JBL Soundgear Sense Review: The Best Open-Ear Earbuds

If you are looking for a pair of earbuds that can deliver great sound quality without blocking out the world around you, you might want to check out the JBL Soundgear Sense.

These are the first-ever true wireless open-ear earbuds from JBL, featuring their innovative OpenSound Technology with air conduction.

In this blog post, I will review the JBL Soundgear Sense and tell you why they are the best open-ear earbuds for your lifestyle.

What is the JBL Soundgear Sense?

The JBL Soundgear Sense represents an innovative offering from JBL, merging the advantages of true wireless earbuds with open-ear headphones.

In contrast to conventional earbuds that snugly fit into your ear canal, the JBL Soundgear Sense comfortably rests on the contours of your ears without causing obstruction.

This unique design grants you the ability to stay attuned to your surroundings while simultaneously indulging in your preferred music, podcasts, or phone calls.

How much is the JBL Soundgear Sense?

The JBL Soundgear Sense is available in black and white colors, and you can buy them from the official JBL website or other online retailers. The price of the JBL Soundgear Sense is €149.99 in Europe and £129.99 in the UK. The product comes in eco-friendly packaging made from FSC-certified paper and printed with soy ink.

Specifications

Here are some of the key specifications of the JBL Soundgear Sense:

• Driver size: 16.2 mm
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Bluetooth version: 5.2
• Battery life: up to 6 hours of playtime, plus 18 hours from the charging case
• Charging time: 2 hours for the earbuds, 3 hours for the case
• IP rating: IP54 (water and dust resistant)
• Weight: 14 g per earbud, 43 g for the case

Features of the JBL Soundgear Sense

The JBL Soundgear Sense has many features that make it a great choice for open-ear earbuds. Some of these features are:

JBL OpenSound Technology with air conduction

This is a breakthrough technology that delivers JBL’s signature sound quality through air conduction, without compromising on bass or clarity. You can hear every detail of your audio while staying aware of your surroundings.

Multi-point connectivity

You can connect the JBL Soundgear Sense to two devices at the same time, such as your smartphone and your laptop. This makes it easy to switch between different sources of audio without any hassle.

Four-microphone system

The JBL Soundgear Sense has four built-in microphones that ensure clear voice quality during calls, even in noisy environments. You can also access your voice assistant with a simple touch on the earbuds.

Detachable neckband

The JBL Soundgear Sense comes with a detachable neckband that provides extra security and stability during active use. You can wear it around your neck when you are not using the earbuds, or remove it when you want a more minimalist look.

Customizable fit

The JBL Soundgear Sense has adjustable ear hooks that allow you to rotate and resize them according to your preference. You can find the most comfortable and secure fit for your ears.

Design of the JBL Soundgear Sense

The design of the JBL Soundgear Sense is sleek and modern, with a matte finish and a subtle logo on each earbud. The earbuds have a curved shape that follows the contour of your ears, and they are lightweight and ergonomic. The charging case is compact and easy to carry around, with a magnetic closure and an LED indicator.

The JBL Soundgear Sense is a unique product that offers a new way of listening to audio without isolating yourself from the world. If you value sound quality, comfort, and awareness, you should definitely give them a try. You can order them online from JBL or Amazon, or find them in your local store.

Audio Quality of the JBL Soundgear Sense?

The audio quality of the JBL Soundgear Sense is impressive, thanks to the JBL OpenSound Technology with air conduction. You can enjoy rich and balanced sound with deep bass and crisp highs, without sacrificing your awareness of your surroundings. The JBL Soundgear Sense also supports AAC and SBC codecs, which ensure high-quality streaming from your devices.

Performance of the JBL Soundgear Sense

The performance of the JBL Soundgear Sense is reliable and consistent, with a Bluetooth 5.2 connection that offers low latency and minimal dropouts. The battery life of the JBL Soundgear Sense is decent, with up to 6 hours of playtime on a single charge, and an additional 18 hours from the charging case. The charging time is also fast, with only 2 hours for the earbuds and 3 hours for the case. The JBL Soundgear Sense also has an IP54 rating, which means it can resist water splashes and dust.

User Experience of the JBL Soundgear Sense

The user experience of the JBL Soundgear Sense is smooth and intuitive, with easy-to-use touch controls on the earbuds that let you play, pause, skip tracks, adjust volume, answer calls, and access your voice assistant. The earbuds also have a smart pause feature that automatically pauses your audio when you take them off your ears, and resumes it when you put them back on. The fit of the JBL Soundgear Sense is comfortable and secure, with adjustable ear hooks that can be customized to your preference. The detachable neckband also adds extra stability and convenience when you are not using the earbuds.

