The Tour One M3’s flashy features may scare off some people, but even for basic use these noise cancelers stand on their own. The sound performance isn’t the best I’ve heard at their price point, but it’s still quite good, with superb instrument separation and enough detail to bring out new moments in songs you’ve heard dozens of times. The noise cancellation is even more impressive, with it being able to suppress even low-end sounds like airplane drones and mid-range sounds like vocal chatter better or better than some of the best noise cancellers.
Features include everything from a volume limiter to protect your hearing, to Smart Talk that pauses the sound when you speak, and a sound level optimizer that equalizes the volume on calls. Speaking of calling, the Tour One M3’s excellent microphone and software combine for impressively clear calls that reduce noise around you as well as any pair in their class.
As far as transmitter devices go, it may seem a bit gimmicky when it comes to controlling the headphones, as you can easily control settings in the app, but connecting it to wired sources provides real value. This is especially true if you want to listen to older audio sources like an old amplifier or turntable wirelessly. Additionally, the system uses a new Bluetooth protocol called AuraCast, which lets you share audio lag-free with an unlimited number of supported devices, including other JBL headphones and Bluetooth speakers like the Flip 7.
Getting back to basics, JBL’s Tour One M3 are comfortable to use, and their thick foam pads provide as comfortable a fit as any headphone I’ve tested in recent memory. The Mocha edition may not be to everyone’s taste, but it’s priced lower than it has for some time now, so it’s worth snagging this deal right now if you’re considering a new pair. If you’re looking for the best deal on a pair of great noise-canceling headphones, this one’s going to be hard to beat.
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