Innovative design and great sound, but not for eve
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] **Sound**: JBL’s OpenSound technology is both innovative and unique. Despite the open-ear design, there is no noticeable loss in audio quality, particularly in the lows and highs. As a frequent listener, I can clearly recognize JBL’s signature sound profile in these earbuds. The bass is strong, punchy, and bouncy, while the mids and highs remain very clear. I also did not experience any noticeable distortion, even at the highest volume levels. I frequently use the 16k equalizer, and even the minimal adjustments I made in the JBL Headphones app were noticeable. However, the maximum volume level can sometimes feel slightly limited, even with the Max Volume Limiter setting turned off. On several occasions, I found myself going back to my phone to increase the volume, only to realize it was already at maximum. **Open Ear Design**: If you have used JBL earbuds before, you are likely familiar with the iconic Ambient Aware feature. It allows you to clearly hear your surroundings and is especially useful outdoors. With this design, however, it feels like that feature is always on and cannot be turned off. Personally, this is a significant drawback. I prefer having the flexibility to choose my listening settings, especially since both Ambient Aware and Noise Canceling features work extremely well on several other JBL earbuds that I own. Sometimes you simply need silence, sound reduction, and the ability to fully focus on your music, podcast, calls, or voice messages. These earbuds are intentionally designed to leave the ear canal open so users can remain aware of their surroundings while still keeping audio relatively private. While the technology is impressive and the features are more advanced than many of my other JBL earbuds, this design is simply not ideal for my personal listening preferences. That said, for this category of open-ear earbuds, they are likely among the best-in-class options available. **Comfort**: These are the lightest JBL earbuds I own. They feel incredibly light on the ear, lighter even than some of the smallest in-ear models. Overall, they are comfortable for long listening sessions. However, because I wear glasses and occasionally wear a hoodie during workouts, I found that these items can interfere with the earbuds. Glasses tend to press against them, and a hoodie can rub against them, which sometimes moves them out of place or creates external friction noises. You may also hear light scratching sounds when glasses shift and come into contact with the earbuds. Since they do not sit inside the ear canal, even a small shift in angle can feel noticeable and may require repositioning. If you plan to wear them on their own and avoid intense workouts, I would definitely recommend them. Otherwise, it may be better to consider JBL in-ear or even over-ear headphones. **Microphone**: I have received multiple compliments from callers regarding the microphone quality. The audio sounds crisp and clear, as the packaging suggests. Unlike some other JBL earbuds, these do not include the VoiceAware feature. However, due to the open-ear design, I do not find that feature necessary. **Charging Case & Battery Life**: Because of the ear hooks, the charging case is quite thick and large, making it somewhat difficult to fit into smaller pockets. However, it is very lightweight, just like the earbuds themselves, and has a sleek finish. In terms of battery life, the earbuds never ran out of power during my use, and they recharge relatively quickly. When paired with the JBL Headphones app, you get a clear view of the battery percentage for both the earbuds and the case. You can also adjust the auto power-off setting to help conserve battery when the earbuds are not in use. Overall, I am quite satisfied with the battery performance of this model. One small note: a USB Type-C charging cable is not included in the box. **Final Verdict**: I genuinely enjoy the sound quality and OpenSound technology. It is a thoughtful design that promotes ear health, and the lightweight build makes the earbuds very easy to wear. However, constantly hearing surrounding noise can make them feel somewhat limited in certain situations. At this price point, I could purchase another pair of JBL earbuds that offer the flexibility of this design along with active noise cancellation. I find myself reaching for this pair when going for a walk, grocery shopping, or sightseeing. For longer days, commuting, or traveling, I would still prefer my regular in-ear JBL earbuds for better noise reduction.