Today, we're diving deep into two popular wireless earbuds: the newer Beats Studio Buds Plus ($129.99) and the JBL Tour Pro+ ($149.94). Both promise premium audio experiences, but they take different approaches to delivering sound and features.
True wireless earbuds have become essential tech accessories, offering freedom from cords while delivering impressive audio quality. Unlike traditional Bluetooth earbuds with a connecting wire, these are completely separate units that work together wirelessly. The key features that matter most are sound quality, noise cancellation, battery life, and how well they handle calls.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus arrived in May 2023, bringing significant improvements over their predecessor. The biggest changes include larger microphones for better call quality and improved active noise cancellation (ANC) - which is tech that uses microphones to detect and cancel out background noise. They've also added better battery life and more ear tip sizes for a better fit.
The JBL Tour Pro+ launched in 2021, and while slightly older, they introduced features like wireless charging and customizable sound profiles through their app. However, they haven't received major updates since release, which shows in areas like noise cancellation performance compared to newer models.
These earbuds deliver a balanced sound profile that works well across different types of music. The bass is present but not overwhelming, vocals come through clearly, and high notes (like cymbals or violins) remain crisp without becoming harsh. When watching movies, dialogue is clear and sound effects have impact without drowning out other audio elements.
JBL's signature sound emphasizes bass, which can be great for certain music genres like hip-hop or electronic dance music. However, this can sometimes overshadow subtle details in other frequencies. The included app lets you adjust the sound balance (called equalization or EQ), which helps tailor the sound to your preferences.
Having tested both in various environments, the difference in noise cancellation is noticeable. The Beats Studio Buds Plus handle common distractions like office chatter or public transit more effectively. Their "transparency mode" (which lets you hear your surroundings) sounds more natural, almost like you're not wearing earbuds at all.
The JBL's noise cancellation works okay for constant low sounds like air conditioning or airplane engines but struggles more with variable noises like conversations or traffic. It's not bad, but it shows its age compared to newer designs.
Both options offer similar single-charge battery life around 8 hours, but the Beats pull ahead with their charging case providing more total playtime (36 hours vs 30 hours). Here's how they break down:
Beats Studio Buds Plus:
JBL Tour Pro+:
The Beats Studio Buds Plus come with four different ear tip sizes (XS, S, M, L), which is more than most competitors offer. This extra size option makes a real difference in finding a secure, comfortable fit. They're also lighter, which helps with long-term comfort.
The JBL Tour Pro+ provides three tip sizes, and while they're comfortable for many users, their slightly larger size can cause fatigue during extended use. Both are sweat-resistant, but the JBL's higher IPX5 rating means they can handle more water exposure than the Beats' IPX4 rating.
Call quality is increasingly important for earbuds, and there's a clear winner here. The Beats' updated microphones and voice-targeting algorithm deliver noticeably clearer calls. Background noise is better filtered out, making your voice more intelligible to others.
The JBL's call quality is one of its weak points, with several users reporting issues with voice clarity and background noise interference. This might not matter if you rarely make calls, but it's worth considering if you plan to use them for work calls or video meetings.
Both products offer companion apps for customization, but they approach features differently:
Beats Studio Buds Plus:
JBL Tour Pro+:
At current prices, the Beats Studio Buds Plus at $129.99 offer better overall value than the JBL Tour Pro+ at $149.94. The Beats' newer technology, better noise cancellation, and superior call quality justify making them our primary recommendation for most users.
Choose the Beats Studio Buds Plus if:
Choose the JBL Tour Pro+ if:
For home theater use, both work well, but the Beats' more balanced sound profile generally provides a better experience for movies and TV shows, with clearer dialogue and more natural sound effects.
While both are capable earbuds, the newer technology in the Beats Studio Buds Plus makes them the better choice for most users in 2024. Their improved noise cancellation, better call quality, and more comfortable fit justify their position as our top recommendation, especially considering their lower price point. However, if you find the JBL Tour Pro+ on a significant discount and prefer bass-heavy sound, they remain a solid alternative.
Remember that the best choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences, but we hope this comparison helps make your decision easier.
| Beats Studio Buds Plus - $129.99 | JBL Tour Pro+ - $149.94 |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) - Critical for blocking ambient noise in daily use | |
| Superior ANC with adaptive technology | Average ANC performance, struggles with variable noise |
| Battery Life - Determines how often you need to recharge | |
| 36 hours total (8 hrs buds, 28 hrs case) | 30 hours total (8 hrs buds, 22 hrs case) |
| Call Quality - Essential for work calls and video meetings | |
| Enhanced microphones, clear voice pickup | Below average, voice clarity issues |
| Water Resistance - Important for workout use and durability | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX5 (better water protection) |
| Sound Profile - Affects music enjoyment and content experience | |
| Balanced, clear across all frequencies | Bass-heavy, less refined mids and highs |
| Ear Tip Options - Crucial for comfort and noise isolation | |
| 4 sizes (XS, S, M, L) | 3 sizes (S, M, L) |
| Extra Features - Added value considerations | |
| Find My device support, one-touch pairing | Wireless charging, customizable EQ |
| Platform Compatibility - Affects user experience across devices | |
| Excellent iOS and Android integration | Good Android, limited iOS features |
| Release Date - Indicates technology generation | |
| May 2023 (current gen) | August 2021 (previous gen) |
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer better balanced sound for movies, with clearer dialogue and more natural sound effects. While the JBL Tour Pro+ has stronger bass, it can sometimes overpower subtle audio details in films.
Yes, at $129.99, the Beats Studio Buds Plus provide excellent value with superior noise cancellation, better call quality, and more comfortable fit compared to similarly priced competitors.
Both models offer around 8 hours of playback with noise cancellation off. The Beats Studio Buds Plus provides 36 total hours with the case, while the JBL Tour Pro+ offers 30 hours total.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus features notably better noise cancellation, especially for variable sounds like conversations and traffic. The JBL Tour Pro+'s older ANC technology is less effective overall.
While both can work for gaming, neither is ideal due to slight audio latency. For serious gaming, consider dedicated gaming headphones instead.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offers superior iOS integration with instant pairing and Find My support, though both models work with Apple devices.
Yes, both work well for TV viewing, but the Beats Studio Buds Plus edges out with better dialogue clarity and balanced sound for home theater use. The JBL Tour Pro+'s bass emphasis can sometimes be overwhelming.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus significantly outperforms with clearer call quality and better background noise reduction compared to the JBL Tour Pro+.
Both are sweat-resistant, but the JBL Tour Pro+ has a slightly better water resistance rating (IPX5 vs IPX4). The Beats offer a more secure fit with additional ear tip sizes.
Both work well with streaming services, but the Beats Studio Buds Plus provides a more balanced sound profile that's better suited for varied content like movies, TV shows, and documentaries.
The JBL Tour Pro+ offers more customizable touch controls through its app, while the Beats Studio Buds Plus has simpler but more reliable touch controls.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus supports spatial audio for compatible content, offering a more immersive experience for movies and shows. The JBL Tour Pro+ doesn't offer this feature.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: techradar.com - soundguys.com - t3.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - cdw.com - beatsbydre.com - target.com - beatsbydre.com - marketplace.uvation.com - abt.com - beatsbydre.com - beatsbydre.com - digitaltrends.com - harmanaudio.com - bestbuy.com - soundguys.com - tomsguide.com - jbl.com - bestbuy.com - seriousinsights.net - mm.jbl.com - support.jbl.com - bigapplebuddy.com
