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JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless  Headphones Review

Review updated Jan 15, 2024 at 04:08pm
Tested using methodology v1.5 
JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless
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 
 2
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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

7.2
Neutral Sound 

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.

Pros
  • Parametric EQ and presets available via their companion app.
Cons
  • Bad passive soundstage performance.
7.9
Commute/Travel 

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 three additional charges. They have a decently comfortable fit, too, but they can pop out of your ears if you don't have a good fit.

Pros
  • Great noise isolation performance.
  • Over eight hours of continuous playback time.
Cons
  • Buds can pop out of your ears during movement like talking.
8.1
Sports/Fitness 

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 three extra charges, which is handy in a pinch.

Pros
  • Over eight hours of continuous playback time.
  • IPX5 rating for water resistance.
Cons
  • Buds can pop out of your ears during movement like talking.
7.4
Office 

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.

Pros
  • Can connect with up to two devices at a time.
  • Great noise isolation performance.
  • Over eight hours of continuous playback time.
Cons
  • Mediocre overall microphone performance.
  • Buds can pop out of your ears during movement like talking.
5.8
Wireless Gaming 

The JBL Live Pro 2 are Bluetooth headphones, and while you can use Video Mode for a lower latency performance on iOS and Android, their latency will likely still be too high for gaming on PC.

5.6
Wired Gaming 

The JBL Live Pro 2 are Bluetooth-only headphones; you can't use them wired.

6.9
Phone Calls 

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 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.

Pros
  • Great noise isolation performance.
  • Over eight hours of continuous playback time.
Cons
  • Mediocre overall microphone performance.
  • 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
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Jan 15, 2024: We've updated this review to ensure it remains accurate and up-to-date. We've also added more relevant comparisons to similar products.
    2.  Updated Jul 31, 2023: Added market comparison with the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless in the App Support box.
    3.  Updated Sep 29, 2022: Review published.
    4.  Updated Sep 22, 2022: Early access published.

    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; you can see our model's label here. If you come across another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The JBL Live Pro 2 are the next generation of the JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless. They have an adaptive ANC system 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, which they advertise to help improve bass reproduction and form a better seal. Users who prefer more traditional round-shaped nozzles but want earbuds with premium features will want to check out the JBL Tune Buds True Wireless.

    Check out our recommendations for the best earbuds and in-ear headphones, the best true wireless earbuds, and the best AirPods alternatives.

    JBL Tune Flex True Wireless

    The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless are better earbuds for most uses than the JBL Tune Flex True Wireless. While the Tune Flex have a more balanced sound profile out of the box and a more comfortable, stable fit, they have a sub-par noise isolation performance, even with their 'sealing' ear tips. The Live Pro 2 have a great noise isolation performance by comparison and a longer continuous battery life, making them a better choice for commuting and travel. They also have Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, which can be handy if you want to pair to both your laptop and your phone. 

    Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless

    The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless and the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless have similar feature sets, but the Anker have the edge over the JBL for most uses. While both buds have similar, bass-heavy sound profiles that are adjustable via their respective companion apps, as well as great noise isolation performances, the Anker have a slightly longer continuous battery life, and their case holds more charges. They also have a game mode to help lower latency on mobile devices if you want to game or stream video with lower audio lag, and they support LDAC, which is a codec designed for streaming hi-res audio with supported platforms.

    JBL TUNE 230NC TWS True Wireless

    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.

    JBL Tune Buds True Wireless

    The JBL Tune Buds True Wireless and the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless have similar feature sets with slightly different strengths. The Tune Buds have a better mic performance and a slightly longer continuous battery life. On the other hand, the JBL Live Pro TWS have a better noise isolation performance that blocks out a wider range of ambient noise. 

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    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeIn-ear
    EnclosureClosed-Back
    WirelessTruly Wireless
    TransducerDynamic

    The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS 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', 'Rose', and 'Blue'.

    7.0
    Comfort
    Weight0.02 lbs
    Clamping Force
    0 lbs

    These buds 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 tend 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.

    8.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    Not OS specific
    Ease Of UseGood
    FeedbackDecent
    Call/Music ControlYes
    Volume ControlYes
    Microphone ControlMute/Unmute
    Channel Mixing
    No
    Noise Cancelling ControlOn/Off
    Talk-Through
    On/Off
    Additional ControlsVoice Assistant

    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 or playing and pausing audio. 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.

    9.5
    Portability
    L1.5" (3.7 cm)
    W0.9" (2.3 cm)
    H0.9" (2.3 cm)
    Volume1.20 in³ (19.60 cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredNo

    These buds are exceptionally portable, which is normal for truly wireless headphones. They can easily fit into most pockets without a problem.

