Is the JBL Tour One M3 the new king of long-haul listening—or a flashy detour with average ANC?
Quick Summary Box
· What it is: Premium over-ear ANC headphones with hi-res LDAC, onboard DAC over USB-C, and optional Smart Tx transmitter.
· Who it’s for: Frequent flyers, commuters, hi-res nerds, Android users who want LDAC & Auracast.
· Immediate caveats: ANC trails the class leaders; aptX family missing; Smart Tx ups the price.
Key Specs at a Glance
40mm drivers • 10 mics • True Adaptive ANC 2.0 • LDAC, SBC, AAC (no aptX) • Bluetooth 5.3 LE + Auracast • Up to 70h battery (40h ANC on) • 2h full charge • 278g • USB-C digital audio with built-in 24-bit/192kHz DAC • 3.5mm analog • Spatial 360 with head tracking • Multipoint • Google Fast Pair.
Design & Build
Soft, deep cushions and a clean, travel-first silhouette. At 278g, it’s comfortable across long sessions and folds for the case. Build feels premium without gaudy accents; controls are intuitive on-cup.
Display & Multimedia
No “display,” but multimedia chops are real: Spatial 360 with head tracking adds convincing stage for movies and games; LDAC preserves detail on supported Android phones. Wired USB-C DAC mode keeps it lossless from laptops and tablets.
Performance & Software
Out-of-box tuning trends toward balanced, clean “Harman-ish” sound, and the JBL Headphones app’s 12-band EQ/Personi-Fi lets you dial taste fast. Multipoint and Google Fast Pair make hopping devices painless.
Noise Cancelling
True Adaptive ANC 2.0 uses an 8-mic array to react in real time. It hushes city rumble and office hum well, but early reviews peg it short of Sony/Bose on airplanes. Ambient Aware/TalkThru are adjustable and handy.
Cameras
N/A.
Battery & Charging
JBL’s showstopper: up to 70 hours (ANC off) or ~40 hours with ANC—plus a wild 5-minute top-up for 5 hours. Translation: Delhi–New York–back on one charge if you’re conservative. 2 hours to full. USB-C charging.
Connectivity & Extras
Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio and Auracast reception, USB-C digital audio (built-in DAC), 3.5mm analog, Zoom-certified (wired), multipoint, on-ear controls, sturdy carry case. Codecs: SBC/AAC/LDAC. No aptX.
Brand Claims vs Reality
· “True Adaptive ANC 2.0” → Strong daily hush; not the airplane champ.
· “Hi-Res Bluetooth + DAC” → Tangible clarity gains via LDAC/wired USB-C.
· “Smart Tx everywhere entertainment” → Genuinely useful for flights/older sources, but it’s a pricier bundle.
Comparison Mentions
· Sony WH-1000XM6: better ANC, richer app ecosystem; weaker battery.
· Bose QC Ultra: comfort and ANC kings; battery life lags.
· Sennheiser Momentum 4: long battery rival; fewer flashy extras. (Comparisons based on consensus positioning in early coverage.)
Price & Availability (India)
MRP ₹34,999 for Tour One M3; ₹39,999 for Smart Tx bundle. JBL often lists launch offers (₹26,999 / ₹32,999 respectively) on its site. Colors: Black, Blue, Mocha.
Alternatives
· Sony WH-1000XM6 — Pros: top-tier ANC, polished app; Cons: battery shorter, pricier street.
· Bose QuietComfort Ultra — Pros: ANC comfort champ, spatial modes; Cons: battery ~30h, fewer codecs.
FAQ
Q: Does it support wireless hi-res?
A: Yes—LDAC over Bluetooth; plus lossless via USB-C DAC.
Q: Is it waterproof?
A: No official IP rating listed. (Unknown/unstated by JBL.)
Q: What codecs are supported?
A: SBC, AAC, LDAC (no aptX/aptX Lossless).
Q: What’s Smart Tx?
A: Optional touchscreen transmitter that links to USB-C/3.5mm sources and beams audio directly/over Auracast with lower latency. Costs extra on base model.