With the Soundgear Sense, manufacturer JBL had a real innovation in tow at IFA 2023, because unlike in-ear headphones, the new model takes up space in front of the ears and is thus supposed to offer an airiness that bypasses the classic compartmentalization of in-ears. How good the headphones sound and whether a purchase is worthwhile, clarifies our JBL Soundgear Sense Test.
Technical data
| Product | JBL Soundgear Sense |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz |
| Maximum operating range | 12m (without obstacle) |
| Battery life | Up to 6hrs; up to 24hrs with charging neuti (varies depending on volume level and audio content) |
| Charge Time | 2 hours (for charging case + headphones via USB-C) |
| Size charging case (W x H x D) | 113 mm x 55.0 mm x 12.8 mm |
| Weight | 12.9 per earbud; 70 g charging case & earpiece |
| Scope of delivery | Earbud; charging case; USB-A to USB-C cable; neck strap; instructions |
| price | € 149.99 * |
JBL Soundgear Sense review: design and workmanship
- Comparatively large (earphones and case)
- Impeccable build quality
Due to the form and function of the JBL Soundgear Sense, the open-ear headphones naturally turn out larger than you’re used to with in-ear models or Earbuds. The pure headphone unit measures 33 mm x 18 mm 12 mm (width x height x depth), but then there is also the bracket that holds the model to the ear. One of the earphones weighs about 13 grams.
In terms of design, the manufacturer relies on a simple black (or alternatively white) appearance. The anodized, matte finish is comparatively insensitive to fingerprints, which I like very much.
Only the JBL logo on the front is glossy. There is also the status LED, which informs about Bluetooth pairing and connection or charging status, for example. The speaker can be seen on the back, behind which a large, white L or R is recognizable – this ensures that the sides are not swapped.
Two gold-plated contacts magnetically hold the earphones in the charging case. Since The JBL Soundgear Sense naturally do not take up space in the ear, there is a bracket on both earphones. This can be adjusted in three stages to achieve the best possible wearing comfort (more on that later).
If you like, you can also optionally use a neckband, which is included in the scope of delivery. For this, the temples are simply inserted into the neckband. Although this doesn’t offer any physical fastening, the connection feels pleasantly firm, so that everything holds securely even during fast movements.
However, not only the headphones, but also the charging case turns out comparatively large. With a width of around 113 mm, a height of 55 mm and a depth of 12.8 mm, it only fits into a trouser pocket to a limited extent – especially when it also contains the smartphone as a player.
Not tragic, but you should know that. In any case, there is nothing to complain about in terms of workmanship. This is impeccable.
Comfort of the JBL Soundgear Sense
- Surprisingly high wearing comfort
- Probably suitable for medium-sized ears at most
Since the ears remain free when using the JBL Soundgear Sense, the wearing comfort should actually be convincing, right? At least, if the ear hook is comfortable. The positioning of the earphones is done with the aforementioned bracket, which should ideally be set to the widest possible opening for this.
Then the bracket can be placed behind the ear, whereupon the sound unit is turned in slightly. Depending on the shape of the ear, the size setting can then be adjusted again to ensure the best possible fit.
This naturally takes a few more seconds than inserting in-ears, but is similarly quick after a few tries.
There are also positive things to report in terms of wearing comfort. Small and medium-sized ears do not feel any pressure even during longer use – which is quite surprising, since the earpiece does not have any padding.
Still, I found the wearing comfort to be very good, although a bit unusual at first. Listening to music for several hours was no problem in the JBL Soundgear Sense test. Nothing pressed here, though I could imagine that this might be different for larger ears.
The earpiece also allows for a fairly tight fit, so the earphones do not slip even during quick movements. I like it very much.
Battery life of up to 24 hours
- Very good battery life of up to 6 + 18 hours
- Practical fast charging function
With up to 24 hours of battery life in conjunction with the charging case, the battery life is also on a very good level. Up to six hours are allotted to the earphones themselves, whereby we measured a runtime of around five and a half hours at around 80 percent volume.
Charging is also comparatively fast. While a complete charging process of earphones and case takes around two hours, the quick charging function provides juice for four hours of music playback in just 15 minutes in the charging case.
Features of the JBL Soundgear Sense
- Convincing features
- Modern Bluetooth 5.3
- Multipoint and mono mode
- No ANC
So far, things are looking very positive for the JBL Soundgear Sense. And the equipment also underlines the previous impression. Offered is almost everything you would expect from a high-end headphone.
The earphones use the modern Bluetooth 5.3 standard and achieve an impeccable range. Bluetooth Multipoint is also included, which allows connecting the headphones to two audio sources at the same time. It is also possible to use a single earphone in mono mode.
What’s not there, however, is active noise cancellation – that simply wouldn’t work due to the design – and wear detection is also conspicuous by its absence.
