16 hours ago
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ZDNET's key takeaways
- JBL just announced the Live 780NC headphones.
- They're equipped with Auracast, and users can access broadcasts directly from the JBL Headphones app.
- This way, iPhone users can access a feature that would otherwise be inaccessible.
JBL usually releases a deluge of products each year, ranging from portable Bluetooth speakers and wireless earbuds to soundbars and over-ear headphones. The company's upper midrange Live lineup, with some of its best performance-to-price offerings, is receiving another upgrade, but the most meaningful one isn't what you'd think.
The JBL Live 780NC headphones debut with a refreshed design and upgrades to Bluetooth connectivity, battery life, and audio tuning. But, the most interesting upgrade is the ability to access Auracast broadcasts and start your own, creating a loophole for iOS users.
Also: What is Bluetooth 6.0? How the latest standard fixes audio problems we'd learned to live with
According to JBL, you can stream and access Auracast broadcasts from the JBL headphones app. Other Auracast-enabled devices, such as Sony's WH-1000XM6, Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2, and Samsung's Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, require an Auracast-enabled smartphone and access to broadcasts via the device's Bluetooth settings. This method leaves iPhone users out of luck, since Apple doesn't support Auracast on iPhones.
Last month, Sennheiser debuted the Auracast-enabled RS 275 TV headphone bundle, which also supported in-app Auracast. I could connect Sennheiser's headphones to my iPhone and search for nearby broadcasts, even though my device was technically incompatible. Still, iPhones contain the hardware to support Auracast and LE Audio, but Apple just doesn't release the feature.
Also: I connected a Bluetooth Auracast receiver to my TV, and it's a worthwhile home audio upgrade
The difference between Senneheiser and JBL is that JBL's Live 780NC headphones are more versatile, featuring EQ settings, noise cancellation, and more advanced microphones, all of which make JBL's option better suited for everyday wear.
In-app Auracast access also eliminates the need for a Bluetooth dongle, though the Live 780NC are compatible with JBL's SmartTx transmitter if you want improved audio quality without the wires.
I'll be testing this feature in the coming weeks to determine whether all JBL headphones are compatible with this in-app Auracast update, or just the new Live headphones lineup.
Also: I spoke with Bluetooth reps about the future of connected audio, and it's cooler than I expected
So, if you're an iPhone user who's been curious about Auracast, JBL's in-app solution is a small yet surefire way to access the feature; it's still not as open as Bluetooth's goals would have it be. More headphone manufacturers will likely consider in-app Auracast access, since iOS users may not be eager to buy Auracast-branded products due to device limitations.
Additionally, using the feature within a device's Bluetooth menus can be tedious and confusing, and an in-app option is much simpler to navigate.
The JBL Live 780NC headphones are now available for $250 in Blue, Green, Champagne, Black, and White.
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