JBL Soundgear Sense compare to Bose Sport Open Earbuds

The main competitor of the JBL Soundgear Sense in the market is the Bose Sport Open Earbuds, which are also true wireless open-ear earbuds that use air conduction technology. Both products have similar features and specifications, such as Bluetooth 5.1, IPX4 rating, four-microphone system, voice assistant support, and touch controls. However, there are some differences between them that might influence your decision:

• Price: The Bose Sport Open Earbuds are more expensive than the JBL Soundgear Sense, with a price of €199.95 in Europe and £179.95 in the UK.
• Battery life: The Bose Sport Open Earbuds have a shorter battery life than the JBL Soundgear Sense, with only 5 hours of playtime per charge, and 10 hours from the charging case.
• Design: The Bose Sport Open Earbuds have a more sporty and bulky design than the JBL Soundgear Sense, with a larger ear hook that wraps around your ear. The JBL Soundgear Sense has a more sleek and minimalist design, with a smaller ear hook that rests on your ear.
• Sound quality: The Bose Sport Open Earbuds have a more natural and balanced sound quality than the JBL Soundgear Sense, with less bass and more midrange. The JBL Soundgear Sense has a more powerful and dynamic sound quality than the Bose Sport Open Earbuds, with more bass and treble.

Who should buy the JBL Soundgear Sense?

The JBL Soundgear Sense is a great product for anyone who wants to enjoy their audio without losing touch with their environment. Whether you are working from home, commuting to work, exercising outdoors, or relaxing at home, you can use the JBL Soundgear Sense to listen to your audio while staying aware of what’s happening around you. The JBL Soundgear Sense is also ideal for people who value sound quality, comfort, and convenience, as it offers JBL’s signature sound quality through air conduction technology, a customizable fit with adjustable ear hooks and a detachable neckband, and easy-to-use touch controls and voice assistant support.

The JBL Soundgear Sense is a unique product that offers a new way of listening to audio without isolating yourself from the world. If you value sound quality, comfort, and awareness, you should definitely give them a try. You can order them online from [JBL] or [Amazon], or find them in your local store.

How to use the JBL Soundgear Sense?

Using the JBL Soundgear Sense is very easy and simple. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Charge the earbuds and the case fully before using them for the first time. You can use the USB-C cable that comes with the product to charge them.
2. Turn on the Bluetooth on your device and select “JBL Soundgear Sense” from the list of available devices. You will hear a voice prompt saying “Connected” when the pairing is successful.
3. Adjust the ear hooks to fit your ears comfortably and securely. You can also attach or detach the neckband according to your preference.
4. Use the touch controls on the earbuds to play, pause, skip tracks, adjust volume, answer calls, and access your voice assistant. You can also use the smart pause feature to automatically pause and resume your audio when you take off or put on the earbuds.
5. Enjoy your audio without losing touch with your environment.

Pros and Cons of the JBL Soundgear Sense

The JBL Soundgear Sense has many advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before buying them. Here are some of them:

Pros:

• JBL OpenSound Technology with air conduction delivers great sound quality without blocking out the world around you
• True wireless design with Bluetooth 5.2 offers low latency and minimal dropouts
• Four-microphone system ensures clear voice quality during calls and voice assistant support
• Detachable neckband provides extra security and stability during active use
• Customizable fit with adjustable ear hooks and a detachable neckband
• Eco-friendly packaging made from FSC-certified paper and printed with soy ink

Cons:

• Battery life is decent but not outstanding, with up to 6 hours of playtime per charge and 18 hours from the case
• IP54 rating is good but not great, as it can only resist water splashes and dust
• Bass might be too overpowering for some listeners who prefer a more natural and balanced sound

Warranty

The JBL Soundgear Sense comes with a one-year limited warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. You can contact JBL customer service or visit their website for more details on how to claim your warranty.

Alternatives for the JBL Soundgear Sense

If you’re not entirely sold on the JBL Soundgear Sense, it might be worth exploring some alternative options for open-ear earbuds available in the market. Here are a couple of alternatives you may want to consider:

Bose Sport Open Earbuds

These earbuds are also truly wireless and utilize air conduction technology. They stand out with their more natural and well-balanced sound quality, extended battery life, and sporty design. However, it’s worth noting that they come at a higher price point and are slightly bulkier compared to the JBL Soundgear Sense.

AfterShokz Aeropex

These headphones operate on bone conduction technology, transmitting sound through your cheekbones rather than your ears. This unique approach allows you to enjoy your audio while remaining aware of your surroundings. They boast a lightweight and comfortable design, a long-lasting battery, and an IP67 rating, which means they are waterproof and dustproof. It’s important to be aware that they are not truly wireless; they feature a wire connecting the two earpieces. Additionally, their sound quality, while adequate, may not match the powerful and dynamic audio of the JBL Soundgear Sense.

FAQs

Here are some of the most common questions that people have about the JBL Soundgear Sense:

Conclusion

The JBL Soundgear Sense is a unique product that offers a new way of listening to audio without isolating yourself from the world. It has many features that make it a great choice for open-ear earbuds, such as JBL OpenSound Technology with air conduction, true wireless design, four-microphone system, detachable neckband, and customizable fit. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as a decent but not outstanding battery life, a good but not great IP rating, and a bass-heavy sound quality. If you value sound quality, comfort, and awareness, you should definitely give the JBL Soundgear Sense a try. You can order them online from JBL or Amazon, or find them in your local store.