JBL Tour One M3 Review: Feature-Rich Headphones That Compete with the Best
JBL has established itself as a prominent player in the audio industry, recognized for creating top-quality portable Bluetooth speakers alongside highly regarded headphones and wireless earbuds. Though the brand has often been viewed as slightly lesser than giants like Apple, Bose, and Sony, the arrival of the JBL Tour One M3 headphones might shift that viewpoint.
These premier over-ear headphones represent a fusion of innovative wireless audio technology, boasting a remarkable lineup of features such as adaptive active noise cancellation, tailored sound settings, and impressive battery longevity. They even include a compact touchscreen transmitter that interfaces with any audio source and functions as a remote.
While the Tour One M3 have minor flaws—connectivity and control constraints could be improved—they remain some of the finest noise-cancelling headphones currently available.
Specs and Setup
The Tour One M3 are equipped with high-end specifications:
– 40mm speaker drivers
– Frequency response: 10 Hz – 40 kHz
– Advanced adaptive noise cancellation
– JBL Smart Tx (Auracast-compatible transmitter)
– JBL Spatial 360 Sound with head tracking
– Personi-Fi 3.0 for customized audio adjustment
– Battery life: 40 hours with ANC enabled, 70 hours with ANC disabled
– Quick charge: 5 minutes = 5 hours of playback
– Available in black, blue, and mocha
Turning on the headphones is easy—just flip the switch on the right earcup. Pairing is straightforward, with Android users enjoying Google Fast Pair for effortless connectivity. To access all features, users need to download the JBL Headphones app, which provides a comprehensive and customizable interface that may appear daunting to beginners but is highly rewarding for audiophiles.
Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation
The Tour One M3 deliver JBL’s finest audio quality yet. Featuring 40mm drivers and a built-in DAC, the sound is rich and nuanced. Tracks like Tame Impala’s “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” and Kendrick Lamar’s “i” boast punchy bass, clear highs, and immersive mids. LDAC support guarantees high-resolution audio streaming over Bluetooth, complemented by the built-in EQ offering six presets as well as manual tuning.
The highlight feature is Personi-Fi, which formulates a customized sound profile based on your auditory preferences. In our testing, this tailor-made profile surpassed JBL’s standard presets, providing a more balanced and dynamic listening experience.
Spatial audio has also made significant strides. Head tracking enhances the realism in live performances and cinematic scenes—experiencing Whitney Houston’s Super Bowl performance or action scenes in John Wick 4 felt incredibly immersive and lifelike.
The adaptive ANC works exceptionally well, reducing up to 90% of surrounding noise. It adjusts dynamically according to your environment and excels in outdoor scenarios. Although a few high-frequency sounds may still get through, they are infrequently disruptive. Transparency modes like Ambient Aware, TalkThru, and Smart Talk rank among the best available, offering superb situational awareness and clarity in conversations.
Packed with Features
JBL has incorporated an impressive variety of features into the Tour One M3. The app includes widgets for ANC modes, playback controls, sleep timers, voice prompts, and more. The Audio section features LDAC, EQ, spatial sound, and call settings, while the Other section contains ambient soundscapes and auto power-off options.
In-app battery monitoring is available for both the headphones and the transmitter.
Smart Tx Transmitter: A Game-Changer
The Smart Tx transmitter included in the package is an impressive accessory. It provides touch and swipe controls for ANC, Bluetooth, EQ, volume, and beyond. It further includes extra features like a flashlight and notification alerts. The transmitter enhances convenience and control that current competitors lack.
Listening through a wired connection using the included aux cable also improves clarity and midrange performance. The package comes with a USB-C charging cable and a spacious, well-constructed carrying case that accommodates all accessories.
How They Compare
When compared to industry frontrunners like the Apple AirPods Max, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and Sony WH-1000XM5, the Tour One M3 hold their ground:
– Sound: Superior to AirPods Max and QC Ultra; slightly trailing behind the WH-1000XM5 due to Sony’s enhanced soundstage and upscaling capabilities.
– ANC: Comparable to AirPods Max, but not quite as powerful as Bose and Sony.
– Transparency: JBL excels with three effective ambient modes.
– Features: JBL offers more functionality than any of its rivals.
Battery Life
Battery performance is another notable aspect where the Tour One M3 excel. With ANC disabled, they provide up to 70 hours of playback. With ANC activated, anticipate around 34–40 hours. These figures surpass the battery life of Apple, Bose, and Sony’s flagship models. A quick five-minute charge yields five hours of ANC listening, and you can continue to utilize the