Cough, splutter, wheeze! Ah yes, the delightful sounds that greet us from fellow passengers every morning as we start the commute to work. Some are muffled by a paper-thin mask, while others enjoy full-throated projection, with zero attempts made by the source to raise a hand to their face as even the most entry-level manners would require. Charming.
With many of us having adjusted to working from home over the last two years, it makes sense that our ability to tolerate the sounds emanating from strangers may have taken a hit. Fortunately, JBL’s new Reflect Flow Pro wireless noise-cancelling earbuds have been providing us with sweet relief on those early morning treks of late, with nary a sniffle getting past their Adaptive Noise Cancelling (ANC) audio functionality.
And they do so much more than that. Not only have these become our new go-to means of creating a comfy bubble of mental space before walking through the office door, they’re now an integral part of just about everything we do.
Image: JBL
Tune It Out
Take workouts, for example. The Reflect Flow Pros‘ noise-cancelling and 6.8mm dynamic drivers deliver high-quality audio that will have you lost in your exercise playlist – far more pleasant than hearing the groans and grunts coming from the guy eyeing himself in the mirror as he completes a set of bicep curls.
Plus, if you choose to take your workout outdoors and you want to listen out for nearby traffic or stop to chat with someone, the earbuds’ Ambient Aware mode lets you hear your surroundings perfectly. A simple tap of the left bud switches effortlessly between Adaptive Noise Cancelling and Ambient Aware mode on/off.
Image: JBL
Sweat & Surf
We’ve all had headphones that just don’t stand up to the sweatier side of a workout. Happily, this is not the case with the Reflect Flow Pros as their IP68 rating means they’re both water and dustproof. Utilising JBL’s powerfins technology, you will barely notice them as they sit firmly secured in the ear, even when jumping in the ocean or taking a shower. We’ve really pushed ourselves testing these out and at no point did we have the slightest concern that the Reflect Flow Pros would come loose. Our only word of warning would be to apologise in advance for any loud bathroom singing…
Image: JBL
Going, Going, Never Gone
There’s nothing worse than being halfway through a workout, commute, or anything really, and hearing the last drop of juice drain from your headphones as the song or podcast you’re engrossed in suddenly cuts out. The real world comes flooding back in and there’s nothing you can do about it. The Reflect Flow Pros will help to ensure this never happens to you again.
With 30 hours’ worth of battery life – the buds hold 10 hours of power and their charging case holds a further 20 – you’ll never be caught out between stations or mid-run. The case is terrific too, offering a satisfying magnetic click as you insert your earbuds for recharging and having a premium feel that really aligns with the ‘Pro’ branding of the buds. Plus, the accompanying JBL Headphones app is packed with features, including the ability to shape your listening experience by creating a custom EQ that perfectly suits your needs.
Image: JBL
Verdict
Ultimately, JBL’s Reflect Flow Pro earbuds are on track to be our on-the-move listening experience of choice for the foreseeable future. With the perfect combination of high-quality audio, toughness through water and dust proofing, long battery life, and extreme comfort – all wrapped up in an extremely premium-feeling package – we’ll be throwing these in our bag for quite some time, whether we’re heading to the office, gym, beach, airport or anywhere else.
The JBL Reflect Flow Pros are available for $269.95. from the JBL website and selected retailers.
