Беспроводные наушники JayBird Run — 720 отзывов, плюсы и минусы
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I mentioned below that the battery level indicator had not been updated - and while that is technically true, in iOS9 the battery level percentage is given much more accurately in the notification center pull-down. Simply swipe down from the home screen and right there under "today" it displays both your phone's remaining battery and the Jaybird X2's in percentage points. Very useful if you are paranoid about running out of juice.
*** =ORIGINAL REVIEW***
You want the best Bluetooth earbuds? Wondering if these X2's are worth the extra cabbage over the already stellar Jaybird Bluebud X? At first glance, the X2 seems to be a minor cosmetic upgrade from the Buebuds X and in some senses that is the case. After testing these out (as much as you can in a couple of weeks) I'm pretty sure they are the way to go. I was actually sold as soon as I fired them up - right out of the gate the new sound blew me away. They sound so much richer and are even louder than the old model, and all the other little improvements are just gravy. Sweet gravy.
So, they are louder and sound better. The battery also lasts a little longer. My old X's usually last 5 or 6 hours. I've yet to run these out after 6 and I just charge them every other day out of paranoia. The second biggest improvement is in the microphone. Whereas before I dreaded taking calls on the X. I'm not even sure my wife realizes I'm using these. The Bluetooth connection is (seems) better - I've never had problems before, but I've had zero drops. They look better - they are basically the same "Frankenstein Bolts" design, but they've done away with the chrome accents in favor of matte black (that's what I got anyway).
The company didn't redesign the physical earbuds much at all, actually. Of course I wish they were smaller, but this is still the most compact Bluetooth design out there (as far as I've seen). Once they're in your ears they disappear - to you at least, as long as you don't try to lay the side of your head on a pillow. Jaybird has improved the "wings" supposedly, but I've never needed those. I use foam tips and they hold them in amazingly well. The nice thing is that they've packed in a whole set of foam tips this time around. In fact, ComplyFoam has designed a new line of tips specifically for Jaybirds. They do have a noticeably wide "stalk" and it took a little magic to get even the biggest cored tips to fit. Unfortunately they haven't yet made a Tsx version (my fave), so I'll probably keep on using those, but the new green ones are easier to install. They are available only from Jaybird as of now, but the folks at Comply told me soon you can order directly from them as well.
There is also a case which is just about a as pointless as the old case. However, the included flat micro USB cable is the same great cable that came with the old model.
Two more gripes: the instructions are now mostly online. The packaging is just as extravagant, but somehow they decided to get rid of the nice booklet that had detailed steps to fitting and using the included strap-shorteners and other convenient-to-have info. Now there's just a tiny card and a suggestion to visit them online. Second, they didn't update the software to improve the battery level readout. On the iPhone at least, the battery strength is displayed on the screen next to the Bluetooth symbol. But it's only got three settings: full, part full, and running on empty. I've used others that have 5 or so levels, wand it was more useful (partly because the battery didn't last half as long).
The voice-feedback works identically to before: a nice female voice tells you when you've connected or if you've powered them on or off and a few other things - it sure beats interpreting beeps. The controls have changed a little though, they no longer beep every time you change the volume or the track. I guess it's better?
Really, the new sound signature and better battery are enough to make these worthy of an upgrade. The rest really is not such a big deal. So if you want to save $40-$50, the old Bluebuds X are still a great option, but these are the way to go if you are starting from scratch or just looking for the best. If you've never used Bluetooth buds before you are in for a treat - wireless is so much more convenient in every way, especially if you commute or exercise or ever listen through headphones. And these are the most wireless, best sounding buds there are.
I got mine for free, but I've bought so many pairs of the old ones I think it's buyback time.
Fit and Comfort
These headphones really stay on!! I do a lot of freestyle jump roping, so I am constantly hopping. Lots of random movements too, not just linear running. I'd do side to side, back and forth, high jumps for double unders, and criss cross. The original failed to stay in my ears because the ear-tips were completely useless personally for me even if I used the ear fins. The X2 ear fins are a bit different, I'm not sure if the new improved ear fins makes a huge difference but the real winners are the comply tips that comes with the X2 that are specially made for these headphones. People who upgraded comply foam tip for their original one would understand it's a little frustrating trying to put them on because you would have to force them in due to lack of compatibility.
Side note: All my earphones, I'd always preferred wearing small ear tips and if I lose the, I'd settle for the medium ones. I always hated the large ear tips. I don't know the science behind it but for me, I'd have to use bigger ear tips for these Bluetooth headphones or else they would just keep falling out of my ear. I think it's because the earphones are a lot heavier than regular earphones due to the extra weight of the built in battery and wireless Bluetooth technology each side, you have to compensate by using bigger ear tips. Even the small comply foam ear tips is useless to me. To my surprise, I'm currently using the large comply ear tips. So if you're planning on upgrading comply to your original ones, get the bigger size. Did I mention that all the silicone ear tips are useless to me regardless of size. Get the Comply PLEASE!
Battery Life
I like to listen to my music really loud. My phone would be 90-95% max and so are my jaybird. I got three and a half gym session before the battery depleted from fully charged. That's somewhere five to six hours worth of music. Not eight hours, but understandable that I'm getting less because louder music would require more juice.
Sound Quality
They sound really good. This is from a guy who owns the popular ath-m50x headphones. Just don't expect a lot of bass though. I just wish the original and the X2 would be a bit louder when I'm at the gym to get me really pumped up. I guess the Bluetooth technology is still not there because my regular non-wireless earphone can be a bit louder.
Bluetooth Connection Strength
It's great, never really had a problem.
Carrying case
This might be an unpopular opinion. I liked the original's carrying case more than the X2's. With a little tweak with the original's case, it's really easy to open and close it for those people who are having a hard time. It's just a personal preference. Nevertheless, both carrying case would protect your jaybirds so don't worry about it too much.
The biggest game changer upgrade from the originals to the X2
The originals, whenever you pressed the volume up or down. It would interrupt your music by making a beeping noise. The X2 doesn't anymore!!
Conclusion: These headphones will really stay in your ears thanks to the new fins and comply ear tips. From my understanding, Jaybird has a better battery life than most of the popular wireless headphones at the moment. These headphones sounds awesome! I really think the X2 is worth the upgrade even if you have the originals. If you never owned a pair of Jaybirds and debating whether to go for the now cheaper original or the new X2. I'd strongly advise the new X2. You'd most likely have spend money on the comply ear tips anyways and that can cost you anywhere$12-20. New fins that supposedly be better!! Just save yourself the frustration. I really tried to make the original ones work. I spent like five hours worth of trial and error.
Manufacturer: JayBird
Color: Black
Amazon price: $179.99
The Jaybird X2 Bluetooth headphones (or should I say, earbuds) are well into the premium price range. They include everything you need to achieve a good fit - and a good fit is absolutely mandatory. The two earpieces that contain a Bluetooth transmitter and a Lithium-Ion battery are connected by a flat, tangle-free cable that is 22 inches long. Included are clever cord clips that let you adjust the cord length so that it fits comfortably either under your chin or behind your head. A good fit is essential if you run, spend time at the gym or hike.
Built into the cable is the usual pinch-switch: Volume Up/Down, Pause/Play, Skip Ahead/Back, and Answer/Hang-up a call.
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have the proper fit when using in-ear headphones. Tinny, scratchy sound without good bass response is almost always a result of a poor fit. The Jaybird X2’s include silicone ear tips and Comply foam ear tips in small, medium, and large sizes. In addition, three sizes of flexible silicone ear fins are included. These fit into the shell or bowl of your ears to assure good, firm placement. I like to use these with the Comply tips. In case you are not familiar with Comply foam, you roll it between your thumb and forefinger to compress it and when you insert it in your ear canal, you hold it in place for a few seconds as it expands again. The result is a good tight fit that isolates all but the loudest noises. (Do NOT run on city streets with these because you won’t hear traffic).
The earphones work well when worn with the cable under your chin or behind your neck. They can also be used when turned upside-down with the cable running over your ears and around the back of your head. The fins are necessary in this position. Once you find the position that suits you best, you make an S in the cable to shorten it appropriately and secure that with small clips provided for a more permanent, personal configuration.
The Jaybird X2’s are manufactured to be sweatproof and carry a lifetime warrantee covering that. Hidden inside the earpiece closest to the cable switch, is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery. Included with the earphones is a Micro-USB to USB cable that plugs into this earpiece to recharge it. Jaybird claims an eight-hour battery life before a recharge is needed. I find that to be about right in most circumstances.
These headphones and the charging cable nestle in a case that was a mystery to me when I first saw it. It’s a semi-flexible silicone rounded square with a nice soft-touch finish. It looks like a black bar of soap and it isn’t immediately apparent how it opens. When you squeeze the case a split appears near the top. A moderate fingernail pull opens the removable lid. It feels a bit odd, but it works surprisingly well. Closing it is a simple matter of pressing the lid back on until it snaps in place. The case is pocketable and seems secure and dust-proof.
It goes without saying that you must have a good, snug fit inside each ear canal to appreciate the sound quality of these earphones. If the fit is correct, the sound quality is pretty good. The bass is a bit soft but consider the size of the drivers here. The midrange is very natural and the high end is clear and transparent. If you are at the gym or running hard all bets are off as fine distinction of audio is difficult. I find that gusty wind makes a rushing sound if I am walking outdoors. I also need to have the cable secured well or it makes noise when it rubs and bumps against my body.
So, to conclude, these earphones produce good sound. Getting the right fit deep in your ear canals can be tricky and requires quite a bit of experimentation. You’ll be disappointed by the sound quality until you achieve the right fit. They cannot possibly match the sonics of large over-the-ear headphones, but for physical challenges and vigorous workouts these are bound to please.
Charged them up over night, and used them at work on monday for about 7 hours before I got the warning that the battery was running low.
The sound to me is good, ive seen other reviews say that the sound wasnt loud enough or that it was distorted. Leaves me wondering if it has something to do with the phones bluetooth abilities. Im using an Iphone 6.
It was plenty loud enough to block out the noises at my gym (even the gym radio playing todays "hits") I find that if i turn it all the way up its to loud in fact.
