The JBL Tour Pro 2’s innovative touchscreen housing is so easy to use and advanced for its time that even Apple is (reportedly) taking notesPause or play, reduce or increase the volume, switch from noise-cancelling mode to ambient sensing mode or conversation mode, accept or reject calls, or even locate that lost left earbud, all through the touchscreen case.
The first time I used these headphones during my morning commute, I was in for a surprise while waiting on the subway platform when I looked up from my phone and saw that the subway had arrived; I barely heard its arrival. Needless to say, the noise cancellation on the Tour Pro 2 is legit and the headphones deliver clean, crisp sound.
Review: Forget AirPods: These wireless earbuds offer smart features that Apple doesn’t
While working out with the Tour Pro 2, I could lightly tap the right earbud to pause or play music and switch between noise cancellation (great for deep concentration, but not so ideal for outdoor jogging) and ambient noise detection (great for environmental awareness) with ease. The earbuds stay in your ears while you’re on the move, but they do get a little slippery when you start getting sweaty with them on (which you can do without worrying about water damage, as the earbuds have an IPX5 water-resistant rating). Call and microphone quality aren’t quite as good as some other high-end earbuds, like those from Apple, but the Tour Pro 2 are a bit less expensive than other noise-cancelling headphone options on this list, and they offer a number of features that some of the more popular tech brands, like Apple, simply don’t have yet.
One Reddit reviewer said the noise cancellation is excellent: “maybe better than I remember.” [first generation] AirPods are the best ever.” Although many critics, myself included, say the transparency mode could be improved.
JBL Tour Pro 2 Technical Specifications: Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 | Battery duration: 8 hours with ANC on and
10 hours with ANC off | Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz | Noise Cancellation: Yes | Waterproof rating: IPX5