JLab Audio hit CES with a new product today that could blow Bose out of the water. The JBuds Frames solve two issues that plague similar products: You can hook them onto your current glasses, and at only $49 they won't break the bank.

Speakers for Your Glasses

You no longer need to get a pair of new glasses to enjoy eyewear audio. With the JBuds Frames, you can retrofit your existing glasses with quality speakers.

JLab CEO Win Cramer explains what motivated them to create the JBuds Frames:

We loved the idea of what was happening in the audio-equipped frames category, but their price and design don't match the needs of the typical consumer. Besides price, one of the biggest flaws we saw was in the eyewear design and how the audio components were integrated. Their optics and frames didn't match up to a typical $200-$250 non-audio product, and limited styles will lead to the inevitable 'You're wearing that too? Awkward!' conversations. You can put the JLab JBuds Frames on any glasses you own, without fear of commitment or wearing the same eyewear as the person you're next to.

The two Bluetooth speakers snap onto the temples of your glasses. You'll get two sets of silicone sleeves to accommodate various eyewear types and sizes, including eyeglasses, sunglasses, or blue light blockers. The JBuds Frames also achieve an IPX4 rating, meaning you can safely wear them in the outdoors.

You can use both speakers at the same time, but they also work independently of each other. Each speaker is outfit with a MEMS microphone for audio calls. They have a range of up to 30 ft (10 m).

JLab Audio JBuds Frames with two pairs of silicone sleeves, proprietary charging cable, and drawstring carrying bag.

With a battery life of eight hours or more, the JBuds Frames outlast the recently launched Bose Frames by over two hours. To recharge your JBuds Frames, which will take up to two hours, you'll need the proprietary 4-pin charging cable included in the package.

What Do the JBuds Frames Sound Like?

JLab Audio JBuds Frames clipped onto sunglasses with golden frame.

Great sound isn't the selling point of these speakers. That said, the JBuds Frames do pack 16.2 mm drivers and support AAC and SBC audio codecs. You can also switch between JLab's Signature and Bass Boost EQ settings.

Like other products in this niche, the JBuds Frames use an open-ear design, which limits sound leakage into your surrounding. While we haven't tested this product yet, the directional open-ear speakers of the Vue Lite Glasses we have reviewed were audible to bystanders. You can expect the same for the JBuds Frames, though their design might yield lower audio leakage.

You'll want the JBuds Frames because you need to hear your surrounding while speaking on your phone hands-free or listening to a podcast on the way to work. They're suitable for biking, though in our experience, external noise will drown out anything you're listening to.

JLab Buds Availability

The JLab Buds will be available via JLab Audio for $49 in early spring this year.