JBL Endurance Pace and JBL Endurance Zone - I'm Open To It

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times; when it comes to earbuds, it's all about the fit.

I want a tight seal. No movement. And above all else, no noise.

But what if I didn't?

I can't just exclude other designs because they're not my thing - especially when they might be yours.

I've had plenty of people tell me they just can't wear earbuds, for perfectly valid reasons;

They always fall out.

They hurt their ears.

They make them feel claustrophobic.

Fair enough.

But just because you can't wear buds, doesn't mean you can't have mobile music.

And I'm not talking about big, bulky headphones either.

The Endurance Zone and Endurance Peak are the answer for anyone looking for the ultimate open fit.

Both sports headsets are essentially the same except while the Endurance Pace is one single device, connected by a titanium memory metal neckband, the Zone is two separate earpieces you keep in their own charging case.

But neither can really be described as earbuds - or at least, not as I think of them.

Even other so-called "open fit" earbuds I've worn still sit in the outer part of your ear canal, just without the tight seal of a silicone ear-tip, worming its way further in.

By stark contrast, both the Zone and Pace earpieces hook over your ear instead, not even resting on the sensitive opening to your ears at all. Rather, once in place, the 11x18mm speaker drivers are suspended right over your ears, relying on JBL's OpenSound technology to provide a full, powerful soundscape from your connected device, while still allowing other ambient sounds in at the same time.

I thought I would hate it.

But if there's one thing I've learned reviewing tech, it's never make assumptions about a gadget until you've tried it for yourself.

Let's start with the obvious bit; these are probably some of the most comfortable portable listening accessories I've ever worn. In fact, once you loop them over your ears, because they're so well balanced and so light, you can hardly feel them at all.

That even applies to the Endurance Pace with its connecting neck loop. The band doesn't actually sit against your skin - unless you choose to take the earpieces down and rest the whole device on your neck, perhaps while you have a conversation with someone. The connected design of the Pace does feel slightly more secure than the two separate earpieces of the Zone - but neither came close to falling off while I was testing them, no matter what activity or exercise I was doing.

Both devices also carry an IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating, which is kind of reassuring given there's no tight seal to keep rain, sweat or dirt away from the more delicate bits. In fact, the whole vibe of these Endurance specimens is one of action and durability; drop them, sit on them, throw them across the room - you get the feeling they'll keep on taking a beating.

In fact, they'll keep on, full-stop. Battery life is impressive. I guess being bigger than your average buds has its advantages. The Pace charges directly via USB-C and will last about 10 hours on a single charge. Meanwhile, the Zone will only play for 8 hours straight, but there's another 24 hours charge in the case.

There are a couple of downsides to that case, however. Firstly, it's bulky - not as large as some ear-hook style earbuds cases I've used, but still too big to comfortably slip into most pockets. Secondly, it only charges via USB-C. You can't just pop it down on a more convenient wireless charger. On the plus side, there is a lanyard cavity on one corner of the case so you have the option of attaching a carabiner or some other kind of connecting strap.

The thing that surprised me most about both these devices was how genuinely good they sound. This is where that "Don't make assumptions" thing really kicks in. My most incorrect assumption was that too much space between ear and driver would mean a tinny, weak performance with virtually no bottom end.

But I guess I'd kind of forgotten how headphones work.

Essentially, they're just speakers you wear next to your ears, right? And these little speakers deliver.

Whether it's the unnerving a cappella noises David Byrne makes at the beginning of the extended mix of "Lady Don't Mind" by Talking Heads, or merely Jamie Cullum's simple, soulful, rolling piano and vocals on "These Are the Days," both the Zone and the Pace do a lovely job of creating a rich, warm and full atmosphere, placing surround effects in all the right places and yes, even pumping out what JBL is pretty famous for; decent bass.

My only major niggle is the onboard controls. I'd like to be able to customise them a bit more using the JBL Headphones app - but this is rather limited, especially on the Zone where you don't have the physical buttons you do on the Pace. Instead you're restricted to taps, double taps and long taps - which all gets a bit confusing, especially if you're only trying to turn the volume up or down.

The Headphones app does give you plenty of options when it comes to adjusting the EQ though, so you can tailor things to your preference there instead.

I love being surprised by gadgets - even when they prove me wrong. I was wrong to dismiss this kind of open ear design and I'm glad I got to try it so I can let you know, there's more than one way to take your sounds with you.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the JBL Endurance Pace.

Click here for more information and pricing on the JBL Endurance Zone.