JBL Live Pro 2 review true wireless earbuds with noise cancellation and 40-hour playback

Description

Unpacking the Experience with the JBL Live Pro 2: A True Wireless Companion

Testing the JBL Live Pro 2 earbuds was an adventure in itself, filled with both highs and a few quirks. These earbuds aim to be a premium choice for music lovers and multitaskers alike, boasting features like active noise cancellation, long battery life, and seamless wireless charging. After diving into their capabilities, I have a lot to say about their performance, comfort, and practical usability.

Design and Comfort: Aesthetic and Functional

The design of these earbuds is sleek and minimalistic, with a stick-closed structure that gives them a clean, polished look. The Oval TubesTM technology, paired with the oval silicone ear tips, offers a snug fit that genuinely surprised me. I’ve tried other earbuds that either felt loose or caused discomfort after extended use, but these managed to find a sweet spot.

Wearing them during a workout or while commuting, I rarely needed to readjust. Their IPX5 water resistance came in handy when I accidentally got caught in a drizzle. It’s a relief knowing they can handle a bit of sweat or light rain without compromising performance.

However, I noticed that the earbuds’ design might not suit everyone. For someone with smaller ears, the oval-shaped tips could take some adjusting. I had to experiment with the included ear tip sizes to find the best fit, which wasn’t too complicated, but it’s worth mentioning.

Audio Quality: Immersive and Crisp

The JBL Signature Sound completely delivered on its promise. The 11mm dynamic drivers create a rich, immersive listening experience. Whether I was playing bass-heavy tracks or podcasts, the clarity and depth were impressive. Bass lovers will appreciate the punch these earbuds deliver without overwhelming the mids and highs.

Noise cancellation is another highlight here. The True Adaptive Noise Cancelling feature worked beautifully during my subway rides. It muted most of the background chatter and the rumble of the train, leaving me immersed in my playlist. At the same time, the Smart Ambient mode allowed me to stay aware of my surroundings when needed, which was especially useful while walking through busy streets.

That being said, the noise-canceling isn’t perfect. In very noisy environments, some residual sounds still seeped through, but not enough to ruin the experience.

Key Benefits

• 40 hours of total playback time (10 hours in the earbuds and 30 from the case) ensures you won’t constantly hunt for a charger.
• The Qi-compatible wireless charging and speed charging feature are lifesavers. Fifteen minutes of charging gave me an additional four hours of playtime!
• Six beamforming microphones make hands-free calls a breeze, reducing background noise and wind interference.
• VoiceAware lets you adjust how much of your voice you hear during calls, which felt oddly satisfying.

Areas for Improvement

• The noise cancellation could be slightly stronger in extremely loud environments.
• The Bluetooth range of 10 meters is decent, but I noticed occasional connection drops when moving between rooms or around obstacles.
• Some users might find the oval ear tips tricky to adjust initially.

Control and Connectivity: Intuitive with a Few Hiccups

The touch and voice controls on these earbuds are intuitive once you get used to them. With a quick tap or voice command, I could adjust volume, skip tracks, or even summon my preferred voice assistant. It’s a hands-free dream for multitasking, whether at work or on the go.

However, there’s a slight learning curve with the touch controls. At first, I unintentionally skipped tracks or paused my music while adjusting the earbuds. Over time, I became more precise, but it’s something to consider if you’re not used to touch gestures.

The Bluetooth 5.2 connection is stable for the most part. Pairing with my smartphone was seamless, and switching between devices didn’t take much effort. Yet, when moving between different rooms with walls in between, the connection occasionally faltered.

Rival Brands

Compared to other wireless earbuds, like the Apple AirPods Pro or Sony WF-1000XM4, the JBL Live Pro 2 holds its ground well. The sound quality and noise-canceling capabilities are comparable to the Sony model, though Sony edges ahead slightly in noise-canceling strength.

On the other hand, the AirPods Pro feels more integrated for Apple users, particularly with seamless device pairing. However, the JBL earbuds offer a longer battery life, outlasting both competitors in total playback time. If you value longevity over brand integration, the JBL earbuds are a smarter choice.

Bang for the Buck

For their feature set, these earbuds offer excellent cost efficiency. The combination of top-tier sound quality, durable design, and practical features like wireless charging and adjustable noise cancellation makes them worth the investment. While they might not have the prestige of some other brands, they deliver where it matters most: performance and reliability.

If you’re on the fence and considering alternatives, the JBL Live Pro 2 is a well-rounded option that caters to both casual listeners and audiophiles. From the 40-hour battery life to the six-microphone array, these earbuds are designed to keep up with your lifestyle.

Additional information