Before I give me opinion of the sound quality you should know my preference for music in the gym is along the lines of Rob Bailer's "Beast" from the "Southpaw" movie, or some Trap music (Flosstradamus, Buku, Aryay, Kai Wachi) While im at work i listen to whatever comes across my slacker radio, doesnt matter if its rock, rap or country if its has a good beat ill listen to it.
Comparing these to other headphones that I've owned (beats and skullcandy) from my point of view these seems to be on par with the beats earbuds that ive used in the past. The bass is present but in anyway overpowering. These headphones are well balanced across all genres of music. they handle counrty music as well as Trap music without any distortion or crackling or anything that would make the sound unpleasant.
I next did a distance test. I left my phone in my gym bag (with my wife) and went into the bathroom a good 30+ feet did my business and never skipped a beat.
Comes with a small carrying case, I'm undecided about the case at this time, its hard to fit both the charging cable and the headphones in to the case. so i either leave the charging cable at work and charge them there, or have them die at the gym.
Overall my opinion is these are good solid bluetooth earbuds. If you can afford to buy these and your stuck between getting these or the Powerbeats2, buy the Jaybirds X2 chances are you'll get a better product. (based on the the reviews from the powerbeats2 that seem to have some issues to be worked out).
Battery = 8 hours
Distance = 30+ feet
Comfort = wearable for 7-8 hours at a time.
Comes with 3 sets of ear fins, 3 sets of silicone tips and 3 sets of comply memory foam tips.
I will update this in a few weeks as to the longevity of the product, or if i run into any issues/problems.
Cons:
The instruction "Manuel" is online only, for me this wasnt really an issue but i can see it being an issue for those less computer literate.
Opening and closing the case is awkward. You have to push in the top, it just not a natural feeling way to open a case. I think that the previous clam shell version of the case is probably a better design for most people.
Update:
I've now been using the X2 headphones for about 2 months, (2) things I've noticed.
First if you use the comply tips and you sweat while using them you need to clean them before putting them away or the tips get a really weird unpleasant odor. I now clean these with a wet wipe before putting them back in the case and no problem.
Second issue I've encountered is that when I sweat more than normal enough to get into my ears the tips will slide out pretty easy. I haven't figured out a solution for this yet, maybe ill try using the regular tips.
Other then those 2 issues the X2 headphones work great. I haven't had any connectivity/sound/comfort issues at all. Battery life is outstanding I use these in the gym 2-3 hours 4 times a week and I'm charging every 3 days.
I have 5 different sets of traditional headphones (band over the head), from different manufacturers. My favorites are Sennheiser and AKG. I probably wear my AKG's more often because of the rich and full spectrum of sound, with good bass and the right balance of mids and highs. So I am no stranger to quality sound in that arena. So, I was quite surprised at the pleasant range of tones that these put out. With my Samsung S5 pushed to max volume, these are just about right and do not overdrive to the point of discomfort. In fact, I still haven't figure out how to increase the volume at the little control switch on the headphone cord. The only thing that I can do with that is to advance to the next song or repeat the one in play. There is a pause button (middle button), which actually pauses your player device, to answer phone calls or kill the music for whatever reason, which is a nice interactive feature of the Bluetooth function. And when the soft tips are properly seated in the ear canal they create a vacuum which not only holds them in place, but also blocks out most ambient outside noise. I tested the audio response through a full range of song genres....rock, funk, jazz, country, etc and when I went into my music player, PowerAmp, and adjusted the EQ within the player, these really kicked a**. Full of bass thump without distorting and just sounded awesome. Made a huge believer out of me on the full spectrum of sound. They almost sounded as good as my over the ear headphones, despite their small size. Jaybird has engineered some excellent small drivers in this system.
My biggest complaint is the hassle involved in trying to get the fit right. The "wings" are not intuitive at all and the only way that I can get them to "seat" in my ear structure is in the under the ear position. I simply can not get the over the ear cord position to stay in place behind my ear, as it goes over the top of where the ear adjoins the scalp. And simply can't get the wings to seat where they are supposedly supposed to go, no matter which size "set of wings" I attach to the earbuds. Frustrating, so I simply use the bottom of the ear fit, for the cord and the wings.
I really, really love being in full Bluetooth mode, with no cords to get tangled up in, when working the machines at the gym. Total freedom of movement. I find these to be so comfy, that I have resorted to wearing them for normal around the house activities and driving in the car, when I don't want the car system on, and wishing to listen to my playlists on the Samsung.
I also find the Bluetooth range to be exceptional. I live in a sizable tri-level home. To give these a challenging test, I placed my Samsung S5 upstairs in the master bedroom, exited the room and walked down the hall to the first flight of stairs down onto the ground floor and then made a circle through the living room, into the dining room, and then completed the ground floor circuit through the kitchen and then navigated down the second set of stairs into the lower level game room, which placed considerable distance between the Jaybirds and the Samsung, with walls and floors and ceilings between the two. At no point did it drop the signal, which really shocked me. I fully expected some sacrifice in reception, but Jaybird responded as if the player was in my pocket. Pretty impressive.
I'm a runner and I have forever been looking for the best headphones to run with. Over the years, i've probably purchased 30 different types from high end Sure 535s at $550 all the way down to $5 specials. For the most part the Bluebuds have been great at dealing with sweat and moisture.
Here's a quick recap and comparison of the old and new ones. A bunch of reviewers have come out with new thoughts on them so I'll leave the long form to them.
Pro's:
The biggest pro i can tell you right out of the gate is that Jaybird nailed the fit this time. The original Bluebuds were decent but i couldn't ever get the best combination that caused the earphones to stay in effectively when I ran. Call it a fat guy with sweaty ears but they just wouldn't stay. These new X2's already fit better. You can feel them "lock in" with a great firmness that says that they are not going anywhere. The new ones come with comply tips (a MUST have if you want good signals and clean bass). The old ones did not. They also changed the design of the secure fit ear pieces and they just feel better this time around. On the last pair, I ended up giving up on the enclosed ear pieces and getting the decibulz so that they would mold to my ear and stay in.
They also have the same clips that keep the wire secure around your neck. That is a key feature as other headphones shake, rattle and roll and you can hear it in the movement. Plus if they are not secure, they flop and around and eventually pull out of your ears.
As to colors, they are cool. I'm a traditional guy so I went with the Black. I like them better than the old Bluebuds which were also black (what can I say? It goes with everything... :).
Cons:
The new case is bigger. I'm not sure that is a great thing as portability is a big thing for me. To be honest, this not a big deal for me as I likely will carry them in a small running case anyway.
So why are they a 4 star vs. 5 star? Two reasons: first is that they never quite got loud enough for me on the first go around. I was hoping that that these would get louder (sometimes you just need that extra juice to get you pumped up to get over that hill in a workout). These are solid but they don't get quite loud enough for me. The second reason is that the sound stage while clean is a bit tinny for my taste. I am by NO means a bass head but that doesn't mean I want a less than pristine and full sound stage when I'm listening. I'm listening to them tied to an iPhone 6 running Spotify with the streaming quality cranked up to excellent so it should be very full 320 bit sound. In that mode, these sound 'very good'. It's 4 star because I was hoping they would be excellent. At that point, they would be game over. They just didn't blow me away as much as I would have hoped they might. This too i had hoped that they would enhance in the X2 and I was a little disappointed to hear that they sounded pretty similar to the Bluebuds X.
So overall verdict? If you want a set of bluetooth headphones to work out with, these are it. Hands down. As long as you can deal with them not being quite loud enough or sounding like a $300 pair of earphones (and in fairness they are bluetooth so it's hard to get sreiously high fidelity out of that technology) than they are great buy.
2nd pair purchased 4 days earlier died.
Earbuds stopped playing music. Could not power on even though fully charged. Returned and exchanged for exact same pair.
Update 2015-11-25
Purchased 2nd pair for $129 + 2yr replacement warranty for $19...
Also confirmed max range is ~285 feet outside, direct line of sight to my cell phone with no obstructions between myself and phone. Used tape measure and measured distance. Bluetooth signal ( music ) very unstable at this distance, but can still hear. Slight movements of head produces lots of static.
275' hear music, very unstable, static.
225' hear music. controls still work.
125' music strong outside
75-100' music very strong outside
30' music strong in house through walls
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2015-11-06 Purchased 1st pair.
Jaybird X2 came out in Aug or Sept 2015. Any review older than that or references about product before those dates are for previous version.
Just purchased a pair.
Fit is incredible.
Bluetooth range is unbelievable ~150+ feet in doors ( gym ). I placed phone on one side of gym and could hear on opposite end of gym with all equipment, weights, etc in between.
Sound overall is acceptable as expected for this price range, size, bluetooth range and battery life.
Bass isn't as deep as I'd like it to be but tradeoffs had to be made.
Monster iSport Bluetooth Wireless have lot more bass but they're bigger, don't fit as good nor stay in ear over time after heavy use, nor is warranty anywhere near that of Jaybirds.
I never tried comply ear tips before, but these are very comfortable and practically eliminate all noise.
If fit remains snug and noise reduction remains same I will be one happy camper for price. $180 while expensive up front will be well worth it if earbuds themselves and wings last and all I have to do is replace tips once in awhile (every 3 or 4 months ).
I never imagined these earbuds could actually be used in so many sports.
Checkout Jaybird X2 YouTube for:
Emily Harrington
- Rock Climbing
Ronnie Price
- Basketball
Kerri Walsh
- Beach Volleyball
Brandon Johnson
- Pro Trainer
Jesse Thomas
James Lawrence
- Triathletes
Lauren Freshman
- Runner
Kathleen. Tesoro
-
Nick Rima do
- Goal Keeper
Curtis Keene
- Mountain Bike
And so many others.
Never seen so many atheletes from diverse disciplines endorsing a product on youtube like those done for Jaybird X2.
I'm so very happy I stumbled across these.
I was on my way to gym and realized I forgot my regular pair of wireless earbuds. So I stopped by Target to see if they carried the Monster iSport Wireless, they didn't so I decided to get these.
All the others earbuds i recently purchased will be returned and possibly never used again: Bose Ultra, Monster iSports, etc...
I've only had X2 for a day, but love them so far...
