JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx

Wireless headphone users have experienced the inconvenience of needing to use wired earphones separately because Bluetooth connections are not supported on in-flight entertainment systems or older devices (game consoles, TVs, etc.).

Although separate Bluetooth transmitter adapters can be purchased, they are cumbersome to operate and require battery management.

In addition, headphone function settings rely on a smartphone app, which poses a problem as app use is restricted during airplane mode.

##

The Tour One M3 Smart Tx is characterized by the inclusion of a dedicated Smart Transmitter (Smart Tx) in the headphone package.

This transmitter can be plugged into a USB-C or 3.5mm port and connected to an airplane seat AV system or console. It pairs with the headphones via its own touchscreen controls and wirelessly transmits audio[71].

Volume, EQ, and other controls are accessible on the transmitter screen without a smartphone app or complicated settings, making it convenient even in situations where phone use is difficult, such as on an airplane.

The headphones themselves are JBL's top-of-the-line product, offering top performance such as adaptive noise cancellation, Hi-Res certified sound quality, and beamforming microphones.

In particular, the headphones are also equipped with a sound correction function tailored to each individual's hearing profile, producing sound optimized for the user's ears[72].

In short, the "headphones + all-purpose wireless audio adapter" set is differentiated by allowing users to enjoy high-quality wireless listening in any environment.

##

Frequent individual consumers (B2C), especially business travelers and frequent flyers, are the main customer base.

Entertainment enthusiasts can also utilize it with retro consoles, audio players, and more.

It is not largely intended for enterprise use and is strictly a consumer-oriented product.

##

Targets the premium travel headphone segment in the global audio market.

As it is part of the Samsung Group, marketing optimization such as interlocking with Galaxy smartphones is possible, but it is basically sold through Harman/JBL's global distribution network.

In the future, the smart transmitter portion can be sold as a separate accessory or applied to other headphone lines to expand into new revenue sources.

However, it may be less attractive to customers who prefer proprietary solutions such as the Apple ecosystem.

##

Selected as a CES Innovation Award Honoree, recognizing its idea and execution.

Like the users' cheers of "Finally, I can watch in-flight movies with my headphones," it is evaluated as a product that accurately addresses user pain points.

The headphone performance itself is also decent, resulting in generally positive reactions.

However, the industry is wary of overestimation, pointing out that "similar adapters such as AirFly already exist" and "it is ultimately a niche travel function."

In other words, some opinions suggest that it is closer to an improvement in convenience rather than an innovation.

##