JBL has some intriguing new Bluetooth speakers and headphones for 2022

JBL says its third-gen Boombox speaker provides "deeper bass, intense clarity and more powerful sound" than its predecessors thanks to a new three-way speaker system consisting of a powerful racetrack-shaped subwoofer, two mid-range drivers and two tweeters.

Battery life is rated at 24 hours at moderate volume levels and there's a USB-out port that allows you to charge devices like your phone. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, it's waterproof and dustproof with an IP67 rating. You can pair it with another Boombox 3 for stereo sound and link it with other PartyBoost-enabled JBL speakers. 

The Boombox 3 will be available in black and squad colors in summer 2022 for $500.

Compared to its Pulse series predecessors, JBL says the Pulse 5 is "engineered with a larger passive radiator and acoustic volume for deeper bass, as well as a woofer focused on delivering mid-low frequency sound and an added tweeter for authentic and purer sound." Additionally, JBL has made the speaker's integrated light show brighter. (Pulse series speakers are known for their integrated LEDs that sync with your music and can be customized).  

Equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, the speaker is waterproof and dustproof, with an IP67 rating. You can pair it with another Pulse 5 for stereo sound and link it with other PartyBoost-enabled JBL speakers. Battery life is rated at 12 hours at moderate volume levels. 

The Pulse 5 will be available in Summer 2022 for $250.

JBL is doing two versions of the PartyBox Encore speaker, a new smaller speaker in its PartyBox line. The Encore version costs $400 and includes two wireless microphones (it will initially be sold exclusively at Sam's Club) while the Encore leaves out the microphones and costs $300.     

Both versions have a 100-watt output power rating with 6 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels. They also feature JBL's PartyBox light show that syncs to your music and are splashproof with an IPX4 rating. 

JBL's new Wind 3 ($80) and Wind 3S ($70) are waterproof speakers designed for bikes and scooters. Both are Bluetooth-enabled and also have a microSD card slot for playing audio files. The Wind 3 also is equipped with an FM radio and LED display panel.

JBL Wind 3 and 3S features

• Handlebar mount
• Two different EQ modes
• Multiple playback sources: Bluetooth, Micro SD, AUX-in 
• FM Radio with LED display (Wind 3 only)
• Wireless Bluetooth streaming
• Hands-free calling
• 5 hours of playtime
• IP67 waterproof and dustproof

These are essentially JBL AirPods Pro 2 competitors. According to their specs, they have good battery life (10 hours) and have six microphones that should allow for good voice calling performance.

Live Pro 2 features

• JBL's signature sound
• Up to 40 hours of playback time (10 hours in the earbud; 30 hours from charging case) 
• True Adaptive noise canceling with smart ambient 
• Six microphones with noise and wind isolation technology
• Dual Connect + Sync technology with Google Fast Pair 
• Hands-Free voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant 
• All-access touch control (or use through the dedicated JBL headphone app
• IPX 5 rating (waterproof and sweatproof)
• Speed charge 15 mins for 4 hours via Qi-compatible charging
• Price: $150

The JBL Live Free 2 also have active noise canceling but feature a more traditional bud design. They also use six-microphone technology for voice calling. Battery life is rated at 7 hours at moderate volume levels.

Live Free 2 features

• JBL Signature Sound
• Up to 35 hours of playback (7 hours in the earbud; 28 hours from charging case) 
• True Adaptive noise canceling with smart ambient
• Six microphones with noise- and wind-isolation technology
• Dual Connect + Sync technology with Google Fast Pair 
• Hands-free voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant 
• All-access touch control (or you can use the dedicated JBL app)
• IPX 5 rating (waterproof and sweatproof)
• Price: $150

The Reflect Aero is the latest addition to JBL fitness-oriented line of earbuds. They have sports fins to keep the buds locked in place and also feature active noise canceling and six-microphone technology for voice calls. They're fully waterproof and have up to 8 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels. 

JBL Reflect Aero features 

• JBL Signature Sound 
• Up to 24 hours of playback (8 hours in the earbud; 16 hours from charging case) 
• 6.8mm dynamic drivers 
• Six microphones with noise- and wind-isolation technology
• True Adaptive noise canceling with smart ambient 
• Adjustable ear-fin for a secure fit 
• Hands-free voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant 
• IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating with reflective accents 
• Customizable all-access touch control through the JBL headphones app
• $150

JBL introduced three new over-the-ear gaming headphones at CES: The Quantum 610 ($150), Quantum 810 ($200) and the new flagship Quantum 910 ($250).

JBL Quantum 910 features

• JBL QuantumSPHERE 360 with integrated head-tracking and DTS Headphone:X 2.0
• Hi-res certified 50mm drivers powered by the JBL QuantumSOUND Signature
• Active noise canceling
• Dual wireless solutions: lossless 2.4G wireless and Bluetooth 5.2
• 24-hour battery life, with play-and-charge functionality for all-day gaming
• Voice-focus beam microphone with echo and noise suppression
• Game chat audio dial to regulate voice and game volume, developed for Discord
• Lightweight, durable construction with leather-wrapped, memory foam ear-cushions
• JBL QuantumENGINE PC software compatibility for the ultimate customization of EQ, RGB colors, mic mute-unmute and more
• Price: $250

JBL also announced a new set of true-wireless gaming earbuds, the Quantum TWS. 

JBL Quantum TWS features

• JBL QuantumSURROUND (spatial surround solution for immersive gaming)
• True Adaptive noise canceling with four beamforming mics and auto-calibration
• Ambient Aware to filter in environmental noise to the player's preference
• Six beamforming microphones (three on each earbud) ensure clear communication with teammates 
• Two-device connectivity via USB-C dongle or Bluetooth 5.2 for gamer-grade low latency connection
• 24-hours battery life (8-hours with earbuds, 16 additional hours with charging case)
• IPX5 water-resistance
• Multi voice-assistant support
• Compatible with the JBL QuantumENGINE PC software and JBL Headphones app for the ultimate audio customization
• Price: $150