JBL has just announced its latest flagship headphones at CES 2025, the JBL Tour One M3, and they come with a pretty exciting bonus: a smart transmitter. These over-ear headphones are packed with features designed to make listening more enjoyable and flexible, whether you're an audiophile or just someone who loves their music on the go. Set to launch on April 13, 2025, they’ll be available for $399.95 in three sleek colors: Black, Mocha, and Blue.

What’s the deal with the JBL SMART Tx transmitter? This little device is like a bridge between your headphones and older devices that don’t have Bluetooth. Think in-flight entertainment systems or older TVs. You just connect the transmitter to the audio source using USB-C or a good old analog input, and voilà—you’re listening wirelessly.

But the transmitter has another trick up its sleeve: Auracast broadcasting. This lets you share your audio with other Auracast-enabled headphones or earbuds. Imagine watching a movie on your laptop and letting your friends listen in with their own headphones—no extra cables needed. Plus, the transmitter even has a touchscreen for easy control over playback, EQ settings, and calls. It’s not just handy; it’s a really smart addition for those who juggle multiple devices.

The JBL Tour One M3 headphones bring some serious sound quality to the table. They’re built around 40mm mica dome drivers that deliver clear highs, balanced mids, and punchy bass. Want to tweak the sound? The JBL Personi-Fi 3.0 feature lets you do just that. Through a quick hearing test in the JBL Headphones app, you can create a custom sound profile that’s perfectly tuned to your ears. There’s even a 12-band EQ and separate left/right balance options for fine-tuning.

If you’re into immersive audio, these headphones have you covered with JBL Spatial Sound and head tracking. It’s designed to make movies, games, and music feel more dynamic by adjusting the audio as you move your head.

Noise cancelling is one of the biggest draws for over-ear headphones, and JBL has stepped it up with True Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0. The system uses eight microphones to analyze and adjust to your surroundings in real time. Whether you’re on a busy train or in a quiet office, it adapts to keep unwanted noise out.

There are also customizable Ambient Aware and TalkThru modes. These let you choose how much outside noise you let in, which is great when you need to hear announcements or have a quick conversation without taking the headphones off.

For calls, JBL didn’t skimp. Four of those microphones focus on voice clarity, using beamforming technology and AI to make sure you’re heard, even in noisy environments. Bonus: they’re Zoom-certified when connected via a cable, making them a solid pick for work meetings.

Battery life is often a dealbreaker with wireless headphones, but JBL claims the Tour One M3 can run for up to 70 hours on a single charge. And if you’re in a hurry, a quick five-minute charge gives you five hours of playback—perfect for last-minute prep before heading out.

Connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 5.3, which supports hi-res audio streaming at up to 24-bit/96kHz. For those who prefer wired listening or need lossless audio, the built-in DAC works via USB-C. JBL includes cables for both USB-C-to-USB-C and USB-C-to-3.5mm connections in the box, so you’re ready for just about any setup.

The JBL Tour One M3 will be available in Black, Mocha, and Blue color options. The design maintains JBL’s signature sleek and professional look, making it suitable for a variety of settings, whether at home, in the office, or on the go. As the April 13 launch approaches, potential buyers will have to decide if the combination of premium headphones and a smart transmitter justifies the $399.95 price tag.

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