jbl tour one m2 vs sony wh 1000xm4

• Reviews TV REVIEWS   v1.11 HEADPHONES REVIEWS   v1.7 MONITOR REVIEWS   v2.0 SOUNDBAR REVIEWS   v1.3 MOUSE REVIEWS   v1.5 KEYBOARD REVIEWS   v1.3.1 PRINTER REVIEWS   v1.2 VACUUM REVIEWS   v1.3 PROJECTOR REVIEWS   v0.8 TOASTER REVIEWS   v1.0 BLENDER REVIEWS   v1.0 KEYBOARD SWITCH REVIEWS   v1.0 SPEAKER REVIEWS   v0.8 CAMERA REVIEWS   v0.12.1 LAPTOP REVIEWS   v0.8.2
• In Progress
• Newsletters

Sony WH-1000XM4 vs JBL Tour One: Which wireless headphones should you buy?

Here's how two over-ear behemoths stack up.

Updated July 30, 2021

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

The XM4 are the older of the two, and while they were $350 MSRP at launch, they’re fairly widely available for closer to $300. JBL’s Tour One launched a couple of months prior to writing and start at a $299 MSRP.

The Tour One are the cheaper of the two based on MSRP, and may be more likely than the XM4 to drop below $300 in the future.

Our pick: JBL Tour One

Fit and design

Both headphones are comfortable, but the XM4 is light and cushy enough that you'll forget it's even on your head.

Both the XM4 and the Tour One are designed for comfort, and they're both stellar for short- and long-term use. However, at around 250 grams, the XM4 are the lighter of the two (by about 20 grams). They also net you some seriously cushy padding on the ear cups and headband, which—combined with that light weight—makes it easy to forget they’re even on your head.

The Tour One are plenty comfortable too, but they’re a bit heavier than the XM4, and not quite as lovingly padded. You can still wear them for hours without complaint, and the difference in pure comfort is very close, but the XM4 gets a slight edge there.

Where these two differ a bit more is in control functionality. The XM4 shy away from tactile buttons: you get a power and multi-function button but otherwise, all directives are executed via tap-and-swipe gestures on their ear cups. You can double-tap and hold, swipe left, right, up or down to control things like play/pause, raise/lower volume, activate your voice assistant, answer calls, and so on. In short, the XM4 have some of the most advanced and customizable touch controls in the biz.

The Tour One uses more button controls than Sony's touch-happy XM4.

The Tour One use more physical buttons and less touch control facility. You’re getting power, volume, and multi-function buttons, as well as a toggle-able Bluetooth switch for when you want to use them in a wired capacity. As an aside, a 3.5mm cable is included with both the XM4 and the Tour One, and both can be used in a passive, wired mode.

The Tour One do utilize touch controls on the surface of the right ear cup, but what you can do is very limited compared to the XM4. You can still tap to play/pause and tap/hold to activate a voice assistant, but you won’t get any of the XM4’s touch-enabled volume or track-scrubbing abilities.

While you might prefer the Tour One’s approach to controls if you prefer tactile feedback, there’s no denying that the XM4’s approach, while initially less intuitive, eventually makes for a very fast and technologically hip way to manage these core functions.

Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM4

Features and noise canceling

Both of these headphones stand out from the more affordable crowd in a major way because they’re stuffed with all sorts of extra features and ways to customize how they sound.

One of the XM4's coolest features is “Speak-to-Chat." This allows the XM4 to stop playing music (or a podcast, or whatever you’re listening to) when you begin to have a conversation, meaning there’s no fumbling to pause—you don’t even have to remove the headphones when you want to talk to someone. I guess you might want to turn it off if you like to sing or talk to yourself a lot.

You’re also getting multi-point Bluetooth connection, noise-canceling optimization (which measures both your ears and barometric pressure to adjust noise cancellation specifically), a full EQ, and compatibility with Sony’s proprietary spatial audio tech, 360 Reality Audio.

For both of these headphones, you'll want to use their dedicated apps to get the most out of them.

There’s also a ton of ways to customize the XM4's functionality in the app. You can swap whether the multi-function button controls ANC or transparency modes, customize the strength of those modes to the nth degree, disable the touch panel entirely, set up auto power-off, and more.

The Tour One are no slouches, either. JBL has its own app—My Headphones—and fiddling with it enables a granular and nuanced approach for controlling the Tour One. The main features are different ANC, ambient, and “smart” Bluetooth modes.

The Tour One headphones deliver two varieties of noise canceling: Adaptive, which (like the XM4) listens to your surroundings and actively cancels noise, and a less battery-intensive generalist mode. There are also two ambient/transparency modes: Ambient Aware and TalkThru. The former helps you to better hear non-repetitive noises around you, while the latter uses exterior mics to help you listen to and talk to people around you, all while music keeps playing.

The “smart” Bluetooth modes toggle between a setting that’s ideal for a non-congested home environment, while “Smart Audio” and “Smart Video” help to optimize Bluetooth quality during more congested listening situations, or specifically to sync audio with video content.

Both headphones feature robust apps full of ways to customize your listening and user experience.

The Tour One doesn’t stop there, either. Like with the XM4, you’re also getting a full EQ (with some solid presets already loaded in), the ability to customize control buttons, and a way to sync the Tour One with an alarm using the silence of noise canceling in a kind of “sleep bubble”—a feature totally unique to JBL. There's also Auto Play/Pause, Auto-off, and voice assistant selection.

As you can see, both models equate to some fully loaded nachos, but the XM4 have a slightly higher topping-to-chip ratio—it's close, but a barometric pressure setting on headphones that may find themselves on airplanes more often than not is inarguably useful.

Finally, where the XM4 undeniably trumps the Tour One is in noise-canceling performance. Both of these cancelers do a great job squashing unwanted noise and delivering you to a personal, quiet environment. Both were able to shut out droning air conditioners, traffic sounds, and unwanted nearby conversations. But Sony is simply masterful at engineering noise canceling, making it hard for anyone but Bose to match up.

Battery life

This is one area where the Tour One wins, no questions asked. Sony’s XM4 get you around 30 hours of battery life (sometimes less with constant ANC), but the Tour One average 40-45 hours even with ANC enabled, and can last as long as 50 hours when running without any noise canceling or transparency modes active.

Sound quality

This one is tough. Naturally, headphones in this price range need to sound really good to justify their price tags, and both the Tour One and the XM4 deliver on that promise. My experiences listening to both for the first time were eerily similar. I found myself impressed with the spaciousness and warm, detailed sound provided by these cans. Compared to your average headphones, they are streets ahead, and I have no complaints about either one in terms of sound quality.

While both the XM4 and Tour One sound great, the XM4 delivers a more nuanced soundstage with a more valuable array of EQ presets.

For picky listeners, however, the XM4 are going to edge out the Tour One a bit. The XM4’s bass and midrange emphasis is appreciably boosted, but in a subtler way than the Tour One, and the range of EQ presets really show off Sony’s attention to detail. On the other hand, listeners used to more bass-heavy cans might actually prefer the Tour One's sound.

As EQ presets go, the JBL has mastered the basics: one for boosting bass; one that adds sparkle to trebles; and one that brings out midrange (voice) frequencies, best for stuff like podcasts. Sony’s XM4 includes similar presets while also adding in a couple more uniquely tailored frequency responses, such as the “Relaxed” preset, which almost acts like a pass filter for louder and more sibilant sounds.

So while both default listening experiences deliver nuanced and distortion-free music, Sony has the edge when it comes to fine-tuning your listening experience in more advanced ways.

Accessories

You're getting similar accessories with both headphones.

At face value, you're getting the exact same accessories from these headphones: a USB-C charging cable, a zip-up carry case, a dual-prong airplane adapter, and a 3.5mm cable for passive listening. But while Sony includes a notably short charging cable with the XM4, the Tour One's 3.5mm cable and charging cable are the same generous length.

This means you can listen to the Tour One passively while you charge them, a convenience that rides on top of the fact that the Tour One already net you better batter life. If you use the XM4 constantly, you're going to have to remember to charge often, and whenever you're charging, you likely won't be able to use them.

And the winner is…

The lauded Sony WH-1000XM4 wins this comparison, but it’s awfully close in a lot of categories.

To summarize: Both are very comfortable headphones, but the XM4 weigh less; both are well designed, but the XM4 reach further with their commitment to touch controls. Likewise, both are excellent noise cancelers, but Sony delivers a bit more consistency in that technology. Finally, Sony offers more flexibility in terms of EQ customization.

When everything is tallied up, Sony's WH-1000XM4 are still the champs.

That doesn’t automatically make the XM4 the better choice for everyone. You might prefer the Tour One’s higher battery life, more familiar button-based control scheme, or the specifics of its software features—especially since you can regularly get them for almost $50 cheaper than the XM4.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Sign up for our newsletter.

