For many years, your options for connecting headphones to your mobile phone were either a headphone port or Bluetooth. Things are changing today with consistent rumors that Apple will ditch the 3.5mm headphone port and use its lightning port for headphones. Android users will get a similar capability via headphones that connect to the USB-C port like these JBL Reflect Aware C Earphones.
The new HTC 10 smartphone has a USB-C port, and just in time for it is the new JBL Reflect Aware C earbuds with a USB Type-C cable. These are the first sport earbuds for USB-C phones, according to JBL, that feature adaptive noise control and noise cancellation. In addition to blocking out unwanted ambient noises, the earbuds feature an in-line control and microphone, two color options, and more.
Before the beards can nod to the Alabama Shakes, or bikini-clad girls can do snow angels in triple-digit heat - on thick green grass in the middle of a barren desert at Coachella - there’s a lot that has to happen. The euphoric resonance of a festival like Glastonbury, Coachella, or Bonnaroo doesn’t occur without the music, and the music doesn’t translate with crappy sound.
JBL has unveiled the new Pulse 2 portable Bluetooth speaker. The device is more than just a wireless speaker making it easy for you to enjoy your tunes on the go, it’s also a lightshow. Pulse 2 delivers synchronized flashes of full-color light to go with the beat of your favorite tracks.
A slew of new JBL and Harman Kardon speakers and headphones were unveiled at IFA 2015 today, including portable speakers, loudspeakers for televisions, earbuds, noise canceling headphones, and more. The headphones will be released at different points over the coming weeks, and obviously will sit at different price points. Chief among them all, though, is the new JBL Everest series, including its flagship model, the JBL Everest ELITE 700.
Harman has introduced its new JBL Flip 3, a cylindrical portable speaker that updates the product line. The speaker is said to offer “powerful sound” despite its diminutive size, and it is splash proof, which enables it to operate in places where it is subjected to moderate water exposure (it can be cleaned under the tap, says Harman). Other improvements over the JBL Flip 2 speakers include “richer bass” and better overall audio quality via the use of dual passive radiators. The speaker will start shipping later this week.
JBL has taken the wraps off what it calls its lightest pair of in-ear sport headphones so far, the JBL Reflect Mini. These earbuds are targeted at the athletes among us, though they could find use with a wider range of consumers. The Reflect Mini are designed to be lightweight while holding secure during runs or other strenuous moments. This is an update to the Reflect Sport model bringing with it the lineup's "core characteristics" as well as its own features.
JBL, the audio company that recently had 16 speakers and two subwoofers squeezed into a Smart car, has taken the wraps off two new speakers: the JBL Clip+ and the JBL Charge 2+. Both are wireless speakers offering connectivity over Bluetooth, with the Clip+ featuring a hooked top and the Charge 2+ a long cylindrical design. Each speaker brings with it its own features, though the Charge 2+ is no doubt the higher end of the two. Both are up for order now, though the Clip+ won't be shipping again until September.
Smart and JBL decided to get a little crazy together and the result is an insane (and probably incredibly fun) Fortwo car packed with 16 speakers and two subwoofers. The Smart Fortwo car is a tiny car, likely the smallest you’ll find zipping down your road. Fitting it with so many speakers, then, necessitated near-cramming to get it all packed in. As a result, it’s likely also the smallest car able to blast 5,720W and 150 dB of music. Why did Smart decide to undertake this project? you're likely wondering. The answer is exactly as it should be: just because it wondered if it could.
JBL, the company you probably best know for its headphones (they’ve got some auto and marine hardware too) has brought aboard the NBA’s Stephen Curry as its “Brand Ambassador”, following in line with a long-running tradition of tacking famous faces to brands in an effort to boost the customer base. JBL made the announcement this afternoon, saying that Curry is now the company’s newest brand ambassador and that the NBA all-star has penned a multi-year partnership deal that’ll have him collaborating with the audio company.
Without a doubt one of the strangest devices we saw this past week at CES 2015 were the JBL Synchros S210BT set of earbuds. They fit (snugly) in your ear in a normal enough manner, and they're wireless - nothing especially new there. But with the JBL Reflect Response and the JBL Synchros S210BT, you'll be using gesture control to move between tracks. Moving your hands left to right, right to left, up and down, you're able to do more than just control audio - you can answer calls, as well.
This little beast may be cute, but it packs a surprising punch of sound quality. What you're working with here is Bluetooth connectivity to your mobile smart devices for music or audio for entertainment on the go. JBL GO is a box of sound blasting you'll be able to fit in your pocket, working with built-in speakerphone abilities and a whopping 5 hours of sound playback. This past week at CES 2015 we got to get up close and personal with the whole color collection.
