches the product.

Daily, I breezed through my regular schedule without aggravating connection problems and annoying dropouts to upset the sonic flow. However, the most notable feature that deserves to be mentioned is the connection of these earbuds, which was very stable.

Even while watching YouTube content via my iPhone 11, the absence of audiovisual lag made apparent that the Tour PRO 2 was a master at smoothly processing different audiovisual content.

Rather than limiting the user experience to stick with one side or the other, the JBL Tour PRO 2 adds versatility by allowing users to listen in either earbud independently. It can be a quick-fix of music for a short time or an extended video session; this earbud couples seamlessly to different requirements depending on use, making it a reliable partner when out.

• IPX5 Waterproof Rating
• Qi-Compatible Wireless Charging
• Smart Touch Screen Charging Case

• Fast Charging
• Extended Playtime
• Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation