TWO WEEKS WITH THE JBL TOUR PRO 2 BUDS
Fool for a pretty case
The charging caddy with a touchscreen certainly stands out, but will it blind Tom Morgan-Freelander to the shortcomings of JBL’s new in-ears? Nah, course not…
£250 / go.stuff.tv/TourPro2
DAY 01
There’s a fine line between groundbreaking and gimmicky. JBL is aiming for the former with the Tour Pro 2s: these true wireless in-ears are the first to take smartwatch-style notifications and controls off your wrist and cram them onto the side of a charging case via a tiddly touchscreen.
That feature pushes them into premium territory, which isn’t JBL’s usual stomping ground and is filled with capable rivals – ones with dumber cases, sure, but also a firm focus on sound quality or active noise-cancellation.
With a cover that flips up to reveal the buds lurking inside, my first look at the Tour Pro 2s gave me real Star Trek Tricorder vibes. Making space for that screen does mean it’s undeniably chunky, though. I’ll have to keep it in a different pocket to my phone… and think twice before throwing it in a bag with my keys to avoid scratches.