Is the JBL Tour One worth the upgrade from the Audeze Maxwell 2?
Verdict
Downgrade
The JBL Tour One actually scores 40.8 points below the Audeze Maxwell 2, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on sound (9.5 to 6.8) and calls (9.0 to 6.8). On paper: weight 560 g to 273 g and microphones 2 to 4. Worth checking: battery life goes 80 h to 50 h and codecs goes SBC, AAC, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC to AAC. It is at least $29 cheaper, so the lower score comes with a saving. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound9.56.8
- Battery9.57.6
- Calls9.06.8
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Maxwell 2 | Tour One | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 80 h | 50 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC | AAC | |
| Weight | 560 g | 273 g | |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 | |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 35 h | 25 h | |
| Driver size | 90 mm | 40 mm | |
| Microphones | 2 | 4 | |
| Driver | 90 mm planar magnetic | 40 mm dynamic | |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz - 50 kHz | 10 Hz - 40 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Maxwell 2 to Tour One". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.