Enter your email:

Thanks for signing up.

• Stranger Things Season 5
• Deadpool and Wolverine
• The Batman 2
• Spider-Man 4
• Yellowstone Season 6
• Audio / Video

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

JBL Tour One review: Noise-canceling cans for frequent callers

“A big battery and sweet call quality make these cans ideal for work or travel.”

• Effective ANC
• Good sound quality
• Excellent call quality
• Great battery life
• No sidetone for calls
• No aptX/aptX HD/LDAC codecs

Right now, Sony’s $350 WH-1000XM4 are the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy. We like them so much, they also top our lists of best wireless headphones and best headphones overall. Sony’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed by its competitors, which has led to several attempts to mimic the XM4, including JBL’s $300 Tour One.

• What’s in the box?

Comfort, controls, and connections

Sound quality, noise cancellation and transparency, call quality, battery life.

• Can a lower price and the Grammys save one of 2023’s most controversial products?
• JBL upgrades its 2024 wireless headphones with massive battery life
• Your next noise-canceling earbuds may use Navy sonar tech

The Tour One aren’t just a little like the XM4. From their size, weight, shape, and materials to their controls and features, it’s almost as if JBL used the XM4 as its blueprint for the Tour One and then figured out how to sell it for $50 less.

The question you’re probably asking yourself is, should I go ahead and buy the Tour One and save that $50, or did JBL cut too many features in its attempt to slide in under the XM4’s price? I think the Sony headphones are still the ones to buy, but JBL has still managed to make the Tour One worth your consideration thanks to a few things it does really well. Let’s get into it.

What’s in the box?

JBL still has a thing or two to learn about sustainable packaging. The Tour One box contains lots of foam padding and coated cardboard, making it tricky to recycle.

Open up the box and you’ll find the Tour One nestled in their own semi-hardshell, zippered carrying case. This is your first clue that JBL took its inspiration from Sony. Not only is the case almost exactly the same size and shape as the one Sony uses for both the WH-1000XM3 and XM4, but it also has the same mesh pocket sewn to one side, which can be used for small accessories or perhaps a credit card and ID if you took it to the gym.

Inside the case, the Tour One are folded into exactly the same position as the Sony cans and there’s a paper insert with a diagram to remind you how to insert the headphones so they fit, again, just like Sony does.

If you find Sony’s designs too conservative, the Tour One add just enough bling to avoid looking boring.

The similarities continue right down to the small compartment that houses the included accessories: A USB-A to USB-C charging cable, a 3.5mm to 2.5mm analog cable, and a double-prong flight adapter.

Unlike Sony, JBL’s charging cable is actually a usable length (40 inches versus Sony’s ludicrously short 9 inches). The USB-A side is reversible for guess-free usage — a nice touch.

Given how closely the Tour One resemble the WH-1000XM4, it’s hard to quibble with their overall design. It’s a compact shape that keeps the earcups and headband close to your head, so you don’t look like you just walked off the set of a Daft Punk video.

The earcups smoothly pivot, fold, and articulate themselves to match the shape of your head. The headband is well-padded and the sliders move with a precise “notchiness” that is both easy to adjust and secure once adjusted.

The Tour One are still very light and very comfortable.

JBL has graced the Tour One with a slightly satin finish on the plastics and added some black chrome accents that give the cans a decidedly premium look. If you find Sony’s designs too conservative, the Tour One add just enough bling to avoid looking boring.

Controls-wise, JBL actually improves on Sony’s design. JBL keeps things simple by ditching Sony’s swipe gestures for a combination of simple taps on the right earcup for playback control and a dedicated set of buttons for volume.  A combo power/Bluetooth pairing switch on the right earcup and a single multifunction button on the left earcup round out the Tour One’s controls.

Though not quite as light as the WH-1000XM4 (9.45 ounces vs. 8.95 ounces), the Tour One are still very light and very comfortable. There’s generous padding on the ear cushions and headband, and I was able to wear them for three hours continuously without any fatigue, even while wearing glasses. One thing that did start to bother me toward the end of that time was the depth of the earcups. My ears stick out quite a bit — maybe a little more than average — and their outer edges make contact with the inside lining. Eventually, that pressure point needed some relief.

If your ears are like mine, both the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 offer deeper earcups.

The fold-flat hinges on the Tour One are great for when you want to wear them around your neck, and they fold the right way, meaning that the earcups point down, with the ear cushions against your collar bones. Sony does this too, but Bose makes the peculiar decision to rest the far-less cushy headband sliders against your clavicles.

Despite their comfy fit, the Tour One have a greater tendency to shift around on your head than either the Bose or the Sony. It’s not a deal-breaker by any means, but if you want a set of full-size cans for the gym as well as the office or airplane cabin, you should keep this in mind.

The Tour One’s controls are very easy to use. The single, double-, and triple-tap touches on the right earcup register every time (as long as you tap in the center) and I like having a power switch that instantly powers the headphones on. The Bose 700 power on instantly as well, but the Sony XM4s require more patience, with a press-and-hold gesture on the power button.

Using the JBL Headphones app provides some control customizations. Both the multifunction button as well as the tap-and-hold gesture on the touch panel can be set to control the active noise cancellation (ANC)/TalkThru modes or to trigger your voice assistant.

Bluetooth connectivity is excellent.

The auto-pause option works really well. Pulling the earcups away from your head instantly halts the tunes, then resumes them just as quickly when they are snapped back into place. You can disable the feature in the Headphones app if you want.

Bluetooth connectivity is excellent. Though not considered a class 1 Bluetooth device like the Beats Studio 3 headphones , I was still able to leave my phone at my desk and walk all the way to my garage (about 60 feet, one story, and several walls in terms of distance) and the signal stayed strong. You can also connect the Tour One to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, though on one occasion this created a static sound that was resolved by disconnecting my phone and reconnecting it.

Out of the box, the Tour One have a relatively neutral EQ. There’s nice definition across frequencies, and excellent clarity in the upper midranges and highs. Bass response is snappy and not overbearing. You can tell that JBL has tuned these cans to be as genre-agnostic as possible, which stands in contrast to headphones that lean toward the low-end.

When compared to the Sony XM4, the Tour One don’t exhibit as much warmth or as wide a soundstage, but the difference isn’t huge. Curiously, just like JBL’s other flagship wireless cans, the Club One , the Tour One aren’t equipped with any high-quality Bluetooth codecs like aptX, aptX HD, or LDAC. So despite being capable of reproducing frequencies from 20Hz to 40kHz (and thus being considered hi-res audio compatible), you’ll never come close to experiencing this when using the headphones wirelessly. The XM4 give you LDAC, which won’t do much for iPhone owners, but will provide better sound quality for those with Android phones.

Listening via Bluetooth lets you appreciate the song’s bones, but going wired lets you hear its soul.

And that’s a shame because when you plug the Tour One into a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with the included analog cable, they deliver much better depth and resonance.

One of my favorite test tracks is Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy . Not only does it have incredibly deep bass, but it also layers Eilish’s whispery voice on top, creating a torture chamber for audio devices. It’s also a deceptively complex recording. Listening via Bluetooth lets you appreciate the song’s bones, but going wired lets you hear its soul. Suddenly, Eilish isn’t just whispering her way through the lyrics, she’s whispering directly into your ears — it’s a goosebumps-inducing ASMR-level experience .

I don’t want to dump on the wireless performance too much as it’s actually very good, and I really like the fact you can access EQ presets and manual EQ adjustments within the app. Doing so can radically alter the Tour One’s sound signature, so if you’re not a fan of the so-called flat EQ, you don’t have to put up with it.

The Tour One does a decent job of canceling external sounds, but its performance can be a bit uneven. Unlike the Sony XM4 and Bose 700, the Tour One seems to struggle to create a nice, even cancellation effect. I have a fan under my desk that produces both consistent sound and consistent wind. JBL’s ANC blocks it well enough but it can’t quite decide which of the fan’s frequencies to block, so you can actually hear it hunting around and the result can be a bit unpleasant.

This mostly happens when you use JBL’s True Adaptive ANC mode, which attempts to respond to your listening conditions in real time. Turning that feature off helped a lot. In fairness, my desk fan situation is a bit of an anomaly — I wasn’t aware of the problem at all at other times — but both the Sony XM4 and Bose 700 handled it flawlessly, with the Bose being easily the best of the three.

The Silent Now mode is handy for when you just want quiet: It activates ANC but keeps Bluetooth communication turned off, saving the battery for when you need it.

In short, I’ve never tested a set of wireless headphones with better call quality than the Tour One.

JBL gives you two distinct transparency modes to choose from, and both have their advantages. For better general awareness of your surroundings, you can pick Ambient Aware — which lets in a lot of external sounds without altering your music. Or, if you need to actually speak to someone, you can engage TalkThru mode, which is just like Ambient Aware, but it also drops the volume of your audio to the point where it’s barely detectable.

