14 Jan
Blog

JBL Charge 5 review: Potent and portable party speaker

JBL Charge 5.

JBL Charge 5

RRP $180.00

"Everyone will hear the JBL Charge 5 as soon as you crank it up."

benefits

  • Solid build quality

  • Can get very noisy

  • Excellent water and dust protection

  • EQ offers some sound enhancements

  • Works with JBL Portable App and PartyBoost

disadvantage

  • Cannot stereo pair with JBL speakers without Charge 5

  • Does not work as a speakerphone

  • Not a huge upgrade over the Charge 4

Look for a Bluetooth speaker and you'll find a variety of sizes to choose from. It's up to you to decide which one suits your lifestyle best, but when you have a lot of options it's not always easy to find the best value for your money. JBL's speakers come in a variety of sizes, and one of their key features is playing bigger than they appear.

This is where the JBL Charge 5 comes into play. It's medium sized and packs a punch, but has JBL changed too much about the sound while tweaking a few things in both design and functionality? Let's take a look.

JBL Charge 5 speaker and box.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

What's in the box

You won't find much to wade through in the box. Aside from the speaker itself, JBL only includes a USB-C charging cable and a quick start guide. If you've used previous Charge speakers you might be wondering where the 3.5mm aux-in cable is located and it's not here because JBL removed that connector. This speaker is completely wireless.

The JBL Charge 5 speaker features rubber grips on the bottom.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

draft

JBL doesn't reinvent the wheel with the Charge 5 and sticks to a very familiar look that doesn't differ too much from the previous version. I'm mostly referring to the aesthetics, where aside from the more pronounced logo and battery indicator on the front, and the rubberized grips on the bottom, many of the same elements apply.

The weight and dimensions differ only slightly compared to the Charge 4, except that the 5 is more robust.

The tightly woven fabric still looks and feels good, while the bumpers on each side protect the passive radiators. The button layout on top remains the same, while the rear features the USB-C charging port, along with a USB-A port that you can use to charge other devices, basically turning the speaker into a power bank.

The weight and dimensions differ only slightly compared to the Charge 4, except that the 5 is more robust. Instead of keeping the previous IPX7 rating for water resistance, JBL added good dust resistance for an excellent IP67 rating instead. These include salt water and sand, making this speaker equally at home on the beach as it is near a pool or bathtub.

Its overall size makes it a little too big to be highly portable. You could toss it in a bag and take it on a ride, but it's definitely not something you want to carry around for long periods of time. It doesn't have a handle or any indentations to make it easier to carry, but it's the sort of speaker you can take on a trip or from one room to another with relative ease.

The buttons are on the JBL Charge 5 speaker.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

setup and configuration

It was easy to pair the Charge 5 right from the start and I've noticed an improvement in connectivity. The Charge 4 ran Bluetooth 4.2 while the Charge 5 uses 5.1. This shift helps stabilize the connection and plays a key role in why the audio doesn't stutter as you move farther from the speaker.

It can also be paired with two devices at the same time, but it's no help with calls since it's not speakerphone. There's no microphone, meaning you can only hear what your voice assistant is saying and still have to speak into your phone to issue commands. Pairing with two devices means you can easily switch from one to the other when you want to hear what they're playing.

The JBL Portable app (formerly the Connect app) for iOS or Android offers limited functionality, but a key feature that wasn't present when the Charge 5 launched is the three-band EQ. It's modest in scope, with bass, mids and treble available, each with five levels you can pan and adjust. You might think it's overkill for a JBL speaker, but you might also find this speaker more understated than it looks. I found better results tipping the mids up, but if you want more rumbling bass you can always max that out.

PartyBoost returns and stays with the same formula, meaning you can pair the Charge 5 with other PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers to play music at the same time. If you want to pair the left and right channels in stereo, you need to pair it with another Charge 5. Keep in mind that once you turn on PartyBoost and connect to a different speaker, you will lose the EQ and the connected speakers will revert to the default sound profile.

The JBL Charge 5 speaker can be placed upright.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

sound quality

While testing the Charge 5, I installed a firmware update that presumably affected the audio quality, especially the bass. I've never had to test the Charge 4 so I can't be sure there's an upgrade in that regard, but the Portable app's EQ can take the sound to greater depths if you start tinkering with a balance, that works for you.

It's a resonant speaker as its sound carries further than you might expect.

The good news is that this makes an audible difference. You don't get a JBL speaker for high definition audiophile sound. The Charge 5 only supports the Bluetooth codecs AAC and SBC anyway. If you're just looking for a sound that lets tunes play loud and clear, the Charge 5 can certainly get you there due to its volume. Distortion kicks in at very high volumes but lingers long enough before you get there to entertain a group or audience.

It's a resonant speaker as its sound carries further than you might expect. In smaller rooms, you don't necessarily have to turn the volume up too high to feel it. You might consider this purely relevant to bass-heavy music genres, but I'd argue that's not really true. There's enough here to enjoy pretty much whatever you enjoy listening to, and the EQ, while limited, gives you some flexibility to tweak it to your liking.

That bodes well for parties and barbecues and people with eclectic tastes. Nobody there would expect perfection from such a speaker, but they would probably be surprised at how much they can hear when they are further away.

The JBL Charge 5 speaker has bumpers on each side that protect the passive radiators.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

battery life

JBL rates battery life at up to 20 hours per charge, but don't expect to hit that. Had JBL kept the 3.5mm aux-in port it probably would have, except Bluetooth and volume are the deciding factors. I didn't have to get too loud too often, so my mileage usually ranged from 15 to 17 hours. Not bad at all, except that when it runs out of juice it takes up to four hours to fully recharge. You can also plug it in during playback when the battery is low, if you can place it near an outlet or keep a power bank handy.

The speaker's own power bank function plays its own role in battery life. Of course, if you use the included USB-C cable and flip it the other way to connect the USB-A side to the rear port to charge something else via USB-C, you'll be using up some of its lifespan for playback .

Our opinion

You can find the Charge 5 for $180, which is a pretty standard price for a mid-range speaker like this. Whether its size and price are right for you depends on your needs and budget, but your money is definitely buying a volume that works well. Its added durability also stands out, making it versatile where and when you want to play it. There are also six colors to choose from, including the standard camouflage finish.

Is there a better alternative?

Given the limited differences between him and the fee 4, it's not a bad idea to consider the latter as an option, especially if you want a 3.5mm jack. the Ultimate Ears Mega Boom 3 is more expensive at $200, but offers serious durability and more spacious 360-degree sound, as well as color options.

If you'd rather use a speaker at home than one to take with you on trips and outings, you might want to check out this one SonosMove. It's portable enough to move from room to room, but isn't the kind of speaker you want too close to a body of water. And unless you appreciate the smart speaker or the whole-home audio capabilities, the $400 price tag is hard to justify.

How long it will take?

JBL makes sure its speakers play loud without breaking, so it's a good bet you can keep them for a long time. The biggest concern is that water or salt will somehow damage the internal components, which you can avoid by rinsing off sand or salt after a day at the beach. JBL has a one-year warranty against damage, but read the fine print on water damage as the company may not cover every case.

should you buy it

Yes, especially if you don't already have such a speaker. This isn't the kind of product you update yearly. You get it and keep it for as long as you need it. I'd think twice before doing that if you already have the Charge 4, where the upgrade probably doesn't feel that significant.

Editor's Recommendations



12 Jan
Blog

JBL Flip 6 Review: Still Loud For Small Crowds

JBL Flip 6.

JBL Flip 6 in the test: Still loud for small crowds

RRP $ 130.00

"With the Flip 6, JBL keeps it inside and out in the family."

benefits

  • Solid build quality

  • Loud and clear sound

  • Lightweight and portable

  • Excellent water and dust protection

  • EQ offers some sound tweaks

  • Works with the JBL Portable App and PartyBoost

disadvantage

  • Stereo pairing with non-flip 6 JBL speakers not possible

  • Does not work as a speakerphone

  • Not much different from Flip 5

Bluetooth speakers are often a predictable lot where functionality and portability complement their good sound. But different speakers are designed for different situations. When it comes to the audience type, JBL is there. The Flip line fits that description exactly, and the company brings new models to market almost every year.

