JBL Tour One M2 Headphones (2025)

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#9. JBL Tour One M2

A Feature-Rich Contender Holding Its Ground?

Okay, let’s take a close look at the JBL Tour One M2 headphones from the vantage point of May 2025. Released in early 2023, these headphones entered the competitive premium wireless market aiming to offer a comprehensive suite of features, strong performance, and JBL’s signature sound at a compelling price point. Over two years later, they remain a relevant option for many.

The JBL Tour One M2 headphones were designed to be a versatile all-rounder, packed with technology like adaptive noise cancellation, long battery life, and smart features. As we evaluate them in May 2025, they represent a mature product that often provides excellent value, especially when compared to potentially pricier new flagships.

The M2 Advantage: Why JBL’s Feature-Packed Cans Still Compete

Even with newer models on the scene, the JBL Tour One M2 boasts several features that keep it in the conversation:

JBL Pro Sound with Hi-Res Certification: Delivers a dynamic and engaging sound signature. While Hi-Res audio is primarily achieved via the included audio cable, the overall wireless sound quality is well-regarded for its clarity and punch.
Impressive Battery Life: This is a standout. Up to 50 hours of playback with ANC off, and a very respectable 30 hours with ANC on, positions the M2 among the leaders for endurance. The quick charge feature (10 minutes for 5 hours of playback) is also highly practical.
Effective True Adaptive Noise Cancellation: The ANC intelligently adjusts to your surroundings in real time, effectively minimizing distractions for a more immersive listening experience.
Comfortable Design for Extended Wear: A lightweight build and plush earcups make the Tour One M2 suitable for long listening sessions, commutes, or workdays.
Comprehensive Smart Features: Includes Smart Ambient (to hear your surroundings), TalkThru (lowers music and amplifies voices for quick conversations), and VoiceAware (to control how much of your own voice you hear during calls).
Multipoint Bluetooth Connection: Seamlessly connect to and switch between two devices (e.g., your laptop and smartphone).
Robust App Support (JBL Headphones App): Offers extensive customization, including an advanced EQ, Personi-Fi 2.0 sound personalization, customizable ANC levels, and access to features like SilentNow (ANC without music).
Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio Support (as per Bluetooth 5.3 spec): Ensures a stable, efficient connection and is future-ready for LE Audio benefits if your source devices also support them (like LC3 codec for improved quality/efficiency).

Key Specifications & Features:

Connectivity:
- Wireless: Bluetooth 5.3 (LE Audio compatible).
- Wired: Includes a 3.5mm audio cable. USB-C port for charging and potentially for wired audio on some devices.
- Microphone Note: The built-in microphones work for calls over Bluetooth. Using the 3.5mm audio cable will typically disable the onboard microphone functionality.
Compatibility:
- Windows: Windows 10 and higher (supports Microsoft Swift Pair).
- macOS: macOS X and later.
- iOS & Android: Full feature access via the JBL Headphones app.
Audio Codecs: Standard SBC and AAC. Notably lacks high-resolution wireless codecs like aptX HD or LDAC.
Drivers: 40mm dynamic drivers, Hi-Res Audio certified (for wired listening).
Design: Sleek, modern over-ear design. Available in Black and Silver (prompt stated only these, though sometimes more colors appear later).
Weight: Relatively lightweight, contributing to comfort.

Price & Value: Assessing the ~$300 Proposition

Original Retail Price: Around $299.99.
Typical 2025 Price: By May 2025, you might still find the JBL Tour One M2 around this price point, or potentially slightly lower during sales (e.g., $250-$280). This positions them as a strong upper mid-range contender, offering many premium features without the absolute top-tier flagship price of some 2025 models.

Sound Performance: JBL Pro Sound & Hi-Res Capabilities

JBL Pro Sound Signature: Expect a sound that is generally energetic, with clear highs and impactful bass – a signature many find engaging for popular music genres.
Hi-Res Audio (Wired): The Hi-Res certification means they can reproduce a wider range of frequencies when used with a compatible source and high-resolution audio files via the wired connection.
Wireless Audio Quality: Relies on SBC and AAC codecs. While AAC performs well, especially with Apple devices, the absence of aptX HD or LDAC means Android users with devices supporting these codecs won’t get the highest possible wireless fidelity that some competitors offer.
Personi-Fi 2.0: The app allows you to take a hearing test to create a personalized sound profile, which can significantly enhance your listening experience by tailoring the EQ to your unique hearing.