Via Fast Pair, the Soundgear Sense are instantly recognized by Android devices and a notebook or PC as soon as they are turned on and can be connected at the touch of a button. IP54 certification for protection against water and dust is also included.
Operation
- Precise touch control
The operation is done via the touch-sensitive outer sides of the ear cups and works flawlessly in most cases. By default, the left side is responsible for volume control, while we control playback on the right earpiece.
Commands are divided into single, double and triple taps, as well as keeping the touch surface pressed. The differentiation of the individual commands worked flawlessly for the most part.
If you like, you can also swap the pages within the companion app, but a further adjustment of the operation is unfortunately not possible. Inputs are always confirmed by a short beep, which is only heard when there is no playback.
However, since there is no need to switch between ANC, transparency and normal modes here, for example, operation is significantly less complex than in the case of the Sony WF-1000XM5 (our review), for example – accordingly, we don’t miss any swipe gestures or the like here.
Playback and microphone quality
- Very good, detailed sound
- Surprisingly little sound leakage despite open design
- Large drivers
Earphones with an open design often have a problem: since there is no physical seal here, there can always be some sound loss. Fortunately, this is hardly the case with the JBL Soundgear Sense.
This is made possible by the manufacturer’s innovative OpenSound technology, which is supposed to realize a natural sound with almost no noise leakage. JBL itself describes the technology as follows:
“Thanks to this innovation, the sound pressure is directed by waves in the direction of your ears, while at the same time a compensation signal reduces sound propagation.”
In practice, the result is quite impressive and is clearly above anything I have seen so far in the field of open-ear headphones. The sound is rich, full-bodied, detailed and hardly lacks bass.
Provided, of course, that the fit is right. Unlike in-ears, millimeters in the positioning already have an enormous impact on the sound. The maximum volume is also significantly influenced by the positioning – in my opinion, this is also at a very good level.
In terms of sound, the Soundgear Sense use 16.2 mm drivers, which are significantly larger than anything else found in the in-ear sector. However, this is also necessary due to the design. The sound that comes out of the earphones is really very good.
Trebles are clear, detailed and have a pleasant airiness to them, while mids are on a wide stage and bass comes across comparatively rich as well.
Here, the JBL earphones can definitely compete with upper mid-range in-ears in terms of detail. However, some of the best in-ear headphones sound much better and more detailed – but the result is still more than respectable.
Unfortunately, high-resolution Bluetooth codes are not included. In return, however, there is the option within the companion app to not only adjust the equalizer, but also to switch between two modes (audio – for better sound and video – for lower latency).
Soundgear Sense microphone quality
- Very good microphone quality
JBL donates a total of four microphones to the Soundgear Sense, promising crisp, clearly intelligible calls. And indeed, this is not too much of an exaggeration: The microphone quality is simply outstanding.
In fact, the headphones reproduce one’s own voice clearly and with a first-rate dynamic range, which is clearly superior even to significantly more expensive in-ear headphones – as the comparison with the Sony in-ears also shows. Means: For calls, video calls and the like, the JBL Soundgear Sense are perfectly suitable.
JBL Soundgear Sense:
Sony WF-1000XM5:
Sony LinkBuds S:
App connectivity: JBL Headphones
- Overwhelming app
- Convincing scope
JBL’s headphone companion app comes up with a tidy interface and convincing scope of functions. It informs about the battery status of the earphones and case and offers the possibility to import firmware updates, there are a total of five equalizer presets to choose from, which cover different nuances in terms of sound.
It is also possible to create your own EQ profiles. In addition, the touch controls for both sides can be swapped or completely disabled. If you like, you can also adjust the balance between left and right earphones or limit the maximum volume.
The “Find my earphones” menu item is quite handy, but it only works if the JBL Soundgear Sense have been moved around the house without a case. Because here there is no GPS tracking, instead only a (very loud) beep is played.
JBL Soundgear Sense review: conclusion
The JBL Soundgear Sense Sense actually surprised me positively in the test, because especially in terms of sound, the open-ear headphones are clearly above everything I have heard in this area so far.
JBL’s innovative technology actually manages to deliver a rich, detailed and even bass-rich sound that does not lose too much. However, depending on the playback volume, you can still hear some of the surroundings.
I find the wearing comfort very pleasant, but I can well imagine that it might pinch big ears at some point. In addition, there is an excellent battery life and excellent microphone quality.
I would still prefer in-ear headphones, since I want the best possible sound and active noise cancellation is very important for me. However, if you can do without it, the JBL Soundgear Sense are a very good alternative that are well worth a look.
JBL Soundgear Sense
Workmanship
Comfort
Sound quality
Recording quality
Features
Value for money
90/100
Airy earphones in an open design that score with surprisingly strong sound and convincing comfort at a fair price.
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