At a Glance
- JLab launches JBuds Open Headphones at $99 with fully removable grilles
- Dual 35 mm + 12 mm drivers deliver bigger soundstage than open earbuds
- 24-hour battery trails ANC rivals from Bose and Nothing
- Why it matters: cheapest over-ear open design for riders and commuters who need situational awareness
JLab is adding an over-ear option to the open-ear audio category dominated by earbuds. The JBuds Open Headphones cost $99 and let users twist off the ear-cup grilles for maximum ambient sound.
How Open-Back Works
Traditional open-back models use a perforated grille to leak outside noise in and widen the stereo image. JLab goes further: the entire grille pops out, turning the cans into near-transparent monitors. With the grille gone, city traffic, subway announcements and conversation come through almost unfiltered.
Sound Quality vs. Earbuds
Bigger drivers pay dividends. Each cup packs a 35 mm main driver and a 12 mm coaxial tweeter, a combination the reviewer calls the most nuanced he has heard in any open-ear product. Bass response on Daft Punk’s Da Funk impressed, and rock tracks retained mid- and high-frequency detail that smaller earbuds often smooth over.
Loud-Environment Limits
Open design has a downside. On Manhattan sidewalks the JBuds were easier to drown out than Bose Ultra Open Earbuds or Soundpeats Clip1. Underground, subway roar occasionally swallowed playback entirely. The reviewer blames the larger distance between driver and ear canal.
Call Quality Surprise
Voice calls, a weak spot for some open earbuds, came through clearly. A caller described the headset mic as distant yet completely intelligible-better reports than the reviewer received when using Bose’s open buds.
Comfort & Weight
With the grilles removed the headset feels “barely noticeable,” thanks to generous cut-outs that leave ears almost entirely unobstructed. Cushy pads and a light clamp make multi-hour wear feasible.
Features and Battery
The JLab app supplies an EQ, music/movie modes and custom button mapping. There is no noise cancellation, and battery life is rated at 24 hours-short of the 30 hours Bose achieves with ANC engaged or the 35 hours Nothing promises on its Headphone 1.
Build and Price
Plastic construction keeps cost down. A travel pouch ships in the box, and physical buttons handle volume and power. The finish does not feel premium, yet at $99 the set undercuts most open-ear competition.
Who Should Buy
Riders, runners and office workers who favor over-ear comfort and want full awareness will appreciate the removable grilles. Commuters who frequently ride loud trains may be happier with open earbuds that sit closer to the ear canal and attenuate more noise when needed.
Key Takeaways
- JLab’s first open-back cans cost just $99 and outclass earbuds on soundstage
- Removable grilles deliver the most ambient awareness of any tested over-ear model
- 24-hour battery and plastic build trail pricier rivals but keep the price accessible
