The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless are the updated successor of the JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless. While they look fairly similar to their predecessor, there have been a couple of changes, like adding an adaptive ANC system, multi-device pairing, and extra customization features via their companion app.
Our Verdict
The JBL Live Pro 2 are decent for neutral sound. Out of the box, they have a v-shaped sound profile that adds extra thump and boom while vocals and lead instruments are bright. If you prefer a different sound, their companion app offers a parametric EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound. However, their soundstage feels like sound is coming from inside your head rather than from speakers placed around you.
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Parametric EQ and presets available via their companion app.
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Bad passive soundstage performance.
The JBL Live Pro 2 are very good for commute and travel. They have an adaptive ANC system that does a great job of blocking background noise like the low rumble of bus engines. They also have over eight hours of continuous playback time, and their carrying case supplies an additional three charges. They have a decently comfortable fit too, but they can pop out of your ears if you don't have a good fit.
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Great noise isolation performance.
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Over eight hours of continuous playback time.
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Buds can pop out of your ears during movement like talking.
The JBL Live Pro 2 are great for sports and fitness. They're well-built and are certified IPX5 for resistance against direct water contact. They're also decently comfortable but lack stability fins and can pop out of your ears if you can't get a good fit. On the upside, they have over eight hours of continuous battery life. Their carrying case has an extra three charges, which is handy in a pinch.
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Over eight hours of continuous playback time.
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IPX5 rating for water resistance.
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Buds can pop out of your ears during movement like talking.
The JBL Live Pro 2 are decent for office use. They have a decently comfortable fit, and last over eight hours continuously. They also have an adaptive ANC system that can block out office chit-chat as well as the hum of computer fans very well. They have low leakage, which is great if you like to listen to your audio at high volumes. They also support multi-device pairing, meaning you can connect them with your smartphone and PC simultaneously.
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Can connect with up to two devices at a time.
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Great noise isolation performance.
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Over eight hours of continuous playback time.
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Mediocre overall microphone performance.
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Buds can pop out of your ears during movement like talking.
The JBL Live Pro 2 are Bluetooth headphones, and their latency is likely to be too high for gaming.
The JBL Live Pro 2 are Bluetooth-only headphones, and you can't use them wired.
The JBL Live Pro 2 are fair for phone calls. Their integrated microphone has a sub-par recording quality, so your voice sounds dark and thin. The mic also has some trouble separating your voice from moderate ambient sound, but you'll still be heard somewhat clearly. On the upside, they're equipped with an adaptive ANC system and can block out a great amount of ambient noise.
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Great noise isolation performance.
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Over eight hours of continuous playback time.
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Mediocre overall microphone performance.
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Buds can pop out of your ears during movement like talking.
- 7.2 Neutral Sound
- 7.9 Commute/Travel
- 8.1 Sports/Fitness
- 7.4 Office
- 5.8 Wireless Gaming
- 5.6 Wired Gaming
- 6.9 Phone Calls
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The JBL Live Pro 2 come in four color variants: 'Black', 'Blue', 'Pink', and 'Silver'. We tested the 'Black' variant, and you can see our model's label here. If you come across another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Headphones
The JBL Live Pro 2 are the next generation of the JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless. They have an adaptive ANC system that performs very similarly to the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless, and now support multi-device pairing, meaning you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone at the same time. However, the manufacturer has also changed their nozzle shape from round to oval. This design is advertised to help improve bass reproduction and form a better seal, but it can also cause problems in forming a seal, so your earbuds may pop out of your ear while you're talking.
Check out our recommendations for the best earbuds and in-ear headphones, the best true wireless earbuds, and the best AirPods alternatives.
JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless have a slight edge over the JBL TUNE 230NC TWS True Wireless. The Live Pro 2 have a significantly better noise isolation performance, thanks to their ANC system, and they support multi-device pairing, meaning you can connect them with up to two devices at a time. However, the TUNE 230NC have a more comfortable and stable fit. Their sound profile is a bit more neutral, which some people may prefer.
