When JBL announced the Tour Pro 2 to succeed the previous model, a screen on the case was certainly a strange addition that the company decided to go for. The sequel, intuitively called the JBL Tour Pro 3, has perhaps unsurprisingly kept the screen. But more importantly, it has come with what can probably be called a killer feature without exaggeration.
With the case of the JBL Tour Pro 3, you can plug it into a USB or analogue music source, and it acts as a wireless transmitter, sending sound from said source to the TWS buds. This means that in flights for instance, you can plug the case into the in-flight entertainment system and continue using the TWS buds. The brand also claims that the “direct connection” between the case and earbuds is more stable and has lower latency than conventional Bluetooth.
For what it’s worth, it circumvents the need for both the buds and the source device needing to support aptX LL codec. That being said, the announcement stops short of mentioning the exact wireless tech used, or specific latency figures. So it remains to be seen if it’s good enough for the JBL Tour Pro 3 to be used for gaming, despite the company’s claims. While we’re on the subject of codecs, there is LDAC here, setting some expectations for sound quality.
This new feature with the JBL Tour Pro 3 case sounds like it would add to the battery consumption, but oddly, battery life is one of the spec sheet items not mentioned in the announcement. Add to the fact that the case has a 30% bigger screen, and it’s definitely a strange omission. For what it’s worth the there’s the mention of Auracast, which probably wouldn’t be something that a lot of people are asking for with TWS buds.
Other things from the JBL Tour Pro 3 spec sheet that did get a mention include 11mm drivers, six mics and an ANC tech that measures ambient sound 50,000 times a second. There’s also support for Spatial 360 and head tracking tech.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 will be available starting mid-September with a EUR299 (~RM1,460) price tag. No word on local pricing and availability yet, unfortunately.
(Source: JBL)
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