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do not over charge. Charge until green light comes on, shouldn't take more than 2.5 hrs for full charge. Over charging will significantly decrease battery life.
Let dry before charging if previously used in activity with heavy perspiration ( sweating ).
My main complaint is that absent a mirror these were terribly hard for me to install in my ears. I only want these on at my desk, and not when walking around the office, so I had to take them off all the time. Though very easy to take off, they were almost impossible to get on correctly, and I almost always ended up slipping the ear grips out of their position by continually trying to reposition the fit. Sometimes I would get it right, and they’d stay in for 30 minutes, and other times they would slowly fall out over the course of a minute, leading me to the awkward ‘trying-to-get-the-other-earplug-back-in” dance, while trying not to look foolish to anyone passing by. (As a comparison, my standard Apple headphones, for example, stay in my ear much better, and they don’t have any of the equipment these had for holding in place. However, they’d also fall out more easily when exercising, so there definitely is a tradeoff…)
On the other hand, if I only use these at home and set up in front of a mirror, I have fewer complaints, because when I can see each ear perfectly, I can better see how to install the headphones. (But on the other hand, if I am at home, I just play music out loud, or use my bigger headphones…)
My second complaint is that the bass is virtually non-existent. I am not surprised, though, as these are tiny, and I wouldn’t expect them to have great “low-end” sound. I mention this because if you are just looking for sound quality or ease of installation I’d recommend you try some over the ear headphones (which go on in a flash like glasses do), and which have options for larger and heavier speakers with better bass.
However, if (as I’d expect) you are an active exerciser and ONLY want these for exercise, then you’d probably appreciate these even more, as there were also a lot of things to like:
+++ The set comes with a lot of options and sizes. There were two different styles of earpiece, and three different sizes of each.
+++ Bluetooth synching was a breeze. No issues any time I set them up.
+++ The range was exceptional. To test it I left my desk, walked down a hall about 40 feet, and then turned a corner and walked into another room. I had perfect sound the whole way without any distortion –this was impressive. I imagine you could basically walk around a couple of rooms with your phone on a table and you’d not have any degradation in quality.
++ There was a volume control on the cord, which is extra nice if you can’t get to your phone.
++ Charging was very easy to accomplish, and there is a red light which turns green when charging is completed.
++ The product comes with its own case, and everything actually fits into it rather well. It is also small enough to carry around in a pocket, when in the case.
So will I keep using these? Yes. But it is going to take some more homework. I am going to keep practicing in a mirror at home until I feel more comfortable adjusting the fit and installing them blind. I really do like being able to turn around in my seat without having headphone cords catch on anything. But for the office? I’d probably recommend another set of over the head or over the ear Bluetooth headphones instead, with bigger speakers to provide me a “heavier” sound.
I was tired of my Apple Earpods snagging on dumbbells at the gym and having to worry about holding onto the wires while running on the treadmill so they wouldn't swing all over the place while running. This is freedom. I don't need to worry about what I'm doing or how I do things at the gym - I can now do anything without wire-worry.
Sound quality wise, I do admit the sound stage might be more narrow than I'm used to with headphones and other earbuds, but in real-world use you won't really notice it while you are working out. Most people are concerned with the bass, as that is what get people in the mood to push themselves harder in the gym. I say the bass is definitely there. I stream Spotify Premium (extreme streaming quality 320kbps) of various kinds of EDM while working out, with artists such as Ummet Ozcan, Zedd, Hardwell, Martin Garrix, and other DJ's by Spinnin' Records and so on. These earbuds get pretty loud for when I need that extra kick, and bass is plenty enough as long as you get a good seal/fit in the ear.
Battery life is as advertised. I listened to music one time on a 5 hour flight to Hawaii, and had power for two 1.5 hour workouts at the hotel gym afterwards. OF course, some may say that they get more or less battery life than others, but I am pretty sure it does depend on how loud you listen to your music. If you listen to your X2's on max volume all the time, then yes, you might not always get the 8 hour battery life as advertised. For me, battery and charging is not an issue.
Some people bring up the redesigned soft carrying case as an issue. Honestly I've never had problems taking the lid on and off, and if one finds a problem, Jaybird does sell the original snap case on their website. The case feels good in the hand, but I never keep my X2's in there since I'm always using it daily at the gym. I'm never really sure of what fit I truly am, so I always keep small and medium foam and silicone earbud times inside so I don't need to open the packaging again every time I wanna try out a different size
The Comply foam tips are more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time than the silicone ones, but they can soak of the sweat that builds up around my ears so I often end up with slightly moist earbuds that I leave out to air dry. The silicone earbuds do have more bass, but they often create this suction effect that eventually goes away. I also found the design of the volume control piece to be considered, as the microphone hole is on the same side as the other buttons, and when you wear the X2's over or under your ear, they always face away from your skin and therefore lessens the chance of sweat entering the piece. This was a concern when I read reviews about the Powerbeats, of which some people have said they have the volume controls fail as a result of sweat entering the microphone hole located on the other side of the buttons.
While I don't own the Powerbeats or have listened to how they sound, I do appreciate the X2's small and slim size, as well as the over the ear fit option where you can tie the earbud wires behind your head so nothing is flopping around on your neck. Never had problems with connection (unless you try listening through multiple walls of a house), durability, sound, or fit. Only advice is to make sure you have a good fit, and if the sound quality isn't as expected, do play with equalizer settings - you can't go wrong with these to use at the gym.
8 hours of battery power, that's huge! Charged via micro USB. Once you pair them (with up to 8 devices) you can just use them to enjoy super high quality audio or to use them as a set of business headphones. Use one earpiece when you're just talking or both when you really need to pay attention.
You can tell right away that these things were designed for heavy exercise. They feature a sweat proof warranty so no matter how hard you work out, your tunes will always come in strong, loud, and clear.
From a sound standpoint, these a bit hot and they are tight-sounding. I have some Shure 535s that have a better fidelity from a monitor-like standpoint but for running and exercising these X2 sound better because the Bass is a bit more pronounced. They are tighter. I really like them.
I love that they are wireless because I just hang the loop from around my neck and I carry them with me everywhere. Whenever the phone rings, I just put one of the earbuds in my ear and answer the phone by pushing the middle button. If I really need to concentrate on the call, I just put both earbuds in. When I'm done, I just take the earpiece out and let it hang from my neck -- I never lose it and its always there. Perfect for when you're on the phone a lot or for when you're expecting a call. Much better than having a big phone to my ear. The other great thing is that I find it much easier to find this thing than a tiny earbud that just gets lost. The cord on this works great as a locator. I love this thing.
The storage case is very nice. It's super roomy and easy to close and open. you can just push everything in there and it just works. Perfect.
Overall, I can't say enough great things about this set. I don't need the little wings to keep them in my ear - they stay in just fine with the comfy earbuds. They come with an assortment of buds and little green wings (made of soft silicone) that you can use to really keep them in if you're doing strenuous things.
CONNECTION
- I think that it's because these have a cord connecting the two earpieces - there must be a long antenna in there because the reception and connection with my phone is very solid, strong, and clear.
MICROPHONE
- The microphone and when speaking on this is great. My friends can tell that I'm outside my car in windy conditions so the microphone is sensitive. Just know that this not a best choice for super-windy environments.
NICE DETAIL: They did a lot of work on nice details for this. One of the things I really like is that the charging USB cord is thicker than the headphone cables. When you put it in the case, it wraps around the outside of the case perfectly and presses against the outside, leaving the center area for the headphones and cable itself - no tangling. This way, the case can hold both the headphones and the charging cord without risk of tangle and without the charging cord getting in the way. The fact that it's micro-usb for charging means that any of my home micro-usb cords can be used to charge it and I always have that backup USB charging cord in the case. It's not everyday that a company thinks about the little details of what becomes an annoyance (like tangled cords do)....they thought about it and I appreciate and value it.
First, the build quality is admittedly very good. The cable is strong and flexible. The control buttons are tactile and easy to feel/work. And even the earbuds are nicely shaped (if only they would stay in better when I ran around). Jaybirds definitely has the best looking and highest quality looking headset of the bluetooth sport headphones.
The sound is also pretty good, when the earbud is securely fitted (which is so hard to consisently do). If there is any gap whatsoever, bass just drops out. But when it is, the bass is tight and actually not too overpowering at all. It provides a nice backdrop for walking around. Treble is a little shrill now and again but that could be the fault of music producers trying to oversaturated the sound. And the real standout is the midrange which is vastly improved for a bluetooth speaker. So, yes, the sound is good. It's not remotely in the ballpark of my wired Westone or Shure earphones, but it's very passable and being wireless is a treat.
Which brings me to the bluetooth. By far it's the best of the small sport wireless bluetooth efforts. The JLABS Epic earphones actually fit me very well but the connection was awful, constantly dropping out or introducing a lot of static. It made me crazy. The Jaybirds X2, on the other hand, are really admirable and very rarely, if ever, have drops or cut outs. If you've ever suffered through wireless static, you know that the headphones go back immediately. Heck, even the Jabra REVOs that I tried (bigger and presumably more antennas) were lousy with static and drops. Jaybirds really did their work here and it's a good listening experience. Further, the headset buttons work pretty intuitively for vol up/down with one click, last/next track with a long click, and power off by holding down the play/pause/answer button for 4 seconds. And, on my android device, a long click of the play/pause buttons perfectly works Google Now. AWesome.
So, they are really a nice set that have grown on me. I only wish that the earbud (the only 1 of 6 that even somewhat works for me) would stay in my ears better. As is, periodically, I have to adjust them or seat them a bit better. It's fine while walking or sitting around, but a total irritant when working out. Consequently, I've kept the Plantronics (which are awesome) for workouts, and use these for about town.
4 out of 5 stars.
The X2 headphones are what I wished the original headphones were. For starters, they fit and stay in my ear! And even better, the Bluetooth connection stayed connected and wasn't getting tons of garbled sound when the phone was in my pocket. To me, those were the two biggest pains that I had with the prior set of headphones.
The sound quality was good, but not decent. I think I've been spoiled with my Bose Soundsport headphones. The sound is good, but not great. They also didn't seem to get a high volume, which may or may not be an issue for you. I like it loud but still able to hear what goes on around me, but still, could have used about a 20db bounce. Sound quality was good when I used them to conduct phone calls and summon Siri. That was an added plus.
As for being sweatproof - they have survived what could be a described as a comical amount of sweat from exercise. I rinse them off after each workout with water, and haven't had any issues. I've ruined other sports headphones, so it's nice to see them actually surviving. They do feel sturdy enough that you could casually toss them into a bag or in your pocket without problems. The battery life is pretty great - I charge it weekly after 7-8 hours of running through the week. Of course, you'll have to charge it more if you forget to shut it off like I have on occasion. There's also an included case, which is nice and will protect your expensive headphones from abuse.
Overall I like the headphones. The $180 price tag is a bit brutal for my liking, but they're a "luxury" set of headphones along the lines of Beats Powerbeats 2. Jaybird customer service is good and I'd feel confident that if I did have issues, they'd be addressed. Four stars.
Edit 10/20/2015:
After a few weeks, my battery life is now down to 5 hours per charge. It's pretty disappointing, but the sound quality is good. And sweat and rain don't seem to have any effect, which is good.
Another thing I've noticed that despite being able to summon Siri with the headphones, there's a 5 second delay for each command and response. So if I ask Siri during a run to send a message, it takes over a minute to do the whole transaction. It makes me wish I had an Apple Watch or even risk running and texting if it's a small message. I don't know where the problem lies - this was with my old Jaybird headphones as well, so I don't know if this is an iPhone/iOS/bluetooth issue or just Jaybird.
So I've downgraded the headphones to 3 stars.
Cons
- No sounds customization when paired with the phone: For instance, when I get a phone call I get a generic ringtone that seems built into the headphones. Why can't I get my phone's ringtone at the volume I want? I dock it a full star for this. Maybe a star and a half. I would be way happier with them if I could change this. I really really hate getting phone calls while wearing these... Luckily I communicate mainly via text/e-mail so I don't get that many calls. Otherwise I might return them. It's that annoying.
- Built-in voice is terribly loud: The voice is soft-ish, but it plays at a relatively loud volume. It should adjust its softness to the headphones volume, at least for unexpected messages. I mean, this is only an issue with the "Battery Low" warning. Every other time I expect the voice and, in fact, it's pretty helpful. But the "Battery Low" warning gives me a jolt EVERY time because it's so unexpected and I tend to listen to stuff low volume.
Pros
- Very comfortable: This is what makes me not return them; they are very comfortable and convenient.
- Lots of fit options: More than I saw elsewhere and a big part of why I bought them.
- Very solid build: From the packaging to the carrying case to the actual headphones, build quality is great.
- Good range: Not great or exceptional, but it will never break up with your device nearby. Don't expect the moon, though; it doesn't have a better range than the $30 pair they were replacing
- Good battery life: They always last me through the day (a few hours of sporadic use throughout), but die midway through the next if I don't charge them.
- Good sound: Actually, great sound and noise isolation from my POV, but I'm really not picky about audio. They're certainly better at both than then pair they were replacing, but I expect an audiophile might disagree.
- Voice prompts are usually helpful: "Power on/off," "Headphones Connected," "Connection Switched," and so on are actually useful to hear. The "Battery Low" one is horrible, however, as mentioned above.
- Adequate call quality: I've answered a few calls through this headset. They're as good as the $30 pair, which is to say that I come through without much issue, but I have to be mindful that I'm on a BT headset. I bought them expecting them to be inadequate for phone calls, though, so it makes the pro list because they're usable, not because they're good.
For the $180 price tag I expected polish, and the two issues I point out above annoy me greatly. Everything else is as expected for the price.
These headphones are pretty different, and very clever in a few key ways. The first thing I love about these, is that you'll never worry about losing the little fitting for your ear. I'm referring to the soft rubber parts, that often come in different sizes. I've lost that part on every pair of headphones I've owned in the past ten years. What makes these different, is the fitting connects onto the earpiece itself, with a tighter fit, that comes in one of two different kinds of material. Very comfortable. I almost wish they were special, so I could reuse them on my wired headphones.
The second part that hooks onto the earpieces, is to help keep the earbuds in place. These too where new to me, and frankly I didn't think they'd do anything. (I'm now talking about the "fins" that are either earbud in the picture) They really soft, so they don't pinch, and after some adjustment, I was quite surprised to see how well it did help in keeping the ear piece situated.
The another that straps on is to help manage the length of your cord. I think this is my only real criticism so far, the box these came in was so sleek, its almost like the packaging designers didn't want to try and ruin their smooth appearance by providing an insert with directions on them. I have no idea how these work. I'll probably go look online to figure it out, but its worth noting, these aren't quite self-explanatory on how to use.
My other critique is mixed, in that they don't actually offer an AC plug with the charger. Its only USB, so you'll need to plug it into a computer, or use a AC to USB base like you might already have for your cellphone. I actually like this, since it is less to store in my laptop bag... but it doesn't really make sense for the gym, or for someone who isn't glued to their computer like myself. Another saving grace, is that this short cable fits into a small carry case that comes with the headphones. (the squarish box with the logo on it)
I've included a shot of the packaging, it shows the variety of ear tips you pick from, the fins, cable, and carry case. You can also see the only diagrams you'll get as instructions, are all there on the case... its actually really nice packaging. I almost feel bad to discard it.
-Headphones (23.5 inches long in length), the cable and buttons/mic on the headphones seem very durable and unlikely to break
-Charger (9inch USB to MicroUSB), no outlet adapter
-Rubber Carrying container
-Small/Medium/Large ear buds, foam and plastic type
-Small/Medium/Large ear loop inserts
-Clips to contain loose cable if they length of the headphones are too long
There are minimalistic instructions that come with these headphones, but they are pretty simple to figure out:
-Hold middle button to turn on/off
-(+)/(-) buttons to raise/lower volume
-Hold (+) and (-) at the same time for a few seconds to get it to become a discoverable Bluetooth device
-Hold (+) for a few seconds to go to the next song
-Hold (-) for a few seconds to go to the previous song/beginning of the current song
-Push middle button to play/pause music
-Double click middle button to redial the last called contact (annoying feature in my opinion, can result in a lot of accidental calls while trying to activate siri or toggle play on music)
-Hold middle button for a few seconds to activate siri (if you hold it too long it toggles power)
Characteristics & Features:
-They are very good at limiting outside noises with both earbud options, could make it unsafe to run with (you want to be able to hear noises through you earbuds while running)
-Sound quality is great, then again I can’t tell the difference between ipod earphones and a $500 headset…
-Mic quality sounds as well, no one I have called has complained about it. They can hear me fine when the mic part is hanging near my ear, no need to move it close to my mouth.
-Good ability to stay in your ear without the earloop attachments on, great ability to stay in your ear with them on; I am not at all concerned with them falling out during activity while wearing them with the ear loops on.
-Great battery life (I suggest letting them die completely when you first open them, then charge them to 100%, this will get you the most out of your battery life). 0% to 100% charge is pretty fast, I didn’t time it exactly but it was no more than a 2-4 hours.
-Bluetooth range, connectivity, and speed are great; I didn’t measure the distance because it was so long (>50ft), there is no lag between headphones and sound (so you can watch videos without have audio desync)
- Bluetooth turns off discoverability after it connects to a single device. If you connect the headphones to 2 different devices, while one is connected the other will not be able to affect/disrupt/take over the connection.
Pro: Quality of the audio and comfort is awesome, customer support retain the awesome on the phone when I had to fix audio issue. And the voice prompts were clear and informative to ensure that I don't have to stare at the headphones, if I need to know if it's on and trying to pair.
Downsides: The printed instructions were a card that just said to charge, then plug into the ear, and then connect. Anything else like it's ability to redial your last call or even figure out if your X2 battery life is good. ( X2 has to be on & disconnected then click plus or minus key and green means good to go and red is no) were on the web site that user manual had to be link through 3 pages, have to click support then look under the list of other support options to click user manuals) before I got to the manual selection and selected English manual for the X2. The manual was informative yet it shouldn't be hard to find. A simple link on the bottom of front page should fix the issue.
There's no way to determine power percentage on your own, The LED light can be green easily for one hour of juice left, And the only warning you get when power is low is a voice prompt that comes in 15 minutes before power runs out. An voice prompt can state the power level to remedy this issue.
Doesn't come with the charger, just a charger cable that has a USB port and the buds charge port.
The instructions also shows that you have to wait for the foam to expand in your ear canal (15-30 secs) if you wish to completely fill your ears with your music, hopefully that can solve the low audio for other consumers.
The earbuds will fall out if the ear fins aren't attach and you have loose wiring when exercising , which a diagram on the online and behind the package inner box shows that you can't place them straight on rather on a slight angle on the buds. Which a small paper instruction booklet may work for instructions for use.
The case provided is nice on eyes yet it's hard to open without 100 hours of fumbling with it before hand.
It's an great quality wireless buds for the price yet technical manuals aren't easily accessible and a charger may be include into the deal before I recommend a full price.
Is this a good upgrade if you already own the popular Bluebuds X? I'd say keep your Bluebuds. The difference isn't that great.
My Bluebuds X headset stopped working, I hear that Jaybird is great about honoring the warranty, but decided to just get the X2. The battery life is the same. It's great that they included Comply foam tips, but they are the basic foam tips, not the comfort (Ts) line or the ones with the best sound isolation (T). So in order to block out the wind noise while riding my motorcycle, I ended up buying my own Comply tips. The t500 if I recall.
Strangely, the original Blubuds X fit my ears better when hanging down. But when I flip them around for the over-the-ear method, they fit great. Your ears might have the exact opposite experience because of the angle.
Basically, these are not just plug and play earbuds if you want to get the best sound, and/or to block out noise. You'll need to spend some time experimenting with the tips, the angle, and the little wings. For me, the wings aren't needed. I've read other comments about the sound being a disappointment. I think those people probably didn't take the effort to get a good seal into the ear canal.
Battery life is 8 hours at default volume. If you turn it up or down, you'll get more or less.
The voice prompts by "Jenna" are useful, and she has a pleasant voice. "battery low" "headphones connected" "power on".