The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless have a slight edge over the JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless. The Pro 2 have a better noise isolation performance thanks to their adaptive ANC system, last longer on a single charge, and support multi-device pairing with up to two devices. They even have a low-latency Video mode to help keep your audio and visuals in sync while streaming video. However, the Pro+ are more comfortable as well as stable.
The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless are better in-ears than the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless. The JBL are more comfortable, can block out slightly more ambient noise, and have a better overall battery performance. They have more customization features via their companion app, like a parametric EQ and presets, and you can connect them with up to two devices at a time. However, the Beats have a significantly more stable in-ear fit, have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their H1 chip allows you to seamlessly pair them with Apple devices.
The Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless. While both headphones offer a similarly great noise isolation performance, the Apple have a more comfortable and stable fit, are better-built, and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. They also have an H1 chip that allows you to seamlessly pair them with your Apple devices. However, the JBL are more customizable, thanks to their companion app's robust customization features, and they can connect with up to two devices at a time.
The JBL CLUB PRO+ TWS True Wireless are slightly better in-ears than the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless. The CLUB PRO+ are better-built and have a more comfortable as well as stable in-ear fit. Their sound profile is more neutral, which some users may prefer. However, the Live Pro 2 have a significantly better noise isolation performance, and they support multi-device pairing, meaning you can connect them with up to two devices at a time.
Test Results
The JBL Live Pro 2 have a nearly identical look to the JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless. They have a stem design that doesn't go too far down your ear. It has a glossy finish, but it looks a little cheap. They come in four color variations: 'Black', 'Silver', 'Pink', and 'Blue'.
The JBL Live Pro 2 are decently comfortable. They have a lightweight fit that doesn't enter your ear canal very deeply. Registering commands also won't push the bud against your ear. However, they differ from the JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless as they have an 'Oval TubesTM' design. The nozzle is ovular instead of round, and is designed to improve the ear tip's seal. That said, the buds have a tendency to pop out of your ear with small movements like talking. They also don't come with as many ear tip options as the Live Pro+ either, and you may need to change the tips to get a better fit.
These headphones have great controls. The buds are responsive and easy to use. However, there aren't any volume controls by default, and if you want to remap these settings, you will lose other controls. There's no audible feedback when changing tracks, playing, or pausing audio, either. You'll also lose access to some controls if you're using one bud while the other is charging.
On the left earbud:
- Single press: Turns ANC on and off.
- Double press: Activates ambient noise mode.
On the right earbud:
- Single press: Plays and pauses audio.
- Double press: Skips to the next track.
- Triple press: Skips to the previous track.
The JBL Live Pro 2 are exceptionally portable, which is normal for truly wireless headphones. They can easily fit into most pockets without a problem.
The case is made of matte plastic and feels good overall. There are three lights on the front of the case to indicate the battery life. Unfortunately, the lid seems a bit thin.
The JBL Live Pro 2 have a good build quality. They're mostly made of plastic, which feels sturdy but a little cheap. They're certified IPX5 for resistance against direct water contact. Unfortunately, the ear tips feel prone to ripping, and the lid of the case is thin-feeling, so it may be prone to damage over time.
The JBL Live Pro 2 are decently stable. They don't have stability fins or ear hooks, meaning they can fall out with intense head movements. The buds can also pop out of your ear if you're talking, so it's important to try to get the best fit with the included ear tips.
- JBL Live Pro 2 TWS headphones
- 3x tip sizes
- Charging case
- USB-C to USB-A charging cable
- Manuals
The JBL Live Pro 2 have a slightly v-shaped sound profile. They deliver extra thump, rumble, and boom to mixes while vocals and lead instruments are bright. You can customize their sound to suit your tastes via their companion app's graphic EQ and presets.
The frequency response consistency is excellent. Assuming you can achieve a good fit and seal using the included ear tips, you can get consistent bass and treble delivery each time you use them.
These buds have very good bass accuracy. It's overemphasized across the range, so mixes have intense thump, rumble, and boom. This sound is well-suited for genres like EDM and hip-hop that can benefit from extra punch and warmth.
The JBL Live Pro 2 have excellent mid accuracy. There's a small bump in the high-mid, which makes vocals and lead instruments more intense. However, the range is fairly flat and well-balanced, so vocals and instruments sound present and clear in mixes.