So don't expect any surprise from them JBL Flip 6. If you know what the Flip range of speakers is all about, you know you're getting plenty of bass and volume. Both are obvious as soon as you start the music. So what are the other perks that come from the few extras that JBL threw in?

What's in the box?

JBL Flip 6.Ted Kritsonis / Digital Trends

There isn't much to unpack on the Flip 6. JBL could downsize the packaging, or at least print a picture of the speaker's true dimensions on the page, so as not to create the impression that it is bigger than it actually is. In addition to the speaker itself, you will find a USB-C charging cable and a quick guide.

draft

JBL Flip 6.Ted Kritsonis / Digital Trends

You get the same cylindrical design and largely similar dimensions as its predecessors. JBL has reduced the height (7.0 inches), width (2.6 inches), and depth (2.8 inches) slightly to make it a bit smaller, albeit with effectively the same weight. Not that it weighs 1.21 pounds – it actually feels just as portable, so you can take it with you anywhere.

This also includes everything to do with water thanks to an official water and dust resistance rating. Unlike previous Flip versions, JBL has given this one an IP67 rating, which improves the Flip 5's IPX7 rating. It's perfect when you want to sing along in the shower, listen to a podcast in a relaxing bath, or splash around in the pool. Let's not forget the beach either, as the Flip 6 holds up well in salt water and sand, making it a great option for a wide variety of outdoor activities.

Durability extends to the rubberized bumpers that surround the passive radiators at each end. JBL has adopted the same design principle here, and the bumpers continue to play a major role in protecting the other components. Much of the rest of the Flip 6 represents an aesthetic change on the outside, like the larger JBL logo on the front and the more textured material on the body. A rubber strip on the bottom prevents the speaker from rolling while at the same time tilting part of the audio up for a more spacious sound profile.

JBL has also addressed the lack of a lanyard in previous versions by incorporating one into the Flip 6. By integrated, I mean that it is already tied up for you, and if you should ever lose it, you could realistically replace it with another.

Wisely, JBL didn't change the control layout and used the same raised buttons that, while not backlit, are easy to feel and accurate when playing / pausing music or adjusting the volume. Power, Bluetooth, battery level indicator and USB-C charging port also return to the rear.

Setup and configuration

It was easy to pair the Flip 6 via Bluetooth as it will automatically go into pairing mode. Just as easily put it back into pairing mode later by holding down the speaker's bluetooth button until it flashes. It connects to one device at a time and was not equipped with a microphone by JBL, so the Flip 6 does not have a hands-free function. This thing is about playing audio, not making phone calls, which is a blatant omission in the industry at this stage of the game.

One thing JBL changed with the Flip 6 is that it can access the JBL Portable (formerly Connect) app for iOS or Android. You can use it to update the firmware and adjust the modest number of settings. The big standout for me was the EQ, which earlier Flip speakers didn't have. It's hardly complicated, with simple bass, mids, and treble sliders, but it marks a shift towards some level of audio control on the Flip 6.

PartyBoost is back, but not without guard rails. I could use party mode to wirelessly connect to other compatible JBL speakers to play the same audio at the same time. You can also create a stereo pair if you or a friend owns another Flip 6 (both speakers must be of the same model). I tried pulling it off with a Flip 5 but got nowhere.

Sound quality

JBL Flip 6.Ted Kritsonis / Digital Trends

It's hardly surprising that the bass stands out in the overall sound signature. JBL chooses it with each subsequent iteration. In this case, it's less about boosting the bass by default as you can tweak it using the portable app's EQ. What is interesting is that the mids and highs have a greater impact on the sound signature. We're not talking about something audiophiles will love, but it's hard not to like the results for what they are.

The Flip 6 gets loud – once again a matter of course for a loudspeaker like this one. It's the response at higher volumes that impressed me. Just when I was expecting the distortion to set in and pop the highs or lows, it maintained a stable sound that I liked even more over time.

Part of it has a lot to do with context, which means I used the speaker a lot when I was moving. Whether I was showering, cooking a meal, or listening to music at work, it became a practical part of my daily routine. Whether it was different genres of music or long podcast episodes, I appreciated the Flip 6 for its performance.

If you're a fan of bass heavy genres I don't think you'll be disappointed with the output here. It's deep and rumbling, with just enough detail in the mids and highs for decent balance. Pretty much any top 40 and party hits playlist will do well with a small crowd if this thing challenges them.

JBL Flip 6.Ted Kritsonis / Digital Trends

Battery life

JBL claims the Flip 6 can last up to 12 hours per charge, but at no point did I achieve that. It depends how loud you get, but I've been in the range of around 8-10 hours which isn't bad. That's enough time for a trip to the park, the beach or the pool. Connect it with the USB-C cable and you can play the music that way, especially if you have a portable battery to help.

Our opinion

For $ 130, the Flip 6 feels like value for money. You get a speaker that is very portable yet has enough power to be loud when you need it. Its added durability makes it safer and more useful in sandy and tougher environments, which certainly can't hurt either. There are also a handful of colors to choose from: black, blue, red, gray, and teal.

Is there a better alternative?

JBL doesn't give up 5. turn aroundwhich is arguably just as good for most situations, but if you want to go that route, wait for the price to drop. Ultimate Ears charges more than $ 150 for similar size and toughness in the Boom 3except that you also get a more spacious sound as the speaker wraps around your body. To get this spatial effect with serious harshness, pay the same $ 150 to get the Outdoor technology OT-2800-B Turtle Shell 3.0that offers the same water (but not dust) resistance.

If your budget allows it and you want a whole house music ecosystem to match your bluetooth speaker, then you should consider the Sonos Roam as well. It supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, as well as simple voice commands and wireless charging, and you get it all for $ 179.

How long it will take?

JBL speakers have a pretty good track record, and the Flip 6 was made to last. You need to handle it properly to ensure its longevity, such as rinsing off sand and salt. Keep it clean and it should play for years. JBL offers a one-year guarantee against damage to the speaker, but not in all cases of water damage.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you need a speaker this size that prefers loud, clear sound and you don't want a speakerphone inside. If you already have a Flip 5, you probably don't have to take the plunge unless you really want to use the few new features that are available.

Editor's recommendations



24 Nov
Blog

JBL Reflect Flow Pro Review: Spectacular Sport Earbuds

JBL Reflect Flow Pro.

JBL Reflect Flow Pro in the test: Spectacular sports earphones

RRP $ 180.00

"Many functions and a powerful sound make them perfect training friends."

advantages

  • Firm, secure fit

  • Excellent noise cancellation

  • Choice of hands-free A.I.s.

  • Completely waterproof

  • Wireless charging

disadvantage

  • Limited control

  • No quick charging option

JBL isn't always the most enduring company when it comes to personal audio. Sometimes, like the Tour Pro + earphones and the Tour One ANC headphones, it absolutely pegs down. Other times it falls short, as I've felt with its flagship Club One cans. But they've been more hits than failures lately, and that certainly goes for JBL's newest true wireless earbuds, the $ 180 JBL Reflect Flow Pro, a product that mates with the $ 200 Beats Fit Pro , the $ 180, competes Jabra Elite 7 Active, and JBL's own Reflect Mini NC for $ 150. How good are the Reflect Flow Pro? Let's take a look at them.

Great fit without Frankenstein

JBL Reflect Flow Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

In theory, the Reflect Flow Pro are the company's successors Reflect flow Model, a comfortable and waterproof set of sports earbuds that unfortunately had some drawbacks. They were huge – often sticking out of the ears and giving off what I consider a Frankenstein monster look. Their physical buttons were a little difficult to press, their sound quality was uneven, and their transparency mode (ambient mode) was limited.

But if you look at the design of the Reflect Flow Pro, it becomes clear that despite its name, it is actually the Pro model of the Reflect Mini NC and not the Reflect Flow. The Reflect Flow Pro are smaller and lighter and fix practically every bug we found with the original Reflect Flow.