It remember having more prompts on the old X model, like battery percentage, but maybe I just don't remember how to get them.
The sound quality is good, and well balanced. I've used ear buds by RBH, Shure, Bose, Sony, Klipsh, Monster, Skull candy, Motorola, Panasonic and more. Those ranged from under $30 to over $400. The X2 sound as good or better than most of those (not the RBH EP2, and Shure 400 series though), including some wired models in the same price range. As far as Bluetooth, nothing I've tried sounds as good.
Speaking of Bluetooth, I haven't seen any device that pairs as quickly as these, including my car stereo, speakers, or other headsets.
Most other bluetooth stereo headsets cost quite a bit less. It might be possible to get something fairly close for half the price.
But if the combination of noise cancellation, sound quality, and long battery life is important, there is no other choice on the market right now.
I purchased mine at bestbuy(to get a geeksquad warranty) about a few weeks ago and I'm very happy with it. Jaybirds has a lifetime sweatproof warranty. Here is my 2 cents:
Sound quality is great - As good as my $100 bose soundtrue earbuds(for a regular joe, it is more than enough). I use to watch movies on my mac and netflix on my roku and it sounds great.
Noise cancelling is passive(enough to zone in but safe enough to hear surroundings while running).
Battery life is as advertised - Ran for a week running 5-7 miles daily, watching movies without charging. Gets approximately 8 hours.
Connectivity - No issues except for old bluetooth devices. Disconnected once but it was my old 2009 mac(so I bought a bluetooth dongle). Switching from one device to another is very easy. It can only get connected to one device.
Fit - The smallest bluetooth earbuds money can buy in the market(I tried a lot ie backbeats go2, jabra sport, etc and they all look like I have a jawbreaker in my ear). The fit is great but when I ran it started to fall off with the sweat and all. The solution: Over the ear fitting. It has been excellent for me during running. I use the under the ear for leisure activities/plane trips because I can secure it around my neck when I temporarily remove them. Just google jaybirds on how to clip it properly(clips included in the purchase), it takes 30 seconds.
Things I hate - the case. OMG. Very poorly designed. It is huge and a pain to open/close. The comply eartips has irritated my ears, so I use the silicone(included too).
I disagree with other reviewers about not sounding loud enough, I never had a problem with it using spotify, pandora, itunes and even just watching from my mac. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PROPER FIT. Ignore the reviewers that says the sound is tiny, they are not fitting it correctly or they didn't clean their ears.
TLDR: Just buy it if you're looking for a bluetooth earbud with good sound quality and comfortable fit. I spent too much time purchasing and returning the cheaper ones. Wear it over the ear when running. If the fit is not great, just return it but give it a shot :)
UPDATE(10/24/2015): After 2 months of use, the X2 has been amazing. No lost connections(not even once!), plus the new iOS displays the battery life now. I have been training for a half marathon and using it for traveling, it has not failed me. Devices used: macbook pro late 2011, ipad air 2, tomtom spark cardio + music, iphone 6s.
I had to wrap over the ear style to get these to work for weights and light running in gym.
Now the Jaybirds X2 in comparison are double++ the price. I was hesitant reading the negative reviews here, especially on sound and fitment.
REMEMBER 2 YEARS OF BACKBEAT GO 2 at 5x a week of gym time, 1 hour+ each. That's alot of time with old tech. They would only hold about a 2-3 hour charge honestly or about 3 days for me. By the time they reach the battery life point, you get a little under an hour.
In my honest comparison, the Jaybirds are worth the value in every way. The sound is noticeably better than the Backbeats and the fit I am able to get is straight down, no wrap around needed with the wing tips. YOU MUST get an absolute fit and try out every single ear tip and wing on there. I went through all of them to find the right one. Remember to fully push the wings back onto the headset groove on the earbud itself. Then, push the tips gently into the underside of your ear. There is no trouble doing this without a mirror, by feel. I do both freeweights and running, and they stay in perfectly.
So far, the battery is good at about 4 hours so far = 4 days for me. My advice to is to ensure that you don't use a speed charger type on these or any device like this. An Apple type plug seems to be fine so far.
Distance of headset is very steady about 30-40'. Great for walking around the house/office.
I have an mpow knockoff as well. Trust me, these generic brands do not compete with the caliber of Backbeats or Jaybirds. The sound is not close. I would be very hesitant to believe reviewers of these type of products, but like I said, I have a couple no name generic bluetooth headphones. Not even close.
Bass is very good in my opinion. They're are reviewers that say there isn't enough. I listen to EDM mostly and it's plenty. Find your eartip and wing for best fit. I say, use the wings as well. They really do work.
The biggest issue I have with them is the way the ear pieces fit. Every time these things sit in my backpack the two attachments fall off when I go to remove them from my backpack. Even when they are on my neck; if they get caught on my jacket, there go the little rubber push on pieces. If you lose those and especially the ones that actually hold it to your ear, they physically won't work (doesn't stay in the ear).
Thankfully a store in the Atlanta airport was gracious enough to give me a spare ear plug one time. Since then I have lost 2 of them to who knows where since they don't stay on the earbud to save their own lives (sic). No, I don't always put them back in the case.
They also have a tendancy when running to have the ear plug piece work its way loose and you lose significant sound quality due to the ambient noise overpowering the speaker(s). I constantly have to re-adjust them when running. I have not tried to tie them up mostly because that would require them to be changed position wise in your ear and then I'd have to change them back to take phone calls at my desk.
I'm not really sure where the mic is located, but occasionally people say it is hard to hear me. Most of the time they seem to do the job well.
The only other gripe is the connectivity with the iPhone 5. Of course it could be the phone, but frequently it will not answer a call with the earbuds even when they are connected. Many times I have answered a call and had to fuddle arond with the phone to go back to the earbuds as the main connection during a call. I've since figured out a system for this, but its still a pain.
Overall it is a decent kit. If there were some locators/dowels for the earbud pieces or o-ring grooves so they stayed on it would be 100000000% better and I wouldn't be so frustrated with them.
Another thing I will say is you need to have patience and find the right fit. They provide you with 6 different types of tips (3 silcone and 3 comfort fit foam tips, plus 3 different sized wings) I personally LOVE the foam tips, combined with the medium sized wings. They fit securely and in my opinion comfortably. I could see how some people may find them slightly uncomfortable if the skin on your ears is a little more sensitive, but for me I could wear them for hours. Again finding the right fit is ESSENTIAL because that will impact the sound quality! The better the fit the better the sound.
Pairing these was a breeze. Hold down the button, wait for the light to blink (or for the voice command to tell you it's ready to pair if you're wearing them). Then connect and BAM you're all set! It appears to be an excellent connection. If someone was looking for Bluetooth headphones, I would recommend these in a heartbeat. As for the battery I can't make any comments yet, because I just barely fully charged mine for the first time, I will update my review later on.
I have been on a 2-month+ quest (obsession?) to find a great pair of everyday Bluetooth headphones. I was hoping that the X2’s would be both my primary BT headphones and my go-to headphones for the gym, but it wasn’t meant to be.
I’m by no means an expert, but this is a short list of the BT headphones I’ve recently tried: Plantronics BackBeat Go 2, Plantronics BackBeat Fit, LG Tone Infinim, LG Tone Active, Jlab Epic Bluetooth, Sol Republic Shadow Wireless, and now the Jaybird X2’s.
These headphones are great in that they are so compact. No neck base, no gigantic collar, -- just two earbuds connected by a 20-in cord – very simple. But because of that simpleness, that means one unfortunate side effect – gigantic earbuds that stick out of your ears. This makes them really noticeable in an office setting, and not very practical for only having one earbud in.
I had two small issues -- after pausing my music, I would press the same middle button to start playing music again, but the device would give me a weird "beep-beep-beep" noise in my ear, and I'd usually have to press it again. And I had a little trouble keeping the earbuds in my ears when not using the ear fins. (maybe cause earbuds are so large? or did I have wrong size ear tips? or both?)
Don’t get me wrong, I liked these headphones, but for the high price tag and for not really being an everyday set of headphones, I wouldn’t recommend these, although I will give an A+ to Jaybird’s marketing/advertising team -- these headphones certainly look, feel, and scream "cool." I also had a
For exercise use, I’d recommend the BackBeat Fit – a lot cheaper than the X2’s, and no ear fins or different-sized earbuds to deal with.
For everyday use, I’m leaning toward the new Shadow Wireless – although they don’t have retractable earbuds, they are very comfortable, blend in better then LG’s Tone series, have dual-device connectively (a must when you have a cell phone & separate iPod), are sweatproof/waterproof (a nice feature during a light rain), and they sound great. Just don’t use them at the gym unless you’re doing something like weightlifting, otherwise the earbuds will pop right out.
I am a professional skier, mountaineer, trail runner, climber and all around mountain woman. Before Jaybirds, I never really listened to music while training because I didn’t like the added burden of dealing with wires and connections and armbands and all that. But my wireless X2s make it easy to listen to a podcast during a long hike up a mountain or up the intensity with dance tunes while I’m lifting weights at the gym. Now, I really believe that music helps me take my training to the next level and that Jaybird X2 buds are an indispensable tool.
I’ve used both the BlueBuds and the X2s. They do take a little bit of time to get set up and sized to your ear when you get them, but once they are set, you’re good to go! The X2s stay in my ear while I’m training, whether it’s trail running or mountaineering. They (like the BlueBuds) come with 3 sizes of each kind of ear tip and ear fin — the fins being a sort of wing that helps keep the headphones in. You have 3 options of either silicon or foam for the X2 ear tips. Once you get the fit dialed, they are so comfortable. I am a tiny gal with very small ears and I find them to be very comfortable for all day use even with a helmet and goggles on.
One of the things I love about gym sessions with X2s is how I can leave my phone in my pack, have the earbuds in, and move around from circuit to circuit. They are great for interval training and highly water resistant even when I sweat profusely during a trail run in 90 degree heat. I have poured a bottle of water on my head and dipped my head in a creek with no effect to their performance. The battery lasts a long time and doesn’t seem to be very affected by cold. I’ve used them in -30 degree temperatures skiing and while it’s puking snow on a powder day and still had good performance from the battery. The battery charges quickly and easily, with a clear green light to tell you when they are ready. The controls are easy to operate and it’s possible to use them with light gloves on. I love the simplicity of the design and ease of use. They come with me everywhere I go and I highly recommend them!