The JBL Live Pro 2's treble accuracy is very good. The response is overemphasized across the range, resulting in detailed vocals and lead instruments, and bright sibilants like cymbals. In songs like the Wallflowers' cover of Heroes, the hi-hats throughout the chorus are crisp but not piercing.
The JBL Live Pro 2's peaks and dips performance is great. A small dip in the mid-mid nudges vocals and instruments to the back of the mix. Two peaks in the treble range make vocals and instruments sound harsh, while sibilants like hi-hats are piercing.
The JBL Live Pro 2 have an excellent imaging performance. This manufacturer makes a lot of headphones at different price points, yet their products generally have well-matched drivers across the board. Imaging can vary from unit to unit, though. Our unit's L/R drivers are well-matched in group delay, phase, amplitude, and frequency response. Although there are a couple of peaks in the phase response's treble range, which skews audio towards the left, it's tricky to hear with real-life content.
The JBL Live Pro 2's passive soundstage performance is bad, though this is normal from in-ear headphones. Since they completely bypass your outer ear, sound feels like it's coming from inside your head rather than from around you.
These headphones have a great weighted harmonic distortion performance. All frequencies fall within good limits, resulting in clear and pure audio reproduction.
These are the settings used to test the JBL Live Pro 2, and our results are only valid when used in this configuration.
Note: These buds have a sensor, which turns the ANC off when the sensor doesn't detect skin. To test them with the ANC on, we used copper tape with a wire.
The JBL Live Pro 2's noise isolation performance is great. They have an ANC system that you can customize, either by selecting Adaptive ANC or adjusting the ANC's level. You can also access the following features to improve their noise isolation performance: 'Leakage Compensation', 'Ear Canal Compensation', and 'Ear Canal Test'. For more information regarding these tests, check out the App Support test. With all these features on or performed, they can block out much of the low rumble of bus and plane engines. They can also tackle ambient chatter and the high-pitched hum of AC units. That said, without any of these features on and with the ANC set to high, they still block out a very similar amount of ambient noise.
The JBL Live Pro 2's leakage performance is great. Audio bleed is mostly concentrated in the treble range, so escaping audio sounds thin. If you're listening to audio at high volumes in a moderately noisy environment, others around you may hear it, but it's still fairly minimal.
The integrated mic has a sub-par recording quality. Your voice sounds thin and dark, making it somewhat tricky to hear speech clearly.
The mic's noise handling performance is satisfactory. The mic has some trouble separating your voice from moderate background noise, like a busy street. Compared to the JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless, the volume of your voice is a lot lower when there's noise present, making it a bit harder to hear your voice clearly.
The JBL Live Pro 2 have a good battery performance. The manufacturer advertises them to last six hours continuously with the adaptive ANC on, and we measured over eight hours. That said, battery life can vary depending on usage. The carrying case supplies roughly three additional charges if you need them. You can also use one bud while the other one charges.
The JBL Headphones app is excellent. There are a lot of customization features just for the ANC. You can turn it on or off, as well as access the Adaptive ANC or the adjustable ANC level. There's a Leakage Compensation feature, which checks the earbuds' leakage and adjusts the ANC level in real-time, Ear Canal Compensation, which scans your ear canal, and an Ear Canal Test to optimize their ANC system. There's also a parametric EQ and presets so you can fine-tune their sound to your liking. You can remap their controls, check the buds' fit in your ears, and select power-saving modes.
The JBL Live Pro 2 have very good Bluetooth connectivity. You can simultaneously connect them with up to two devices at a time. Their app also offers two different modes: Audio mode, which prioritizes high sound quality, and Video mode, which prioritizes lower audio latency. Using the Audio mode, they have very high audio latency, which is noticeable and pretty distracting. They have significantly lower latency when using the Video mode, and you shouldn't notice lip-synching issues via PC, iOS, or Android.
The JBL Live Pro 2 come with a USB-A to USB-C charging cable. However, the headphones don't support any wired connections.
These earbuds can connect to PCs with full compatibility via Bluetooth. However, they can't connect to PCs in any other way.