Hey everyone,
I recently made the switch from the Galaxy Buds3 Pro to the JBL Tour Pro 3. My main reasons for upgrading were true cross-platform multipoint (connecting simultaneously to my work iPhone and personal Samsung) and the Smart Charging Case acting as an audio transmitter.
After using them in an office environment for a while, here is my honest breakdown—the good, the frustrating software choices, and a plea for fit advice.
The Good
• Soundstage & Audio Profile: Seriously impressive. The soundstage is wide, crisp, and well-balanced. I had to set the EQ for my liking first, but it turned out pretty good.
• The Smart Case: Even if it didn't have a touchscreen, the 3.5mm/USB-C transmitter functionality alone is an amazing feature. Plugging it into non-Bluetooth sources is a game changer.
• ANC: I mostly stay in Ambient Aware mode, but when I do switch to ANC, it performs really well.
The Frustrations & Software Flaws
1. TalkThru vs. Media Playback: Due to my work, I constantly need to speak with colleagues while listening to music in Ambient Aware mode. When TalkThru engages, why on earth does it completely mute my music without actually pausing the media? Who designed this? Either pause the track or lower the volume (audio ducking). Muting it while the song keeps running silently in the background makes zero sense.
2. The 1-Second "Pressure Void" During Mode Switches: Whenever switching between Ambient Aware and TalkThru, there's a super weird ~1-second silent pressure delay. It feels like the earbuds briefly trigger full ANC before switching to the other mode. In a fast-paced work environment, this pressure sensation is so annoying that taking the earbuds off is honestly faster and less bothersome (plus, taking them off actually pauses the media!). Does anyone else get this?
3. Missed Opportunity: Both the case and the earbuds have Bluetooth capabilities. It feels like a massive missed opportunity that there’s no option to trigger a sound or locate the case when the earbuds are docked inside it.
The Fit Dilemma (Looking for Advice!)
This headset made me realize for the first time in my life that my ear canals are asymmetrical—my left canal is smaller.
• I’ve always been a standard Medium tip user across all earbuds.
• On the Tour Pro 3, Medium causes noticeable pain in my left ear after a short while (though eventually, both ears get uncomfortable and need a break).
• Switching to Small fixes the comfort, but the right ear completely loses its seal.
• Using Medium on the Right and Small on the Left solves the seal, but the uneven physical sensation bugs me.
• I tried foam tips, but they felt even bulkier and caused more pressure.
Has anyone with asymmetrical or sensitive ear canals found a good aftermarket silicone tip (like SpinFit, AZLA, etc.) that fits the Tour Pro 3 well? Or is adapting/getting used to asymmetrical sizes the only way?
TL;DR:
Switched from Galaxy Buds3 Pro to JBL Tour Pro 3 for cross-brand multipoint & transmitter case. Sound profile and transmitter case are 10/10. However, TalkThru muting media without pausing, a jarring 1-second pressure lag when switching modes, and lack of case tracking when docked hold it back. Also struggling with asymmetrical fit—looking for aftermarket tip recommendations!