Snug, flexible fit with 6 different types of ear tips
Exceptional clarity
Long lasting battery
Intuitive
Block external noise
CONS
Expensive
Can be uncomfortable when fully inserted
I was impressed by the clarity of these ear buds compared to other decent mid-level ear buds. These must be properly inserted for great sound. If the bass seems weak, they aren't all the way in, so try again. Max volume is decent but not ear breaking as with many wired ear buds, which is fine by me. My teens reported a very slight added buzz on some songs such as Brave by Sara Bareilles, but I am not sure if that's the headphones or the phone.
The medium silicone ear tips fit snugly in my ears and block out most external noise. It's really easy to swap out the ear tips and you can choose between S/M/L flexible silicone or molding foam. These do NOT have noise cancelling as some seem to think, but you don't really need that with these as they fit so tight you really can't hear much (could be dangerous actually). The ear fins didn't do it for me with my ear shape, but these stay in great with just the ear tips. They do get a little uncomfortable over time because they are so tight, but the smaller ear tips won't stay in for me.
The cord is tacky/grabby and can stick to my neck, which is fine most of the time but occasionally will pull out one ear tip when I turn my head if the cord is resting on my neck. Also the cord is pretty thick and can transmit sound if it rubs on your shirt. Use the included cable clips to help prevent these issues (see manual).
Easy to sync with a Bluetooth device (V 2.1 which is perfectly fine for headphones). The 3-button controls make sense but it helps to look at the online manual; e.g. hold the volume up or down for forward/back. Works great with my android phone and handles calls like it should. I liked the case; it seals well (might even be waterproof) and holds everything. It's a little big but is well made and is easy to open/close once you know how.
The battery does last for many hours (they say 8) and charges only take up to two hours. Overall decent little high-quality wireless earbuds.
Pros:
- #1 You don't look like a dooshbag wearing Dr. Dre Beats headphones.
- Wireless with seamless integration to any bluetooth phone. Never has any issues connecting or staying connected.
- Sweatproof. When I say sweatproof, I mean it. When I workout, I sweat like a pedophile in a nursery, and these things have never missed a beat. I've actually accidentally ran them through the washer and they came out fine.
- Great customer service. I somehow managed to bust my original pair, and Jaybird replaced them with no issues.
- Stays in position in any workout. I can run, play raquetball, cycle, lift, do hill sprints. Doesnt matter, these buggers don't budge.
- Comfortable. Once you find the right size of nub and earholder, they are super comfortable, even for long workouts.
- Battery life is exceptional. I can use mine for 2-3 workouts without a charge. When the battery is getting low, it says "Battery low" in your ear, and then you have about 20 minutes left to finish your workout. Additionally, they dont take a special charger to charge, you can use any android phone charger. This is super nice!
- Sound quality is good. I wouldn't say AMAZING, but they have clear, quality sound that isn't going to give you a headache. Not much bass, but hey, they are buds.
- Lightweight. This plays into the comfortable part. Headphones that are too heavy tug on my ears and make my ears and head hurt. These ones do not do that.
Cons:
- Can't plug them into the machines at the gym if you wanted to watch music videos. I know, wireless headphones without an aux jack???? Why not???
- Sometimes after a lot of use, the tips get loose and slip off the mounting nubs. I've found that pulling the tips off and using an alcohol swab on the mounting nubs and the tips clears the invisible layer of wax and body oil off the nubs, then the tips will stop slipping off.
- Carrying these in your pocket can cause the earholders and nubs to come off and get lost. Use the case, or be REALLY careful.
Battery Life - I still cant get the headphones to last 8 hours. I generally cant get a pair of headphones to last more than 6 hours on a single charge. These last around 7 hours on a single chart. The battery life indicator still doesn't work well. It goes from half full to empty instantaneously. It doesn't drain linearly over the life of the headphones.
Plastic covering - A picture is attached of the broken piece. It is a small covering over the charging terminal on the headphones. It fell off when I took them off the charger. It looks like an easy fix with more/better adhesive
Sound Quality - I think there is a noticeable sound quality improvement in these headphones. The sound is also louder than the previous version. Both improvements that were big for me.
Durability - I thought the originals were sturdy and these followed suit.
Sweat Resistance - To date, I have had no issues with the new pair of headphones. I have worn a headband for all workouts, which is a change from historical. That being said, they are still holding up extremely well even when worn for 12 hours or so a day. They have about 140 hours on them so far.
Changing Equipment - I still find it hard to believe that a transformer is not supplied with the headphones. They are extremely cheap to make <$1 and will remove the issue of using too much amperage and destroying the battery. The charging cord is also too rigid and short to be convenient. If the length was increased and the material was changed to give it more flexibility.
In regard to reliability, during more than 50 runs lasting anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes each, the headphones have not failed once. They pair with my phone almost immediately after powering on, they never lose the connection, and the controls and microphone have worked perfectly every time. I wish everything I owned worked this well.
On the question of fit, it did take a bit of experimentation to find a comfortable yet secure fit that works for me. At first I tried wearing them in the classic under-ear mode, where the cable drapes across the back of the neck. I experimented with different sized earpieces and wings, but could not find a fit that was stable enough to stay in place for the full duration of a 30 minute run. I even tried the third-party earpieces recommended by another reviewer here. Those did provide a more secure fit, but at the expense of comfort when worn over longer durations (60 minutes or more).
In the end, I found that when the headphones are worn in the over-ear configuration (with the cable looped over the top of the ear) and without the optional rubber “wings” provided, the Jaybirds stay in place very well, even during extended runs of over 90 minutes. In my case, the wings actually made the headphones fit less securely in place.
Other things I like:
- Simple operation, with intelligent voice feedback at a pleasant volume that tells you only what you need to know (“power on”, “headphones paired”).
- Battery level of the headphones is visible in the menu bar of the iPhone (if you’re using an iPhone, that is).
- Charging is simple and fast.
The only drawback really is the amount of time it took to find a good, stable fit using the stock earpieces. Again, using the third-party earpieces recommended by another reviewer did provide a more secure fit, but for me at least, that improved fit came at the cost of comfort.
All in all, a great set of sport headphones. I’d gladly purchase these again.
Audio Technica IM70 w/comply foam IEM, Powerbeats 2, Tone pro HBS-760, Tone Infinim.
Look: This is opinion based to me but they are small and don't draw too much attention(I have black)
Sound: No it doesn't sound like a corded IM70. It doesn't have the bass of my powerbeats 2. I would label it is as balanced and for gym style headphones that are wireless, it is reasonable. They sound similar to my Tone infinim which also lack bass. If you are a basshead get the powerbeats 2. If I were to put a price on sound quality, I would put them in the $25-$75 range.
Fit: I believe many of the bad reviews have fitment issues if they are saying the sound is "tinny" or "flat". In order for me to get the best sound ouf of these, I have to use the largest size silicone/foam. The foam does produce better sound but it is a pain for me to take in and out so I use the silicone for now. I use them over the head since below the head causes them to stick to my neck - the reason why I returned the powerbeats 2. After twisting my head enough, one of the buds may come a little loose but I just shove it back in my ear, no biggie.
Connectivity: I use an android wear watch and realized that sometimes when streaming Spotify, the music would just stop and the only way to get it to start again was to power cycle the headset. Turns out if your watch is disconnected, android wear searches for the watch and interferes with the headset. Setting android wear to disconnected mode or keeping your watch with you solves the issue. Other then that, no real disconnects.
How I use them: I use them for cycling with 1 ear out so I can listen to traffic. The powerbeats were a lot harder with the one ear method because the ear hook would dangle on my shoulder and I feel they would fall out. The tone pro's work excellent for cycling!
My opinion: Would I pay $180 for these, no. Sorry they just aren't worth it. I think they are worth $120 max. I paid $110 used and for that I am happy.
Gripes: A physical on/off switch, it is a pain waiting for the headset to turn on/off, I guess my LG Tone quick connect has spoiled me.
The freedom that comes with being wireless is amazing. I can concentrate on my workout and not worry about the headphones or the wires flopping around or getting stuck on things. I am never without my earbuds. Jaybird nailed it with these buds! You will be happy if you decide to purchase.
Jaybird has provided great additions to the all-new X2s.
--You now get 6 ear tips instead of 3. X2 comes with 3 silicon (S, M and L) and 3 foam (S, M and L) ear tips. I use the small foam ear tips. Nice to be able to customize your perfect fit.
-- The revised ear wings tips are wonderful! The new tips are now contoured to the shape of your ear and are much more rigid, which holds the earbuds in place. I wear the medium ear wing tips with the small ear tips. Nice to be able to customize your perfect fit.
(My fit is: small foam tips, with medium wingtips)
--8 hours of talk or play time is wonderful because I only have to charge once a week or even once every other week.
-- The sound clarity and bass is excellent. When I run on busy streets I sometimes will take out one side just so I can hear by surroundings because you really cannot hear anything around you.
-- Having the ability to skip songs, put music on pause and answer calls using the control near the ear is wonderful no more having to touch the phone.
--I enjoy doing plyo/jumping/running type training these headphones stay in my ear perfectly no movement at all.
--I set my phone down all the time to do walking lunges or jumping squats or even just to return my dumbbells and the range on the Bluetooth is so great my music keeps on playing as if my phone is right near me.
The X and X2 earbuds are similar, for an extra $10/$30 you get upgraded Bluetooth/sound technology, updated winged tips, 3 additional foam ear tips, and a slightly revised earbud design. The finish on the X2 is matte versus the X's glossy finish.
My very first impression upon opening the box was that the presentation was elegant. As in nicer than it needed to be. Everything was carefully packed and there was an impressive attention to detail. The little box of ear tips was a nice touch. I tried a couple of the silicone ear tips and found that the medium size fit nicely, sealing my ear canals well and providing the best bass response. The "ear fins" were a little daunting, but after finding the right size and getting everything adjusted, I'm extremely pleased. I can move my head around without worrying about the earbuds working loose, and they can even withstand some tugging. I even had a funny moment where I moved away from my desk, being careful not to hit the limit of my cable and rip my earbuds out, before I realized there was no cord! I'm finally free! Best of all, the sound is great, with full bass and satisfactory volume.
