JBL Sense Pro

Hardware & design

Visually and haptically, the JBL Sense Pro impress right out of the box. The ear hooks are coated in soft silicone and wrap comfortably around the ear, with the rear battery module providing good balance. Each earbud weighs about 11.6 grams, so they feel light enough in daily use.

However, the memory-metal wire lacks rigidity, causing the 16.2 mm drivers to wobble slightly in front of the ear canal. Adjusting the angle often leads to accidental touches on the metallic control surface, which responds far too sensitively.

The large charging case feels robust in hand and supports both USB-C (no cable supplied) and wireless Qi charging. Battery life reaches 8 hours per charge or 38 hours with the case, which is solid though not outstanding. A 10-minute quick charge delivers about 4 additional hours of playback.

The JBL Sense Pro are rated IP54, offering sufficient protection against rain, dust, and sweat — making them suitable for sports or outdoor use. One notable drawback: the retail packaging still contains too much plastic.

JBL Sense Pro: Specs at a Glance

• Design – Open-ear / True wireless
• Driver size – 16.2 mm dynamic
• Frequency response – 20 Hz – 40 kHz
• Impedance – 32 Ω
• Sensitivity – 90 dB SPL
• Bluetooth version – 6.0
• Codecs – SBC, LDAC
• Profiles – A2DP 1.3.2, AVRCP 1.6.3, HFP 1.9
• Battery life – 8 h + 38 h (with case)
• Charging – USB-C & Qi wireless
• Protection – IP54 (earbuds)
• Weight – 11.6 g per bud, 72 g case
• Colours – Grey, Blue, Black, Purple, White

Features & app integration

Through the JBL Headphones app, the JBL Sense Pro offer wide-ranging control and personalisation options. Touch gestures can be assigned by function blocks — for instance, playback controls on one ear and volume on the other — though this feels restrictive and unintuitive. Because the surfaces are so sensitive, disabling single-tap gestures is advisable to avoid mis-inputs.

A low-latency video mode helps sync audio with games and videos. The EQ section includes six presets and a fully adjustable 10-band equaliser for custom tuning. Spatial Audio can be toggled on demand, widening the soundstage.

With Personi-Fi, JBL offers hearing-based fine-tuning through a short listening test that creates a tailored EQ curve. Additional controls include stereo-balance adjustment, voice tone options for calls, relaxation soundscapes, a sleep timer, Find-My-Earbuds, and firmware updates. The app feels polished and comprehensive overall.

Sound performance

Sonically, the JBL Sense Pro deliver a lively and engaging presentation with a tight blend of bass, mids, and highs. Bass reproduction is punchy yet balanced, while the midrange remains open and detailed. The treble adds clarity without fatigue, resulting in a pleasant, natural listening experience — especially in quiet environments.

Like all open-ear designs, they lose some low-end presence in noisy surroundings, but in quieter settings the sound feels refreshingly open and organic. Spatial Audio further enhances this effect, expanding the stage and giving music, such as David Gilmour’s new live album, extra width and presence. Electronic tracks carry satisfying low-end weight, and acoustic recordings sound crisp and intimate.

Four microphones handle calls well, supported by effective noise suppression. Voices are transmitted clearly even beside traffic — though the wearer hears little of their own surroundings during the call.

Conclusion

The JBL Sense Pro deliver confident, full-bodied sound and extensive functionality, from Spatial Audio and Auracast to EQ tuning and hearing-based optimisation. Their natural, open presentation makes them a joy to listen to — when the environment allows.

However, the overly flexible hooks and hypersensitive touch panels detract from an otherwise excellent design. As it stands, the Sense Pro sit among the best open-ear models available, but not quite at the very top.