JBL Tour Pro Plus Review: Can They Block Out Noise?

The JBL Tour Pro Plus stands as one of the most compelling wireless earbuds in the premium audio market today.

These true wireless earbuds deliver exceptional sound quality, robust active noise cancellation, and impressive battery life that makes them a strong contender against Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4.

But do they live up to the hype? After extensive testing and analysis, we’ve uncovered the strengths and potential drawbacks of these wireless earbuds to help you make an informed decision.

Key Takeaways

• Exceptional Battery Life: Up to 32 hours total playback time with the charging case, plus Qi wireless charging support for ultimate convenience
• Premium Sound Quality: Neutral sound profile with excellent frequency response consistency, making them suitable for all music genres and audio content
• Effective Noise Cancellation: Active noise cancellation system that effectively reduces low-frequency sounds like airplane engines and bus rumbles
• Comfortable Fit: Comes with five different ear tip sizes and stability fins to ensure secure, comfortable wear for extended listening sessions
• Advanced Controls: Touch controls with voice assistant integration, customizable through the JBL Headphones app for personalized user experience
• Professional Build Quality: IPX5 water resistance rating and sturdy construction make them suitable for workouts and daily use

JBL Tour Pro Plus Design and Build Quality

The JBL Tour Pro Plus features a sophisticated yet understated design approach. The earbuds showcase a round form factor with silver JBL logos prominently displayed on each bud. The word “Tour” is elegantly embossed on the side, giving them a professional appearance. These earbuds are available exclusively in black, which provides a timeless and versatile aesthetic that complements any style.

The build quality impresses with its sturdy plastic construction that feels solid and durable in hand. JBL has engineered these earbuds to withstand daily use while maintaining their premium feel. The IPX5 water resistance rating ensures protection against sweat and light rain, making them excellent companions for workouts and outdoor activities.

Each earbud weighs just 0.03 pounds, making them incredibly lightweight for extended wear. The earbuds come with stability fins and five different ear tip sizes to accommodate various ear shapes and preferences. This comprehensive fit system ensures that users can find their perfect comfort level while maintaining excellent sound isolation.

The included charging case features a hard plastic construction with magnetic closure to securely hold the earbuds. LED indicators inside the case show the charging status of each earbud, while an external LED displays the case’s battery level. The case dimensions are compact enough to fit comfortably in most pockets or bags.

Sound Quality and Audio Performance

The JBL Tour Pro Plus delivers remarkable audio performance with a neutral sound profile that suits virtually all music genres. The frequency response shows excellent consistency across the entire audio spectrum, from deep bass to crisp treble. This balanced approach means whether you’re listening to classical symphonies, rock anthems, or electronic dance music, the earbuds reproduce each genre with impressive accuracy and detail.

Bass performance is particularly noteworthy, with slight underemphasis in the low-bass range that prevents muddiness while maintaining warmth. The mid-bass and high-bass regions deliver punchy and controlled response that adds energy to music without overwhelming other frequencies. This tuning makes drums sound natural and bass guitars maintain their fundamental character.

Midrange clarity excels with vocals and lead instruments receiving proper positioning in the mix. While there’s minimal underemphasis in the low-to-mid midrange, the high-mid frequencies remain neutral, ensuring that vocals maintain their natural timbre and presence. This balance prevents harshness while preserving the detail and emotion in vocal performances.

Treble reproduction shows excellent accuracy with only slight underemphasis that keeps harsh frequencies under control. Cymbals, hi-hats, and other high-frequency instruments sound detailed yet smooth, without the fatigue that some earbuds can cause during extended listening sessions. The frequency response consistency means you’ll get the same great sound every time you wear them.

Active Noise Cancellation Technology

The JBL Tour Pro Plus incorporates an advanced active noise cancellation system that effectively reduces unwanted ambient sounds. The ANC technology performs particularly well with low-frequency noises such as airplane engines, air conditioning units, and traffic rumble. This makes them excellent choices for commuting and travel scenarios where consistent background noise can be distracting.