"Jenna," the female voice prompt, is pleasing and helpful. I was listening to a song and she broke in *on the beat* to tell me "Battery low." (It might have been a coincidence, but it was a happy one.)
Pairing the headphones with my iPhone and controlling them via the remote was easy and intuitive, even without instructions. (Detailed videos are available at the visually appealing Jaybird website.) Eventually I might plumb the depths of all the remote features but even if I don't, I can run them well enough already. If I have one gripe, it's the bright neon yellow color of the earbuds. I usually like to be more low-key, but I think in this case I'm OK with saying "Look at my headphones! They're the best ever!"
I stumbled upon Jaybird products and was reluctant to try them based on others not even comparing. The competition by-the-way, I gave the headphones away they were brand names, but terrible bluetooth quality or "tinnie" sounding (little to no quality bass).
My first purchase of the Jaybird headphones resulted in an amazing set of headphones. The manufacturing is spectacular. I sweat profusely during workouts, especially when I am doing heavy cardio. These never had an issue except once, AFTER 14 MONTHS. Jaybird was contacted and replaced them for FREE!!!!!
Service such as this is not the standard today.
The sound quality is perfect, you can have a high volume with no distortion which you can control either by the headphones or the device playing the music. The sound automatically cuts out when there's a call, and you can take it by hitting the button on the headphones. Nice features.
The bluetooth range - one of the highest I've experienced in such a small device. I'm not certain how they obtain such high distances with such a small device, but it's spectacular the the 30 feet plus distance / range expected from bluetooth products.
The headphones are extremely lightweight and come with a small clip you can use to tighten up the loose hanging wire, if you choose. I don't mind the wire hitting my neck, but I do know others in the gym who feel uncomfortable with the strap hitting them.
This company, not just their products is the best choice for Bluetooth headphones. They support their products, they develop newer richer quality and apparently constantly try to improve on their products. Impressive ALL the way around.
Which company supports their product for FREE after 30-days never mind over a year. I purchased two more additional sets for my kids last year for Christmas - still running, still work flawlessly.
Packaging: nicely minimal, very easy to open
Includes: six pairs of tips, three foam and three silicone, each with s small, medium, and large pair. Charging cable. Six ear fins. Several clips for shortening the wires
Feel: super light. Fit will of course be highly personal. You have to give them credit for shipping a variety of ways to get your fit correct however. For me, the small is a great fit, secure and with a good seal. Held up to running with no problem whether jogging or sprinting. Never felt like they were slipping or the seal was losing it. Very comfortable in the ear.
Ease of pairing: could the be simpler or faster. Paired immediately with all my Apple products--touch, pad, phone, and laptop.
Sound: I'm always leery of sound reviews as it's not only often subjective but fiercely so. That said, I found these to be excellent sound quality, especially with regard to clarity, which was crystal sharp. I'm not a huge bass fan, so for me the bass was fine, and nicely balanced. Those seeking deep driving bass will want a test listen. Perhaps even better than the music sound quality (I like good sound but wouldn't even call myself an audiophile by any stretch) was the audiobook clarity, which was much sharper than I often get.
The buds come precharged, but they recommend doing a charge anyway. I didn't and got about three hours out of the pre-charge, much to my surprise. They charge fully in about two hours (though you can always partially charge if you are in a rush. They say 30 minutes will get you 90, but I have the tried). I'm still working on my first full charge, am nearly at six hours and have had no warning of low battery.
There's no doubts these are somewhat pricey, but I'm loving the sound quality and clarity, and am also loving not having to reset my earbuds when running hard. Right now, highly recommended
For my purposes of going on a 3 mile walk everyday, it has sufficient fit and hold and it's great not to be chained to my phone. When you turn them on, a voice tells you that they're on and then tells you when they've connected to your device. It also tells you when you power these off, which is important. When I first got these, I kept forgetting to turn them off and the battery would drain and they'd be dead when I went to use them next. They're also convenient to charge because they use a standard micro USB charger. I tested them one day to see how far the range was for the USB and it seems about 50ft. When I walked outside of the range, it paused my podcast and then resumed it when I walked within range again. It also pauses my podcast when I get a call on my phone, and will read my text messages to me if I prompt it to with the voice control option. Other than struggling to find the right fit with these and remembering to turn them off, I haven't had any other problems with these. Some of the other reviews say that the sound isn't great. I probably don't have the most discerning ear but I haven't noticed.
Pairing is simple and I love that they use a standard micro USB plug for charging (included)... I hate devices that use proprietary plugs.
They give you 6 different sizes of ear pieces (3 sizes each of 2 different materials) and 3 sizes of 'wings'. I'm a 'large silicone' earpiece and 'medium wings' guy. If I was a runner, I might go to the larger wings for a firmer fit, but I mostly sit on my butt at the office, so the mediums are more comfortable for me. After the first hour or so of listening to music and swapping out the bits, I've settled on what works for me and I haven't swapped out any of the parts.
I listened to 7 hours of a technical training last week and the battery was just about to die... perfect for me as I can't see using them that often for more than 2-3 hours a day.
TIPS:
1. If you are wearing these in the UNDER THE EAR configuration, the buttons go near your RIGHT ear (so you can tell which way to put them on).
2. If you wear 'em over the ear, the buttons go on the LEFT.
3. If you hold the ear piece near the buttons so you are looking directly into the 'sound hole' (nothing like using technical jargon) with the wire pointed down, the wing should be positioned so that it goes directly away from the wire (up) and then curves to the left. The other earpiece should curve up and to the right when held the same way.
4. The side that has the recharge port is the one next to the buttons (so you don't get frustrated, trying to open the cap on the other side, when that side doesn't open... duh)
So, this new version that came out a few months ago, the Jaybird X2, I said to myself that surely they must have upgraded everything that disappointed me with the first, right? Nope! Still the same! So after years of selling the BlueBud X, you would think that jaybird would have greatly improved everything but unfortunately not. Please don't get me wrong, the audio is superb, but compared to the 3 year old tech of the Bluebud X, not much. One feature I loved, especially with the cheaper Bluetooth headphones like the QY7/QY8s is the ability to simultaneously connect to two devices at the same time! The BlueBud X didn't have it, thats why I returned it, so I thought the newer one would get the feature, but it didn't!
Jaybird states that you can connect up to 8 devices but not at the same time. You might be asking why it's so important? Well, here's my scenario. My QY7/QY8 headphones are connected to both my tablet and my phone, so it's helpful if I'm watching a movie on my tablet, then when someone calls me on my cellphone, the headphones automatically switch over to my call, AND pauses the movie! It's sooo convenient especially when I'm on my daily train commutes. I know some people don't need that feature, but that's not the point. If the cheaper $15 dollar QY8 has the ability to do that, then my $180 should also be able to do that feature! I really hope the future Jaybird X3 or X4 finally get it!
The reason I hate IEMS is that (a) I don't like stuff in my ear and they are uncomfortable, (b) they fall out. These Jaybirds do a good job of covering both these objections. They come with multiple fit options, and I do like the small comfort time. They also come with a couple of different ways to keep them from falling out. I prefer the ones that fit in hear because the over ear ones get in the way of my glasses.
The reason I hate bluetooth is that pretty much every bluetooth headphone I've tried has lousy sound quality. I also hate the connectivity issues.
Now these do not have the sound quality of a truly premium wired headset. But I'd say they are a definite step up from the Apple earphones that come with the iPhone 6. I can listen to these without hearing a lot of extraneous noise of distortion. You won't get the depth of field or the detail of a premium headphone, but I find the sound more than just acceptable which is high praise for a bluetooth headset.
The packaging is very clever and I like the carrying case. I also like that they come with a thick charging cable - cables won't get tangled or mixed up.
I just wish the chord that connected right and left were not so microphonic. It picks up every sound when you touch it or move around. That's not the best for a headphone intended for active use. All in all these are by far the best bluetooth headset I've heard.
The Jaybird X2 and Jabra Sport Coach are both pricey compared to the types of devices I have been using, and I’m on the fence about whether they are worth 5x the price of devices like the Cootree. However, there are several things to like in these premium units.
Best fit:
1) Jabra Sport Coach. The Jabras offer silicone earless and rubber EarWings. It was easy to find a good-fitting combination, and the Jabras fit comfortably and securely in my ears.
2) Cootree. These are a different than the other two. Over-ear with sort of a spring system to keep them on your head. One size fits all; no messing around with different size ear buds. However, they fit very snugly and comfortably. One drawback to this design is that if you take them off, you’re holding them in your hand. The ear bud design allows you to drape them over your shoulder.
3) X2. The Jaybirds include both silicone Ear Tips and foam ear tips. I really don’t like the foam. They feel scratchy, and they never felt secure. With the Jaybird Ear Fins, I could not find one small enough to fit my ears. I could not find a combination of fins and tips that was comfortable and secure.
Best sound:
1) Jabra Sport Coach. Phone calls, audiobooks, all kinds of music. The Jabra had by far the richest sound quality.
2) Cootree. For the money, pretty solid.
3) Jaybird X2: disappointing. I was not really impressed, and the Jaybirds did not have the range or richness of the other earphones
Miscellaneous:
Jaytree. Best looking of the three, but just not comfortable or good sounding. I like the flat cable, though.
I've never needed to use earhooks and the mid sized ear tips fit me just fine and securely. These wireless earbuds have the usual features and functions of the same kind: BT, phone functions, control pod on the cord, etc. Bluetooth works great and connected quickly without a passcode.
Sound: I've reviewed and tested many earbuds and headphones and I'll have to say that this is one of the best/better ones I've used. I looked up the specs on their website and found that these have single 6mm drivers. They also use their own software to decode the signal (which is not uncommon). My go-to earbuds are a pair of 10mm dual driver ones which produces a strong bass and I'd forgotten about the rest of the audio range until I heard these. The quality of the sound is very good and it grows on you. The mid-range is crystal clear and I could hear notes that I couldn't hear before. The rest of the audio spectrum is very pleasant. The high range is available and not shrill or uncomfortable. The bass is soft and pleasant and not overboosted like some earbuds that promise booming bass. These earbuds have a big body and they've used that and the 6mm divers to produce an admirable sound.