Noise Cancellation & Situational Awareness

True Adaptive Noise Cancellation: The M2’s ANC is quite effective in a variety of environments, from commutes to open offices. While it may not reach the absolute pinnacle of silence offered by the very latest 2025 flagships from Sony or Bose in every scenario, it performs very well for its class.
Smart Ambient & TalkThru: These features provide excellent flexibility for staying aware of your surroundings or quickly engaging in conversations without removing the headphones.

Battery Endurance & Charging

The battery life is a significant strength and remains highly competitive in 2025, making them ideal for users who don’t want to charge frequently.

Design, Comfort, and Portability

Comfort: Generally praised for being comfortable for long periods, thanks to good padding and a lightweight design.
Build: Utilizes quality materials for a durable feel.
Portability: They come with a carrying case and the earcups likely swivel flat, making them reasonably portable for travel, though they may not fold down as compactly as some older designs.

Connectivity, Calls & Smart Features

Multipoint: A very practical feature for easily switching between devices.
VoiceAware: Helps make calls feel more natural by letting you hear your own voice. Call quality is generally clear.
Voice Assistant Integration: Easy access to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
JBL Headphones App: A powerful tool for customization, including EQ, ANC levels, button assignments, SilentNow (ANC without Bluetooth), and Smart Audio & Video modes (to optimize for listening vs. watching).

Who is the JBL Tour One M2?

The JBL Tour One M2 remains a strong candidate for:

Users Seeking Excellent All-Around Performance & Features without Top-Tier Price: They offer a rich feature set that rivals many flagships, but often at a more accessible price point.
Battery Life Champions: If maximum playback time is a high priority, the M2 excels.
Those Who Value App Customization: The JBL Headphones app provides extensive control over the listening experience.
Commuters and Travelers: Good ANC, comfort, and long battery life make them well-suited for journeys.
General Music Listeners and Office Workers: Versatile enough for everyday use, music enjoyment, and taking calls.

Key Considerations: What Might Give You Pause

No High-Resolution Wireless Audio Codecs (aptX HD, LDAC): This is the most significant omission for audiophiles with compatible Android devices seeking the best possible wireless sound quality. If this is critical for you, competitors from Sony or Sennheiser might be a better fit.
ANC is Good, Not Elite: While effective, if you need the absolute most powerful noise cancellation available in 2025, the very latest flagships from specialized ANC leaders might have an edge.
Limited Color Options (as per prompt): If aesthetics and a wider color choice are important, this might be a factor.

The Competitive Field: How the Tour One M2 Stacks Up in 2025

In May 2025, the JBL Tour One M2, at its ~$300 price point, competes with:

Sony WH-1000XM5 (or discounted WH-1000XM6): The XM5 (if still sold at a discount) or the current XM6 would offer potentially superior ANC and LDAC support, but likely at a higher price than the M2.
Bose QuietComfort Series (e.g., QC Ultra or a successor, or discounted older models): Bose remains a leader in ANC and comfort. The M2 often wins on battery life and feature set for the price.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (or discounted Momentum 5): Offers exceptional sound and battery, plus aptX Adaptive. A discounted Momentum 4 could be a strong alternative.
Other Upper Mid-Range Headphones (e.g., from Anker Soundcore, Edifier, Audio-Technica): Newer 2024/2025 models in this price bracket might offer specific competitive features, though perhaps not the same overall polish or brand recognition as JBL.
Apple AirPods Max: Targets a different (Apple-centric, luxury) market at a much higher price, making the M2 a more value-oriented proposition with broader platform appeal.

Bottom Line: The Verdict on JBL’s Premium All-Rounder

The JBL Tour One M2 headphones are still a very compelling package in May 2025. They deliver a strong combination of good sound quality, effective adaptive noise cancellation, outstanding battery life, and a rich suite of smart features, all wrapped in a comfortable design. The JBL Headphones app provides excellent customization options.

Their primary drawback for discerning listeners on Android is the lack of high-resolution wireless codecs like LDAC or aptX HD. However, for many users, the overall performance with AAC and SBC, combined with the extensive feature set and very competitive battery life, makes them an excellent choice, particularly if found at or slightly below their $299.99 retail price. They represent a solid investment for anyone looking for a versatile, long-lasting, and feature-packed set of over-ear headphones without necessarily paying the absolute top-dollar for the latest 2025 flagships from specialist ANC/audio brands.