Mid-frequency noise isolation combines both active and passive noise cancellation to handle office chatter, conversation, and similar environmental sounds. While the active system handles these frequencies adequately, the passive isolation from the ear tips provides additional protection. The combination creates a quiet listening environment that allows you to focus on your music or calls.

High-frequency noise reduction relies primarily on the passive isolation provided by proper ear tip fit. The silicone ear tips create an effective seal that blocks out sharp sounds like keyboard typing, dishes clattering, and similar high-pitched noises. The overall noise isolation performance reaches approximately 19.48 dB of attenuation across all frequencies.

The ANC system includes ambient mode functionality that allows external sounds to pass through when needed. This transparency mode is useful for staying aware of your surroundings during walks or when someone needs to speak with you. The system switches smoothly between full noise cancellation, ambient mode, and ANC-off settings through touch controls.

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Battery Life and Charging Performance

The JBL Tour Pro Plus excels in battery performance with up to 32 hours of total playback time when combining the earbuds and charging case. The earbuds themselves provide approximately 6 hours of continuous playback with ANC enabled, or up to 8 hours with ANC disabled. This duration surpasses many competitors and ensures all-day listening capability for most users.

Charging convenience is enhanced by Qi wireless charging compatibility, allowing you to simply place the case on any wireless charging pad. The case provides three additional full charges for the earbuds, meaning you can go several days without needing to plug in. When wired charging is preferred, the included USB-A to USB-C cable provides fast and reliable power delivery.

Quick charging functionality helps when you’re in a hurry, though specific fast-charging times weren’t extensively detailed in our testing. The case itself requires approximately 1.5 hours for a complete charge when using wired connections. LED indicators on both the case and earbuds keep you informed about remaining battery levels.

Power management features include an auto-off timer that can be customized through the companion app. This feature helps conserve battery when the earbuds aren’t actively being used. You can also use single earbud operation, allowing one earbud to charge while you continue using the other, effectively extending your total listening time.

Comfort and Fit Analysis

Comfort during extended wear is one of the JBL Tour Pro Plus’s strongest attributes. The lightweight design at just 0.03 pounds per earbud ensures minimal ear fatigue even during long listening sessions. The earbuds don’t create pressure points or cause discomfort that some users experience with heavier alternatives.

Fit customization options are comprehensive with five different ear tip sizes included in the package. This range accommodates most ear canal sizes and shapes, ensuring both comfort and optimal sound isolation. The stability fins provide additional security during physical activities without adding bulk or weight.

Ear tip material quality uses soft silicone that feels comfortable against skin while creating an effective seal. The ear tips appear durable enough for long-term use, though they may require eventual replacement with heavy usage. The JBL Headphones app includes an ear tip fit test to help you determine the optimal size for your ears.

Breathability performance is outstanding due to the in-ear design that doesn’t cover the outer ear. Users shouldn’t experience temperature increases or excessive sweating compared to over-ear headphone designs. This makes them suitable for workout sessions and warm weather use without discomfort.

Touch Controls and User Interface

The JBL Tour Pro Plus features intuitive touch controls on both earbuds that provide access to essential functions. The right earbud handles playback controls with single tap for play/pause, double tap to skip forward, and triple tap to skip backward. These gestures respond reliably without being overly sensitive to accidental touches.

Left earbud controls focus on noise cancellation and ambient sound management. Users can cycle between ANC on, ANC off, and ambient mode with simple taps. Double-tapping activates talk-through mode for quick conversations without removing the earbuds. The controls provide audible feedback to confirm mode changes.

Voice assistant integration works seamlessly with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa built-in. Holding either earbud activates your preferred voice assistant for hands-free control of music, calls, and smart home devices. The three-microphone array ensures clear voice recognition even in noisy environments.

Customization through the app allows users to remap control functions according to personal preferences. This flexibility means you can prioritize the functions you use most frequently. The app also enables auto-play/pause functionality when earbuds are inserted or removed from your ears.