The Reflect Flow Pro comes with three sizes of silicone earbuds and four sizes of wingtips ("power fins" in JBL parlance) that range from large to barely available, which means that more people are likely to find a suitable combination. This is in stark contrast to the Beats Fit Pro, which has a single, permanently installed set of wingtips.

Scope of delivery of JBL Reflect Flow Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

According to JBL, the fit is secure enough to go surfing with the Reflect Flow Pro. I respectfully disagree. Yes, they are very secure, but no, I wouldn't risk finding out the hard way they couldn't be wiped upside down. Still, as long as they stay in place, they won't have a problem handling all that water – with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, they're pretty much the toughest earbuds you can buy.

The charging case is neither waterproof nor dustproof, but well made and quite robust. The integrated carrying loop is just big enough to guide the bag through the loop and attach it to a bag strap or even a belt loop on the trousers.

From zero to hero

The Reflect Flow Pro not only improve the design of the Reflect Flow, they are also packed with features. Wireless charging, wear sensors, a choice of voice assistants, active noise cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, custom controls and EQ. It's like JBL defies us to find something that's missing, and frankly, it's hard to find bugs at all. And that's before we even dive into things like sound quality, call quality, and practical extras (but don't worry, we'll cover those too).

Hours of power

JBL Reflect Flow Pro charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

One of the things the original JBL Reflect Flow got right was its impressive power capacity: 10 hours per charge and two full charges in the case's battery. The Reflect Flow Pro doubles these numbers when ANC and transparency are disabled. But even when you use these features, you still get up to eight hours on a single charge. That's better than both the Beats Fit Pro and Beats Powerbeats Pro.

The only thing missing here is a quick charging option. Ordinarily I would call JBL for this oversight, but if you can offer people up to 10 hours per charge, the need for fast charge is greatly reduced. In addition, the charging case of the Reflect Flow Pro supports wireless charging of Qi, something that Beats products have not yet been able to do.

Sound that moves you

Man with JBL Reflect Flow Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Punchy and powerful bass can be fun no matter what you're doing while listening to music, but it's a great benefit for people who need exercise motivation. The Reflect Flow Pro won't disappoint: you sound great right out of the box, with lots of low-end boom and decently clear mids and highs. Throw up a track like Billy Idol's Rita Hayworth and the Reflect Flow Pro delivers a high-octane sound attack that is guaranteed to get you moving.

Subtlety isn't their forte – these aren't the earphones for finding lost details in your favorite jazz ensembles – but they're not a blunt instrument either. The headphone app from JBL offers a very powerful EQ tool that rewards patience and experimentation with many tuning variations. My only gripe is that the company doesn't come with a few more built-in presets – you only get three: bass, jazz, and vocal.

Quiet or talkative

JBL Reflect Flow Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The noise cancellation of the JBL Reflect Mini NC impressed me quite a bit, but the Reflect Flow Pro are even better. So good that I saw almost no difference when I compared it to the Beats Fit Pro (which have a great ANC). Outside, traffic noise was kept well at bay so I could hear my podcasts clearly without turning up the volume. Inside, the bathroom fan, which sits six feet from my desk – but it sounds like it's next to my head – has been almost completely neutralized.

The transparency mode is really good too, with the option to choose between two versions: Ambient Aware (for general ambient noise) and TalkThru (for conversations). Both can be quickly triggered with a single or double tap on the earbuds, which makes them very convenient.

The illusion of control

Controls are the only area in which JBL still has a lot to do. The touch controls on the Reflect Flow Pro are excellent – they respond quickly and accurately to touch and a small tone confirms when a touch is made, which is an important form of feedback when a physical click is not available. The problem is that at JBL you can choose from four possible control “groups” and you can only have two of them active at the same time.

For example, you can choose between playback control, ambient noise / ANC / TalkThru, volume control or voice assistant. If you want playback and volume control, you cannot use Ambient Noise / ANC / TalkThru or Voice Assistant. If you want playback controls and voice assistant, you cannot use Ambient Sound / ANC / TalkThru or volume control.

If this is inherent in the true wireless earbuds, I wouldn't be complaining, but it's not: the Jabra series of elite earbuds give you complete control over every gesture without forcing you to choose between mutually exclusive options.

I also wish there was a way to turn off voice feedback. The quick toggling from ANC to Ambient mode is great, but it's a little less convenient if your earbuds keep saying "Ambient mode on" or "Noise canceling on".

Speak and be heard

The call quality with the Reflect Flow Pro is generally very good. You can struggle a little in very noisy situations, but few earbuds excel in these conditions. More importantly, they handle wind noise better than most of the earbuds I've tried, and that's helpful as they'll be great choices for runners or even cyclists. You will be perfectly heard in relatively quiet conditions.

However, with these earbuds you can also use your voice to summon various assistants – a rare feature that comes in very handy. iOS users can use Hey Siri in the same way as they can with Apple's H1-based products (AirPods, Beats Fit Pro, Powerbeats Pro, etc.). There is also the option of working with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant instead – both work with their respective hands-free wake-up words.

Extras

If you're the type of person who keeps misplacing items, the JBL Headphones app can force the Reflect Flow Pro to emit a loud beep. Each earbud can beep independently, but the feature will not work when docked in the charging case. There is also no map showing their last known location, which some other earbuds (AirPods, Jabra Elite, etc.) do.

The app can also help you find out if the size of the earbuds you choose seals you off from the outside world. If you're not getting the sound quality you expected – especially poor bass – this is the place to start.

Our opinion

With great protection from the elements, great sound and noise cancellation, and great battery life, the JBL Reflect Flow Pro are the perfect alternative to the Beats Powerbeats Pro and Fit Pro for people looking for a killer workout companion.

Is there a better alternative?

I think the best alternative to the Reflect Flow Pro is JBL's Reflect Mini NC. It's less expensive, has a smaller charging case that puts it in your pocket better, and has practically all the features of the Pro. You won't get the same caliber of sound quality, noise cancellation, or call quality, but for some people this is a perfectly acceptable tradeoff.

If you want a smaller earbud, Beats Fit Pro will work fine, and if you want a much more secure fit, consider the Powerbeats Pro.

How long will they last?

With an IP68 degree of protection and a very long starter battery life, you should get many years out of the JBL Reflect Flow Pro. They are solidly built, as is their charging case. JBL supports them with a one-year guarantee.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. If you're looking for a sturdy set of training buds that can handle anything you throw at them – and that come with solid features and great sound – this is it JBL Reflect Flow Pro are an excellent choice.

Editor's recommendations



17 Aug
Blog

JBL Tour One Review: ANC Headphones With Super Call Quality

JBL Tour One wireless noise-canceling headphones.

JBL Tour One test report: Noise canceling cans for frequent callers

RRP $ 300.00

"A large battery and a pleasant call quality make these cans ideal for work or travel."

advantages

  • Effective ANC

  • Good sound quality

  • Excellent call quality

  • Great battery life

disadvantage

  • No sidetone for calls

  • No aptX / aptX HD / LDAC codecs

Right now, Sony's $ 350 WH-1000XM4 are the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy. We like them so much that they also top our list of the best wireless headphones and the best headphones overall. Sony's success has not gone unnoticed by its competitors, which has led to several attempts to mimic the XM4, including JBL's $ 300 Tour One.

The Tour One isn't just a bit like the XM4. From size, weight, shape, and materials to controls and features, it's almost like JBL used the XM4 as a blueprint for the Tour One and then figured out how to sell it for $ 50 less.

The question you're probably asking is, should I buy the Tour One and save that $ 50, or has JBL trimmed too many features to slip below the price of the XM4? I think the Sony headphones are still the ones to buy, but JBL still managed to make the Tour One worth it thanks to a few things it does really well. Let's get into that.

What's in the box?

Scope of delivery of the wireless JBL Tour One headphones with noise cancellation.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

JBL still has a lot to learn about sustainable packaging. The Tour One Box contains a lot of foam padding and coated cardboard, which makes recycling difficult.

Open the box and you will find the Tour One in its own semi-rigid zippered tote bag. This is your first hint that JBL was inspired by Sony. Not only is the case almost exactly the same size and shape as the one Sony uses for both the WH-1000XM3 and XM4, but it also has the same mesh pocket sewn to one side for small accessories or perhaps a credit Card and ID can be used if you have taken it to the gym.

Inside the case, the Tour One is folded into exactly the same position as the Sony cans and there is a paper insert with a diagram to remind you how to put the headphones in to make them fit again, just like Sony did.

If Sony's designs are too conservative for you, the Tour One adds just enough bling not to look boring.

The similarities continue into the small compartment that houses the included accessories: a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, a 3.5mm to 2.5mm analog cable and a Double pin flight adapter.

Unlike Sony, JBL's charging cable actually has a usable length (40 inches compared to Sony's ridiculously short 9 inches). The USB-A side is reversible for rate-free use – a nice touch.

design

JBL Tour One wireless noise-canceling headphones next to the Sony WH-1000XM4.JBL Tour One (left) and Sony WH-1000XM4. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Given the similarity of the Tour One to the WH-1000XM4, the overall design is hard to criticize. It has a compact shape that keeps the ear cups and headband close to your head so you don't look like you've just walked off the set of a daft punk video.

The auricles pivot, fold, and articulate gently to adapt to the shape of your head. The headband is well padded and the sliders move with a precise "notch" that is both easy to adjust and secure once adjusted.

The Tour One are still very light and very comfortable.

JBL has given the Tour One a slightly satin finish to the plastics and added some black chrome accents that give the cans an extremely high-quality look. If Sony's designs are too conservative for you, the Tour One adds just enough bling not to look boring.

In terms of controls, JBL is improving Sony's design. JBL keeps things simple by replacing Sony's swipe gestures for a combination of simple taps on the right earcup for playback controls and a dedicated set of buttons for volume. A combined power / Bluetooth pairing switch on the right ear cup and a single multifunction button on the left ear cup round off the Tour One's controls.

Comfort, controls and connections

The wireless JBL Tour One headphones with noise cancellation control the close-up.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Although not quite as light as the WH-1000XM4 (9.45 ounces vs. 8.95 ounces), the Tour One is still very light and very comfortable. The ear pads and headband are generously padded and I was able to wear them for three hours without getting tired, even with glasses. One thing that bothered me towards the end of this period was the depth of the auricles. My ears stick out quite a bit – maybe a little more than average – and their outer edges are touching the inner lining. At some point this pressure point needed some relief.

If your ears are like mine, both the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose Noise Canceling Headphones offer 700 deeper ear cups.

The Tour One's hinged hinges are great for wearing around your neck, and they fold properly so that the ear cups are facing down and the ear cushions are against your collarbone. Sony does this too, but Bose makes the peculiar decision to put the headband's far less comfortable sliders on your collarbone.

Despite its comfortable fit, the Tour One has a greater tendency to move on its head than the Bose or Sony. It's by no means a deal breaker, but if you want a full-size set of cans for the gym as well as the office or airplane cabin, keep this in mind.

The controls of the Tour One are very easy to use. The single, double, and triple tap touches on the right earcup register every time (as long as you tap the center) and I like having a power button that turns the headphones on instantly. The Bose 700 also turns on instantly, but the Sony XM4s require more patience with a gesture of pressing and holding the power button.

Using the JBL Headphones app offers some adjustments to the controls. Both the multifunction button and the tap-and-hold gesture on the touch panel can be set to control the Active Noise Canceling (ANC) / TalkThru modes or to trigger your voice assistant.

The bluetooth connectivity is excellent.

The auto-pause option works really well. If you pull the ear cups away from your head, the melodies will pause immediately and then resume just as quickly when they are snapped back into place. You can deactivate the function in the headphones app if you want.

The bluetooth connectivity is excellent. Even though I wasn't considered a Class 1 Bluetooth device like the Beats Studio 3 headphones, I was still able to leave my phone at my desk and walk all the way to my garage (about 18 meters, one floor and several walls in terms of the distance). and the signal stayed strong. You can also connect the Tour One to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, although this once caused a static noise that was fixed by disconnecting and reconnecting my phone.

Sound quality

JBL Tour One wireless noise-canceling headphones.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Out of the box, the Tour One has a relatively neutral EQ. There's a nice definition over the frequencies and excellent clarity in the upper mids and highs. The bass reproduction is snappy and not intrusive. You can tell that JBL has tuned these sockets as genre-independent as possible, which is in contrast to headphones, which tend to be low-end.

Compared to the Sony XM4, the Tour One doesn't offer as much warmth or such a wide soundstage, but the difference isn't that big. Strangely enough, the Tour One, just like the other flagship radio sockets from JBL, the Club One, are not equipped with high-quality Bluetooth codecs such as aptX, aptX HD or LDAC. While you can play frequencies from 20 Hz to 40 kHz (and are therefore considered Hi-Res audio compatible), you will never experience this anywhere when using the headphones wirelessly. The XM4 gives you LDAC, which doesn't do much for iPhone owners, but offers better sound quality for those with Android phones.

When you listen via bluetooth you can enjoy the bones of the song, but when you are wired you can hear its soul.

And that's a shame, because if you connect the Tour One to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with the supplied analog cable, they deliver a lot more depth and resonance.

One of my favorite test tracks is Billie Eilish's Bad Guy. Not only does it have incredibly deep bass, but it also superimposes Eilish's whispering voice, creating a torture chamber for audio equipment. It's also a deceptively complex shot. When you listen via bluetooth you can enjoy the bones of the song, but when you are wired you can hear its soul. Suddenly Eilish is not only whispering through the lyrics, she is whispering directly in your ear – it's an ASMR-level experience that creates goosebumps.

I don't want to miss out on the wireless performance too much as it's actually very good, and I like the fact that you can access EQ presets and manual EQ adjustments from within the app. This can radically change the sound signature of the Tour One. So if you're not a fan of the so-called flat EQ, you don't have to put up with it.

Noise cancellation and transparency

JBL Tour One headphones with wireless noise cancellation in close-up.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Tour One does a good job of canceling out external noise, but its performance can be a little uneven. Unlike the Sony XM4 and Bose 700, the Tour One seems to struggle to produce a nice, even canceling effect. I have a fan under my desk that produces both even sound and even wind. JBL's ANC blocks it well enough, but it cannot decide exactly which of the fan’s frequencies to block, so you can actually hear it chasing around and the result can be a little uncomfortable.

This mostly happens when you use JBL's True Adaptive ANC mode which tries to respond to your listening conditions in real time. Turning this feature off helped a lot. To be fair, my desk fan situation is a minor anomaly – I wasn't even aware of the problem at other times – but both the Sony XM4 and Bose 700 handled it flawlessly, with the Bose being by far the best of the three.

The Silent Now mode is useful if you just want to be quiet: it activates ANC, but keeps Bluetooth communication switched off, saving the battery when you need it.

In short, I've never tested wireless headphones with better call quality than the Tour One.

JBL gives you two different transparency modes to choose from, and both of them have their advantages. For a better general awareness of your surroundings, you can choose Ambient Aware – which lets in a lot of external sounds without affecting your music. Or, if you actually need to talk to someone, you can activate TalkThru mode, which is just like Ambient Aware but also drops the volume of your audio to a point where it is barely noticeable.

Oddly enough, you can toggle between full ANC mode and TalkThru by double-clicking the multifunction button. However, if you want to switch between ANC and Ambient Aware, you need to switch between three modes: ANC>, Ambient Aware>, Ambient Aware Off> ANC.

Call quality

JBL Tour One wireless headphones with noise-canceling headband in close-up.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

So far, most of the qualities of the JBL Tour One have more or less placed them where one would expect them to be compared to the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700. But one area where the Tour One blows away those other headphones is their call quality.

I could walk down a very busy street, with varying degrees of traffic noise, including loud buses and some construction equipment, and yet if you listen to the recording I made you would swear I was sitting alone in a quiet park – so little outside noise got recorded by the microphones of the Tour One.

Not only will your voice be interrupted by these competing sounds, but it will sound really good too. The Tour One captures and preserves the lower notes of your voice, adding depth and resonance to it, which is in sharp contrast to most other headphones and earbuds.

In short, I've never tested wireless headphones with better call quality than the Tour One.

The only caveat here is that JBL has dedicated all of the Tour One's microphones to noise suppression and voice quality optimization, which means there is no sideline and no way to be in Ambient Aware mode or TalkThru mode while on a call to stay. While your callers will love your sound, they may not hear your own voice as clearly.

Battery life

JBL Tour One wireless noise-canceling headphones, folded.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

JBL claims that the Tour One gives you 50 hours of battery life if you disable ANC, and about half that if you leave it on. I didn't run it for a full charge / discharge cycle, but after about 10 hours of playing music at 50% volume with ANC, the JBL Headphones app gave me a 55% battery level, which is pretty close to what JBL claims.

These are great numbers. Better than Sony, better than Bose, and even a tiny bit better than the Marshall Monitor ANC II, our best premium cans for battery life to date.

They take two hours to empty, but you can get three hours of playtime on a 10 minute quick charge.

Extras

JBL's Tour series, which includes the Tour One headphones and Tour Pro + True Wireless earbuds, is one of the few on the market that offers hands-free access to the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa of your choice.

Once you've chosen your assistant, you can say “Hey Google” or “Alexa” and then ask for anything – including controls for playback, answering calls, and volume. When you use this option, one of the gestures on the multifunction button is released, giving you more control over other headphone functions.

I only tested Amazon's Alexa, but it worked just fine. JBL hasn't stated whether using the speakerphone will reduce battery life (and I haven't been able to determine if it does), but it is very likely that it will.

You also get JBL's My Alarm feature, which lets you choose from a variety of soothing sounds, combined with a customizable sleep timer.

Our opinion

For those looking for premium noise-canceling headphones, the JBL Tour One offers an excellent (and cheaper) alternative to Sony and Bose, with only a few sacrifices for the cheaper price. And they're killers for phone calls.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes, overall it is Sony WH-1000XM4 are still a better set of noise-canceling headphones that outperform the Tour One in sound quality, ANC, comfort, and Hi-Res wireless audio. But if you can't find them on sale, they're a fair bit more expensive than the JBL Tour One. If you don't mind the compromises, I see no reason not to buy the Tour One instead of the Sony's.

How long will they last?

As far as I can tell, both the build quality and materials of the Tour One are superb, and I suspect they are roughly on par with the Sony and Bose models in terms of durability. They may even have an advantage thanks to their longer battery life, as batteries in a set of wireless headphones are usually the first part to deteriorate.

JBL supports the Tour One with a one-year guarantee.

Should you buy it?

Yes. They're a solid option for anyone looking for comfortable noise-canceling headphones with good sound quality, great battery life, and great call quality

Editor's recommendations



04 Feb
Blog

JBL Reflect Mini NC Review: Workout Earbuds With Big Bass

JBL Reflect Mini NC

"With a throbbing bass and a huge list of functions, the JBL Reflect Mini NC chooses every workout."

  • Big, powerful bass

  • Excellent call quality

  • Either Alexa or Google Assistant

  • Good noise cancellation

  • Cumbersome adjustment of the controls

  • No wireless charging

JBL sells a wide variety of true wireless earbuds aimed at fitness enthusiasts. Between the company's own JBL branded products and its partnerships with Under Armor and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, you can choose from eight different models, priced between $ 100 and $ 200. Announced at CES 2021, the latest in the range are the $ 150 Reflect Mini NC, JBL's first Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) training buds.

With an impressive list of features, excellent water resistance, and a surprisingly affordable price point, one wonders: what's the catch? Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Reflect Mini NC, like most JBL headphones, comes in a box that is beautifully designed but a nightmare to recycle, with lots of plastic, foam, and magnets embedded. Inside you will find the earphones, their charging case, a USB-C charging cable, a total of three sizes of silicone earplugs and wing tips, as well as paper documentation with a quick guide.

design

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Most of the other loading cases feel weak in comparison.

The Reflect Mini NC and its compact charging case are available in black, white, green or blue and radiate robustness. Despite its low weight, the charging case is very solid thanks to a robust plastic shell and an impressively robust hinge. The lid is easy to open and stays in the open position until you close it, which comes with a very satisfactory magnetic clasp. Most of the other loading cases, even JBL's own Reflect Flow, feel weak in comparison. A built-in lanyard loop is handy for taking the headphones with you when you don't have a pocket, or attaching them to a gym bag or backpack.

I'm also a bit obsessed with the charge indicator on the front of the case. In most cases there will be a small LED dot or a series of dots if you're lucky. With the Reflect Mini NC, however, you get a large, fat LED bar that shows the charging status of each earbud and the case itself. The only thing missing here is wireless charging.

The earphones are also solidly built and, as the name suggests, slightly smaller than the Reflect Flows – albeit not by much. As an advantage for night runners and hikers, reflective paint was applied to the JBL logos on the contact surfaces.

No workout buds would be complete without some sort of water resistance, and the Reflect Mini NC doesn't disappoint with an IPX7 rating, which means they're effectively waterproof. They won't work if you go swimming with them, but they won't be damaged either.

Convenience, control and connections

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

True workout wireless earbuds often use an ear hook design to ensure a secure fit. The Powerbeats Pro are the flagship for this function. But if you can achieve the same level of security without the earhook, that's a plus in my opinion, and the Reflect Mini NC definitely delivers. The tradeoff – if you consider it a compromise – is that these earbuds really make your ears feel full.

You have no concerns about an accidentally detached bud.

The silicone earbuds and wing tips are denser than the ones JBL uses for the Reflect Flow, presumably to improve stability, but that means they're not quite as comfortable. You have no concerns about an accidentally detached bud, but you'll never forget you're wearing it either. As a result, they are likely not the best choice for long periods of wear in an office or on an airplane.

The touch controls respond quickly as long as you touch the surface of the logo and not just the edges. Each earbud is factory-equipped with preset functions. With the left bud you can switch between the ANC modes or activate the talk-thru mode (more on this later). The right earbud controls play / pause and skip forward / backward. Both earbuds can access your phone's built-in assistant and both can be used to answer / end calls and mute / unmute the microphones. So far, so good. There is no volume control by default, but that's not uncommon – many true wireless earbuds lack this feature.

The problem occurs when you use the free JBL headphones app to customize the controls. Instead of letting you choose which features go with which gestures, you have to choose from the presets. For example, the left earbud can control noise cancellation or playback functions, but not a mix of these functions. If volume control is important to you, you can set either earbud to control it. But then you just have to choose another function to control with the other earbud. What will it be? And if you don't like the gesture assigned to a particular function (e.g. a single tap to toggle ANC mode), you can't change it.

You can configure the Reflect Mini NC to access the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa instead of your phone's built-in assistant. However, if you use this very cool feature it will take a whole earbud. This leaves you with Alexa and volume (for example). Or Alexa and ANC. You get the picture. I asked JBL why the controls seem to be set up like a bunch of channels on cable TV, but I have never received a satisfactory answer.

Like more and more earbuds these days, the Reflect Mini NC has an auto play / pause function that pauses your music when you remove an earbud. It reacts very quickly and can be deactivated in the app if desired.

You can use the earbuds individually (both can answer / end calls) and their wireless range is excellent. Pairing is very quick and easy for both iPhone and Android phones.

There's a bass-forward sound signature that you can feel all over your body.

In the JBL app, you can choose from three different Smart Audio modes that supposedly change the parameters of the wireless connection: Normal for the most stable connection, audio for the best sound quality, and video for the lowest latency (also great for gaming). I didn't notice much of a difference between these modes, but I love that they are included if you need them.

JBL also includes a Find My Earbuds feature that makes each earbud emit a high-pitched beep. It's loud enough that you will hear it even if a bud gets wedged between sofa cushions.

Sound quality

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

When it comes to a set of workout earphones, the big, powerful bass is arguably one of the most important elements. After all, it's the beat that keeps most of us going, whether we're serious about taking a walk or trying to hit a new personal best at the gym. Thanks in part to its super-tight seal, the Reflect Mini NC fulfills this requirement with a bass-forward sound signature that you can feel through your whole body.

Turn up Post Malone's wow. or Ariana Grande's 7 rings and wait for those extremely deep basses to hit – it's powerful stuff. That same low-end rumble is perfect for action films too.

You can customize the EQ to your heart's content in the JBL app, with a few presets, but also your own collection of custom settings. These are well worth exploring – you can drastically change the signature of the Reflect Mini NC.

They aren't the most nuanced earbuds I've ever heard. The mids can be a bit overwhelmed by the heavy lows and highs, and their soundstage isn't as wide or open as on models like this Jabra Elite Active 75t. As a training companion, however, they couldn't be more precise in terms of sound.

Noise cancellation and transparency

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

After a lukewarm experience with JBL's ANC technology on the Club One wireless headphones, I was also prepared for an overwhelming performance from the Reflect Mini NC. Surprisingly, the opposite was true. Once again, their tight ear canal seal is key: these earbuds do such a good job of passive noise isolation that the ANC circuit doesn't have much to put out, and they do a very effective job.

It's so good, in fact, that even without music, family members could sneak up on me completely undetected while I had the earphones with me.

You can select the specific frequencies you want to cancel using a slider in the JBL app. It's not quite as convenient as the Sony, Jabra, or Soundcore presets, but it's very handy nonetheless. Customize ANC performance for your specific environment.

The Reflect Mini NC have excellent call quality.

Transparency mode is good too, but it has two minor drawbacks: unlike ANC, you can't adjust how much sound transparency mode is allowed, and there's no way to toggle between ANC and transparency mode without an ANC off Mode to cycle through. Two more adjustments that JBL should add.

Talk-thru mode, a handy way to temporarily turn on transparency while lowering the volume of your music, works very well too.

Battery life

JBL claims six hours of use between charges for the Reflect Mini NC when the ANC is on and seven hours when it is off. It's similar to the Jabra Elite 75t and Elite Active 75t, but not quite as impressive as the Powerbeats Pro's nine hours. The charging case contains two full charges that take an additional 12 or 14 hours. As far as I can tell, these numbers are pretty accurate.

A 10-minute quick charge gives you an extra hour of playback time, although that's on the low end for true wireless earbuds.

Call quality

JBL managed to surprise me once again – the Reflect Mini NC have excellent call quality. To put it in perspective, if you are using them outside or around traffic, you just can't tell I wasn't inside. There was an occasional jiggle when noise cancellation tackled car and wind noise, but overall these earbuds are impressively clear.

During a call you can still switch the ANC to ambient mode, which is perfect for hearing your own voice without the attenuation effects of the earbuds.

Our opinion

The JBL Reflect Mini NC with massive basses are also inexpensive and feature-rich, which makes them an ideal set of training companions. If JBL could fix the cumbersome and restrictive control schemes, they would be nearly perfect.

Is there a better alternative?

I think JBL found the sweet spot for workout earbuds with the price, sound, and features of the Reflect Mini NC, but here are three alternatives worth considering:

Sony's $ 200 WF-SP800N is one of our most popular workout earbuds. It offers better sound quality and a better ANC, as well as an enormous battery life of nine hours.

The $ 200 Jabra Elite Active 75t offers better sound quality (though not as much bass) and controls, plus longer battery life, while providing great water and dust resistance. I think they're more comfortable too, but without ear hooks or wing tips, they're not as safe.

The $ 150 JLab Epic Air Sport is one of our favorite Powerbeats Pro competitors. They don't have an ANC and their ear hook design makes them less versatile, but they have great sound and tremendous battery life.

How long will they last?

With a one-year guarantee from JBL, the Reflect Mini NC are very robustly built and I expect a long service life. The silicone earbuds and wing tips will likely need to be replaced after a year of continuous use, but this is normal for these parts.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. As long as you're okay with a very custom-fit in-ear design and you don't mind spending some time figuring out which controls to use, this is it JBL Reflect Mini NC are great workout earbuds.

Editor's recommendations




26 Jun
Blog

JBL Club One Review: Heavyweight Headphones Pack A Punch

JBL Club One ANC headphones

"Built for those who love club sound, they're a bit expensive for what you get."

  • Powerful, precise sound

  • Outstanding workmanship

  • Easy to use controls

  • Very good call quality

  • Excellent battery life without ANC

  • Heavy

  • Lack of low-end depth and warmth

  • Earcups may not be sealed to all users

  • Only one ANC mode is available at a time

Top tier over-the-ear active noise canceling (ANC) headphones already have an impressive number of competitors, including the $ 700 Bose Noise Canceling 700 headphones, the $ 350 Sony WH-1000XM3 that $ 400 Bowers & Wilkins PX7 and the Sennheiser & # 39; s $ 400 Momentum 3 Wireless.

But there's still room for one and JBL hopes that the new Club One worth $ 350 will earn a place at the table. Do you succeed? Check out our full review.

Design and materials

Swivel JBL Club One ANC headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Take the JBL Club One and you immediately know that JBL is not playing around. Everything about these headphones says premium. There is high-quality information everywhere, from the heavy metal slides, hinges and ear cup cones to the deeply padded (and magnetically attached) ear pads to the full leather headband.

Regardless of how heavy they are, they are remarkably well balanced once you put them upside down.

This build quality has its price: the Club Ones weigh a whopping 13.3 ounces. To put that in perspective: The PX7 weighs 10.7 ounces and the WH-1000XM3 weighs just under 8.9 ounces.

Amazingly, despite their weight, once you put them upside down they are remarkably well balanced. The combination of headband padding and clamping pressure helps Club Ones feel lighter than their numbers suggest.

However, the comfortable, tight fit may not be for everyone. With ear cups with smaller openings than some competitors, those with large ears may feel somewhat claustrophobic. I noticed that the ear cup cones also had difficulty keeping the pads flush with the sides of my head, and I often left a small gap near the bottom.

Overall, the design of the Club One is reminiscent of a top-class luxury coupé with subtle matt surfaces and only a hint of chrome trim that surrounds the outer surface of the ear cups. I'm not quite sure what to make of the exposed braided audio cables. Depending on your point of view, they add a touch of retro coolness or interrupt the otherwise clean and simple design.

The Club One headphones come with their own hard case carrying case, a USB-C charging cable, an airplane travel adapter, a 6.3 mm plug adapter and two types of analog cables, one of which has an inline remote control and a microphone disposes.

Control and ease of use

JBL Club One ANC headphone controlSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

As the name suggests, Club One headphones are inspired by DJs, according to JBL. That certainly happens in the JBL headphones companion app (more on that later), but not so much in the way the club ones are physically structured. The rotating swivel joints under the hinge of the headband and the pivot points of the ear cup don't let an ear cup turn around for comfortable use in a one-handed DJ style.

This limitation also means that the auricles don't lie flat when you lie around your neck. It's not a deal-breaker, but if you've ever worn full-size headphones while sitting on the plane for hours, you'll appreciate this added flexibility.

Most of the controls on the Club One are very familiar: Play / pause and volume are integrated into an easy-to-find and use three-way control on the right ear cup, while the buttons for power supply, Bluetooth and ANC are equally accessible on the left. The oversized "Action" button, which takes up the entire outer surface of the left can, is a surprise. It is used to summon the Google Assistant or Alexa of your choice, though strangely not Siri.

I like the massive physical button, but it would be nice if I could switch the voice assistant feature to ANC mode, as this is a feature I've used more often.

Another surprise is the double set of inputs for the set of analog cables that come with the Club Ones. Unlike virtually all wireless headphones we've seen, Club Ones give you a choice of which ear cup the cable will go to when you want to be wired, and the connectors use a twist-lock design for added security – another one Rarity in the wireless world.

Sound quality

JBL Club One ANC headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The club ones sound great, but not what I expected. For me, “DJ-inspired” suggests a bass-forward signature that reflects the throbbing beat of the club floor, but the EQ is actually much milder. Instead of a deep boom, the club ones are turning towards the energetic mids and highs – the elements that puncture an EDM track through the build just before the beat drops.

The result is a sound that creates crystal clear and precise upper registers – almost painful – that really complement the EDM genre.

They convey neither warmth nor expansion nor some of the other headphones in this category

I think that shouldn't come as a surprise. In the JBL Headphones app you will find a special area for EQ adjustments that were developed by world-famous DJs such as Armin van Buren, Sunnery James and Tigerlily – as if Club One's claim to DJ culture was not clear enough.

JBL Club One ANC headphone appTapping these DJ presets will give you a variety of sound switches. You can also just switch to the custom EQ section and program your own with a very versatile graphic slider.

If the sound of Club One has a disadvantage, they don't convey the warmth or expansion of a sound stage, as well as some other headphones in that category.

Sony's excellent WH-1000XM3 can't keep up with Club Ones in terms of pure energy, but it does better swing low-end basses through your whole body. If the Sonys are the Boom Boom Pow of the Black Eyed Peas, then the JBLs are David Guettas Titanium.

In an ideal world, all headphones would be equally comfortable to play all kinds of music, but the club ones have clearly set their sights on the genres you are most likely to hear … in the club.

Some people are very picky about Bluetooth audio codecs. If that sounds like you, you should know that the Club One only supports SBC and AAC Bluetooth connections despite the high end price – not aptX, aptX HD or LDAC. If you want a higher quality level, you must either use the digital T0-to-analog converter (DAC) of your phone or your own DAC and one of the supplied analog cables. JBL claims that when used with these cables, Club One's frequency response jumps to high-definition audio.

I used the Tidal HiFi Masters catalog and put the Club Ones to the test. There is no doubt: they sounded even better with this source, but their extremely powerful EQ remained something I thought genres like jazz, classical and blues didn't do.

Noise cancellation

JBL Club One ANC headphone hingeSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

It takes a hell of a lot of effort to beat Sony and Bose at the ANC game, and although the Club Ones do their best – they eliminate a lot of external sounds – it is not their killer function.

Part of the problem is the design of the headphones themselves. Without a perfect seal around the ear cups, noise cancellation can never be as effective as with tightly closed things. JBL claims that True Adaptive Noise Canceling responds to the environment and changes in real time to adjust by compensating for sound leaks caused by factors such as hair, glasses and head movements. In practice, however, it could not rule out any booming noises such as bathroom fans, dehumidifiers and hair dryers, as well as the Sony WH-1000XM3.

However, it is not a big gap. I would say the club ones are about 85% as effective as the Sonys, but there is something to keep in mind if ANC is a big item on your headphone wish list.

I was also confused about Club One's ANC-related features. The ANC button has two modes: Ambient Aware, which allows you to switch between full ANC and the possibility of outside noise, and TalkThru, which allows you to switch between full ANC and a volume at a reduced volume to conduct a call. For some reason, you can only use Ambient Aware or TalkThru, not both. You use the headphone app to decide which one to control with the ANC button. However, you decide which one is really difficult – both are useful at different times.

The Club Ones also lack any kind of adjustment to the ANC intensity, in contrast to the Sonys with their app-adjustable ANC and Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 with their fantastic ANC function with rotary knob.

There's a clever "Silent Now" feature that allows you to activate ANC without turning on the club ones completely and wasting battery for Bluetooth or amplification. This is something more ANC headphones should offer.

Battery life

JBL takes 45 hours of playback time for the club ones without using ANC, which is very good. However, when the ANC is switched on, this number is only 23 hours. They're certainly better than some noise-canceling headphones like the Momentum 3 Wireless, which only offer 17 hours, but after 30 hours, they're not as brave as the Sony WH-1000XM3.

In less than two hours, they have a quicker turnaround time between uses than the Sonys.

Call quality

JBL Club One ANC headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Overall, JBL has a winner here for calls in noisy environments.

In my experience, wireless headphones and real wireless earbuds can either suppress unwanted noise during a call or provide very clear call quality. If you ever find one that can do both, keep it! The Club Ones fall into the first category and do an excellent job of suppressing the sounds that compete with your voice. I was standing right next to a loud dehumidifier and my caller said she was not aware of it at all. Of course, less consistent sounds like traffic or construction are not canceled as effectively, but still it's pretty impressive.

The downside is that my voice apparently did the wobbly thing that I associated with powerful noise canceling microphones.

Overall, JBL has a winner here for calls in noisy environments.

Our opinion

JBL rated the Club One headphones in a highly competitive area at $ 350. And while their build quality and materials are sure to match the competition and call quality is very good, their average and sometimes uncomfortable ANC performance and EDM-oriented acoustics make it difficult to give them an unconditional recommendation for everyone.

Is there a better alternative?

For the same price (and sometimes just $ 280), the Sony WH-1000XM3 offers lower weight, better ANC performance, and longer battery life when the ANC is on. We believe that their sound signature will appeal to a wider audience. There's a reason why they're still our number one.

How long will they last?

A standard one-year guarantee applies to the JBL Club One headphones. However, the build quality of these headphones is excellent and I suspect they will last for many years as long as you don't abuse them. The magnetic ear pads can be easily replaced when worn, as long as JBL continues to sell replacements.

Should you buy them

Yes – if your sound quality preferences match Club One's strengths, that is performance and precision focusing on the higher registers, for an energetic audio experience and you don't mind the extra bulk, these headphones deliver the goods.

Editor's recommendations




27 Apr
Blog

JBL Bar 9.1 Review: Wireless Dolby Atmos With A Few Flaws

JBL Bar 9.1 wireless Dolby Atmos soundbar speaker

JBL Bar 9.1 review: Wireless Dolby Atmos with a few bugs

"JBL's Bar 9.1 offers a unique, fully wireless design, but this feature comes at a high cost."

  • Super easy setup

  • Large, powerful bass

  • Convincing Dolby Atmos and 5.1 sound

  • Practical wireless speakers

  • Supports eARC, 4K, Dolby Vision

  • Not enough entries

  • Not enough EQ settings

  • Dialogue needs a boost

  • Mediocre for music

Sound bars do a tough job. The really good ones somehow manage to replace a full 5.1 home theater surround system with just a single elongated speaker cabinet and possibly a wireless subwoofer.

Any soundbar that uses satellite speakers – whether connected to the soundbar or connected to an electrical outlet – may produce better sound, but at the expense of convenience and physical space. This is the real reason why sound bars make sense for so many people.

That's what makes JBL's Bar 9.1 so convincing: With a pair of battery-powered, completely wireless satellites, it not only promises the real acoustic separation of the physical speakers, but also brings Dolby Atmos into the mix for an impressive 3D experience – everything for round $ 1,000.

JBL has set a high standard for Bar 9.1. Succeeds? Let's find out.

design

JBL Bar 9.1 Dolby Atmos Soundbar side viewSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

I personally don't think soundbars should attract attention – at least not visually – and Bar 9.1 tries to keep its physical presence to a minimum. Frankly it's boring, but in the best possible way.

The dark gray plastic case has only the slightest shine and is still only 47 inches long, even in its widest form – with both satellite modules at the ends. Take these modules off and you barely have 35 inches left.

It's also amazingly short and just under 2.5 inches tall. That should fit under all but the shortest TV stands. The minimal set of four controls on top can easily be ignored, and the scrolling LED indicator on the front is hidden behind the speaker grille and is completely invisible when not in use.

The bar 9.1 reduces its physical presence to a minimum. It looks boring, but in the best possible way.

The subwoofer is a different story. It's a very bulky and boxy unit that turns out to be a challenge if you don't want it to remain visible.

JBL Bar 9.1 Dolby Atmos soundbar subwooferSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

If you're wondering how these detachable wireless satellites work when the Bar 9.1 is wall-mounted (which you can do with the included hardware), that's pretty impressive: the docking magnets are incredibly strong. Sitting requires a concerted effort – and sometimes both hands – to pull them freely. And although I haven't tested it, there is an option to mount the satellites on the wall at their secondary locations.

When the satellite is fully charged, you have a playing time of approximately 10 hours. A warning message appears on the bar display, informing you when a boost is required. Docking again is the easiest way, but the satellites cleverly have their own micro USB ports. This means that you can leave them technically in the rear or wall-mounted position and simply run a micro USB cable to them to charge them continuously. This can be an appealing option if you are planning sequential screenings of Lord Of The Rings films, as the satellite's batteries will take three hours to fully charge after discharging.

Sound bars are said to be easy to set up and use, but the JBL Bar 9.1 takes simplicity to a new level

This otherwise excellent design has only one irregularity: in some markets, JBL contains a set of four end caps to cover the exposed charging contacts on the bar and the satellites when they are not docked. Given the possibility of keeping the satellites permanently in this state thanks to these micro USB charging ports, this makes a lot of sense. What makes no sense is why Bar 9.1 doesn't always come with them. For example, our test unit didn't have one in the box.

To install

JBL Bar 9.1 Dolby Atmos soundbar displaySimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Yes, sound bars should be easy to set up and use, but the JBL Bar 9.1 takes simplicity to a new level. After connecting the soundbar and subwoofer to the appropriate sockets and connecting the HDMI output of the bar to the HDMI ARC (or eARC) connector on your TV using the supplied HDMI cable, you are done with the basics.

The last step is to calibrate the system. Drag the surround modules from their houses next to the main bar and place them next to you. Pressing one of the buttons on the remote control for three seconds triggers a short but loud test tone, which is recorded by the bar's built-in microphones. Place the environment in its final positions and repeat the test. That's it. It took me longer to unpack the components than to set them up.

You can also connect the Bar 9.1 to Wi-Fi for AirPlay or Chromecast music streaming. Oddly enough, this has to be done using either the Apple Home app or the Google Home app on a smartphone or tablet. My attempts to use Apple Home failed, but Google Home got it working.

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JBL Bar 9.1 Dolby Atmos soundbar connections at the rearSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Simplicity is great until it gets in the way of what you want to do. The connections of the JBL Bar 9.1 are a good example: You get an HDMI input, an HDMI ARC output, an optical input and a USB connection.

This means that with multiple source devices like streaming players, Blu-ray players, game consoles, etc., you need to make some decisions about how they are connected and how to switch between them. At this price, the Bar 9.1 should behave like a real A / V receiver replacement with at least four HDMI inputs.

Including the optical connector can be helpful for older non-HDMI ARC televisions. However, please note the following: Dolby Atmos does not work via an optical connection. So if you want the full Atmos experience on an older TV, use your Atmos source. The device must be connected to the bar's only HDMI input.

The USB port is honestly a mystery to me. JBL says you can use it to play music from a USB stick or external drive, but I can't imagine why you want it to. Only MP3 files are supported and playback cannot be controlled at all.

Intelligent functions

JBL Bar 9.1 Dolby Atmos soundbar with remote controlSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Despite the fact that most premium sound bars are now compatible with some kind of voice assistant, the JBL Bar 9.1 does not claim to officially support any of them. Maybe it's an oversight. I was able to configure the soundbar in both the Google Home and Apple Home apps. Google Assistant and Siri recognized them and initiated music streams.

Amazon's Alexa seems the weird A.I. however out.

A more puzzling question is why the Bar 9.1 with its two built-in microphones was not designed as a real smart speaker. With the Sonos Beam, you can talk to Google Assistant or Alexa for less than half the price. The $ 400 link bar from JBL acts as a Google Smart Speaker and Android TV streamer.

Sound quality

JBL Bar 9.1 Dolby Atmos soundbar expandedSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Overall, the JBL Bar 9.1 lives up to its promise to offer a powerful home cinema experience. When it comes to films and shows with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack or even just a Dolby Digital 5.1 track, immerse yourself in a sound ball.

I had a lot of fun watching John Wick, Chapter 3: Parabellum, a film tailored to demonstrate the strengths of Bar 9.1. Gunshots were heard with precision from different corners of the room, while in the motorcycle chase you could feel the growing whine of the motors of the motorcycles as they approached from behind and then with Wick & # 39; s ride (if only briefly) were level.

You may be tempted to leave the rear speakers docked to the soundbar, but this should be avoided. The bar 9.1 relies heavily on the placement of these satellites to provide an impressive experience and is difficult to restore spatial audio without it.

With a subwoofer that is as big and heavy and powerful as the one that comes with the Bar 9.1, you can expect serious basses that won't disappoint. The 10-inch submarine that shoots down will let go of your fillings effortlessly if you allow it to. With 300 watts of power, it's a good thing that you can choose from five levels of bass playback with the remote control. I found that level five can get a little uncomfortable at times.

But don't put the bass back too much. At the lowest level, the bar 9.1 loses a significant amount of low-end and it becomes clear that the drivers in the soundbar were not set to work well without the sub. It is definitely a package deal.

The biggest gap is the lack of a dialog improvement mode.

As good as the Bar 9.1's surround sound chops are, there are some limitations that prevent them from performing as well as I expect a soundbar to do at this price.

The main disadvantage is the lack of EQ settings. Yes, you can change the bass level, the degree to which the Atmos speakers unfold their magic, and the volume intensity of the satellites, but that's all she wrote. There are no discrete settings for movies, TV shows, or music, and no way to control the treble or middle independently. Even budget sound bars offer more options. The biggest gap, however, is the lack of a dialog enhancement mode.

There have been many times in which I had to crank up the total volume to overcome the under-emphasized central channel. My family noticed it too; My wife asked me why it felt like our television had become so loud lately.

Bar 9.1 is also a mediocre music machine. If you only play tracks that benefit from the latest recording techniques, such as Beck's Hyperspace album or Billie Eilish's No Time To Die tracks, it is actually very pleasant to be surrounded by these songs. However, take a journey back in time to more traditional mixes, and the tracks sound encased in the soundbar case.

This problem is exacerbated by a clear lack of midrange definition. You can use bar 9.1 as a Bluetooth speaker, but I recommend sticking with AirPlay or Chromecast, which both sound a lot better.

Wireless problems

JBL Bar 9.1 wireless Dolby Atmos soundbar speakerSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Every time you disconnect a physical connection between a source and a speaker, there is a risk of interference and other connection problems. I've seen this more than once on real bluetooth earbuds. Unfortunately, this can also affect the performance of the Bar 9.1 wireless satellites.

I noticed several times that both wireless speakers suffered from poor connection. It was not a constant – most of the time things were very stable, but every now and then I heard them interrupted. Given what I do for a living, my media room may have slightly more wireless devices than average, which could have helped, but the room itself is relatively small. The speakers were never more than a meter from the soundbar and always had a line of sight without physical barriers.

Of course, this will vary depending on your personal area, but it is something you should be aware of. These speakers are only wireless. So if you find that their connection is not stable, there may be very little you can do to improve it.

Our opinion

The JBL Bar 9.1 is an innovative solution to an age-old problem: better immersive sound without losing the simplicity of a sound bar. It works out. With an effortless setup and wireless speakers that you can put up almost anywhere, it's a very chic design. However, barebone input options, minimal audio settings and matte music playback are difficult to swallow at this price.

Is there a better alternative?

When freedom from fully wireless rear satellite speakers is a must in a sound bar, the JBL Bar 9.1 is not just a good choice, it's the only choice. But be prepared that JBL has restricted other functions and even the sound quality by offering this cool function. If you agree with wired rear speakers, the Vbyio SB36514-G6 36 ″ 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos soundbar is a much better value.

How long it will take?

The Bar 9.1's construction and materials are excellent, and the wireless satellite modules are also built to last, so they'll likely be able to withstand a lot of docking and undocking over the years. However, keep in mind that all rechargeable batteries will eventually run out and we don't know how easy (or expensive) it will be to replace them when they're done.

Should you buy it

If you're a movie dog who loves big, bold basses and has a strong desire to avoid laying cables at all costs, the JBL Bar 9.1 may be a good choice despite its shortcomings. Everyone else should think long and hard before spending $ 1,000 on this soundbar – you can find great Dolby Atmos sound for a lot less.

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