It turns out JBL have had more than supreme sound quality on the agenda for earbud development. The new JBL Tour Pro 2 buds live in a smart touchscreen case that sorts you out with all the features from the JBL One app without having to take your phone out of your pocket.
If the sound quality here is anything like the Tour Pro+ buds I recently reviewed, you’re on a winning bet anyway, but this is an enticing new twist, and a definite move forward by Harman, mixing smart tech with audio glory.
The premium Tour Pro 2 smart case features a touchscreen on the outside, with a 1.45″ LED panel that gives you access to all the features that make the JBL One app so handy – and fun. Features like noise cancellation modes, EQ presets, volume and track controls.
Adding to the pot, the display also presents battery levels for each bud and the case individually – and the current time in case you get lost in your tunes and realise you’re running late for work… That info is across the top of the screen, you scroll across others for all the other stuff.
To turn on the screen just open the case or tap it and swipe to unlock. It’ll turn off after a few seconds of non-use, and just so you don’t miss your phone too much while it relaxes in your pocket, the Tour Pro 2 smart case serves up message and social notifications, though no text on those. Still, you can customise the wallpaper.
Of course, the case is a little larger than most, to make space for the battery needed for the display. Even so, there’s said to be eight hours battery life with ANC on and up to 10 with it off – and the case offers wireless charging and you get an extra four hours of tunes in 15 minutes with the quick-charge feature.
