The JBL Tour One M3 headphones are emerging as a serious contender. They position themselves among the most appreciated high-end audio headphones this year. Their public price in France is €349.99. A bundle option exists. For an additional €50, the user gets the Smart TX transmitter, bringing the pack price to €399.99. This accessory will be detailed later. These headphones are certainly not cheap. However, they are packed with exceptional features. The reviewer used the JBL Tour One M3 daily for a week. Here is an in-depth review.

JBL Tour One M3: Design and Comfort

The Tour One M3‘s design does not revolutionize the genre. It resembles many other headphones, premium or not. It does not appear excessively large. The earcups are not particularly slim. Nor are they too wide. It might not be the most aesthetically pleasing headset. However, it is not unattractive either. Its appearance is rather unremarkable.

The materials reflect its nature: plastic. The inner headband, however, is metal. This gives it apparent robustness and durability. These headphones seem capable of withstanding intensive use. All expected design elements are present. The earcups, for example, fully rotate. The user can thus comfortably wear the headphones around their neck. Besides the “mocker” color (likely mocha or a similar shade), these JBL headphones also come in black or blue.

If not the sleekest, they are certainly very comfortable. Extended wear, even for hours, remains pleasant. The reviewer wore them for an entire day without interruption. Generous padding is found on the headband. The earcups receive the same treatment. The headphones do not squeeze the temples excessively. Their frame remains relatively lightweight. Of course, the headband is fully adjustable. Unfortunately, the earcup cushions are not detachable. Replacing them due to wear or excessive sweat is therefore impossible. This is a small drawback.

Overall, the build quality is good. Regarding water resistance, no official IP rating is mentioned. Nevertheless, the headphones withstood high humidity. They continued to function perfectly.

Connectivity and JBL Headphones App

The Tour One M3 connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth 5.3. Using the JBL Headphones app is not mandatory. However, it is highly recommended. Indeed, it unlocks most features and settings. The user can thus adjust controls. They can also explore equalizer settings. Many other options are available there.

Exceptional Audio Quality and Personalization

The JBL Tour One M3 integrates 40mm drivers. It supports 24-bit high-resolution wireless audio streaming. LDAC technology is also included. As mentioned, the app includes an equalizer. Several presets are selectable. The user can also make manual adjustments.

The Personi-Fi tool significantly improves audio performance. It creates a personalized sound profile. This profile is based on the user’s hearing. To activate it, high-resolution LDAC streaming must be deactivated. This sacrifice seems justified by the results. Individuals who struggle to hear certain frequencies will benefit. A five-minute hearing test is required. The user taps the screen when they no longer hear a tone. At the end, a full hearing report is generated. A personal sound profile is then created. A simple slider activates or deactivates this profile.

This function works in conjunction with the equalizer presets. It is therefore still possible to boost bass. Vocals can also be highlighted. With the personalized profile activated, highs become remarkably clear. The overall sound achieves a perfect balance. JBL has included other audio options in the app. For example, the user can adjust the left/right sound balance. A maximum volume limiter is also present.

Intuitive and Responsive Controls

The Tour One M3’s controls work very well. On the left earcup, simplicity prevails. A volume rocker allows for quick sound adjustment. The right earcup houses more functions. Yet, it does not feel crowded. It features the power slide switch. A switch manages Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Ambient mode.

The right earcup also has a touch-sensitive panel. A single tap pauses or plays music. Double tap skips to the next track. A triple tap returns to the previous track. These controls are perfectly responsive and intuitive. Tonal feedback confirms each action. Wearing a hood does not interfere with the touch panel. Some headphones react to mere fabric contact. This model only responds to fingers.

Auto-play and pause are supported. Removing the headphones pauses the music. Putting them back on resumes it.

Smart Features: Smart Talk and Smart TX

The JBL app offers a feature called Smart Talk. It automatically pauses music or podcasts. This occurs when the headphones detect the user’s voice. This feature can be inconvenient for those who talk to themselves. It is also true for those who speak animasiely at their computer. Fortunately, it is deactivated by default. The reviewer tested it. It seems to work correctly for those who appreciate this type of tool.

One of the major strengths of the JBL Tour One M3 is its Smart TX compatibility. This is JBL’s latest smart technology. The Smart TX transmitter acts like a small remote control. It has a touchscreen. This allows adjustment of audio settings. One can mute themselves during calls. It is possible to skip tracks. The user interface is fully customizable. Unused tools can be removed. OraCast support is integrated. If friends have OraCast-compatible headphones, they can connect wirelessly.

The main advantage of the Smart TX transmitter is its versatility. It connects to any device with an analog output. A USB Type-C connection is also possible with electronic devices. Thus, the headphones work with older devices lacking Bluetooth. This is the case, for example, with an old Evercade console. This allows enjoyment of 8-bit chiptunes. It should also perform excellently with in-flight entertainment systems. The user thus avoids the mediocre quality headphones usually provided by airlines. No latency or similar issues were noted during the first week of use. It is a fantastic addition. Its acquisition is highly recommended for owners of older consoles. Frequent travelers will also appreciate it. A fully charged TX transmitter provides several hours of streaming. A separate USB port allows for recharging. It can thus be powered and used indefinitely.

Spatial Sound and Advanced Noise Cancelling

The spatial sound tool deserves a brief mention. It may not appeal to everyone. However, it is available. Activating head tracking while listening to music changes the experience. The sound seems to come from a band playing in front. Turning one’s head alters the perceived sound direction. It is like attending a favorite band’s concert. But without the crowd or spilled drinks. The feature seems well-implemented.

JBL has also integrated its True Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0 feature. No less than eight built-in microphones monitor surrounding sounds. They then block them out effectively. This feature is fully customizable via the app. The built-in controls and the transmitter also allow adjustments. The user can set ANC to maximum. They can also manually adjust the reduction level. Adaptive ANC mode dynamically adjusts to ambient noise. Ambient Aware mode, also level-adjustable, lets external sounds filter in. This is useful for jogging or crossing roads.

Between the ANC smarts and the natural noise isolation from the large, well-padded earcups, most ambient noises are comfortably muted. This is more than adequate for daily commutes. The screeching noises of trains and subways are effectively reduced. The headphones have not yet been tested on a plane. “SilenceNow” feature will be very useful. It offers full noise cancellation even when disconnected from a device. A timer can be set for its duration. An alarm can even wake the user at the end.

For stressful moments, JBL has included relaxing sounds in the app. The user can enjoy the crackling of a campfire. The sound of waves is also an option.

Call Quality and Impressive Battery Life

A quad-microphone array equips the JBL Tour One M3 for calls. AI noise cancellation technology further enhances clarity. The other person hears one’s voice clearly, even in noisy environments. No issues were reported during calls on the move. This includes busy environments like central London.

Finally, battery life is excellent. JBL claims up to 70 hours of playback on a single charge. This figure is with active noise cancellation turned off. Most tools must be switched off. With ANC on постійно and the personalized sound profile, battery life is between 40 and 50 hours. Fast charging support is present. Five minutes of charging provide about four to five hours of audio action. These headphones are thus built for travel. The reviewer plans an upcoming trip. They do not expect to need to recharge the headphones during this multi-day stay.

A Wise Investment

The JBL Tour One M3 headphones are a very compelling offer. They rank among the best premium headphones of 2025 so far. Their price of €349.99 is justified. The addition of the TX transmitter for an extra €50, bringing the pack price to €399.99, further enhances their value. These audio headphones represent an excellent choice for demanding audiophiles.