Strangely, you can flip back and forth between full ANC mode and TalkThru by double-clicking the multifunction button, but if you want to switch between ANC and Ambient Aware, you’re forced to switch between three modes: ANC >,  Ambient Aware >, Ambient Aware off  > ANC .

So far, most of the JBL Tour One’s qualities put them more or less where you’d expect in comparing them to the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. But one area where the Tour One blow these other headphones away is their call quality.

I was able to walk down a very busy street, with varying kinds of traffic noise including loud buses and some construction machinery, and yet when you listen to the recording I made, you’d swear I was sitting in a quiet park by myself — that’s how little external noise was picked up by the Tour One’s mics.

Not only is your voice uninterrupted by these competing sounds, but it sounds really good too. The Tour One capture and preserve your voice’s deeper tones, the ones that give it depth and resonance, which stands in sharp contrast to most other headphones and earbuds.

The only caveat here is that JBL has dedicated all of the Tour One’s mics to canceling noise and optimizing voice quality, which means there’s no sidetone, and no way to stay in Ambient Aware mode or TalkThru mode while on a call. So while your callers will love the way you sound, you won’t be able to hear your own voice as clearly.

JBL claims you’ll get 50 hours of battery life from the Tour One if you disable ANC, and about half that amount if you keep it on. I did not run them for a full charge/discharge cycle, but after about 10 hours of playing music at 50% volume with ANC on, the JBL Headphones app gave me a battery reading of 55% which seems pretty close to JBL’s claims.

These are great numbers. Better than Sony, better than Bose, and even a tiny bit better than the Marshall Monitor ANC II , our previous best premium cans for battery life.

It takes two hours to charge them fully from empty, but you can get three hours of play time from a 10-minute quick charge.

JBL’s Tour series which includes the Tour One headphones and the Tour Pro+ true wireless earbuds , are one of the few on the market that offer hands-free access to your choice of Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

Once you pick your assistant, you can say “Hey Google,” or “Alexa” and then ask for whatever you need — including controlling playback, call answer, and volume. Using this option frees up one of the Multifunction button’s gestures, giving you more control over other headphone functions.

I only tested Amazon’s Alexa, but it worked flawlessly. JBL hasn’t indicated if using hands-free access reduces battery life (and I wasn’t able to determine if it does), but it’s highly likely that it will.

You also get JBL’s My Alarm feature, which lets you select from a variety of soothing sounds, combined with a customizable sleep timer.

For those who want a premium set of noise-canceling headphones, the JBL Tour One offer an excellent (and cheaper) alternative to Sony and Bose, with very few sacrifices made for their more affordable price. And they’re killer for phone calls.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes, overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 are still a better set of noise-canceling headphones, beating the Tour One in sound quality, ANC, comfort, and wireless hi-res audio. But unless you can find them on sale, they’re a good bit more expensive than the JBL Tour One. If you don’t mind the trade-offs, I see no reason not to buy the Tour One instead of the Sonys.

How long will they last?

From what I can tell, the build quality and materials on the Tour One are both excellent, and I suspect they will fare about the same as models from Sony and Bose in terms of longevity. They may even have an edge thanks to their bigger battery life, as batteries are usually the first part to degrade in a set of wireless headphones.

JBL backs the Tour One with a one-year warranty.

Should you buy them?

Yes. They’re a solid option for those looking for comfortable noise-canceling headphones with good sound quality, great battery life, and excellent call quality

Editors' Recommendations

• Best wireless earbuds for 2024: Sony, Bose, Soundcore, and more
• The 11 best noise-canceling headphones for 2024
• JBL’s $200 Live 3 earbuds get the Tour Pro 2’s touchscreen charging case
• Best noise-canceling earbuds for 2023: from Sony, Soundcore, Jabra, and more
• What is ANC and how do noise-cancelling headphones work?
• Entertainment
• Headphone Reviews
• Product Reviews

Marshall's second-gen Motif ANC wireless earbuds -- appropriately called the Marshall Motif II ANC -- look exactly like the first-gen Motif, but under the hood are some welcome enhancements like better battery life, better active noise cancellation (ANC) performance, and support for Bluetooth LE Audio. The price, on the other hand, remains the same: you can buy them staring August 29 for $199 on Marshall's website. The company expects them to ship on September 12.

Marshall has a talent for understatement. Its press release for the Marshall Motif II ANC talks about the improved battery life twice -- the new earbuds now get six hours of ANC playtime on a charge and a total of 30 hours with the case (versus 4.5 and 20 on the first-gen) -- but never mentions that the new Motif now have Bluetooth Multipoint for connecting two devices simultaneously.

While most of the attention these days is on true wireless earbuds, it's easy to forget that some folks much prefer the older neckband style for its simple convenience and longer battery life. Beyerdynamic clearly hasn't forgotten. Despite launching its first true wireless earbuds in 2022 -- the Free Byrd -- the company is continuing to develop its original Blue Byrd neckband-style buds with the introduction of the second-gen Blue Byrd ANC ($149).

As the name suggests, the new earbuds have active noise cancellation (ANC), a feature that remains fairly rare in the neckband earbuds category. You can buy them now from Beyerdynamic or Amazon.

Sony has announced its latest wireless earbuds, and they bring the cost of the company's excellent active noise cancellation (ANC) technology to a new low price. At $120, the WF-C700N are a step up from the entry-level $100 WF-C500, which lack ANC, yet they're considerably more affordable than the $200 Sony LinkBuds S or the $279 WF-1000XM4, the company's only other ANC models.

The WF-C700N can be preordered immediately in one of four colors (black, white, lavender, and sage green), with an expected delivery date of April 17 to April 18.

Jbl Tour One M2 Vs. Sony Wh 1000Xm4 Review

Sony WH 1000XM4

Reasons why you might like the Sony WH 1000XM4

Overall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

• Weight of 254 g

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Anc)

• Battery Life of 30 hours

Can Be Used Wirelessly

Has ambient sound mode.

JBL Tour ONE M2

Reasons why you might like the JBL Tour ONE M2

Overall Score 7.4 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

• Weight of 268 g
• Battery Life of 50 hours

Jbl Tour One M2 Vs. Sony Wh 1000Xm4 Review In Summary

Jbl tour one m2 vs. sony wh 1000xm4 review in detail.

JBL Tour ONE M2 have a weight of 268g, these weigh below 320g, which we consider as the highest average a headphone should weigh for comfort during long use. We prefer a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to move with. The Sony WH 1000XM4 , at 254g weigh less than the JBL Tour ONE M2 by -14g

Has A Detachable Cable

Detachable cables are cables that have connectors on both ends. One end goes into your headphone cups, while the other end is inserted into an audio source. Some new headphones, and not just the expensive ones, are coming with detachable cables, JBL Tour ONE M2 are one of those. With a detachable cable, Sony WH 1000XM4 too can use alternative cables and if the cable is pulled, it will pop out instead of breaking.

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

IP ratings refer to the level of protection offered by an electrical enclosure, against solids and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two numerals The first number of the IP rating refers to protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to protection against liquid. Having a value of IPX4, the JBL Tour ONE M2 's rating is read as, the first number of X denotes that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second number of 4 means that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. In comparison to the JBL Tour ONE M2 , Sony WH 1000XM4 have a rating of IPX4 meaning that we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust) and that of liquids is that, they both have the same rating against liquids

Can Be Folded

JBL Tour ONE M2 are foldable, which makes them more portable. Foldable headphones are easier to transport and take up less storage space. The Sony WH 1000XM4 too can fold up, foldable headphones can reduce their size by 60% to 70% when folded.

Has A Tangle Free Cable

Twisted headphone cables can be a great source of annoyance and inconvenience, JBL Tour ONE M2 's cable is designed to minimize tangling. Constant twisting of the cables can also lead to microfractures in the copper wires, affecting sound quality, or completely damaging your headphones.

Sweat Resistance

By sweat resistance we mean that the wireless earbuds are protected in the presence of low-pressure water jets at any angle, this is determined by the IP Rating of the earbuds. Based on the ingress protection rating of the JBL Tour ONE M2 they do have sweat resistance Sony WH 1000XM4 's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits,

Cable Length

A long cable ensures more freedom of movement, but remember that every cable based on the conducting material used has a certain amount of parasitic resistance, inductance, and capacitance. How much depends on the length and construction. JBL Tour ONE M2 comes with a 1.2meters cable. Sony WH 1000XM4 comes with a 1.2meters cable. Almost any cable should be fine in sound quality If you're looking at lengths up to 2 - 3 meters.

Has An Over-The-Ear Foam

Over-ear headphones have larger earpads that fit around your entire ear JBL Tour ONE M2 have a comfortable full-size form with earcups that fully enclose your ears. This design is loved for its increased sound isolation and the fact that it won't leak sound to your neighbors. Sony WH 1000XM4 with this design offer potential for maximum bass and loudness levels.

Has Stereo Speakers

JBL Tour ONE M2 have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience. The Sony WH 1000XM4 also have stereo speakers

Sound Quality

Active noise cancellation uses more advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 outside (noise from your surrounding) and adding -1 inside (counter sound within the device) to make zero resulting in a reduced level of noise. JBL Tour ONE M2 allow you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the volume to overcome background noise. Sony WH 1000XM4 too have active noise cancellation making both devices ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. Each may work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting, mode, or noise cancellation type that you prefer for commute or that enhances your relaxation time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Passive Noise Cancellation uses well-designed ear cups to seal out unwanted noise. This is used for both in-ear earphones and over-ear headphones where the headphone itself will keep surrounding noise out. The JBL Tour ONE M2 sits tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that reduces background noise and prevents your music from leaking out. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that also the Sony WH 1000XM4 isolates you from ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

Lowest Frequency

Low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device reproduces low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on the way through. JBL Tour ONE M2 's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, the lower the low-frequency response, the stronger and juicier the bass. Sony WH 1000XM4 's lowest frequency is at 4Hz, this means that JBL Tour ONE M2 got a juicier bass than the Sony WH 1000XM4

Highest Frequency

High frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device reproduces high audible frequencies and if it changes to the signal while at it. JBL Tour ONE M2 's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, the higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble. Sony WH 1000XM4 's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this means that both devices produce equal treble

Sound Pressure Level

Sound pressure is the average variation in atmospheric pressure caused by the sound, the sound level .i.e how loud something is can be perceived differently by different people so we need to have a way of getting an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms. The sound pressure level, SPL, is the pressure level of a sound, measured in decibels, dB, JBL Tour ONE M2 's measurement is 95dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source. Sony WH 1000XM4 's sound pressure level measurement is 105dB/mW.

Driver Unit Size

The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the device, its size dictates the loudness of the headphone. JBL Tour ONE M2 driver unit is 40mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful and can produce better bass. Sony WH 1000XM4 driver unit is 40mm in diameter, making both devices similar in how loud their sound gets , as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality. However, large drivers usually have difficulty reproducing high frequencies so yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better sound.

Defined as the device's resistance to the electromagnetic current, when electricity flows through a wire, it experiences electrical resistance that counters the flow of current. The resistance of a wire is measured in ohms. JBL Tour ONE M2 's impedance is 32Ohms, the lower the impedance, the easier it is to get higher volume and requires less power. Sony WH 1000XM4 's impedance is 16Ohms. The impedance of earbuds is the electrical resistance of the driver unit present on the inside.

Has A Neodymium Magnet

Neodymium magnets when used in audio devices produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output while using less power. They can help produce music at quite a high sound pressure level, SPL, with the use of high magnetic flux. The Sony WH 1000XM4 have this type of magnet.

Battery Life

If your headphones play wirelessly, cancel ambient noise, or enhance your listening experience with active features, their battery life will reduce over time. The device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. JBL Tour ONE M2 's battery life is 50 hours Sony WH 1000XM4 's battery life is 30 hours. Each time you recharge your headphones, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first. But over a few years, you may find that your device, no longer plays for long like it used to.

Charge Time

It takes 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Tour ONE M2 's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the headphones for the first time or when they have been unused for extended periods. Sony WH 1000XM4 takes 3 hours to fully charge the battery

Has A Battery Level Indicator

JBL Tour ONE M2 have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights indicate the charging status of your headphones. Sony WH 1000XM4 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to determine the charging state of your headphones, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low.

Battery Power

Battery power, or battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store. JBL Tour ONE M2 's battery power is 750mAh, more battery power can be an indication of longer battery life. Sony WH 1000XM4 's battery power is 1,100mAh.

Has A Rechargeable Battery

A rechargeable battery is a type of electrical battery that can be charged, discharged into a load, and recharged many times, as opposed to a disposable or primary battery, which is supplied fully charged and discarded after use. JBL Tour ONE M2 's battery can be recharged and used over again. The Sony WH 1000XM4 too have a rechargeable battery.

Connectivity

JBL Tour ONE M2 can be used wirelessly, wireless devices allow you more freedom of movement. The Sony WH 1000XM4 also can be used wirelessly

Uses 2.4Ghz Wireless

2.4GHz wireless is used for devices such as headsets such as the Sony WH 1000XM4 , keyboards, and mice similar to Bluetooth but with a proprietary radio frequency. It typically offers better performance than Bluetooth, with low latency and good stability.

Bluetooth Version

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. JBL Tour ONE M2 has a v5.3 Sony WH 1000XM4 has a Bluetooth version of v5. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Has Usb Type-C

JBL Tour ONE M2 support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power on a single cable. The USB-C plug is now part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets, it features reversible plug orientation and cable direction. Sony WH 1000XM4 too have USB TYPE-C

JBL Tour ONE M2 support LDAC, a codec developed by Sony which allows streaming high-resolution audio over Bluetooth connections at up to 990 kbps at 32 bit/96 kHz. It is capable of a very high bitrate of 990kbps, which provides high-resolution audio. Sony WH 1000XM4 support it as well, LDAC, can automatically adjust to a lower bitrate of 330kbps or 660kbps to increase stability.

Has Aptx Adaptive

JBL Tour ONE M2 support APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps), which means it can adjust the bit rate for different scenarios, such as listening to HD audio or reducing interference from other devices.

Has Bluetooth Aptx

JBL Tour ONE M2 support APTX, a codec used for transmitting audio wirelessly with Bluetooth. It is developed by Qualcomm and supports 16-bit audio at a bit rate of 384kbps.

JBL Tour ONE M2 support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate. The Sony WH 1000XM4 support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances. The JBL Tour ONE M2 can connect at a 10meters distance via Bluetooth or infrared to another device. The Sony WH 1000XM4 can connect at a 10meters distance via Bluetooth

Has A 3.5Mm Male Connector

Being an industry standard audio plug, a standard 3.5mm male connector is suitable for use with all MP3 players and computer sound cards. This means that it is commonly used in stereo headphones to your phone or connecting your phone to an external amplifier, sound bars, your car radio, etc. JBL Tour ONE M2 has this connector giving it a wider range of connectivity with most of the sound devices out there. All plugs have at least a tip and sleeve with the number of rings that stand as a differentiating factor. Sony WH 1000XM4 too have this kind of connector

Supports Bluetooth Pairing Using Nfc

Sony WH 1000XM4 support fast Bluetooth pairing using NFC so it can communicate with other devices over Bluetooth. You can fastly pair devices without entering a code by simply holding one device next to the device with which it is to be paired.

Number Of Microphones

JBL Tour ONE M2 have only 6 microphones, more microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise. The Sony WH 1000XM4 microphones are only 5.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

JBL Tour ONE M2 use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out background noise from the desired sound. Especially useful in noisy environments. The Sony WH 1000XM4 too use a noise-canceling type of microphone.

JBL Tour ONE M2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises so that they can still be heard. It’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a jog but would still want to be able to hear traffic. The Sony WH 1000XM4 support ambient sound mode as well allowing you to hear the ambient sound even while wearing them.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

JBL Tour ONE M2 support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused, saving battery life and improving your listening experience while at it. The Sony WH 1000XM4 support in/on-ear detection, pause your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears

Has A Mute Function

JBL Tour ONE M2 have a mute function, they have an option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice. The Sony WH 1000XM4 too have a mute function.

Multipoint Count

JBL Tour ONE M2 support multipoint, which allows you to link to more Bluetooth devices and switch between them. For example, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. The Sony WH 1000XM4 support multipoint count. Bluetooth multipoint would come in handy because you can be on one call without missing notifications coming from another device.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

There is a control panel on the JBL Tour ONE M2 body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to. The Sony WH 1000XM4 too have a control panel on them.

Can Be Used As A Headset

JBL Tour ONE M2 can be used as a headset. A headset is one headphone or pair with a built-in microphone. Headsets can be used for apps that require communication i.e. Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, games with voice chat, mobile phones, etc. Sony WH 1000XM4 can be used as a headset. since they have a built-in microphone

Warranty Period

The period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals. When covered under the manufacturer’s warranty it is possible to get a replacement in the case of a malfunction. Sony WH 1000XM4 have a warranty period of 1 years

Travel Bag Is Included

Carrying headphones without a case, or putting them in bags without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. The JBL Tour ONE M2 come with their own special case or pouch, which is useful for safe transportation. Sony WH 1000XM4 too have a travel bag or case included.

Related Reviews

Trusted Reviews is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

JBL Tour One M2 Review

Over-ear headphones brimming with features

JBL’s flagship wireless over-ears offer an enormous number of features to make the commute more enjoyable, with fine sound, effective noise cancellation and an excellent wireless performance. But the competition they’re up against is tough.