Call Quality and Microphone Performance

Voice call quality on the JBL Tour Pro Plus delivers acceptable performance for most business and personal conversations. The integrated three-microphone system captures your voice clearly in quiet environments, though the recording quality sounds somewhat muffled compared to dedicated headsets designed specifically for calls.

Background noise handling presents some challenges in moderate to loud environments. While the microphones can separate your voice from background noise, busy street noise or crowded office environments may interfere with call clarity. The noise gate system helps, but it’s always active and may cut off quiet speech.

Microphone positioning benefits from the in-ear design that places the microphones closer to your mouth compared to some true wireless alternatives. This positioning helps with voice pickup consistency as long as the earbuds maintain proper fit. The stability fins help ensure the earbuds stay positioned correctly during calls.

Professional use considerations should account for the microphone limitations in noisy environments. For occasional calls and personal conversations, the quality is perfectly adequate. However, users who frequently participate in important business calls might want to consider dedicated headsets for critical conversations.

JBL Headphones App Features

The JBL Headphones app provides comprehensive control over the Tour Pro Plus’s advanced features. The app interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate between different settings and customization options. Both iOS and Android versions offer identical functionality and regular updates.

Parametric EQ and presets allow detailed sound customization beyond the earbuds’ default neutral profile. Users can adjust frequency response curves manually or choose from several pre-configured sound signatures optimized for different music genres. This flexibility ensures the earbuds can match any listener’s preferences.

Control customization options let you remap touch gestures according to your usage patterns. You can prioritize volume controls, voice assistant access, or playback functions based on what you use most frequently. The app also manages auto-off timer settings and automatic play/pause functionality.

Additional features include ear tip fit testing to ensure optimal seal and sound quality. The app guides you through the process of finding the best ear tip size for your ears. Firmware updates are delivered through the app, ensuring your earbuds stay current with the latest features and improvements.

Connectivity and Bluetooth Performance

Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity provides reliable wireless performance with the JBL Tour Pro Plus. The connection remains stable within typical usage ranges, though the earbuds don’t support multi-device pairing which limits convenience for users who frequently switch between devices. NFC pairing is also not available, requiring manual Bluetooth setup.

Connection range testing showed excellent performance up to 334 feet in line-of-sight conditions. This extended range means you can leave your phone or laptop in one room while moving around your home or office without losing connection. Obstacle interference reduces this range as expected, but performance remains solid in typical indoor environments.

Audio latency presents some challenges for video content with 312ms delay on PC, 284ms on iOS, and 273ms on Android. This latency may cause lip-sync issues when watching videos or movies. However, many streaming applications automatically compensate for Bluetooth latency, so real-world experience may vary.

Pairing process is straightforward with clear audible confirmation when devices connect successfully. The earbuds remember previously paired devices and automatically reconnect when in range. Connection stability remains consistent during typical usage without frequent dropouts or interruptions.

Comparison with Competitors

When compared to the Apple AirPods Pro, the JBL Tour Pro Plus offers superior battery life and more customizable sound through the EQ settings. However, AirPods Pro provides better integration with iOS devices and more advanced spatial audio features. The JBL earbuds cost less while delivering comparable noise cancellation performance.

Sony WF-1000XM4 comparison reveals the JBL’s advantages in battery life and charging convenience with wireless charging support. Sony’s offering provides superior call quality and more advanced noise cancellation algorithms, but at a higher price point. Both offer excellent sound quality with different tuning philosophies.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds excel in noise cancellation performance but fall short in battery life compared to the JBL Tour Pro Plus. The Bose earbuds provide more natural sound reproduction for some listeners, while JBL offers better value and more comprehensive app features for customization.

Price-to-performance ratio strongly favors the JBL Tour Pro Plus, especially considering the 32-hour total battery life and wireless charging capability. Most competitors require significant price premiums for similar feature sets, making the Tour Pro Plus an excellent value proposition in the premium wireless earbud market.

Pros and Cons Summary

Advantages of the JBL Tour Pro Plus include exceptional battery life that outperforms most competitors, comprehensive fit options with multiple ear tip sizes, effective noise cancellation for travel and commuting, neutral sound profile suitable for all music genres, wireless charging convenience, and excellent value for money in the premium segment.

Potential drawbacks include lack of multi-device pairing support, higher audio latency that may affect video viewing, microphone performance limitations in noisy environments, exclusive availability in black color only, and bulkier earbud design compared to some minimalist alternatives.

Performance trade-offs generally favor battery life and sound quality over advanced features like spatial audio or premium call quality. Users who prioritize long listening sessions and excellent audio reproduction will find these trade-offs acceptable, while those needing professional call quality might want to consider alternatives.

Who Should Buy the JBL Tour Pro Plus

Ideal candidates for the JBL Tour Pro Plus include music enthusiasts who appreciate neutral sound signatures, frequent travelers who need reliable noise cancellation and long battery life, fitness enthusiasts who want secure fit with water resistance, and budget-conscious buyers seeking premium features without flagship pricing.

Professional users who frequently participate in important calls might want to consider alternatives with superior microphone systems. Similarly, Apple ecosystem users might prefer AirPods Pro for better integration, though they’ll sacrifice battery life and customization options.

Students and remote workers will appreciate the long battery life and comfortable fit for extended study or work sessions. The effective noise cancellation helps maintain focus in distracting environments, while the neutral sound profile works well for both music and spoken content.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the JBL Tour Pro Plus battery last?

The JBL Tour Pro Plus provides up to 6 hours of continuous playback with ANC enabled, or 8 hours with ANC disabled. The charging case adds approximately 24 additional hours, bringing the total battery life to around 32 hours. The case supports both wired USB-C charging and Qi wireless charging for convenience.

Is the JBL Tour Pro Plus good for workouts?

Yes, the JBL Tour Pro Plus is excellent for workouts thanks to its IPX5 water resistance rating, secure fit with stability fins, and lightweight design. The earbuds can handle sweat and light rain without issues. The multiple ear tip sizes ensure a secure fit that won’t fall out during physical activities.

How does the noise cancellation compare to AirPods Pro?

The JBL Tour Pro Plus offers effective noise cancellation that performs well against low-frequency sounds like airplane engines and air conditioning. While it may not match the AirPods Pro’s advanced computational audio features, it provides solid ANC performance at a lower price point with longer battery life.

Can you use just one earbud at a time?

Yes, you can use either the left or right earbud independently. This allows you to charge one earbud while using the other, effectively extending your total listening time. However, some touch control functions may be limited when using only one earbud.

Does the JBL Tour Pro Plus support multi-device pairing?

No, the JBL Tour Pro Plus does not support simultaneous connection to multiple devices. You’ll need to manually disconnect from one device before connecting to another. This limitation may be inconvenient for users who frequently switch between phones, tablets, and computers.

How is the call quality on the JBL Tour Pro Plus?

Call quality is acceptable for most personal and casual business conversations. The three-microphone array provides clear voice pickup in quiet environments, though background noise can interfere with clarity. The integrated microphones perform adequately but may not match dedicated headsets for professional use.

What comes in the JBL Tour Pro Plus box?

The package includes the JBL Tour Pro Plus earbuds, charging case, five sets of ear tips in different sizes, stability fins, USB-A to USB-C charging cable, and user manuals. This comprehensive package ensures you have everything needed for optimal fit and functionality.

Is there an app for customizing the JBL Tour Pro Plus?

Yes, the JBL Headphones app is available for both iOS and Android devices. The app provides parametric EQ controls, preset sound profiles, touch control customization, ear tip fit testing, auto-off timer settings, and firmware updates. The app significantly enhances the earbuds’ functionality and personalization options.

The JBL Tour Pro Plus represents an outstanding value in the premium wireless earbud market, delivering exceptional battery life, quality sound reproduction, and effective noise cancellation at a competitive price point. While they may not offer every cutting-edge feature found in flagship models, they excel in the fundamentals that matter most to everyday users.

Last update on 2026-01-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API