Choosing Between AirPods 4 and JBL Tour Pro+: A Complete Guide

When shopping for wireless earbuds in 2024, two compelling options are the new Apple AirPods 4 ($179) and the JBL Tour Pro+ ($149). Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your needs.

Understanding Today's Wireless Earbud Market

The wireless earbud market has evolved significantly since the first AirPods launched in 2016. Today's premium earbuds combine active noise cancellation (which uses microphones to detect and counter external noise), advanced audio processing, and smart features that were unimaginable just a few years ago.

The key considerations when choosing wireless earbuds are:

• Sound quality and noise isolation
• How well they work with your devices
• Battery life
• Comfort for long-term wear
• Overall value for your needs

The Tale of Two Approaches

The AirPods 4 and Tour Pro+ represent two distinct philosophies in earbud design. Apple continues its open-ear approach, where the earbud sits in your ear without sealing it. JBL uses the more traditional sealed design with silicon tips that insert into your ear canal.

This fundamental difference affects everything from sound quality to how you'll use them day-to-day. Neither approach is inherently better - it depends entirely on your preferences and needs.

Sound Quality Deep Dive

AirPods 4

Released in early 2024, the AirPods 4 feature Apple's latest H2 chip and custom drivers. The sound signature emphasizes vocals and midrange frequencies, which makes them excellent for podcasts and acoustic music. Bass response is present but not overwhelming - this is intentional, as deep bass requires the sealed fit that Apple deliberately avoided.

Tour Pro+

The Tour Pro+ (released 2021) takes a more traditional audiophile approach. The sealed design allows for stronger bass response, and the included EQ settings let you tune the sound to your preference. The "Club One" EQ preset, in particular, offers an energetic sound that works well for modern music genres.

Noise Cancellation and Awareness

This is where the design philosophies really show their differences:

The AirPods 4 use computational audio (complex digital processing) to reduce noise while maintaining awareness of your surroundings. It's quite effective for steady sounds like airplane engines or air conditioning but less so for irregular noises. The benefit is you remain naturally aware of your environment.

The Tour Pro+ provides stronger noise isolation thanks to its sealed design. The physical barrier of the ear tips, combined with active noise cancellation, blocks more external sound. However, you'll need to use their "Ambient Aware" feature to hear your surroundings.

Integration and Smart Features

AirPods 4

If you use Apple devices, the integration is outstanding:

• One-touch setup
• Automatic switching between Apple devices
• Spatial audio (creates a virtual surround sound effect)
• Find My tracking
• Hands-free Siri access

Tour Pro+

While lacking Apple-specific features, the Tour Pro+ offers:

• Google Fast Pair for Android devices
• Multi-point connection (connect to two devices at once)
• More extensive EQ options
• Choice of voice assistants (Alexa or Google Assistant)
• Customizable touch controls

Battery Life and Charging

Both products have improved significantly over their predecessors:

AirPods 4:

• 5 hours per charge with ANC on
• 25 hours total with charging case
• Quick charging (5 minutes for 1 hour of use)
• USB-C charging

Tour Pro+:

• 8 hours per charge with ANC on
• 32 hours total with charging case
• Quick charging (10 minutes for 2 hours)
• Wireless charging support

Home Theater Use

For home theater use, the AirPods 4's spatial audio feature creates a convincing virtual surround sound experience with compatible content (like movies on Apple TV+). The Tour Pro+ doesn't offer spatial audio but provides better bass response and isolation, which can be preferable for movie watching.

The key difference is latency - AirPods 4 have notably lower audio delay when paired with Apple devices, making them better for gaming and videos. The Tour Pro+ has average latency, which might be noticeable in gaming scenarios.

Real-World Performance

Having tested both extensively, here's what stands out:

The AirPods 4 excel at:

• Casual listening while maintaining awareness
• Phone calls and video conferences
• Seamless switching between Apple devices
• Comfortable all-day wear

The Tour Pro+ are better for:

• Focused listening sessions
• Bass-heavy music
• Noisy environments where maximum isolation is needed
• Longer battery life needs

How to Decide

Choose AirPods 4 if you:

• Use primarily Apple devices
• Want to maintain awareness of your surroundings
• Prefer lighter weight and less ear fatigue
• Make lots of phone calls
• Value spatial audio for movies and music

Choose Tour Pro+ if you:

• Want maximum noise isolation
• Need longer battery life
• Use multiple device platforms
• Prefer stronger bass response
• Want more sound customization options

Value Consideration

At $179, the AirPods 4 represent Apple's mid-tier offering, below the Pro model but with many premium features. The Tour Pro+ at $149 (often on sale for less) offer excellent value, especially considering their feature set and sound quality.

The decision ultimately comes down to your specific needs and preferences rather than pure price comparison. Both represent solid values within their respective approaches to wireless audio.

Remember, the best choice is the one that fits your specific use case, preferred sound signature, and device ecosystem. Consider how you'll primarily use them and choose accordingly.

Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation Earbuds Deals and Prices

JBL Tour Pro+ True Wireless Headphones Deals and Prices