• Lightweight design
• Excellent wireless performance
• Great call quality
• Effective noise cancellation
• Clear, balanced sound
• Unremarkable looks
• Beaten for bass depth and extension
• Tough competition

Availability

• UK RRP: £279.99
• Europe RRP: €299
• Australia TBC

Key Features

• SilentNow Wakes you up from your noise cancelling slumber
• Voice control Supports both Google and Amazon’s voice assistants
• Multi-Point Can be connected to two devices at once

Introduction

JBL makes a gazillion headphones and speakers each year. Just recently it announced it had sold 200 million headphones, making the company the numero uno brand in the overall headphone market.

The JBL Tour One M2 are the company’s latest flagship over-ears, and in its own words, outperforms its previous headphones. Ticking the requisite boxes for a headphone in 2023, there is adaptive noise cancellation, personalized sound, spatial audio support and long battery life provided in a lightweight design.

We’ve come across a few headphones that are jack of many trades but master of only a few. Could that same description apply to the Tour One M2?

• Lightweight and comfy design
• Good controls

There’s a definite lack of flash to the Tour One M2’s appearance, their only real indulgence to style are the glossy highlights on the earcups and headband. Otherwise, these headphones are here to do a job, which is to sit on your head without causing discomfort.

And it’s mission accomplished, as they’re light on the head, causing very little bother. That’s unlike the previous JBL over-ears I tested in the Club One , which had a tight clamping force and bulky size. The Tour One M2 is positively light by comparison.

They’re comfortable in the right places, the padding on the underside of the headband and earcups is nice and supple, the earcups are spacious and the clamping force is nice and snug. I can’t find anything to complain about. I haven’t noticed wind noise to be a factor in disrupting the ANC performance .

Controls are a mixture of physical buttons (power/Bluetooth, noise cancelling and volume) and touch controls (playback). Power button is a slider, a slightly flimsy one that you might accidentally swipe down on it as I did when grabbing the headphones. It can also be a little difficult to turn them off with the headphones on the head; I had to dig my fingernails in to ease the slider up.

Touch controls are well implemented: one tap to pause, another to skip forward and three to skip back. The noise cancelling button is on the left earcup and that allows for toggling between ANC on and pass-through modes. This is another aspect of the headphones I can’t find much to grumble with.

The headphones are also collapsible, which is a change from 2022’s trend of non-foldable headphones, which means you can pack them easily into a bag or put them into the carry case, which also has a pouch for storing cables/accessories (a 3.5mm cable, USB-C charging and airplane adapter). They also come in a more fetching silver finish (at least from the promotional photos).

• Effective rather than resounding ANC
• Pretty faultless call quality
• Features in abundance

JBL does like to pack headphones with as many features as possible, and the Tour One M2 are no different. The adaptive noise cancelling is the highlight, and the performance is respectable, if not quite emphatic.

They do clear out a lot of surrounding noise, from people walking past on a late night in Shoreditch (voices effectively subdued) to cars, buses and vans going by, but there’s still some noise peeking through.

I did notice the level of the adaptive noise cancelling was not always consistent, which you would expect since it’s adaptive , but oftentimes it let through more noise than the ‘standard’ ANC mode.

Compared to the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort 45 , the Tour One M2 can’t match both pair’s eerie sense of calm.

They’re also not too effective at dealing with the noise on the Tube when it starts to get ‘loud’. I’ve used these headphones on the Northern, District and Jubilee lines and as soon as the howl of the wind picks up, music tends to take a background seat until it dies down. You can, obviously, raise the volume to combat it, so it’s not all doom and gloom.

It does, at least, exercise its noise cancelling cleanly, with none of that ‘whooshing’ sound as cars go by or that ANC whine. It also doesn’t noticeably alter the tone of audio being played, so I’d describe the noise cancelling as effective, but you can get better around the £300 mark.

The transparency is another effective feature, amplifying surrounding sounds so I can hear announcements on the train easily. As is the case with JBL headphones, the Tour One M2 has two different versions in Ambient Aware and TalkThru.

The former sounds clearer and adopts a more natural tone – it’s the standard ambient mode that grants greater transparency to sounds around you, the strength of which can be altered in the app. The response sliding from low to high ambience is instant.

TalkThru mutes music and focuses on people’s voices, and it does this very well. Used on the train, the headphones fixed their focus on people’s voices across the carriage, including the rustling of a bag which was amplified so much I felt it was happening right beside me.

For calls the JBL uses a 4-mic set-up with JBL’s Voice Aware technology, and the performance was excellent. The person I called commented they could hear me clearly and that background noise was kept to a minimum. They could hear people nearby but not to the point where he could make out what they were saying. That’s a very effective performance in my book.

Battery life is stated as 30 hours with noise cancelling on and 50 hours with it off. There’s no mention of fast charging but filling up the battery from dead reportedly takes two hours.

Delve into the JBL Headphones app and there’s a choice between enabling Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or accessing a mobile device’s native voice assistant. The Equalizer comes with five presets and the option to make a 10-band custom EQ.

Or you could rely on the Personi-Fi to craft your own personalized audio profile. It achieves this by conducting a test that measures how well you hear a series of receding blips for your left and right ear. The Low Volume Dynamic EQ boosts highs and lows when listening at lower volumes.

There is JBL’s take on Spatial Sound with Movie, Music and Game profiles, and you can modify controls for the Action Button (left earcup) and the touch panel, though that only refers to disabling it.

Smart Talk is like Sony’s Speak to Chat, automatically enabling the TalkThru mode when it senses you’re speaking and lowering music volume. It not only reacts quickly when I start talking but is prompt to return to music. The speed at which music resumes can be set in the app.

The Smart Audio & Video feature presents the best audio quality with music (in what way it doesn’t specify) as well as improving lip-sync performance with video. Switching between them necessitates the JBL headphones re-connecting with the source device, and I must admit that watching videos on Prime Video and YouTube, I couldn’t tell if there was a pronounced difference between the two modes. What I did notice was a couple more dropouts on YouTube with Video mode than I did in the Audio mode.

The SilentNow feature disconnects the Bluetooth connection and turns on the noise cancelling, so you can catch 40 winks and not be disturbed. You can set when it starts, how long it goes for and whether you want a notification to wake you up.

The Personal Sound Amplification seems to achieve a similar objective as the Ambient Aware feature, which makes me ponder why it’s included. At least it offers a different set of customisations by changing the balance from left ear to right.

Elsewhere there’s Auto Power Off, Auto Play & Pause (which is speedy) and a Max Volume Limiter that protects your hearing. All the way at the bottom of the app is the means to update the firmware.

The headphones support Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC and AAC codecs supported. Connectivity has been excellent, there hasn’t been any dropout, significant or otherwise, whether walking through populated areas like Soho or in busy transport hubs such as Victoria train station.

Sound Quality

• Good treble performance
• Not for bass addicts
• Clear, balanced tone to music

In a similar vein to JBL’s Live Pro 2 wireless earbud, the Tour One M2 take a balanced approach to audio that may strike some as bland. On the default volume they do sound reticent, the soundstage is rendered small and its sense of energy lacks ‘fizz’. But just two nudges on the volume control and the JBL gives a much better account of itself.

With GoGoPenguin’s Erased by Sunlight there’s clarity to the headphones’ treble performance and good tonal variation of the piano notes throughout the song. You can sense how much pressure is applied to each piano note, the sound of the trailing edge as it lingers; the brightness of each note is an improvement on the Club One’s dulled performance.

I wouldn’t say the JBL offers the biggest bass performance. There’s weight provided to the drum hits in the Smashing Pumpkins’ Bullet with Butterfly Wings, but a headphone such as Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wireless expresses it with more depth and heft.

You get with the JBL a spacious, slightly wider and clearer performance, but the sense of energy and drive half-way through the track in its frenzied guitar section isn’t as intense on the JBL as it is with the Sennheiser or even the Club One.

Dynamically, the headphones feel broad in terms of describing the difference between a track’s highs and lows, a shade less sprightly in conveying the nuances of singers. The stereo image it offers of Tune-Yards’ Hypnotized is also not as vividly realized as on the Sony WH-1000XM4 , I sense more depth to the Sony’s performance than the JBL can offer.

With vocals there’s a clarity that’s possibly better than either the Sennheiser or Sony’s smoother approach takes. The difference with the Spinners’ Could It Be I’m Falling in Love is hard to judge, but I think there’s more character and a smidge more presence to the lead vocals on the Sony.

It matches up to what I think of the JBL’s mid-range performance, which is clear and detailed, but the other headphones dig out more definition of instruments for a more musical performance.

That said, the JBL holds up well to both the Sennheiser and Sony. Its more neutral, perhaps even clinical approach doesn’t have the richness of either the Momentum or WH-1000XM4, but some listeners may prefer that approach.