    7.5
    Case
    TypeHard case
    L2.2" (5.6 cm)
    W1.9" (4.9 cm)
    H1.1" (2.9 cm)
    Volume4.86 in³ (79.60 cm³)

    The case is made of matte plastic and feels good overall. Three lights on the front of the case indicate the battery life. Unfortunately, the lid seems a bit thin and more susceptible to breakage.

    7.5
    Build Quality

    These earbuds 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.

    7.0
    Stability

    They're 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 trying to get the best fit with the included ear tips is important.

    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

    • JBL Live Pro 2 TWS headphones
    • 3x tip sizes
    • Charging case
    • USB-C to USB-A charging cable
    • Manuals

    Sound
    Sound Profile
    See details on graph tool
    Bass Amount
    1.39 dB
    Treble Amount
    -0.84 dB

    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.

    8.7
    Frequency Response Consistency
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    0.27 dB

    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.

    Raw Frequency Response
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    7.9
    Bass Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    2.98 dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    10 Hz
    Low-Bass
    3.94 dB
    Mid-Bass
    3.52 dB
    High-Bass
    2.42 dB

    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.

    8.8
    Mid Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    1.62 dB
    Low-Mid
    1.1 dB
    Mid-Mid
    0.18 dB
    High-Mid
    2.33 dB

    They 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.

    7.9
    Treble Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    3.2 dB
    Low-Treble
    2.89 dB
    Mid-Treble
    1.73 dB
    High-Treble
    -5.6 dB

    The 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.

    8.1
    Peaks/Dips
    See details on graph tool
    Peaks
    1.3 dB
    Dips
    0.63 dB

    The 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.

    8.7
    Imaging
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    Weighted Group Delay
    0.35
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    2.18
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    1.14
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    1

    They have 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.

    0.9
    Passive Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    N/A
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    N/A
    PRTF Distance
    N/A
    Openness
    1.7
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    1.8

    Their 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.

    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    No
    Speaker Modeling
    No
    Room Ambience
    No
    Head Tracking
    No
    Virtual Surround
    No
    8.0
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    See details on graph tool
    WHD @ 90
    0.210
    WHD @ 100
    0.108

    These headphones have a great weighted harmonic distortion performance. All frequencies fall within good limits, resulting in clear and pure audio reproduction.

    Test Settings
    Firmware
    3.0.0
    Power
    On
    Connection
    Bluetooth 5.0
    Codec
    SBC, 16-bit, 44.1kHz
    EQ
    Off
    ANC
    Adaptive ANC
    Tip/Pad
    Silicone (small)
    Microphone
    Integrated

    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 that turns the ANC off when the sensor doesn't detect skin. We used copper tape with a wire to test them with the ANC on.

    Isolation
    8.3
    Noise Isolation
    See details on graph tool
    Isolation Audio
    Overall Attenuation
    -21.31 dB
    Noise CancellingYes
    Bass
    -19.74 dB
    Mid
    -22.9 dB
    Treble
    -21.67 dB

    The 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 and using the adaptive ANC, 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.

    8.4
    Leakage
    See details on graph tool
    Leakage Audio
    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    31.07 dB

    The 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.

    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    Yes
    In-Line
    No
    Boom
    No
    Detachable Boom
    No
    MicYes
    5.8
    Recording Quality
    See details on graph tool
    Recorded Speech
    LFE
    586.88 Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    2.63 dB
    HFE
    2,873.5 Hz
    Weighted THD
    0.001
    Gain
    -23.67 dB

    The integrated mic has a sub-par recording quality. Your voice sounds thin and dark, making it somewhat tricky to hear speech clearly.

    7.1
    Noise Handling
    See details on graph tool
    SpNR
    8.59 dB
    Noise Gate
    Always On
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    7.5
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    6.5
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

    The mic's noise handling performance is satisfactory. The mic has 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 much lower when there's noise present, making it a bit harder to hear your voice clearly.

    Active Features
    7.8
    Battery
    Battery Type
    Rechargable
    Continuous Battery Life
    8.3 hrs
    Additional Charges
    3.0
    Total Battery Life
    33.2 hrs
    Charge Time
    0.8 hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    Auto-Off Timer and Standby Mode
    Audio While Charging
    Yes
    Passive Playback
    No
    Charging PortUSB-C

    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.

