JBL debuted a complete new line of audio gear at an event in Amsterdam today. Chief among the new products was the latest iteration of the £180/€200 JBL Live 4 true wireless headphones which have across-the-board updates but the real headline should be the noise-cancellation tech.
It’s a couple of years since the touchscreen case first debuted on these headphones and now there are enhanced features thanks to JBL Smart OS 3.0 on a larger display. This basically means there is a new user interface that you can use to move between songs, adjust the EQ and check notifications as before. You can add your most-used features to the home screen.
Crucially, there are now new 10 and 12mm drivers for elevated sound quality (clearer sound and deeper bass) plus that all-important improved noise cancellation thanks to software improvements. They also have a six-mic array with windproofing for clearer calls in addition to the four noise-cancelling mics. And there’s support for JBL’s Spatial Sound tech, too.
Interestingly, there are actually three different versions of the JBL Live 4 – Live Buds 4, which are in-ear buds with silicon tips. Then there’s Live Beam 4 which is an in-ear stem with a silicon tip more like Apple’s AirPods Pro. Finally there’s Live Flex 4, a semi-open stem with no silicon tip, most like AirPods 4.
I’m really interested to hear these earphones and check out the differences between them – I reckon the Live Flex 4 could be the pair for me, largely because fit is always difficult for me with silicon tips.
JBL Live Beam 4 and Live Flex 4 are available in Black, Blue, Green, Silver, Orange, Purple and Sand. JBL Live Buds 4 are available in Black, Blue, Silver and Sand.
And the other stuff…
The Harman-owned company also showed latest-gen over-ear headphones, party speakers and fascinating pocketable buds that remove or partially mute vocals from tracks to enable you to sing along.
- JBL Live 780NC and 680NC headphones – these over-ear headphones have redesigned sound around 40mm drivers, essentially giving a clearer sound than before. Plus they have AI-enhanced call quality and JBL’s own Spatial Sound tech as well as True Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0 for improved immersion. I’m also really interested to hear these and how they compare to other over-ears around the sub-$200 mark.
- JBL EasySing Mic Mini – this mini microphone offers vocal removal across any track (you can remove it completely or just partially) in order for you to sing along. and Voice Boost for smoother high notes, turning any space into your stage. You can remove 25%, 50%, or 100% of vocals at the touch of a button.
- JBL PartyBox 330 and 130 – JBL’s party speaker range is pretty ubiquitous as far as such devices go and these new replacement models bring deeper bass, cleaner highs, and JBL AI Sound Boost with Smart EQ. There’s also a revamp of the light show and at least 15/18 hours of playback time and up to 280W output. Remarkably, JBL says it’s responsible for nine out of 10 party speakers with lights that are sold. There are also EasySing mics available separately as a pair for karaoke and duets. They also have one-tap vocal removal and you can keep 50/25 or zero percent of the existing vocals.
As for pricing, JBL Live 780NC and Live 680NC will be available from 12 May, priced at £180/€180 and $150/£130/€150 respectively. The JBL Live 4 TWS will also launch on the same day at £180/€200.
The PartyBox 330 and PartyBox 130 will follow in June, priced at £530/€600 and £350/€400 respectively. The JBL EasySing Mics Mini will also launch at the same time at £130/€150
We don’t yet have US pricing for any of these products as yet but we’ll update when we do.
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