The JBL also offers spatial sound within the JBL Headphones app and that amounts to a wider soundstage with vocals recessed to create a sense of depth. I’d stick with the default audio as all this really does is make the soundstage bigger rather than the sense of sounds being around you.

The Personi-Fi personalized audio is something that will differ with each person. I preferred to have it off than on, the slight emphasis on the midrange that I heard came across as too processed and giving voices a tone that felt artificial.

Latest deals

Should you buy it.

If you prefer clear, balanced audio to a richer-sounding headphones Everybody has their preference when it comes to audio. There are many ways to serve a track to your ears, and if you prefer a balanced, more neutral approach to audio that’s what the Tour One M2 offer.

The competition is fierce You’ve got efforts from Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, and Shure, all around the same price and they range from being pretty good to excellent. There’s lots of options to choose from, especially for better noise cancelling.

Final Thoughts

The JBL Tour One M2 are a pair of headphones that score 8/10 in many categories and 9/10 in a few, which made deciding on a score a tad more difficult than expected.

As an overall package, they’re very competitive with regards to the competition. Their wireless performance is pretty faultless, as is their call quality performance. They sound very good but not brilliant, and perhaps the lack of any high-res audio codecs goes against them. But for those who prefer a balanced sound then they’re a pair to seek below the £300 mark.

Their noise cancelling is not class-leading – the Bose QuietComfort 45 are better in this instance – but they’re good for the commute and travel, and the levels of comfort the headphones offer is finely tuned. The list of features is extensive, and some will probably never use half of them, but there’s something for everyone who enjoy music, games or TV on-the-go.

I’ve found the Tour One M2 have been a very reliable pair of headphones in the two weeks I’ve used them, and while they’re short of the very best, for those who want headphones that cover a wide range of features and boast a very good performance (and who wouldn’t want that?), this flagship effort from JBL are well worth checking out. But the competition is decidedly tough.

Sign up for the Trusted Reviews Newsletter

How we test.

We test every set of headphones we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use industry standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.

Find out more about how we test in our  ethics policy .

Tested across two weeks

Tested with real world use

You might like…

PSB M4U 9 Review

FiiO FT5 Review

Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 Review

Sennheiser Momentum Sport Review

Puro BT2200 Plus Review

Sennheiser Accentum Plus Review

As far as we can tell, the Tour One M2 do not have any fast-charging abilities

The the Tour One M2 does carry support for Bluetooth multi-point, and they’re able to connect to two devices simultaneously.

Jargon buster

Kob began his career at What Hi-Fi?, starting in the dusty stockroom before rising up the ranks to join the editorial and production team as the Buyer’s Guide editor. Experienced in both magazine and …

Why trust our journalism?

Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.

Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.

Editorial independence

Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.

Professional conduct

We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.

Sign up to our newsletter

Get the best of Trusted Reviews delivered right to your inbox.

JBL Tour One M2 vs Sony WH-1000XM4

Key feature comparison, jbl tour one m2, sony wh-1000xm4, add more earbuds to compare, at a glance.

Over Ear, Over the Head

Auto Pairing

Detailed Specs

Price status, market status, compatible devices, box contents, launch date, open or closed back, max frequency response, min frequency response, driver type, sensitivity, magnet material, foldable design, eartip size, noise cancellation, call control, music control, connectivity, bluetooth version, bluetooth profile, bluetooth range, bluetooth features, battery capacity, playback time, standby time, charging type, charging time, battery type, latest comparisons, you may also read, recent news, tips & tricks, popular leaks.

• Latest News
• Headphone Reviews
• Audiophile Reviews
• Wireless Reviews
• Comparison Reviews
• IEM/Earphones
• True Wireless
• Staff Picks
• Sign in / Join
• Email Sign Up
• Call Us: 212-354-6062

Sony WH-1000XM4 vs JBL Club One Comparison Review

Sony and JBL are two of the most well-known manufacturers in the world today, and they both currently have popular wireless headphones for around the same price. The WH-1000XM4 and JBL Club One are Bluetooth headphones with noise-canceling and many other features that are now a standard for these products.

I have reviewed both of these products in the past, and have had a lot to say about them. Especially when reviewing the Club One, the XM4 was in my mind quite a bit, and thought a proper comparison review was in order. I’ve always held a mixed impression of the XM4 when it comes to sound quality, but their advancements in noise-canceling are unlike anything on the market today. JBL has a weird reputation with some people, where the relative cheapness of some of their products can seem offputting. So let’s see how well they work against each other.

Look and Feel

When placed side by side, both headphones almost look similar aside from JBL’s need for their big bulky logo on all their products. However, there’s a clear distinction when it comes to the quality of the build. Sony has carried over an identical look from the XM3 to the XM4. The same can’t be said about the Club One, as JBL makes a serious effort in not only bringing forth a more sophisticated aesthetic, but a more durable one as well. It uses a combination of hard plastic and metal framework that sculpts a rather classy design for JBL. In comparison, the XM4 appears toy-like, and not as elegant.

The fit here is what’s going to be the make or break aspect for this section though, and it is much harder to actually decide which headphone is superior. The XM4 definitely possesses a lighter feel compared to the Club One’s heavier stature, but the weight isn’t something I take issue with. When wearing one after the other, O didn’t feel a strong difference in fit at all. Both models should feel secure and support long hours of listening with minimal fatigue.

Design and Functionality

The pendulum accurately shifts into Sony’s favor here, as when it comes to the sheer amount of technology hiding inside these headphones no one else comes close. The Club One makes a good effort though, sporting a 40mm driver unit and dual aux inputs. You also get a wealth of features as well with the “My JBL Headphones” companion app. Here you can toggle between different ambient modes and EQ. While these features are well and good, this is Sony’s wheelhouse, and they load the XM4 with a larger variety of components.

Their driver uses a neodymium magnet with an aluminum-coated diaphragm, giving the system more potential. Sony also has a companion app that allows for even more options, like 360 audio, adaptive sound control, and more complex EQ. The circuitry design in the XM4 is also far superior to the Club One, with its digital sound enhancement engine, and QN1 noise-canceling algorithm that has broken so much ground in the industry. JBL puts their best foot forward, but it’s still no match to Sony’s superior technology.

Both headphones support the latest Bluetooth 5.0 and feature multipoint connections. I found that the XM4 has a significantly better range and bandwidth quality. Sony also sports a larger variety of CODECs like LDAC that showcase a higher streaming quality. 

Battery Life

In my reviews, I applauded both the XM4 and the Club One for their great battery life. In total, the Club One actually features a stronger playtime at 40 hours compared to the XM4’s 38. However, you do get more hours of ANC off the XM4 at 30 compared to the Club One’s 25. At the end of the day, both headphones bring forth many hours of use, getting you through long trips and a few days of commute.

This is the main event of both headphones, the make or break for which one you buy. Although some might just be sold on the XM4’s vastly superior noise-canceling technology, nothing is a more deciding factor for a pair of headphones than the sound signature. In this aspect, the XM4 isn’t going to be the right headphone here, at least when it comes to the soundstage. JBL also isn’t going to be the most open, but I thought that the Club One made an effort into sounding accurate and distinct. Separation isn’t exactly present in either model, but the Club One has much more definitive positioning. In comparison, the XM4 appears too boxy in its imaging, while the Club One presents a much grander and clearer sense of space. 

Everyone like a wireless headphone with good bass. Each of these headphones has an EQ on their respective companion apps, so if you don’t think you’re getting enough, it can be adjusted. When analyzing their natural timbre, a few things stick out. The XM4 bolsters some impactful bass, with a boomy tonality and nice textures. However, the Club One has a similar response, just with a much tighter and focused response. With the XM4, the low-end resonance can be all over the place at times and can muddy the timbre, but JBL keeps things smooth while sticking to their punch.

One of the biggest surprises for me when I first listened to the JBL was how present the midrange was. They have a flatter, more neutral timbre, which made them fit for the Club One’s EQ. In comparison, the XM4 is a lot more recessed and v-shaped, so much that it muffles the response in a way. It has an effect that makes the low-mids even more aggressive and rumbly, but it sacrifices a lot of the fidelity, which the Club One doesn’t do.

This is where the Club One really won me over. Its highs aren’t for everyone, but it possessed a lot of the crispness I like in my treble. The XM4 feels very limited in comparison, rolling off a lot of the higher frequencies. In effect, this subtracts from the fullness and height of the XM4, even when they can be boosted using EQ. In direct contrast, the Club One offers some nice detail and resonance for a sweeter timbre, but if you don’t like piercing treble you may prefer the XM4. 

There’s a clear distinction between what benefits you get in both headphoned. The XM4 will deliver more features and a much greater level of noise-canceling, while the Club One sports a bigger battery life and a much more playful sound signature. For some, the superior noise-canceling will be enough, but if you’re basing your purchase on sound quality, it’s the Club One for me. 

