When it comes to great-sounding TWS earbuds, options narrow downs to a few models. For Apple users, the AirPods Pro is often a simple choice, while users not wanting to be hooked on to one eco-system, prefer Sony’s WF-1000XM4. These earbuds are great but are expensive. One needs to spend a good Rs. 20,000 or more, and this can be too much for many, especially considering smartphones cost that much.
The solution to this could be JBL’s all-new LivePro 2. These are the brand’s flagship noise-cancelling earbuds promising great sound and features at Rs. 11,499*, a price way lower than the competition. But, does an accessible price means compromises or are they good earbuds with a great price tag? We reviewed them to find out the answer.
Design
The JBL LivePro 2 come in a compact, pebble-shaped case which is practical and handy. They are comfortable in the pockets. The case's gun-metal paint looks fantastic over the rivals. Since it has a matte finish, it repels fingerprints and you won’t need to worry about regular cleaning. The absence of deeper grooves also makes cleaning the dust inside the case easy. The case also comes with a battery LED indicator, a feature missed out on premium models.
The story of these earbuds is different. While most parts match the case’s matte finish, the outer stem has a dark mirror finish, which is a fingerprint magnet. During my tests, we had little complaints about the fit of the earbuds. Each bud weighs only 4.9 grams, so it is light on the ears. Their oval-shaped ear tips provide a good fit and passive noise isolation. The earbuds ship with extra ear tips, so you can find a personalised fit. Using these earbuds in the gym or in the rain also won’t be an issue, thanks to their IP5X rating.
Features
The list of features on the JBL LivePro 2 are nearly identical to its rivals. You get Adaptive Noise Cancellation for a distraction-free sound. There is also a Smart Ambient Mode so you can have conversations without removing the earbuds. The earbuds come with touch controls allowing you to play/pause music, skip tracks and adjust the ANC modes. You can also customize these functions in the JBL Headphones app.
The app also gives access to a plethora of options. You can check the fit with the Check My Best Fit option and even customize the ANC by running an Ear Canal test. It also gives you the option to set select the voice assistant, activate Voice Prompts and even fiddle around with the Power Saving settings.
The earbuds also support Dual Connect & Sync with Multi-point support to stay connected and switch audio sources between two devices. The LivePro 2 has six beamforming microphones to reduce background noise and a crisp calling experience. They claim 40 hours of battery life and nearly four hours of playtime with just 15 minutes of charge.
Performance
The JBL LivePro 2 come with 11 mm dynamic drivers, and we tested them by listening to a wide genre of music. We started off with Industrial Baby by Lil Nas X, and Jack Harlow, a song with a mix of deep bass and high piano tones with vocals. The JBL Headphones app’s built-in equalizer has a Studio Mode option to deliver a natural music experience. It brings down the bass by a bit and maintains mid and high tones. The bass levels still felt a little higher than the AirPods Pro (Gen1), but they don’t dominate or make other tones sound muddy. Since there is an in-built equalizer, you can adjust the tones to your liking.
I also tried a lot of Bollywood tracks on this mode, and the performance was even all around. The noise cancellation also works flawlessly. It makes the music listening experience better and is also very effective when you aren’t listening to music. It does not bring absolute silence, but the performance is very close to the competition.
The earbuds work well with iOS devices. All tracks were streamed from Apple Music in Hi-Res Lossless quality, and there were barely any drops while testing them. The Wear Detection feature works fine, and even the touch sensors are accurate. But, since they have a slightly bigger touch area, they can get triggered even while adjusting the fit. I also attended a few calls with the earbuds, and the recipients on the other side had no issues hearing my voice.
Conclusion
The JBL LivePro 2 are perfect for those who don’t want to spend too much for a good music experience. These earbuds sound balanced, have a great ANC and work perfectly fine with both Android and iOS devices. They offer better customization options and are great for everyday usage. The design and build quality also feel premium, and we didn’t find any major drawbacks. These earbuds are good performers, and we recommend them for their competitive price.
Note – Prices are subject to change. Please refer the product page for the latest prices, details and availability.
