Across reviews, ANC is consistently strong and competitive at the flagship tier, especially with a solid seal and the included foam tips. Several reviewers still place Bose or AirPods Pro 2 a step ahead for the most cocooned, best-in-class quiet. Noise canceling is highly tunable, with adaptive modes and manual strength steps/sliders available in the app and often from the case screen. Most reviewers found it easy to dial in more reduction or more awareness depending on environment.
Android users get the most obvious upside through LDAC support and Fast Pair-style conveniences, and several reviews specifically cite Android phones during testing. Compatibility is generally smooth, and features feel most complete on Android.
The app is useful for firmware, library management, and Playlist+ tasks, but it is basic rather than feature rich and can feel awkward compared with more polished headphone apps.
The JBL Headphones app is viewed as central to the experience, enabling firmware updates, mode switching, and deeper personalization. Most find it well organized, though a minority report occasional crashes or flaky connections.
A/V sync is typically fine for video, but Bluetooth gaming latency can be noticeable for some reviewers. Using the case as a transmitter is repeatedly framed as the lower-latency workaround for flights, TVs, and certain gaming setups.
Bass is inconsistent. Some reviewers hear solid or even punchier bass, especially underwater or with earplugs, but others call it hollow, woolly, or nearly absent on land.
Bass is punchy and deep with strong slam, and many reviewers highlight it as a core strength. A few find the stock low end a bit thick for vocals or podcasts, but EQ presets make it easy to trim or boost.
Battery life is solid for the category, with most reviews landing around the claimed 9 hours over Bluetooth and 6 hours from memory mode, though some testing suggests real-world endurance can fall short of the marketing numbers.
Battery life is consistently strong, commonly cited around 7-8 hours with ANC and up to about 11 hours without, with the case extending totals into the 32-44 hour range. Long-term impressions suggest only modest degradation after heavy use.
Bluetooth is fine for some above-water use, but stability is not flawless. Multiple reviewers mention stutters, disconnects, or pairing friction, and underwater Bluetooth remains impractical as expected.
Bluetooth performance is generally stable with fast pairing and modern conveniences like Fast Pair/Swift Pair depending on platform. A few long-term or multipoint users mention occasional reconnect hiccups, but dropouts are not a dominant complaint.
Build quality comes across as sturdy, flexible, and ready for abuse in the pool or during training. The sealed construction and soft exterior inspire confidence.
Build quality is generally reported as solid and durable, with good materials feel and hardware that holds up over time. Cosmetic wear on the case (micro-scratches, fingerprints) shows up, but functional durability complaints are rare.
The controls are the most common complaint. Physical buttons offer tactile feedback, but many reviewers found them too small, too close together, slow on secondary presses, or easy to trigger incorrectly while moving.
The magnetic proprietary cable supports the waterproof design, but it adds one more special accessory to keep track of, and one reviewer reported unreliable wired file transfers.
The included cases are generally well regarded. Reviewers call them protective and practical, though some found the standard case bulkier than necessary.
The smart charging case is a defining feature, offering a touchscreen control center and useful shortcuts without pulling out a phone. The main downsides are physical size and occasional reports of UI lag or brightness quirks, but overall sentiment is strongly positive.
Charging is straightforward once aligned with the magnetic connector, and case-based charging options add convenience, but the waterproof-focused approach means living with a proprietary setup.
Charging is convenient and fast, with USB-C plus Qi wireless charging and a quick-charge feature that can deliver several hours from a short top-up. The case provides multiple full recharges, though heavy screen use can draw additional power.
Codec support is broad for the category, covering SBC/AAC plus hi-res LDAC and, in some coverage, LE Audio/LC3 in transmitter mode. This flexibility is frequently cited as a reason these feel future-proof.
Comfort is one of the strongest recurring positives. The open-ear design avoids ear-canal fatigue, vibrations are generally well controlled for the category, and several reviewers found them easy to wear for long swims or runs.
Comfort and fit are mixed and highly ear-dependent: many find them comfortable for long sessions, but multiple sources note the buds are physically large/deep and can be tricky for smaller ears. Tip choice (including foam) is often the difference between secure comfort and constant readjustment.
The design is sporty and practical rather than stylish. Reviewers like the soft-touch finish and purpose-built form, even if it looks more specialized than everyday headphones.
Design is widely seen as premium and distinctive, with a stemmed look and modern finishes, but size is a consistent theme. Both the earbuds and especially the case are larger than many rivals, which can affect small-ear comfort and pocketability.
Using the case as a transmitter (USB-C or 3.5mm/aux via included cables) is repeatedly praised for flights, treadmills, TVs, and older sources. Reviewers treat it as more than a gimmick because it adds flexibility and can improve latency behavior.
The included tip selection is generous, usually featuring multiple silicone sizes plus foam, and reviewers frequently credit it for improving seal and ANC. Most see the variety as a practical advantage for dialing in fit.
EQ tuning is essentially missing, so you are mostly stuck with the default sound signature.
EQ and tuning tools are among the strongest in-class, with multiple presets plus advanced multi-band EQ and Personi-Fi hearing personalization. Reviewers frequently cite these controls as the key to tailoring bass, brightness, and overall balance.
Find My-style locating features are present through the app and case controls, and reviewers generally find them useful for locating earbuds. A few note limitations around locating or pinging the case itself compared with the earbuds.
