The brand’s latest bluetooth headphones is packed with features
While the headphone market has marched towards an increasingly wireless landscape, a small minority (me included) have clung on to their wired headphones. Even the most ardent among them must admit the rapid technological advancements made by manufacturers in the last few years are nothing short of impressive.
Case in point: the JBL Tour Pro 3. The latest from the American audio brand, the Tour Pro 3—like its predecessor from 2023—comes in a smart charging case from which you can control settings like volume, active noise cancellation, and spatial sound. This version, however, features a 30 per cent larger screen and a slightly smaller silhouette.
The most striking feature here is the fact that the device is Auracast-enabled, with the smart charging case capable of doubling as a bluetooth transmitter. This means that other Auracast-enabled devices can connect to you (and vice versa) to join your listening session. You’re also able to plug in the smart charging case to your laptop or home TV, transmitting audio to all connected Auracast-enabled devices for a seamless watch party experience.
While Auracast was first introduced several years ago, the limitations of bluetooth technology at the time meant that devices supporting it were scarce. With support picking up now, we expect there’ll be even more uses for it in the near future.
Fitted with a hybrid dual driver system that promises clean audio with a good degree of separation, the device is also equipped with 360 spatial and head-tracking audio technology. The technology, aimed at providing a more immersive experience, may appeal towards casual listeners. Those especially fastidious about audio quality and dynamic range, however, can satiate themselves with the knowledge that the earbuds are LDAC-compatible, which can be switched on via the accompanying JBL app.
Priced at S$349 the JBL Tour Pro 3 is available in two colourways; black and latte.
