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If you’ve been looking for open-ear headphones that let you hear the outside world without totally sacrificing sound quality, these JBL SoundGear Sense are worth checking out. They’re currently on sale for just $74.99 on StackSocial , refurbished and listed in “Grade A” condition, so you’re getting near-mint hardware for a pretty steep discount. These aren’t your typical noise-isolating buds: They sit outside your ears, held in place with adjustable hooks, and come with an optional neckband for more stability when moving around.
The open design means your surroundings stay audible, which makes them ideal for running, biking, or any situation where awareness matters. That also means you’re not getting chest-thumping bass—lows are present, but not deep, and they tend to drop off when you crank up the volume, according to this PCMag review . Still, the sound is clean and punchy thanks to 16.2mm drivers, and the four built-in mics deliver surprisingly clear calls, even in windier conditions. Touch controls work fine for the most part, though they’re reportedly a little too easy to trigger by accident. You can tweak their sensitivity and EQ using the My JBL Headphones app, which adds some welcome customization.
Battery life is solid: You’ll get around six hours per charge, with another 18 from the case. A 15-minute quick charge adds four more hours, which is great if you’re heading out the door in a rush. They’re also IP54 rated, meaning they’ll survive sweat and the occasional splash. Just note: there’s no active noise cancellation, but that’s by design. These are meant for transparent listening. If you’re okay trading isolation for awareness, and you like the idea of earbuds that don’t block your ears, the SoundGear Sense makes a solid, affordable pick, especially at this price .