Accessories are a plus. Earplugs and a protective case show up repeatedly as useful inclusions, and they materially improve the swim experience.
Instrument separation and imaging are repeatedly called out as clear and well-defined for true wireless earbuds. A few reviewers say it is not the most surgically accurate staging available, but it remains easy to place elements in the mix.
LDAC is widely appreciated by Android users for higher-quality wireless audio and is treated as a premium advantage. Tradeoffs show up in a few reviews: higher drain/latency and, in some implementations, disabling certain extra processing features.
Pushing volume too high hurts sound quality. At max levels, reviewers noted distortion, harsher vibrations, and less pleasant listening.
Noise reduction for calls, including background and wind suppression, is frequently praised and often highlighted as best-in-class or close. Edge cases include echo handling or very windy, chaotic environments where voices can wobble slightly.
Call quality is usable but not a strength. Voices tend to sound quiet, distant, or light on detail, which fits the swim-first design but limits all-purpose appeal.
Call microphone quality is a consistent strength, with many reviewers describing clear, intelligible voice capture across calls and meetings. A few note mild Bluetooth artifacts or voice coloration depending on app and conditions.
Mids and vocals are serviceable rather than standout. They come through well enough for workouts and can sound more balanced underwater, but several reviews say voices lose body or detail above water.
Midrange and vocal clarity are typically strong, though some note a mild V-shape or mid dip that can make certain instruments feel less forward. Personalization tools (EQ/Personi-Fi) are frequently recommended to bring mids up if desired.
Multi-platform support is strong across Android, iOS, and computers, helped by standard Bluetooth features and platform pairing options. The case transmitter further improves flexibility for devices without reliable Bluetooth audio.
Multipoint support is absent, which limits convenience if you switch between devices often.
Multipoint and device switching are a major feature and usually work smoothly once set up. Some reviewers experienced occasional wrong-source switching or needed to toggle Bluetooth settings to recover, especially in multi-device workflows.
The open-ear design provides almost no passive isolation on its own. The included earplugs make a noticeable difference in the pool by reducing splash noise and improving perceived clarity and bass.
The local-memory feature is the reason to buy these. Reviewers like the 8GB storage, drag-and-drop loading, and true phone-free swimming, but Playlist+ is often described as clunky, slow, or awkward, and 8GB trails some rivals.
Portability is the recurring compromise: the case is often described as chunky or less pocketable than typical earbud cases. Many reviewers still accept the bulk because the screen and transmitter functions add real utility.
Wear detection and related sensors are usually reliable for auto pause/resume and convenience features. Some smart automation features (like auto talk/voice-aware behaviors) can be overly sensitive depending on the user and environment.
Sound quality is the main compromise. Underwater playback is often described as good or at least satisfying for the category, while above-water listening ranges from merely okay to clearly weak compared with better open-ear or in-ear alternatives.
Sound quality is a standout: most reviews describe an energetic, polished tuning with plenty of detail and broad appeal from the hybrid drivers. The default voicing can lean bass-forward, but EQ, Studio-style presets, and Personi-Fi help balance it to taste.
Soundstage is commonly described as wider than expected for sealed in-ears, with good left-right spread. Spatial processing can make it feel larger still, though the perceived benefit varies by listener and content.
Spatial audio support is robust and often praised, especially with head tracking for movies and immersive listening. Opinion is mixed for music: some love the effect, while others find it changes timbre or feels inconsistent and prefer it off.
Once the fit suits your head, stability is excellent. Reviewers regularly say the headset stays put through swimming, running, and vigorous movement, though smaller heads can end up with extra rear loop.
Stability in motion is generally good for many users (running and gym use are commonly mentioned), especially with the right tips and seal. A smaller subset report dislodging or needing frequent fit corrections during activity.
Touch controls are broadly functional and responsive, but multiple reviews criticize the control scheme tradeoffs and limited customization. A few users mention occasional mis-taps or delays, and some prefer using the case screen or app instead.
Transparency and TalkThru/Ambient modes are generally clear and usable for quick conversations, but a few note hiss or a slightly digital character. Multiple reviews say it is good rather than the very best, with AirPods Pro 2 often cited as more natural.
Treble is acceptable for exercise use, not refined listening. Highs are often described as rolled off, grainy, or slightly distorted when volume climbs.
Treble is usually described as crisp and controlled, delivering detail without harshness for most listeners. Some report a touch of brightness or occasional coherence/timing quirks versus top audiophile picks, but EQ can tame sibilance if it appears.
USB-C is used for both charging and for the case’s wired-input transmitter feature, which many reviewers find genuinely practical. Cable-based connectivity is frequently highlighted as a differentiator versus most competitors.
There is enough output for workouts and spoken-word listening, but open-ear use in noisy settings often requires higher volume than ideal.
Volume output is described as having ample headroom and getting loud without obvious breakup for most listening. Some reviewers note it reaches satisfying levels well below max volume, and volume limiting options exist in software.
Water performance is the standout strength. The IPX8 rating and real underwater playback are consistently praised, making these far more convincing for swimmers than most open-ear alternatives.
Earbuds carry an IP55-level water and dust resistance rating in most coverage, making them suitable for sweat and light rain. The case is typically not described as water resistant, so it benefits from more care.
These are repeatedly described as lightweight and unobtrusive, which helps during long sessions and makes the headset easy to forget once positioned.