CES 2021 may be different, but the hardware on show is living up to expectations. Harman's JBL brand has announced several headsets and earbuds, covering over-ear, in-ear, and noise-canceling headsets.
For now, let's focus on JBL's new headphones.
JBL Tour One
Kicking things off is the JBL Tour One, a pair of True Adaptive Noise Cancelling wireless headphones featuring 40mm dynamic drivers with a 40kHz frequency response. The Tour One's also include Adaptive Ambient Aware, which allows you to adjust the ambient noise level dynamically, and TalkThru, with automatically adjusts the music level when a call comes in.
Talking battery time, the JBL Tour One headphones deliver 25 hours of playback with ANC and Bluetooth switched on, though JBL indicates that you'll double the battery life with ANC switched off. The headphones will pick up two hours playback on a 10-minute charge via the USB Type-C fast charging port.
The JBL Tour One headphones will launch in May 2021 for $300.
JBL Live 660NC
Next up on JBL's CES 2021 headphone list is the JBL Live 660NC, a second pair of ANC wireless headphones that delivers substantial battery life.
The 660NC offers up to 40 hours of playback while using ANC, boosted to 50 hours without. Like the Tour One headset, the JBL Live 660NC has USB Type-C fast charging and can gain up to four hours battery life with a 10-minute charge.
The battery life alone is a great feature, but the 660NC headset also includes multipoint Bluetooth, which allows you to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. There is also Adaptive Ambient Aware for dynamic ambient noise adjustment and support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
The JBL Live 660NC will launch in March 2021 for $200.
JBL Live 460NC
The JBL Live 460NC is a slightly smaller version of the 660NC, with very similar specs. The only major difference between the two is the battery life. The JBL Live 460NC packs in 50-hours ANC playback to the 660NC's 40-hours.
JBL Tune 660NC and Tune 510BT
Rounding up JBL's CES 2021 headphone launches are the JBL Tune 660NC and the Tune 510BT. These models differ from the JBL Live headphones by way of their JBL Pure Bass Sound, designed to deliver a meatier, more bass-focused sound for outdoor use. Both models feature Active Noise Cancelling tech.
Both headphone pairs deliver up to 35 hours battery life, and both can grab up to two hours playback on a five-minute charge. They fold down, too, for handy storage when you're on the move.
Furthermore, these models are firmly positioned for the budget market. The JBL Tune 660NC will cost $99, and the JBL Tune 510BT will cost $49, launching in March 2021.
JBL Isn't Finished Yet
JBL's CES 2021 headphones line-up is just part of their new audio hardware. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for our coverage of JBL's new earbud roster.