The Sony WH-1000XM4 and JBL Club One are available at Audio 46.

Also, check out our review on Strauss and Wagner’s noise-canceling headphones .

Discuss which headphones you prefer on our forums here .

Compare the ranking of various headphones, earbuds and in-ear monitors using our tools .

Discuss this, and much more, over on our forum .

Major HiFi Newsletter

Subscribe to get the latest headphones news and deals, as picked by our editors..

MajorHiFi Sponsors:

Find out how you can become a sponsor here

Popular Categories

• Reviews 1431
• Headphone Reviews 1429
• Latest News 1168
• Audiophile Reviews 534
• Featured Columns 357
• Wireless Headphone Reviews 347
• Privacy Policy
• Careers and Jobs

Sony WF-1000XM5 vs WF-1000XM4: Which ANC earbuds are best?

If you buy through a BGR link, we may earn an affiliate commission, helping support our expert product labs.

If you’ve ever tried Sony WF-1000XM4 or WF-1000XM5 wireless noise cancelling earbuds, you know that they’re among the best earbuds that have ever existed. It’s incredible that Sony managed to pack the best sound quality and the best ANC tech into these compact little earphones. The best comes at a price, though, and Sony’s WF-1000XM4’s flagship earbuds are fairly expensive at $200 or $300, depending on which model you get.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 have a $60 discount that keeps coming and going, or you can get them refurbished at Best Buy if Amazon’s sale ends. As for Apple’s ever-popular entry-level AirPods, you can pick up a pair for just $89 on Amazon if you catch them in stock.

Tech. Entertainment. Science. Your inbox.

Sign up for the most interesting tech & entertainment news out there.

By signing up, I agree to the Terms of Use and have reviewed the Privacy Notice.

Still, Sony’s ANC earbuds are widely considered to be the best of the best. If you’re willing to spend a little more money, you really consider spending a bit more to get the upgrade.

Just like the Sony WH-1000XM4 over-ear ANC headphones that were released a year earlier, Sony WF-1000XM4 noise cancelling earbuds somehow managed to improve upon the previous-generation model that was already staggeringly good.

Sony outclasses all of its rivals, according to so many reviewers and consumers.

Key improvements

WF-1000XM3 headphones were already impressive. With that in mind, it might be difficult for you to believe that Sony somehow managed to improve upon them. But we saw the same thing in 2020 with the company’s WH-1000XM4 over-ear headphones upgrade.

• An all-new design that’s 10% smaller
• Better sound quality with new custom 6mm drivers
• New Sony Integrated Processor V1
• DSEE Extreme engine
• New voice control features
• Wireless charging case
• IPX4 water resistance

The Sony WF-1000XM4 truly wireless noise cancelling earbuds have been hot sellers for months at Amazon. They retail for $278, but you can score a pair on sale for just $127.99 renewed now that the new model has been released.

Sony WF-1000XM5 are even better

Compared to the XM4 earbuds, Sony’s new WF-1000XM5 features even better noise cancelling tech, as well as improved sound quality and dramatically improved Passive Isolation. But the biggest improvement is perhaps the design, since the newer XM5 earbuds are so much more compact than the older WF-1000XM4 model. They also have a more comfortable fit.

The one change I don’t like very much on the WF-1000XM5 model is the switch to glossy plastic. The matte finish of the XM4 earbuds looks much better to me, especially in black. Thankfully, my XM5 buds are silver .

Overall, most people agree that the WF-1000XM5 earbuds look, feel, and sound better than the older model. Still, the XM5 model might be a tough sell when you can get WF-1000XM4 earbuds for much less right now. At least the Sony WF-1000XM5 are on sale at up to $50 off the retail price, so that helps make up some of the difference.

This article talks about:

Maren Estrada has been the Editor of BGR Deals since it launched in 2013. She has more than 20 years of experience testing more than 1,500 products, and reviewing a wide range of consumer electronics including mobile devices, smart home products, computers, and home appliances.

Previously, she was a leading consultant specializing in copywriting, product development, and new product launches.

• Best Apple Watch deals for April 2024
• iRobot has so many new models, but the Roomba s9+ is still my favorite
• Today's deals: $89 AirPods, 40% off Crest 3D Whitestrips, $249 iPad, $279 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 laptop, more

First alternative app store launches for iPhone users in Europe

Crazy demo shows how Vision Pro could revolutionize sports… if Apple fixes one big problem

Latest macOS Ventura update has been a nightmare for users with old Macs

Nothing Ear and Ear(a) event: How to watch and what to expect

Latest news.

New on Hulu: May 2024

Delta, the first iPhone game emulator worth downloading, is out now

Netflix Top 10: The most-watched shows in the world right now

iOS 18: Release date, AI, supported iPhones, and everything we know

Sign up for the most interesting tech & entertainment news out there.

Sony ULT Wear vs Sony WH-1000XM5: what are the differences between the two headphones?

We compare Sony's bassy new boys with the established premium Award-winners

Sony has recently announced a brand new ULT range of four new products, including a pair of portable Bluetooth speakers and a light-up, karaoke-ready tower speaker. The debutantes we're interested in here, though, are Sony's ULT Wear over-ear wireless headphones, a mid-range pair of noise-cancelling cans that could offer a cheaper alternative to the flagship Award-winning Sony WH-1000XM5 . 

There are key differences between the ULT Wear and the WH-1000XM5 headphones, and while we haven't had the sort of time with the new ULT Wear cans as we have with our Award-winning favourites, we have assessed what the new boys are bringing to the table compared with what we already know about the excellent premium class-leaders.

We'll need more time to rate and review the ULT Wear, and while the new headphones aren't cheap, they aren't a like-for-like rival for the premium Sony XM5 over-ears. We're not here to pick winners, but instead will lay out the differences and similarities between the two Sony models, and what you could be getting from the new bass-focused young guns when placed side-by-side with the established grandmasters.

• See more  Sony WH-1000XM5 FAQ answers, tips and tricks

Price & availability 

The new Sony ULT Wear sit within the market's mid-range, and while they're cheaper than the premium XM5, they'll set you back more than the more budget WH-CH720N (£99 / $129 / AU$259).

Priced at £180 / $200 / AU$440, the ULT Wear do push well beyond this more affordable over-ear ANC model, but they're nowhere near the premium outlay that you'll have to fork out for the WH-1000XM5 when the latter are charging their full, official fee of £380 / $399 / AU$550.

We'd caveat the above by stating that, while the figures above represent the XM5's official price tag, they do often fluctuate, especially during sales events, so can fall to the £279 / $300 mark if you're patient and on the lookout for a bargain.

Build & design 

Place the Sony ULT Wear headphones side-by-side with their more premium counterparts and you'd at least have to look for more than a few seconds before you confidently distinguish between the two samples. Visually, both pairs sport similar, if not identical DNA, with both showcasing that smooth, oval earcup shape, well-adorned padded headband and lightweight but sturdy construction that go into making Sony's headphones such a delight to live with. 

There are differences, of course. The WH-1000XM5 are a little sleeker and more up-market in their overall design, even if the ULT Wear don't appear to lag particularly far behind. The newer bass-focused headphones distinguish themselves via their large button on the left earcup which lets you toggle your preferred bass profile. There's also a moderately large Sony text logo on the upper corner of the headband which gleams thanks to its shiny lenticular font; you'll either find that to be a nice touch of visual flair or an unnecessary adornment that gives the ULT Wear cans a touch of unwanted gaudiness. It's a matter of taste, naturally.  

We haven't had the chance to adequately touch and hold both sets of cans at the same time to make a proper comparison, but we can tell you that both pairs of headphones feel satisfying in hand. The XM5's then-revamped "noiseless design" sets the standard, with a lightweight yet firm, flexible construction that hasn't let us down so far during comparative testing. With ABS sliders, swivelling earcups and comfortable memory foam in the centre of the headband, there aren't many finer-built over-ears at this level. 

Happily, the ULT Wear seem to have taken a leaf out of the XM5's pleasing playbook. The newer cans' headband is similarly plush and adorned with a decent amount of soft padding (as are the earpads), and they certainly felt secure and comfortable during the small amount of on-head time that we were granted during our hands-on demo. Similarly, the ULT Wear's headband extends easily via a sliding mechanism, while the smoothly swivelling hinges at the summit of each earcup ape the XM5 in all the best ways.

We don't know how comfortable the ULT Wear will be on a day-to-day basis, so we'll hedge our bets and simply tell you that they seem to have all of the right ingredients to imitate the might of the WH-1000XM5.

