JBL: Open-ear headphones, Dolby Atmos and "authentic retro speakers" with 270 watts

The Digitec and Galaxus editorial team will be reporting on site from IFA 2023 in Berlin. You can find all the news and background information published so far in our overview:

JBL welcomes me not to the exhibition centre, but to the Kant Garages in Berlin. A location with a long tradition in Berlin. It will soon be 100 years old and was the first multi-storey car park in the city. There was also a lot of talk about tradition at the JBL product show. It's not just the moment that counts, but also how you got there. These thoughts were the basis behind the retro design of the new "Authentics" speaker series, as JBL let me know. The star of the evening pretty much stole the show from the other new products. Nevertheless, I briefly tried out all the devices.

"Authentics": JBL wants to offer high-end

The "Authentics" are multi-room speakers wrapped in leather and equipped with a so-called "Quadrex" speaker grille. The design idea was borrowed from a "speaker granddaddy", the JBL L100. One of JBL's original speakers, which came onto the market over 50 years ago.

However, the tradition is limited to the design. The technology is up to date. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled speakers support both Amazon's Alexa and the Google Assistant. A first in the industry. The target group is the "streaming generation". You can use Apple's AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Chromecast built-in and Alexa Multi-Room Music. The setup and complete control takes place in the JBL One app - including a personalisable equaliser.

The flagship model, the JBL Authentics 500 Smart Speaker, also features Dolby Atmos support for immersive listening. The 3.1 system has a total output power of 270 watts. Inside you will find three 1-inch tweeters, three 2.75-inch mid-woofers and a 6.5-inch down-firing subwoofer.

"Down-firing" means that the subwoofer is installed at the bottom of the speaker, i.e. on the surface on which you place it. The Authentics 500 costs 639.90 francs or 629.99 euros and will be available from 15 September.

The "middle" speaker is the Authentics 300. Unlike its big brother, which is intended for stationary use, it contains a rechargeable battery. This lasts for up to eight hours - although I don't yet know whether you'll be able to enjoy a full eight hours of sound. Inside, JBL has installed a passive six-inch bass radiator. This is also "down-firing".

In addition, you would find a five-inch woofer and two one-inch tweeters when you unscrew it. The 300 costs 439.90 francs or 429.99 euros. This will also be available from 15 September.

"Authentics 200" is the smallest of the three speakers. It has the same features (apart from Dolby Atmos, which is reserved for the 500). Here, JBL has installed a one-inch tweeter, a five-inch woofer and a passive bass radiator (six inches). The Authentics 200 costs 329.90 francs or 329.99 euros.

JBL also emphasises sustainability in this context. All three speakers are made from 100 per cent recycled material - fabric, plastic and aluminium.

First impression: further developed in terms of sound technology

The test opportunity was limited to an almost half-minute sound demo. So I can't offer you a detailed analysis. However, after the short test listening, I already have the feeling that JBL wants to achieve more balance with these speakers. A more rounded sound. Otherwise, the company is known for a young, bass-heavy sound signature. I'm curious to see how the two smaller speakers will perform outdoors. I haven't heard anything about IP(X) certification.

Far away...

The subtitle doesn't do the devices justice, but the "Authentics" actually stole the show from the other new devices.

JBL Soundgear Sense

These are open-ear headphones, such as the OpenRock that I tested here.

In case you don't know what open-ear is, the advantage of this design is that you are aware of your surroundings while listening to music. In addition, the "speaker" is located in front of the ear and does not have to be inserted into the ear canal - this should increase wearing comfort and relieve your hearing.

JBL installs a 16.2 millimetre wide driver and four microphones for telephony in each headphone. According to the manufacturer, the battery lasts for six hours - but you can charge it three more times with the charging cradle. In the end, it should last 24 hours. It also supports fast charging. 15 minutes of charging time should be enough for four hours of additional music enjoyment.

I find the "do it yourself" aspect of the headphones particularly interesting. In addition to the adjustable headband on the headphones themselves, JBL also includes a neckband. This is designed to ensure that the headphones hold better on your ear. To do this, you insert the ends of the headband into the openings provided on the earcups. It took me a moment to get this right. If the earpiece doesn't sit deep enough in the opening, it will fall out again when you try to put it on. Not for a gross motorist like me.

Thanks to external help, the Soundgear Sense still sits on my head. Unfortunately, I can't say much about the sound at the moment. It was very loud in the JBL showroom - not ideal conditions for listening to music with open-ear headphones. I wasn't allowed to take them outside - despite the splash protection (IP54)

The Soundgear Sense will be available in black or white in September and cost 159.90 francs or 149.99 euros.

The party goes on

After the keynote, JBL hosted a party. The star guest was the Partybox Ultimate. It is bigger, better and louder than its predecessor. The party box weighs almost 40 kilos (no, I didn't lift it), measures 45.5 x 104.9 x 44 centimetres and has an output of 1100 watts.

Inside the brightly lit and flashing loudspeaker you will find two 24.2-centimetre subwoofers, two 12-centimetre mid-range speakers and two 7.4-centimetre tweeters. Who says gigantism is dead?

Network technology also finds its way into the Partybox series: I discover Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 and a 3.5 millimetre jack port on the back. There is also a connection for microphones and electric guitars.

To control and level everything, JBL has installed a comprehensive control interface on the surface - where you can also control the RGB LEDs. You can choose to simulate effects such as strobe lighting and starry skies - or have the LEDs flash to the beat of the music.

Although the party with the speaker was cool, I get the impression that JBL is simply trying to flex its muscles here. The JBL Partybox Ultimate is probably not made for people with rented flats - like me.

For everyone else, the speaker will be available from September for 1599 francs or 1499 euros.

JBL Live 760NC/770 NC - the headphone twins?

On the sidelines of the event (both literally and figuratively), JBL introduced me to the new over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation. They look very similar at first glance. A glance at the feature list also confirms this impression.

Bluetooth 5.3 with LE support (Low Energy)
Active noise cancelling
JBL Spatial Sound
50 hours of battery life (65 hours with ANC switched off)
Quick charge function (five minutes of charging for four hours of battery life)
Multi-point connection for seamless transition across multiple devices

The companion app with equaliser and the 40 millimetre drivers are also identical. The big difference between the Live 770NC and the Live 660NC is how they sit on your ears. In my brief fitting, I notice that the Live 670NC has a much more compact on-ear feel, while the Live 770NC has an over-ear design with large oval ear cups that should help with noise cancellation. Ultimately, this is a matter of taste - I personally prefer the 770NC, which is less restrictive

Both will be available from 1 September in black, white, blue and sandstone. The Live 670NC costs 139.90 francs or 129.99 euros. The Live 770NC will cost you 189.90 francs or 179.99 euros.