The JBL Soundgear Frames Round - Onyx is a unique and innovative product in JBL's lineup, blending the functionality of wireless audio with the convenience and style of eyewear. These smart audio glasses are designed to deliver personalized audio while keeping your hands free, allowing you to enjoy music, calls, and notifications without the need for traditional earbuds or headphones.
Here's a detailed look at the JBL Soundgear Frames Round - Onyx:
Key Features:
1. Sound Quality:
- The JBL Soundgear Frames are equipped with immersive JBL audio technology, designed to provide a clear, open sound experience. The audio is projected toward your ears using spatial audio technology, delivering a personal soundstage without needing earbuds.
- While the sound may not be as deep and bass-heavy as traditional headphones or over-ear models, it’s more than sufficient for casual listening, podcasts, and calls, providing clear mids and treble with some low-end support.
2. Open-Ear Design:
- One of the standout features of the Soundgear Frames is their open-ear design. The audio is played directly from the frame of the glasses near your ears but doesn't block the ear canal, which means you can still hear your surroundings.
- This makes the Soundgear Frames ideal for people who need to stay aware of their environment, such as cyclists, runners, or pedestrians, while still enjoying music or taking calls.
3. Stylish and Comfortable Design:
- The Round - Onyx variant features a sleek, round-frame design that offers a modern, fashionable look. It’s designed to look like a regular pair of eyeglasses, which is a major selling point for those who want to enjoy music and audio discreetly while looking stylish.
- The glasses are lightweight and comfortable, making them suitable for all-day wear. The Onyx color is a classic black, versatile and appealing for most fashion tastes.
4. Bluetooth Connectivity:
- The Soundgear Frames Round connect wirelessly to your devices via Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring a stable and efficient connection with your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
- This allows you to easily stream music, answer calls, or access voice assistants from your device without needing to use traditional wired headphones or earbuds.
5. Hands-Free Calling and Voice Assistant Support:
- The built-in microphone allows you to take hands-free calls, making the Soundgear Frames a great option for those who need to stay connected while on the move.
- The frames are also compatible with voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant, letting you make voice commands, get directions, or control music without needing to take your phone out of your pocket or bag.
6. Battery Life:
- The Soundgear Frames Round - Onyx offer up to 5 hours of playback on a full charge. This is sufficient for a few hours of music or calls, but you might need to recharge them for extended use.
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Charging is done via a USB-C port, and the glasses come with a compact charging case for convenient storage and recharging.
7. IPX4 Water Resistance:
- The JBL Soundgear Frames Round feature an IPX4 water resistance rating, which means they are resistant to sweat and light splashes. This makes them suitable for outdoor use, running, and exercise, though they are not designed for heavy rain or submersion in water.
8. Touch Controls:
- The Soundgear Frames come with touch-sensitive controls on the temples, allowing you to adjust the volume, skip tracks, or answer calls with a simple tap or swipe. This intuitive interface eliminates the need for physical buttons and provides a more seamless user experience.
9. Compact and Portable:
- The compact design of the Soundgear Frames makes them easy to carry in your pocket or bag when not in use. The included charging case adds an extra layer of convenience, ensuring that you can easily store and charge the glasses while on the go.
Performance:
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Sound Quality: While the JBL Soundgear Frames Round are not designed for deep bass or extreme volume, they deliver clear and satisfying audio for everyday use. The open-ear design ensures that you're still aware of your surroundings while listening to music, which is a big plus for safety-conscious users. The sound quality is best suited for casual listening, calls, podcasts, and audiobooks.
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Comfort and Wearability: The glasses are designed for long-lasting comfort, with a lightweight and ergonomic design. The Onyx round-frame style is both stylish and comfortable, suitable for all-day wear. Whether you’re heading out for a walk, a workout, or running errands, these glasses are discreet and comfortable enough to be worn for extended periods.
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Battery Life: The 5-hour battery life is decent for a pair of smart audio glasses, though not as long as traditional over-ear headphones. However, with a charging case and the ability to recharge on the go, it provides enough battery for typical daily activities. The USB-C charging also ensures that you can quickly top off the battery during short breaks.
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Water Resistance: The IPX4 rating ensures the frames are resistant to sweat and light splashes, making them ideal for workouts, light outdoor activities, or rainy days. However, they are not fully waterproof, so avoid exposing them to heavy rain or submerging them in water.
Ideal Use Cases:
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Casual Listening: The Soundgear Frames are perfect for those who want to enjoy music, podcasts, or audiobooks while still being aware of their surroundings. Whether you're commuting, walking, or simply relaxing at home, these smart glasses are a great choice for an unobtrusive listening experience.
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Outdoor Activities: The open-ear design and IPX4 water resistance make the Soundgear Frames great for light outdoor activities like running, cycling, or walking. You can stay connected to your music or take calls without losing track of your environment, which is especially useful for activities that require situational awareness.
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Work Calls and Voice Assistant Tasks: The built-in microphone and hands-free calling capability make the Soundgear Frames ideal for work calls, virtual meetings, or running errands while staying connected. The integration of voice assistants also allows you to get tasks done without touching your phone.
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Fashion and Style: If you’re someone who values both style and audio quality, the round-frame design of the Soundgear Frames offers a sleek, modern look. You can seamlessly integrate audio functionality into your everyday fashion, making them an attractive option for both work and leisure.
Verdict:
The JBL Soundgear Frames Round - Onyx represent an exciting step in wearable technology, offering a unique combination of audio functionality and fashion. These smart glasses deliver decent sound quality for casual listening, hands-free calls, and voice assistant tasks, all while allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings.
Their stylish design, open-ear comfort, water resistance, and wireless convenience make them a great choice for people looking for a more discreet, comfortable alternative to traditional headphones or earbuds. However, if you're seeking high-end audio performance or extreme bass, they may not be the best option.
If you’re looking for a stylish, comfortable, and convenient way to enjoy music, take calls, or interact with your voice assistant while staying aware of your environment, the JBL Soundgear Frames Round - Onyx are definitely worth considering.
