JBL Tour Pro 2 vs Sony LinkBuds S – Which Sounds Better?

JBL Tour Pro 2 and Sony LinkBuds S are two popular premium earbuds designed for people who want strong audio, reliable noise control, and comfortable daily use. Even though both sit in the same category, they offer completely different listening experiences. One focuses on punchy sound and bold features, while the other focuses on balanced clarity and all-day comfort. Here’s a clear comparison based on real-world listening, comfort, features, and sound performance.

Design & Comfort

JBL Tour Pro 2 uses a traditional in-ear stem design with a compact case that includes a unique touchscreen display. This display lets you adjust settings, switch modes, and view notifications without opening the app. Comfort is good, with a secure fit and multiple ear tip sizes.
Sony LinkBuds S focuses on lightweight comfort. These earbuds are significantly smaller and lighter, making them extremely easy to wear for long hours. The design is soft, compact, and almost disappears in the ear. Sony prioritizes comfort over bold styling, making the LinkBuds S perfect for all-day listening or work sessions.

Sound Quality

This category reveals the biggest difference. JBL Tour Pro 2 delivers a lively sound with powerful bass, strong low-end punch, and energetic vocals. The tuning is fun and dynamic, making it ideal for pop, hip-hop, EDM, and bass-heavy music.
Sony LinkBuds S focus on clean, balanced, and precise audio. The sound is smoother with more natural mids and detailed highs. Vocals sound clearer, acoustic instruments feel more open, and the overall presentation is more refined. If you prefer rich clarity and balanced sound without heavy bass boosting, Sony offers the better listening profile.

Noise Cancellation & Transparency

Both earbuds offer strong ANC, but they shine in different ways.
JBL Tour Pro 2 has solid noise cancellation for blocking background noise like traffic, office chatter, and low-frequency hums. It also has an ambient mode that gives you general awareness.
Sony LinkBuds S provide more consistent ANC across multiple environments. Sony’s tuning blocks voice frequencies more effectively and keeps the sound environment stable during movement. Transparency mode also sounds more natural, making conversations clearer without removing the earbuds.

Smart Features

JBL Tour Pro 2 stands out because of its smart case display. You can control ANC, EQ, volume, playback, and more directly through the case. This is a unique feature no other earbuds currently offer.
Sony LinkBuds S focus on software-driven intelligence such as adaptive sound settings, seamless device switching, and audio optimization features powered through the Sony Headphones app. Instead of hardware extras, Sony invests in smart behavior that adapts to your environment.

Call Quality

Call quality is strong on both pairs, but Sony has the edge.
Sony LinkBuds S provide clearer voice pickup and better background noise reduction during calls. They handle windy environments and traffic noise more effectively.
JBL offers good clarity indoors but doesn’t filter external noise as efficiently as Sony outdoors or in crowded areas.

Battery Life

Both deliver reliable battery life for daily use.
JBL Tour Pro 2 offers longer playback overall, especially if you avoid high-volume listening or constant ANC use. The case also gives extra convenience thanks to the touchscreen controls.
Sony LinkBuds S deliver consistent endurance but slightly shorter than JBL during heavy ANC usage. However, the lightweight design makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions, which balances things out.

Who Should Buy Which

Choose JBL Tour Pro 2 if you want:

• Bold, punchy bass
• A fun sound profile
• A touchscreen case for extra control
• Longer battery life
• Strong feature mix at a good value

Choose Sony LinkBuds S if you want:

• Cleaner, more balanced audio
• Superior comfort for long hours
• More natural transparency mode
• Better call quality
• Reliable ANC performance

Final Verdict

If your priority is sound with strong bass and innovative features, the JBL Tour Pro 2 stands out as the more exciting choice.
If you prefer balanced clarity, lightweight comfort, and stable ANC, the Sony LinkBuds S deliver a more refined listening experience.

Both are excellent earbuds — but they cater to different listening styles.