This story is part of CES, where our editors will bring you the latest news and the most popular articles from the all-virtual CES 2021.
Beforehand from CES 2021, JBL unveils some new true wireless earbuds, including the stylish Live Pro Plus ($ 180), which features active noise cancellation and is designed to compete with Apple’s AirPods Pro, and the Live Free NC Plus ($ 150), a tribe-free model with active noise suppression. It also introduced the JBL Tour Pro Plus ($ 200) as part of its new Tour series aimed at ‘business staff’, which also includes an over-the-ear noise-canceling headphone, and the $ 300 the Tour One. The new Live earbuds are expected to ship in March, while the Tour Pro Plus will ship in May. We are waiting for international pricing and release dates, but $ 150 is about £ 110 or AU $ 200.
Here’s the quick skinny on all the new earplugs, which all come from JBL’s press material on the new products.
JBL Live Pro Plus
JBL
According to JBL, the Live Pro Plus is available on JBL.com on March 14 for $ 180 in four color options – black, white, pink and beige.
Important specifications, according to JBL:
- JBL Signature Sound
- Customizable noise cancellation with Smart Ambient
- Wireless charging
- Eco-canceling microphone technology
- Dual Connect + Sync
- Automatic play / pause
- Up to seven hours playback in the earbuds (six hours if you use a noise canceling function)
- The boot lasts up to 21 hours of battery life
- Speed charging (10 minutes charging gives you an hour of playback)
- Touch controls
- Customizable with My JBL Headphones app
- IPX4 water resistant
- Quick pair
- USB-C fast charging
- Hands-free voice capability with multiple voice services (Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant)
- Hotword and Device Action Support
- Price: $ 180
JBL Live Free NC Plus
JBL
The Live Free NC Plus will also appear on JBL.com for $ 150 on March 14th. It has four color options: black, blue, white and rose.
Main specifications:
- Active noise cancellation with smart environment
- Wireless charging
- Dual Connect + Sync
- Automatic play / pause
- Quick pair
- USB-C fast charging
- Up to seven hours of playback in the earbuds
- Charging box that lasts up to 14 hours of battery life
- Touch controls
- Touch and chat with various voice services (Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant)
- IPX7 waterproof and sweatproof
- Price: $ 150
Reflects Mini NC TWS
JBL
The new JBL Reflect Mini NC TWS, coming out this spring, is JBL’s new sportier wireless earbuds that are fully waterproof with an IPX7 rating and contain sport fins to lock the buttons in your ears. They also have active noise suppression.
Important specifications, according to JBL:
- Up to 7 hours of music playback with two extra charges from the boot
- 6mm dynamic drivers
- Active noise cancellation with Smart Ambient function (transparency mode)
- Overfins for a secure fit
- Built-in voice features with support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- IPX7 waterproof and sweatproof rating with reflective accents
- Hands-free stereo calls with automatic interruption
- Independent earphone usage (you can use a single button)
- Google fast pair
- Compatible with my JBL headphone app
- Price: $ 150
- Available this spring in blue, white and black
JBL Tour Pro Plus
JBL
JBL’s Tour Series headphones will hit the market later this year, with the JBL Tour Pro Plus in black available at major retailers and on JBL.com on May 30 for $ 200.
Important specifications, according to JBL:
- 6.8 mm dynamic drivers
- Adjustable noise cancellation
- Six hours battery with active noise cancellation on, only eight hours with Bluetooth
- Speed charging (10 minutes charging gives you an hour of playback)
- Adaptive Ambient Aware and TalkThru
- Voice Clarity with three-microphone beam-forming array technology
- Dual Connect + Sync and fast pairing
- Hands-free voice capability with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- IPX4 sweetdig
- SilentNow and my alarm
- Smart sound and video, suitable for listening to music versus a movie
- Custom touch panel control
- With Check My Best Fit function you can customize yourself with the guidance program
- JBL headphone app to customize EQ settings
- Price: $ 200
JBL has also introduced the Live 660NC, a new $ 200 over-the-ear noise-canceling model with multi-point Bluetooth connectivity, so you can switch between two connected devices, such as smartphone and computer (it will also be available in black, blue and white colors), and the aforementioned Tour One ($ 300) offered in May. In addition, the new $ 130 over-the-ear noise-canceling headphones, the Live 460NC, will hit stores in black, blue, white and rose on March 14th.
Once I get my hands on review samples, I put my thoughts on fit, sound and call quality.