The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS are fresh on the market and expand the selection of true wireless headphones. They come in bright colors and stylish looks, but also promise a good sound. We tried the in-ear headphones and revealed in the test what the little buds do well or not so well.
In the meantime, the selection of wireless headphones on the market has become so large that the range can almost overwhelm you. With the JBL Live Pro 2, the range has even grown. The headphones promise good noise canceling, a balanced sound and high wearing comfort. But how do they fare in everyday life? TECHBOOK tried the headphones.
We borrowed the JBL Live Pro 2 from the manufacturer for the test and used the headphones actively in everyday life for three weeks. We noticed some positive points, but we also encountered difficulties.
Would you like to learn more about how TECHBOOK tests? Then you will find all the information about our test procedures here.
Bright colors and an individual fit in the ear
Unfortunately, one of these difficulties was the bumpy start. Or rather, the setup that didn’t work at all in the beginning. But first things first.
The JBL Live Pro 2 have a recommended retail price of 149 euros. In terms of costs, they are in the solid midfield when you look at alternatives with similar equipment. The headphones come to the user in a small box that contains all the important accessories. This includes the small charging case including the USB-C-to-USB-A charging cable, the ear buds themselves, silicone plugs in various sizes, as well as instructions and a reference to the JBL app, which can later be used to make separate settings for the headphones to let.
As mentioned, the headphones are equipped with silicone plugs and can therefore be individually adjusted to the ear size of the wearer. As a result, they sit much more firmly in the ear than models that do not have a plug. However, they also seal the ear canal much more tightly. On the one hand, this has the advantage that noise from outside is better filtered, but on the other hand, it also has the disadvantage that the headphones sometimes press more when worn. However, we felt that it was comfortable and safe to wear over a longer period of time.
Our test headphones are the JBL Live Pro 2 in the color rose, which we like very much and clearly stand out from the usual white and black models on the market. If the version in pink is not for you, you can also choose the headphones in blue or black or white. They are each made entirely of plastic, which makes the small buds and their case very light.
Also Read: The Pros and Cons of In-Ear Headphones
Start with hurdles
Arrived, unpacked and set up – or maybe not. The latter turned out to be not so easy in the test. Actually, as the instructions say, the JBL Live Pro 2 should be put into pairing mode relatively easily and then connected to the smartphone or other devices via Bluetooth. In our case, the pairing should take place with the OnePlus 10 Pro, a current Android smartphone.
We put the headphones in the box and opened it up. The blinking LEDs on the front indicated the active pairing mode. It also dabbled in the cell phone’s Bluetooth settings; the smartphone was looking for a partner to connect to. But even after trying it out several times and waiting for minutes, the headphones and smartphone just didn’t want to connect. Although a window appeared on the smartphone that new headphones had been found, the attempt to connect both devices always failed with an error. It only worked after we installed the JBL app and connected the devices this way. This is annoying and shouldn’t be like that, since it means that the app must be installed and it can’t be used without it.
Short technical excursion
Before we reveal how the JBL Live Pro 2 sound, let’s take a quick look at the technical features of the true wireless headphones. The manufacturer specifies the following scope of functions and services:
- JBL Signature Sound from 11mm drivers
- up to 40 hours of playback time (10 hours in action, 30 hours in the charging case)
- True Adaptive Noise Canceling with Smart Ambient
- 6 microphones with noise and wind isolation technology
- Dual Connect + Sync with Google Fast Pair
- hands-free voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- All access touch control or use via the dedicated JBL headphones app
- IPX 5 rating (waterproof and sweatproof)
- Fast charge 15 minutes = 4 hours
- Qi compatible charging
Among other things, the possibility of being able to adjust the strength of the external noise yourself in order to influence the intensity of the noise canceling should be emphasized here. With “Talk Thru”, the headphones let through a lot of noise, for example to have a conversation on the side. “Ambient Aware” is basically the middle – users can listen to music, but are not completely isolated. Unlike “ANC” or “Noise Cancelling”. Here the JBL Live Pro 2 suppress any ambient noise. This worked extremely well in the test, so that we were able to completely switch off from the hustle and bustle around us during a longer train journey.
Another highlight of the headphones is the ability to pair them with two devices and easily switch between them when needed. The manufacturer calls the function “Dual Connect”. For example, if you are watching a series on your TV using headphones, you can switch to connecting to your smartphone when you make a call without having to take the headphones out of your ears.
Other features such as the waterproof housing or voice control via Amazon Alexa or Google are almost standard in headphones of this type. The runtime, which JBL states with a total of up to 40 hours, completely convinced us in the test. So far, we only had to charge the case and headphones once, although we used the headphones intensively for at least three hours about three days a week. It is practical that charging also works via wireless charger. Or alternatively even via reverse wireless charging with a smartphone as a power dispenser.
Also Read: The Best Alternatives to AirPods and AirPods Pro
JBL Live Pro 2 review – sound and battery life
As already mentioned, we wore the JBL Live Pro 2 for a total of three weeks – on the way to the office, when working on the computer and on longer train journeys. We particularly noticed the good noise canceling. If desired, the headphones isolate the wearer almost completely from their surroundings. This is not only practical if you want to concentrate in the open-plan office, it also helps to block out annoying chatter and bustle on the bus and train. Then it becomes almost absolutely quiet if desired – with the exception of the music being played. If desired, the noise canceling can also be adjusted via the app using the modes already described.
Once in a while we got a phone call while we were wearing it. Here, the JBL Live Pro 2 do no better or worse than similar headphones. The problem with the tiny devices is often the slightly tinny sound during voice transmission. Especially when there is strong wind or the environment is noisy, conversation partners often have a problem understanding the other person. In the test, telephoning with the small plugs worked fine. The sound was balanced and the caller understood us well.
Much more important for us is the performance when playing music. In the Live Pro 2, JBL has installed an 11 millimeter large, dynamic driver for each plug, which is responsible for the acoustics. It ensures a largely balanced music reproduction with a slightly dominant bass. Exactly this sound is well received by us and fits the music styles most frequently heard in the test from pop, rock and some hip-hop. The headphones do not break out either in the highs or in the lows – not even at higher volumes, which is a clear plus point. If you still want to readjust, you can do this via the app. Here you will find an equalizer that allows individual adjustments depending on the preferred genre.
JBL app recommended
In general, the app is worthwhile for anyone who wants full control over the JBL Live Pro 2 – or who needs to solve our aforementioned pairing problems. We already mentioned the adjustments for noise cancelling, equalizer and pairing mode. In addition, the app also offers the option of changing the output language. From the factory, the headphones respond with English announcements, but German can be set.
Users can also carry out a wearing test to check the correct fit of the headphones, or change the commands on the headphones’ touch fields. These allow music, calls, voice control or volume to be controlled directly on the earphones without the smartphone.
Conclusion on the headphone test
With the JBL Live Pro+, the manufacturer already offers headphones with very good and similar functions. With the secret successor, however, JBL makes some things even better. Users now have even more setting options via the app. The sound of the small and visually chic earphones is excellent and well-tuned for our preferred taste in music. The battery life of the headphones and their noise canceling also fully convinced us.
Overall, the result in the test of the JBL Live Pro 2 is extremely good, especially if you take into account the fair price that the manufacturer charges for the headphones. But unfortunately there were also the initial problems with the coupling in our test. They left quite a bit of frustration right at the start, which slightly spoils the good result.