    8.5
    App Support
    App NameJBL Headphones
    iOSYes
    AndroidYes
    macOSNo
    WindowsNo
    Equalizer
    Parametric + Presets
    ANC Control
    Adjustable
    Mic ControlNo
    Room Effects
    No
    Playback Control
    No
    Button MappingYes
    Surround Support
    No

    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. As with the more budget-friendly JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless, there's also a parametric EQ and presets to fine-tune their sound. You can remap their controls, check the buds' fit in your ears, and select power-saving modes.

    Connectivity
    7.9
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    5.2
    Multi-Device Pairing
    2 Devices
    NFC Pairing
    No
    Line Of Sight Range
    183.07 ft (55.80 m)
    PC Latency (SBC)
    329 ms
    PC Latency (aptX)
    N/A
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    N/A
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    N/A
    iOS Latency
    288 ms
    Android Latency
    359 ms

    These buds 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. When using the Audio mode, they have very high audio latency, which is noticeable and pretty distracting when watching video content. They have significantly lower latency when using the Video mode, and you won't notice lip-synching issues with any of your devices. That said, some apps or devices will automatically compensate for latency.

    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    N/A
    Non-BT Latency
    N/A
    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    No
    USB Audio
    No
    DetachableNo
    LengthN/A
    Connection
    No Wired Option
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    N/A

    The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS have a USB-A to USB-C charging cable. However, the headphones don't support any wired connections.

    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    No
    Wired USB
    No
    Non-BT Wireless
    No

    These earbuds can connect to PCs with full compatibility via Bluetooth. However, they can't connect to PCs in any other way.

    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    No
    PS4 Wired USB
    No
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    No
    PS5 Analog
    No
    PS5 Wired USB
    No
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    No
    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    No
    Xbox One Wired USB
    No
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    No
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    No
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    No
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    No
    2.2
    Base/Dock
    Type
    Charging Case
    USB Input
    No
    Line In
    No
    Line Out
    No
    Optical Input
    No
    RCA Input
    No
    Dock Charging
    Yes
    Power Supply
    USB-C

    They come with a carrying case with a USB-C input for recharging. The case also supports Qi Wireless charging.

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    Comments

    1. Product

    JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless: Main Discussion

    Let us know why you want us to review the product here, or encourage others to vote for this product.

    PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
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    1. Update: We’ve updated this review to ensure it remains accurate and up-to-date. We’ve also added more relevant comparisons to similar products.

    2. 2
      1
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      This may just be my experience, but while these are good earbuds, there’s a few issues.

      • I’ve found there to be a constant white noise when ANC is on. It is very subtle and can only be heard when you’re already in a quiet room. However, there is a much stronger white noise when transparency mode is on
      • I didn’t have any issues with stability, although regarding comfort, it would sometimes hurt my ears after an hour or so
      • the review mentions the latency issue is solved when you go to video mode. While this is true, the video mode is nearly unusable because the audio cuts out a lot. it’s not all the time, I have definitely watched a few episodes of shows with no issues, but it is definitely a recurring issue and sometimes it gets so bad that you’re hearing less than half of the audio. For me, video mode is unusable, so you have to live with the latency

      Hi fowaddaud,

      We’ve just published an update to our methodology which focuses on latency. When configuring the test we select the settings which are at the edge of generating audio cutouts. This is to make sure the latency is the lowest possible. However we’re within 3ft of the transmitter. I added a note to check if distance has an impact when using video mode.

      If the video mode would always cut we’d add a note and test with both modes and report both results in the text. We have another 190 headphones to retest including these JBL’s.

      Thanks for bringing this to our attention I’ll make sure to pass this along the testing team so we can pay extra attention when retesting these.

      As long as you follow the product status you’ll get a notification once they are updated to 1.6.

      Edited 1 year ago: Added testing clarification.
    3. Update: Added market comparison with the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless in the App Support box.

    4. 4
      3
      2
      3
      0

      This may just be my experience, but while these are good earbuds, there’s a few issues.

      • I’ve found there to be a constant white noise when ANC is on. It is very subtle and can only be heard when you’re already in a quiet room. However, there is a much stronger white noise when transparency mode is on
      • I didn’t have any issues with stability, although regarding comfort, it would sometimes hurt my ears after an hour or so
      • the review mentions the latency issue is solved when you go to video mode. While this is true, the video mode is nearly unusable because the audio cuts out a lot. it’s not all the time, I have definitely watched a few episodes of shows with no issues, but it is definitely a recurring issue and sometimes it gets so bad that you’re hearing less than half of the audio. For me, video mode is unusable, so you have to live with the latency