All other features aside, I think the main function of a pair of earbuds is to provide a good listening experience and I definitely think that these earbuds do a good job. I would definitely recommend them.
Meanwhile, I've been continuing to run with my phone wired to my arm with my pair of Bose wired earbuds. And while it appears there will be no Bose bluetooth earbuds in the foreseeable future, I am happy to report that the JayBird X2 are just as good as any Bose product you might be hoping for.
First and foremost, the new tips are made of memory foam and actually STAY IN YOUR EARS when running. I've run five miles without an issue. To me, this is worth the price alone after trying several other bluetooth pairs that just don't stay in your ears. I'll pay to get rid of the frustration of running in silence after my headphones have flopped out of my ears one time too many. They come with three sizes of tips AND three sizes of the "ear wings" so I can guarantee you'll be able to customize them to fit your ears. As a runner, owning an Apple Watch is almost not worth it if it's not paired with a great pair of headphones to enjoy.
Not only do they stay in place, but they sound amazing. In a side-by-side comparison, I wouldn't say they sound the same as my Bose earbuds, but it is close enough to where I can't tell the difference, and am not longing for Bose sound on my runs.
They do cut out on occasion, but it has never been enough to be distracting. And so far, the eight hour battery life has lived up to its expectations.
Overall, I would strongly recommend investing in these headphones. I bought them after my brother puchased them, and he too raves about their quality. They've actually made me run more just to enjoy the freedom of great sound with nothing but a watch and some wireless buds.
Enjoy!
They have gone above and beyond the highest standards to ensure I was completely satisfied in every interaction. They've given me complimentary earbud attachments because a new version came out very shortly after i purchased my wireless headphones (no fault of their own, just timing on my part but they just did it because they're awesome...I didn't even ask, they just offered me the free attachments in an email).
My charger stopped working after a couple years, so when I called to get another, they offered me an insane discount instead (around $75 off of $175 headphones) as an opportunity to experience the new version that they just released that was smaller and much improved....just because....they are always this nice, trust me.
I randomly found this company online about 6 years ago not knowing a thing about them, but instead I took a huge chance because they were one of the few that had wireless headphones at the time. At over $100-$150 a pop, it's not cheap if the product and/or company is sub par, so I took a risk and I could not be happier with that decision.
I have continued to purchase numerous products ever since and have received the same amazing customer service that I experienced day one. The sound and quality of the product has far exceeded my expectations and it is exactly the motivation I needed to help me run miles at a time.....I just need them to create underwater ear buds that I can wear while swimming laps (hint, hint
So far the x2's has stayed in my ears pretty well throughout various cardio exercises and running, but still required an occasional re-seating in the ear for a proper sound seal. This was acceptable to me since it was a clear step up in in-ear stability compared to my JF4's.
The sound quality was an improvement over the JF4's but I couldn't say it was night and day difference. While I was comfortable with the volume of the sound of the x2's, a lot of reviewers mentioned that the volume of sound could be louder. I did notice that my JF4's were louder than the x2's, which is slightly of a disappointment for something of this price tag. Otherwise, the quality of sound is pretty solid and rich. BT connectivity has been great, no drops during my workouts and runs so far.
Aesthetics wise, I would say the x2's is a winner with its minimalist design. Really like the sleek matte black look, while they also have other colors that stand out if thats your thing.
Ultimately, if you are not looking to workout, exercise, play sports, then I would not recommend getting the x2's. These are purely designed for sport and specifically for people that have rigorous workouts. I gave these buds 4 stars due to the price since I paid nearly $200 after tax. Hopefully they last a long time like the JF4's did for me.
On thing that I like the most is how customizable the ear fit it. They come with 3 sizes of ear fins, and 3 ear tips both in the foam, and in the rubber, so you can get a really good fit.
It seems like the playback volume is a little quiet, but I still don't have any issues hearing my music when at the gym.
When they say 8 hours of battery life, they actually really do mean 8 hours. I usually have mine on all day.
The only issue I have had is I will loose the ear pieces sometimes, especially the rubber ones. It seems like after a while they get a little slipper from the oil from your hands and face. You can order replacement ear tips as well as the ear fins so it isn't really that big of a deal.
There are perhaps better sounding headphones on the market, but as far as a bluetooth headphones that have excellent sound quality, are comfortable to wear, light weight, have long play back time, and most importantly for me hold up to being abused in the gym, I haven't find anything better.
The main thing, of course, is the sound quality and it is excellent. I put the headphones through the sound tests at audiocheck and they passed every test exceptionally well, with the bass coming out just a bit ahead of the treble in the dynamic range tests. I am very happy with the quality of sound in all of the various genres I listen to - jazz, classical, latin, rock and acoustic guitar all sound amazing.
There are several sets of earphone coverings in different sizes from which to choose for a comfortable fit along with different sized wings to choose from to keep them from falling out of your ears. No matter how vigorously you shake and jostle your head, the wings help these headphones stay comfortably in place.
The good:
Incredible ergonomics
Beautiful sound quality
Awesome design
A cool carrying case
Easy to pair with other Bluetooth devices
Charges quickly with enclosed cable (mini usb port is behind a little trap door in one of the earphones)
Control bar is easy to reach and feel
Love the green color
The bad:
None that I have discovered
Bottom lime:
Beautifully designed headphones from start to finish. Great for any activity where wearing a hanging cord is not desirable.
Positives: The bluetooth connectivity was seamless. I was able to connect with my phone, and my ipad with very little effort. And unlike some of my other devices, these connect automatically with my devices without me having to reconnect every time I use them. I am not sure how these differ from my other devices, but I'm excited about the difference. The range on these is suprisingly large. I am able to leave my ipad on one side of the house and go clear to the otherside of the house, and even into the laundry room without losing the signal or the connection. Although I find that they lose their charge fairly quickly compared to other headsets I have used, they at least charge extremely rapidly.
Negatives: I do not find these comfortable at all. The smallest inserts provided feel way too big for my ears, and even with the ear pieces in place, I constantly feel like the headphones are going to pop out. However, most importantly, the sound quality is simply average. These are extremely expensive, but my $30 Apple Ear Pods have much richer sound for a fraction of the price. Granted, these are bluetooth, so perhaps there is some loss of sound quality due the the wireless. Still, I would have expected much better sound given the high cost.
***Addition*** The battery life on these is abysmal. I find I need to recharge them nearly every day, as opposed to other headphones I've used that require only weekly charging with regular use.
My only issue, was I had the worst time trying to figure out how to charge them! There are no real instructions included with the headphones, and certainly nothing that tells you that the back of one of the earpieces opens up to plug the charger in. I had to figure it out by going to their website.
All-in-all, I would recommend these! They sound great, stay put, fit well, and store nicely!
That's the most innovative feature of the Jaybird X2... fit. With three sizes each of foam and silicone tips plus three sizes of ear fins, you have a multitude of combinations to try. Plus cord clips allow you to tighten or loosen the cord fit. I'm wearing it tight to keep the wires from batting around, giving you that cord echo sound.
Bluetooth connectivity is great and almost immediate. Unlike other Bluetooth devices, these seem to lock on target like a laser. If I turn off the Jaybirds it turns off what I'm playing, so I don't have to do as much coordination between devices.
Sound quality is tops; the unit is small and light; battery life is excellent.
Why the downgrade to 4 stars? (I'd give them 4.5 if I could) The carrying case looks great but is larger than needed. The price seems a little high to me, by about $50. Even with those two minor points, I'd give the Jaybird X2 5 stars for sure if they included a noise cancelling feature. I do a lot of flying and I love being able to cancel out the jet noise. These are good for isolation but that it is not the same. Still, these are the best I've found for running and I do that 5 days a week.
These are my first pair of Jaybird headphones and at first impression I was extremely impressed with the beautiful packaging and presentation of this $179 pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones. Unfortunately, the beautiful packaging is where the 5 star rating stops for me.
Pros:
- Gorgeous presentation!
- Great fit, comfortable (need to follow directions for the angles of the fins & eartips) to get the most comfortable fit. Wore without any discomfort for a good length of time.
- Easy Bluetooth setup / pairing
- Ergonomic buttons / placement
- Nice overall design
- Sweatproof
Cons:
- The sound is so tinny and lacks depth. $179 headphones? The price is not justified by the sound quality.
- The beautiful case is so difficult to open! If you don't have a nail or don't mind squashing the silicone case to get an edge ... it's a really snug fit!
- Detailed instructions only available on the website. This may result in some unnecessary returns.
I get the sense that because Jaybird decided not to include the detailed fitting instructions in the packaging and are driving people to their website, there are going to be those people who are going to try to gain the proper fit without some of the instructions on angles and over-the-ear options. There will be some who will avoid the website and return the product. I am not sure the exclusion of instructions for such an expensive and flexible fit product was a great move by Jaybird.
I wanted to love them more ... they just need some tweaks with the sound and packaging and they would be perfect.
First the overall sound from the headphones is excellent. The sound is rich, and you can really tell a difference when you switch from a cheap pair of headphones to these. The voices are much clearer, and the bass can really be felt pumping from these headphones. I think music lovers will be happy with the overall quality of the sound.
The headphones are sturdy and seem to be able to last the test of time. These are thick, and the accompanying cord has a thickness to it that should last the test of time.
It is really easy to pair your headphones with any device that is bluetooth compatible. I took it out of the box, turned on the headphones and was listening to music in a matter of minutes. If you have a basic knowledge of technology you should be up and running in no time.
The headphones come with several different size attachments for the ear buds, so no matter what the size of your ears, you should be able to find a good fit for you.
The only thing I did not like about the headphones was the fit for my ears. When I run I sweat, and the bouncing causes headphones to periodically drop out of my ears. The fit on these headphones was ok, but I had to try several different configurations in order to make them stay in my ears while I work out. I finally went with the over the ear fit for the headphones and that seemed to help.
If you are looking for a high quality set of headphones, I think you will be happy with these.







