I’ve said it before and I’m going to say it again — wearable tech is going to be the most pragmatic thing this decade. Apart from smartwatches, there has not been a lot of effort in mass producing other wearable devices. Just in the first half of this decade we saw wearable rings and smart glasses make their debut: local brand mWell has their ring while Samsung, although they already announced their own smart ring, won’t make it to Philippine shores. Ray-Ban is currently on their second iteration of the Wayfarer — and though not officially in the Philippines, has a niche group following here.
You see, I love my Wayfarers. They do great spatial music, solid bass, and I can do unboxings and hands-on impressions of other gadgets with both of my hands — a huge part of my job. But yes the battery life sucks because it’s trying to be a video capture device with AI features and a music player. And that’s why it only has roughly two hours of battery out of the case (we have to note however that the case is also the charger so you can pump it up to about 24 hours of charge with the case).
There are times when I wished there was a version without a camera and just really great audio. And now there is, but with another brand: enter the JBL Soundgear Frames Audio Glasses.
What they’re good at doing
Noise cancelling tech is at its peak with so many affordable in-ear wireless options that have flooded the market. There are other fringe technologies such as the Trekz bone conducting headphones that are great for bikers and runners because they can push decent “ambient” audio while you’re on a trail while still being 100% aware of your environment. The cons are that since these use bone conduction technology, bass and low frequencies will literally jar your temples. Listening to podcasts or audiobooks are also near impossible. If only we could have a compromise between audio quality and spatial awareness.
Oh wait. Here you are — let’s put the speakers in the glasses. JBL, world renowned for their audio technology has put their speakers inside the left and right frames of a pair of shades. According to JBL Philippines, they have partnered up with Owndays for crafting more personalized lenses.
Unlike the Wayfarers that use magnetic charging, JBL has tried to make this pair of shades more affordable by using good old fashioned USB-C technology. I must admit there’s some jank involved as the USB charger has two split C ends for each left and right temple. This is also where both ultra-thin 25mm*9mm high amplitude speakers are located.
Setting up the device is quite easy as you pair the glasses with the JBL smartphone app. The device automatically turns on with an audible cue when you unfold the temples and put it on. In terms of audio quality, you really get a good feel of JBL’s audio mastery, allowing you to control presets with the app. But what can I say — the highs are high, the mids are mid, the lows are lows and it’s crisp all around. But what’s equally important is that I can hear everything going on in my surroundings.
The Frames also come with a built-in environment noise cancelling mic system which allows you to take calls while on the go. This is really a boon to help you keep less distracted. No need to hold up a phone to your ear while walking. If you’re at work, you can simply switch out the shades (to make it less weird), and take your calls from there, instead of your phone.
Verdict
The JBL Soundgear Frames is a true fashion-meets-technology conversation piece. It’s availabe in three colors: Amber, Onyx, and Pearl with the option for rounded or square frames. It’s quite affordable for what it is at P9,499, and if the 8-hour battery runs out, well hey, you still have a great pair of shades (or your glasses!) to use. This is an example of technology done right, where it actually makes your life so much easier to enjoy your favorite music while being safe on the go.
