I’m not a headphone-ophile. It’s not that I don’t appreciate high sound quality pumped into cushioned chambers enclosing my hearing holes (poetic, I know). I do enjoy heavy bass and concentrated audio. In fact, I used to own two pairs.
The first was, in personal opinion, still the sleekest wireless luxury set to exist. I’m talking anodised aluminium, lambskin leather and custom titanium parts–none of that cheap plastic nonsense. I then traded form for function, acquiring the universally acknowledged best noise-cancelling in the market. I eventually settled on the latter’s earbud version for portability. Also, forthe fact that they don’t feel like a sauna for my ears each time I step outdoors in our climate.
So when JBL unveiled its latest creation a couple of months ago, there should not have been any reason for me to pay attention. If not for the little game-changer accompanying it. The Smart TX transmitter is a dongle the size of a matchbox that allows audio sharing through Auracast™.
Meaning you can practically use it anywhere you see an audio jack. You can connect multiple devices simultaneously, not limited to in-house only. This makes the Tour One M3 source-agnostic; bestowing it the absolute freedom of what Bluetooth headphones can traditionally playback from.
The best stage? 35,000 feet in the air. It transforms any Economy in-flight entertainment system into a Business Class one. The setup is quite literally plug and play. Turn both devices on and wire in the Smart TX where you would conventionally attach the airline’s earpiece. Using its touch screen panel (a world first for audio transmitters), link up the headphones and you’re good to go. No complicated five-step process.
It would be honest to say that the Tour One M3 is not the benchmark for ANC models against contemporaries from Sony or Bose. Yet, the noise reduction, while unimpressive in daily use, became strangely remarkable against cabin rumble. It’s an interesting experience heading to the lavatory without having to unplug anything, and having the movie you’re watching continue in your ears.
A huge strength is its light and very comfortable wear for long hours. The gadget’s marathon-level battery life, a whopping 70 hours, thankfully supports. Another thing to appreciate is an ambient sound mode that sounds natural as opposed to an eavesdropping mic feed.
Automatic pause/play upon removal or via voice recognition, and tap-sensitive functions are further bonuses that you rarely get as a combination in this price tier. With JBL’s option to tinker with the EQ to your liking on the app, this one’s a keeper.
The Tour One M3 Smart TX is available in all JBL stores, select stockists and online