Features 

The premium Sony WH-1000XM5 are positively packed with high-performing features. Sony's DSEE Extreme engine upscales compressed music, while the cans' useful 'Speak to Chat' functionality allows for quick conversations as the headphones simply detect when you start talking, pause the music that's playing and drop you into ambient mode automatically. Other semi-exclusive features, such as on-head detection and Bluetooth Multipoint, serve to make the XM5 a well-rounded choice for any feature-hungry user.

Then there's the big stuff. Active noise cancelling is excellent, delivering what we described at the time as "the best in the business", and while the Bose QC Ultra Headphones are staking their claim for the crown, there's no denying how well Sony's Integrated V1 Processor works to block out noise in a natural, consistent manner. 30 hours of playback with ANC on or 40 with it off are solid numbers for battery life, with a ten-minute quick charge adding five hours of additional playback. Call quality is excellent thanks to the headphones' built-in beamforming mic, LDAC codec support for streaming hi-res files is a big plus, while the on-cup touch controls work as smoothly and naturally as you'd hope from the established brand.

The more affordable ULT Wear aren't quite as well stocked, but they're doing pretty well nonetheless. Battery life is the big standout, with a potential 50 hours from the cans if you've turned ANC off and a decent 30 hours if you decide to switch it on. On the subject of noise cancelling, while we didn't get that much time to dig deep into its ANC capabilities, our brief moments spent in its cocooning isolation were impressively serene. That's no surprise, as the ULT Wear share the same V1 Processor as the XM5 for handling the ANC technology capabilities, so we wouldn't be surprised if they were able to keep up with their most costly siblings when it comes to blocking out unwanted external sound.  

Bluetooth Multipoint is on board for switching between devices on the fly, while fast pair lets you connect to a compatible source quickly if you have an Android or Google device. Sony's LDAC Bluetooth codec is also on the menu here, which is a nice bonus for the ULT Wear's price point.

The big distinguishing factor comes in the shape of that shiny on-cup button, the one which allows you to toggle between the headphones' three audio modes on the fly: a standard non-boosted profile; the "power bass" mode for more bass attack; and "deep bass" for greater resonance from the lower frequencies. You can naturally adjust the EQ for both sets of headphones via the Sony Headphone Connect app, but only with the ULT Wear can you make such adjustments with the touch of a single button on the headphones themselves.

Sound 

Sound quality is what made us truly fall in love with the Sony WH-1000XM5. Detailed, musical and transparent enough to have a decent crack at practically any track or genre you care to dig out, the Sony XM5 fully deserved their 2023 What Hi-Fi? Award for their stellar audio performance. They're rhythmically superb, not to mention much more detailed and nuanced than the previous WH-1000XM4 , with an entertaining character that walks the line between sparky fun and genuine insight with the ease of a seasoned trapeze artist.

As we stated in our review, "there’s a real sense of drive and weight" to percussive hits when played through the XM5, but the five-star cans "also manage to keep edges clean and pristine which makes their rise and fall even more dynamic". From Billie Eilish to John Williams' Duel Of The Fates, Sony's premium performers absolutely have it covered.

How do the ULT Wear sound in comparison? We won't know fully until we get a sample in for review, but it's not likely to come down to a like-for-like comparison where we tell you which one offers an objectively "better" sound profile. These are two distinct pairs of headphones with different aims, audiences and price points, so assessing one as "better" than the other would come with too many obfuscating caveats.

What we will say is that during our brief hands-on window with the new headphones, we enjoyed our time with the ULT Wear cans. A Tidal recording of alt-J's In Cold Blood conjured a familiar Sony sense of cohesion and fullness across the sonic spectrum, with a musically engaging balance that didn't seem to stray too heavily into just focusing on nothing but bass, bass and more bass.

The bass modes certainly seemed to work as Sony promised they would. Flicking through each profile added weight at the lower end, with the punchier "attack bass" bringing in more impact and kick before the "deep bass" mode bolstered the lower end's swell with an emphasis on fullness and depth. Again, more time is needed to make a deeper assessment, but it's a solid start from where we're sitting.

Verdict 

The WH-1000XM5 flagship headphones are musically adept, wonderfully made and feature-laden Award-winners, setting the standard at their premium level and laying down a marker to which all similar products at their level should aspire. 

While the ULT Wear aren't at the same price level, we still have high hopes for Sony's latest headphones, especially as they appear to share much of the DNA – both visually and internally – as the class-leading XM5. We'd reiterate that this is not a cheese-and-cheese comparison, and that these really are two different pairs of headphones that hold different purposes, target demographics and RRPs, but if the ULT Wear can take some of the essential ingredients that make the XM5 so special and transpose them into a distinct new product with its own specific use case and a receptive, identifiable audience, Sony could well be on to another winner.

Read our hands-on review of the Sony ULT Wear

Read our original Sony WH-1000XM5

Here are the  best over-ear headphones  on the market 

Try out our 29 of the best tracks for testing bass in anticipation

Get the What Hi-Fi? Newsletter

The latest hi-fi, home cinema and tech news, reviews, buying advice and deals, direct to your inbox.

Harry McKerrell is a staff writer at What Hi-Fi?. He studied law and history at university before working as a freelance journalist covering TV and gaming for numerous platforms both online and in print. When not at work he can be found playing hockey, practising the piano or forcing himself to go long-distance running.

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

R&K Insider

Join our newsletter to get exclusives on where our correspondents travel, what they eat, where they stay. Free to sign up.

A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.

JBL Tour One

JBL Tour One M2

53 facts in comparison

JBL Tour One vs JBL Tour One M2

Why is jbl tour one better than jbl tour one m2.

• Has a 3.5mm male connector ?

Why is JBL Tour One M2 better than JBL Tour One?

• 0.3 newer Bluetooth version ? 5.3 vs 5
• Has a tangle free cable ?
• 5 hours longer battery life (ANC) ? 30 hours vs 25 hours

Which are the most popular comparisons?

Bose QuietComfort 45

Sony WH-XB910N

Bose QuietComfort SE

JBL Live 660 NC

JBL Club 950NC

Sony WH-1000XM4

Apple AirPods Max

Sony WH-1000XM5

JBL Live 770NC

Anker Soundcore Space Q45

Beats Studio Pro

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

JBL Tune 760NC

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

Cheap alternatives

Philips Fidelio L3

1More SonoFlow

Anker Soundcore Life Q35

Sony WH-1000XM2

Anker Soundcore Space One

User reviews

Overall rating.

Build quality

Sound quality

Value for money

Noise isolation

Good for a Single Device.

I have a pair of Sony WH-XB910N headphones which have really strong bass and the noise cancellation creates an annoying vacuum effect, but their sound quality is great. I wanted to try a different pair of headphones other than Sony, so seeing I had owned JBL headphones before, I decided to try their top-of-the-line model at that time, the JBL TOUR ONE. Honestly, they're very comfortable, lightweight, beautifully designed, and pretty to look at. All the necessities are included in its case. The only downside is the 2.5mm connector, which complicates things if you damage or lose the original one. But the point of these headphones is to use them wirelessly, so everything else is perfect. The sound quality is, in truth, really good, quite enough for me. I love the noise cancellation because it's not as aggressive as Sony's; that creates an annoying vacuum effect, whereas with JBL you barely notice it—it's perfect. Of course, compared to Sony, they don't cancel out as much outdoor noise, but the price for Sony's noise cancellation is this annoying hum in my ears. Regarding connectivity, this is a slightly weak point, as it theoretically can connect to two devices at the same time, and it does, but the transition between devices isn't the best. When compared to Sony, JBL lags behind. The Sony headphones switch from device to device seamlessly and without delays, whereas sometimes the JBL doesn't switch rapidly or at all. Sometimes, on startup, I have to re-pair them with the devices because it seems like it doesn't register them, especially when trying to connect to two devices simultaneously. However, when you use it with just a single device, it works perfectly. So if you want to use it exclusively with two devices, I wouldn't recommend it. It has a 50-hour battery life, which is massive and it fully charges in just two hours. It comes with a JBL app to customize equalizer settings according to your preference and it has other features too.

9 months ago

MDG REVIEW JBL TOUR ONE

mijn review was verwijderd mijn oprechte excuses

• lange batterij duur
• goed geluid
• zit heel fijn over je oren
• talk treu is heel fijn voor gesprekken als u nogsteeds muziek wilt luisteren
• control panel op de koptelefoon werkt perfect
• noice canceling werkt alleen als je de koptelefoon op max volume zet
• krijgt snel krassen en breuken
• kan alleen gebruiken met meegegeven lader ander krijgt u problemen

6 months ago

Die sind besser als AirPods weil Kristall Sound

Und du bekommst 3d Sound bekommt und die füllen und sind hochwertig des wegen

Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value. (JBL Tour One)

Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value. (JBL Tour One M2)

Connectivity

Wireless & wired

Miscellaneous

Which are the best headphones.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

Sony WH-1000XM3

Bowers & Wilkins Px8

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal