Most music listeners have simple demands for their earbuds: they want a battery life that lasts for days and audio that sounds clear and strong. JBL has always known about this winning combination, and the audio brand develops its products accordingly.
Also: Why I recommend these wireless earbuds to most people – even though they’re for gaming
So when JBL sent me its Tour Pro 3 earbuds
What has changed, however, is sound. The sound of the Tour Pro 3 earbuds is substantial and clear, in general, compared to the Tour Pro 2. The earbuds deliver strong and loud sound that captures the full range of music. I listened to the same song at the same volume on both devices and found that the Tour Pro 3 buds stepped up their game with crisp and lucid music delivery.
The earbuds are a boon for desk-side workers who rely on noise cancellation for deep focus and strong microphones for video and audio calls. I didn’t have a problem taking meetings with these earbuds and used the Smart-Charging Case’s clear call functionality to connect the buds to my video calls.
Also: The best noise-canceling earbuds you can buy
At mid volumes, the sound is still immersive and strong, something I look for as a surefire sign of quality earbuds. JBL adds spatial audio to the third-generation buds, which boosts immersion as you listen to music or play a video game. JBL’s spatial audio is not as immersive as what I’ve heard from competing earbuds, like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds
The Tour Pro 3 earbuds offer three listening environment features: noise cancellation, ambient awareness, and Talk Thru. The noise cancellation is strong and eliminates most ambient distractions, while some voices or harsher noises tend to slip through. I’m not a fan of the ambient aware feature on the Tour Pro 2 earbuds because of how inorganic it makes your music feel. This feature on the Tour Pro 3 is improved but it’s still not my favorite.
Also: Why I travel with these Google Pixel earbuds instead of over-ear headphones now
The one area where the Tour Pro 2 earbuds supersede the Tour Pro 3 is in build quality. The Tour Pro 2 earbuds have a substantial weight, which helps anchor them in your ears and makes them feel like a $300 pair of buds. Holding both earbuds in my hand, the weight of the Tour Pro 3 buds is far lighter — and more plasticky — than the Tour Pro 2. This lighter build also makes them prone to falling out of my ears.
As is the case for a JBL device, these earbuds have substantial battery life, with a maximum playtime of 44 hours with ANC off. I did not have to worry about charging these buds until the end of my testing period — when the case’s battery was fully depleted, but the earbuds still maintained an 80% charge.
ZDNET’s buying advice
While I was generally impressed with the Tour Pro 3 instead, which offer just as strong noise cancellation and a sturdier feel in your ears.
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The recent US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.
Also:Tariff war has tech buyers wondering what’s next. Here’s what we know
Headphones and wearable devices, which are predominantly manufactured in these regions, are now subject to tariffs as high as 54% on Chinese imports and 46% on Vietnamese goods. As a result, consumers may see price increases of approximately 20% on these items.
Manufacturers are exploring options like relocating production to countries with lower tariffs, but such shifts are complex and may not provide immediate relief. In the short term, shoppers should anticipate higher costs for headphones and wearables due to these trade policies.
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