This story is part of CES, where our editors will present the latest news and the hottest gadgets from CES 2021 entirely virtual.
Before CES 2021, JBL has launched several new truly wireless headsets, including the stylish Live Pro Plus ($ 180), which has active noise cancellation and are designed to compete with Apple’s AirPods Proand Live Free NC Plus ($ 150), a rodless model with active noise cancellation. It also introduced the JBL Tour Pro Plus ($ 200) as part of its new Tour series aimed at “business professionals”, which also includes a noise-canceling headset over the ear and the $ 300 Tour One. The new Live headphones are scheduled to launch in March, while the Tour Pro Plus will launch in May. We are waiting for international prices and release dates, but $ 150 costs approximately £ 110 or AU $ 200.
Here is a quick summary of all the new headphones, all from the JBL press materials on the new products.
JBL Live Pro Plus
JBL
JBL says Live Pro Plus will be available on JBL.com on March 14, for $ 180 in four color options – black, white, pink and beige.
Main specifications, according to JBL:
- JBL Signature Sound
- Adaptive noise cancellation with intelligent environment
- Wireless charging
- Echo cancellation technology
- Dual Connect + Sync
- Auto play / pause
- Up to seven hours of playback on headphones (six hours if using the noise canceling feature)
- Charging hood holds up to 21 hours of battery life
- Charge speed (10 minutes of charge provides an hour of playback)
- Touch controls
- Customizable with the My JBL Headphones app
- Water resistant IPX4
- Quick pair
- USB-C fast charging
- Hands-free voice capability with multiple voice services (Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant)
- Support for hotword and device action
- Price: $ 180
JBL Live Free NC Plus
JBL
Live Free NC Plus will also arrive on JBL.com on March 14 for $ 150. It has four color options: black, blue, white and pink.
Main specifications:
- Active noise cancellation with intelligent environment
- Wireless charging
- Dual Connect + Sync
- Auto play / pause
- Quick pair
- USB-C fast charge
- Up to seven hours of playback on headphones
- Charging case that holds up to 14 hours of battery life
- Touch controls
- Touch and talk, with multiple voice services (Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant)
- IPX7 waterproof and sweatproof
- Price: $ 150
Reflect Mini NC TWS
JBL
The new JBL Reflect Mini NC TWS, due to be released this spring, are JBL’s most sporty new true wireless headphones, fully waterproof with an IPX7 rating and include sport fins to lock the buttons on the ears. They also have active noise cancellation.
Main specifications, according to JBL:
- Up to 7 hours of music playback with two extra charging case fees
- 6 mm dynamic drivers
- Active noise cancellation with Smart Ambient feature (transparency mode)
- Ear-fins for a secure fit
- Integrated voice features with support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Waterproof and sweatproof IPX7 rating with reflective details
- Hands-free stereo calls with automatic pause
- Independent use of the headset (you can use a single button)
- Google Fast Pair
- Compatible with the My JBL Headphones app
- Price: $ 150
- Available in blue, white and black starting this spring
JBL Tour Pro Plus
JBL
The JBL Tour Series headphones will hit the market later this year, with the JBL Tour Pro Plus available in black at major stores and on JBL.com on May 30 for $ 200.
Main specifications, according to JBL:
- 6.8 mm dynamic drivers
- Adaptive Noise Cancellation
- Six hours of battery life with active noise cancellation, eight hours with Bluetooth only
- Charge speed (10 minutes of charge provides an hour of playback)
- Adaptive Ambient Aware and TalkThru
- Voice Clarity with three microphone array beamforming technology
- Dual Connect + Sync and Fast Pair
- Hands-free voice capability with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Sweat proof IPX4
- SilentNow and my alarm
- Intelligent audio and video, optimized for listening to music instead of a movie
- Custom faucet control panel
- The Check My Best Fit feature allows you to check your ear fit with the companion app
- JBL Headphones App to customize EQ settings
- Price: $ 200
JBL also introduced the Live 660NC, a new $ 200 noise cancellation model with Bluetooth multipoint pairing so that you can switch between two paired devices, like smartphone and computer (it will also ship on March 14 in black, blue and white), and the previously mentioned Tour One ($ 300), which will be released in May. In addition, new $ 130 Live Noise Canceling Headphones, the Live 460NC, will hit stores on March 14 in black, blue, white and pink.
As soon as I get my hands on the review samples, I’ll post my thoughts on fit, sound and call quality.