The JBL Soundgear Frames Square - Onyx are a stylish and innovative pair of smart audio glasses designed to deliver hands-free audio while keeping your ears open to your surroundings. Similar to the Round version, the Square model features a more angular and contemporary design with the same core functionality—providing a discreet audio experience for those who prefer not to wear traditional earbuds or headphones.
Here’s a breakdown of the key features, performance, and use cases for the JBL Soundgear Frames Square - Onyx:
Key Features:
1. Audio Technology:
- The JBL Soundgear Frames Square deliver clear and immersive audio using JBL’s sound technology. The sound is directed towards your ears but doesn’t block your ear canal, allowing you to listen to music, take calls, or hear notifications while staying aware of your surroundings.
- These glasses use spatial audio to project sound to your ears, providing a more personalized listening experience compared to traditional audio devices.
2. Open-Ear Design:
- The open-ear design of the Soundgear Frames Square ensures that you can enjoy hands-free audio without isolating yourself from your environment.
- This makes them ideal for outdoor activities, commuting, or any scenario where situational awareness is essential, like walking in a busy city or cycling.
3. Stylish and Comfortable Design:
- The Square - Onyx model features a square-frame design, offering a more angular and modern aesthetic compared to the Round version. The Onyx black color gives them a sleek and versatile look that can match a wide variety of outfits.
- These glasses are lightweight and comfortable, so you can wear them for long periods without discomfort. The design ensures that they feel natural and don’t weigh heavily on your face, making them easy to incorporate into your everyday style.
4. Bluetooth Connectivity:
- The Soundgear Frames Square use Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity, allowing you to easily pair them with your smartphone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices. This means you can stream music, take calls, and control your audio without the hassle of wires.
- The Bluetooth connection is stable and supports hands-free calls, so you don’t need to touch your phone to answer calls.
5. Hands-Free Calling & Voice Assistant Support:
- The built-in microphone on the Soundgear Frames Square enables hands-free calling, making them a great option for those who need to take calls while on the go.
- Additionally, the glasses are compatible with voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant, allowing you to perform tasks like controlling your music, checking the weather, or sending texts without having to pull out your phone.
6. Battery Life:
- The JBL Soundgear Frames Square offer up to 5 hours of playback on a full charge, making them suitable for everyday use, commuting, or short outdoor activities.
- The USB-C charging port provides quick recharging, and the glasses come with a charging case for convenient on-the-go recharging.
7. IPX4 Water Resistance:
- The Soundgear Frames Square are rated IPX4, which means they are splashproof and resistant to sweat. This makes them suitable for light outdoor activities like running, walking, or exercising in mild weather conditions.
- However, they are not fully waterproof, so they should not be submerged in water or exposed to heavy rain.
8. Touch Controls:
- The glasses feature touch-sensitive controls on the temples, allowing you to easily control music playback, adjust the volume, and answer calls with simple taps and swipes. This intuitive control system provides a seamless and convenient user experience without the need for physical buttons.
9. Compact and Portable:
- The JBL Soundgear Frames Square are designed for portability, and their compact size means they can be easily carried in a bag or pocket. The included charging case adds to the convenience, allowing you to recharge the glasses while on the move.
Performance:
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Sound Quality: The JBL Soundgear Frames Square are designed for casual listening, hands-free calls, and ambient audio experiences. While they don't offer the deep bass or ultra-loud volumes of over-ear headphones, they deliver clear, crisp sound that works well for music, podcasts, and audiobooks. The open-ear design ensures that you still hear environmental sounds, making them suitable for those who don’t want to be fully isolated from their surroundings.
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Comfort and Wearability: These glasses are lightweight and comfortable enough to wear for extended periods. The Square frame is sleek and modern, designed to fit comfortably on most face shapes. The Onyx black color is stylish and works well in both casual and professional settings, so you don’t have to worry about looking out of place.
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Battery Life: With up to 5 hours of battery life, the Soundgear Frames Square provide enough power for most daily activities or commutes. The USB-C charging port ensures quick recharges, and the charging case adds extra convenience when you’re on the move. While 5 hours is decent for a pair of smart audio glasses, it may not be enough for all-day use, and you may need to recharge them during longer events or trips.
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Water Resistance: The IPX4 water resistance rating is sufficient for light sweat or splashes of water, making these glasses suitable for outdoor activities like jogging or biking in light rain. However, they aren’t designed for heavy rain or submersion in water, so you should take care to protect them in wet conditions.
Ideal Use Cases:
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Casual Listening: These smart glasses are perfect for casual music or podcast listening when you don’t want to block out the sounds around you. Whether you’re walking around, commuting, or just relaxing at home, the JBL Soundgear Frames Square provide a hands-free and discreet audio experience.
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Outdoor Activities: With their open-ear design and IPX4 water resistance, the Soundgear Frames Square are ideal for running, cycling, or walking. You can listen to your music, take calls, or access voice assistants while remaining aware of your surroundings, making them a great companion for outdoor exercises or urban exploration.
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Hands-Free Calls: Thanks to the built-in microphone, you can easily take calls while keeping your hands free. The JBL Soundgear Frames Square are perfect for those who need to stay connected during their day-to-day activities but don’t want to carry a phone to their ear or use traditional earbuds.
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Stylish Audio Accessory: The Square frame design of these glasses offers a more fashion-forward look, making them a great choice for individuals who want both style and functionality in their audio devices. Whether you’re heading to work or enjoying some leisure time, the Soundgear Frames Square are versatile enough to pair with almost any outfit.
Verdict:
The JBL Soundgear Frames Square - Onyx are a unique blend of fashion and audio technology, offering discreet, open-ear listening in a stylish and functional package. With Bluetooth connectivity, hands-free calling, voice assistant support, and a 5-hour battery life, they are a great option for people who want to enjoy music or take calls without blocking out their environment.
While they may not offer the deep bass or the same level of isolation as traditional headphones, their open-ear design allows for safe listening in environments where awareness of your surroundings is crucial, such as while commuting or engaging in outdoor activities. The Square frame provides a trendy look, making them suitable for both casual and professional settings.
If you’re looking for a stylish and practical audio solution for everyday use, JBL Soundgear Frames Square - Onyx offer a perfect blend of functionality and fashion. They’re particularly great for casual listeners, active users, and anyone who wants a hands-free, modern alternative to traditional audio devices.
