JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx / Apple AirPods (3rd generation)

JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx: JBLTOM3AVIBLKAM · black headphones with Smart Tx transmitter bundle

Apple AirPods (3rd generation): AirPods (3rd generation) launched in 2021 with the MagSafe Charging Case; from 2022 a version with the Lightning Charging Case was also sold. The earbuds are the same with either case. AirPods 4, AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro are separate models.

SpecificationJBL Tour One M3 Smart TxApple AirPods (3rd generation)
Release year20252021
Driver40 mm dynamic, mica dome JBL—
WeightHeadphones 278 g; transmitter 34.5 g JBL—
Headphone battery850 mAh, 3.85 V JBL—
Transmitter battery550 mAh, 3.85 V JBL—
Music playbackUp to 70 hours ANC off; 40 hours ANC on

Manufacturer test figures; volume, codec and features affect runtime.

JBL
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Transmitter runtimeUp to 18 hours JBL—
ChargingAround 2 hours empty to full; 5 V/1 A input JBL—
Noise controlTrue Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0; Ambient Aware and TalkThru JBL—
Audio connectionsBluetooth, USB-C digital and 3.5 mm analog source JBL—
CodecsSBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC; depends on source and connection mode JBL—
MultipointTwo simultaneous Bluetooth device connections JBL—
LE AudioUpdate 4.2.0 adds LE Audio Unicast support. JBL—
Bluetooth version contextLaunch sheet: 5.3; 4.2.0 notes report a profile update to 6.0.

The firmware note does not imply replacement radio hardware.

JBL
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Transmitter sharingAuracast; 3.9.0 adds standalone transmission to non-Auracast Bluetooth headphones JBL—
Sound tuning12-band EQ; Personi-Fi 3.0; left/right balance JBL—
Spatial audioJBL Spatial 360 and head tracking JBL—
MicrophonesFour beamforming call microphones JBL—
In the boxSmart Tx, carrying case, USB-C/USB-C and USB-C/3.5 mm cables, USB-A adapter JBL—
Design and fit—Open-fit in-ear design without silicone tips; short stem

Because the earbud does not seal the canal, ambient sound is heard; fit depends on ear shape and there are no interchangeable tips.

Apple
Audio technology—Custom high-excursion Apple driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ

Adaptive EQ measures what is heard in the ear with the inward-facing microphone and adjusts the tuning to the fit in real time. Head tracking anchors sound to the Apple device’s screen. There is no active noise cancellation or transparency mode.

Apple
Chip and connectivity—H1 headphone chip; Bluetooth 5.0

Automatic device switching, “Hey Siri” and one-tap pairing work with Apple devices.

Apple
Sensors and microphones—Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone, skin-detect sensor, motion and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor

The skin-detect sensor pauses playback when an earbud is removed.

Apple
Controls—Press the stem once to play/pause or answer a call; twice to skip forward or end a call; three times to skip back; press and hold for Siri

There is no on-bud volume control.

Apple
Battery—Up to 6 hours of listening per charge (5 hours with Personalised Spatial Audio on); up to 30 hours with the case; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour of listening Apple
Charging case—MagSafe Charging Case (MagSafe, Qi and Lightning) or Lightning Charging Case

The included cable is Lightning to USB-C; there is no adapter.

Apple
Sweat and water resistance—IPX4: earbuds and charging case

IPX4 protects against splashes; it is not for submersion.

Apple
Size and weight—Earbud (each): 30.79 × 18.26 × 19.21 mm, 4.28 g; case: 46.40 × 54.40 × 21.38 mm, 37.91 g Apple