Feature Rich Wireless Headphones
JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx has more than you ever need
JBL has upgraded the popular Tour One series with this Mark-3 version, which comes with a separate transmitter for added functionality. Connect the Smart Tx transmitter to a USB digital or 3.5mm analogue source, and it will send hi-res wireless audio to the Tour One M3.
The Smart Tx is also a convenient device with a touch screen to control the headphones directly, like changing the ANC setting, adjusting EQ, or changing tracks. It is especially useful if you are connecting the headphones to a non-smartphone without an app. The transmitter can also broadcast audio and allow any Auracast-enabled headphones to receive the content.
Without the Smart Tx, the Tour One M3 headphones work on their own. With a built-in digital-to-analogue converter (DAC), the headphones can connect directly to USB digital or 3.5mm analogue audio. Through wireless, the headphones support up to 24-bit resolution via LDAC. Audio quality is immersive and detailed, though not exceptionally exciting due to its neutral tuning. Using the smartphone or the Smart Tx, you can set your preferred preset sound or liberally apply EQ settings to your satisfaction. You can also use the Personi-Fi 3, which runs listening tests to create your personal profile conveniently.
The Mark 3 features upgraded JBL Spatial Sound mode with 360 Head Track, in which the sound stage stays fixed in space even when you turn your head. When listening in this mode with Ambient Aware enabled, it feels as if you are listening to a pair of speakers in your room.
For advanced audio controls, the app lets you enable low volume dynamic EQ to boost highs and lows, adjust left-right sound balance, and max volume limiter. Some features require the headphones to restart, like the Smart Audio & Video mode, which I recommend leaving on.
Combine these listening personalisation features with the Ambient Sound Control, and you can leave the Tour One M3 on your head the entire day. Turn on ANC to keep all surrounding noises out, and Ambient Aware to keep ambient noise audible. With the Smart Talk feature, the headphones will auto-pause music and activate TalkThru for quick conversation, and resume music playback once you stop talking. Interestingly, the headphones come with a separate “Personal Sound Amplification” mode that is not dissimilar to the Ambient Aware mode, but it sounds more open than the latter.
We Say: Versatile EQ adjustments, powerful ANC, numerous audio control tools and hi-res wired and wireless connections make the JBL Tour One M3 a formidable pair of headphones that would appeal to discerning audio lovers, active lifestyle consumers, and busy executives.
Rating: 4.5
S$499
jbl.com.sg
Technical Specifications
Headphones
Driver 40mm dynamic
Frequency Response 10 – 40,000 Hz
Sensitivity 122dB at 1kHz
Impedance 18 ohms
Features ANC, Ambient Aware, Multi-Point Pairing, Custom Touch Controls, Spatial 360 Head Tracking, Personi-Fi 3.0, Smart Talk
Bluetooth Codecs SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Microphones 10
Battery 70 hours without ANC, 2 hours charging
Weight 278 g
Transmitter
Bluetooth Codec LC3
Battery 18 hours, 2 hours charging
Weight 34.5 g
