The JBL Soundgear Sense design is very similar to the original products we have previously seen from the brands that arrived to market first - clearly there must be a Chinese ODM making good business with the concept and now all the factories started pumping similar products. Is the new "air conduction" inspiration coming from the Apple Vision Pro AR goggles and the mysterious "above-the-ear" driver design? Or was this just an evolution of Bose's previous experiments that found no commercial success, but apparently found acceptance in Asia? We will probably never find out who copied who - but now it is too late.
The funny part is that all brands promote the "open ear" virtues to boast the merits of their products, but no one really is very certain about the merits of air conduction, which in general is slightly better fidelity than bone conduction but might still lack sufficient bass and volume to be effective in noisy environments. And clearly there is a threshold, after which these things - at least the few we tried - become buzzers. In the Harman announcement, the new JBL Soundgear Sense is said to feature "JBL OpenSound Technology with air conduction," and apparently the company is convinced of the product virtues
As JBL describes in the announcement, "the new earbuds transform the listening experience and set a new standard for audio quality in this form factor. JBL Soundgear Sense introduces a breakthrough in audio technology by providing listeners with JBL's Signature Sound quality while maintaining a natural connection to their surroundings. With uniquely designed 16.2mm drivers and a bass-enhancing algorithm, JBL Soundgear Sense takes open-ear sound quality to the next level. Hear the world around you while enjoying every beat of your favorite tracks. Enjoy punchy bass and clear vocals from playlists and calls."
The pitch is similar to the Shokz and others, that are not that convincing when we try them on. Plus, the ear hook design that is said to offer "rotation and size adjustments for truly personalized, all-day comfort," is a bit like if everyone is now wearing very old and bulky hearing aids. And although they are pitched for sports and fitness and to "rest comfortably on the curve of your ears," these things jumped out at the first head shake in our experiments.
Air conduction earbuds promise to offer personal audio without obstructing the ear canal. For that to be effective they need to use a combination of beam forming and signal processing to maintain fidelity and simultaneously reduce sound leakage. And now that JBL is on board with the Soundgear Sense the promise of "a secure yet relaxed fit for extended wear, making them ideal for outdoor activities, office use, or exploring the city," will be mainstream.
JBL also says the Soundgear Sense offers all the advantages of modern Bluetooth 5.3 products, with multipoint connectivity, four integrated microphones for calls, IP54 resistance to sweat, dust, and rainfall, and there's even a detachable neckband providing an added level of security when these things fall during workouts.
But I suspect that after some people try this product, they will ask for their money back or simply go back to the bone conduction earphones, which are not very good, but have been tried and tested and don't fall as easily. Funny enough, Harman is saying that these products will eventually support LE Audio via an OTA update in the future. I suspect these products will not last that long.
The JBL Soundgear Sense will be available in Black and White and sell for $149.99.
www.harman.com
www.jbl.com
