Jabra Evolve2 Buds Review | PCMag

The Evolve2 Buds (starting at $269) are the latest addition to Jabra’s line of powerful noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds. Unlike most consumer-focused earbuds we tested, these are ready for professional needs with crystal-clear mics and a USB accessory that improves call stability. It also offers a crowd-pleasing sound signature and supports many customization options via a companion app. ($249) and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II ($299.99) remain top picks for most people as they offer top-notch active noise cancellation (ANC) as well as strong audio. If you want a headset and don’t want to buy another device, the Evolve2 Buds are worth considering.

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Comfortable and durable shell

Available in semi-matte black, the earbuds have an almost snail-shell outline with a flat outer panel bearing the Jabra logo. The fit is secure and comfortable for long listening sessions. The box contains his 3 pairs of black silicone ear tips in sizes S, M and L.

Inside, a 6mm driver provides a frequency range of 20Hz to 20KHz. The earbuds are Bluetooth 5.2 compatible and support AAC and SBC codecs, but not AptX.

(Credit: Tim Gideon)

Unlike most true wireless models, the Evolve2 Buds rely on the external surface of push buttons rather than capacitive controls. By default, each earbud button handles a different task. On the left earbud, press once to handle playback, press twice to skip to the previous track, press three times to go to the previous track, and hold for three seconds to summon the device’s voice assistant. For the right earbud, you can answer calls, mute your mic, open Microsoft Teams, or view notifications depending on your scenario with a single press. Pressing the same side twice will end or reject a call, or toggle between noise-cancelling mode and transparency mode where you can hear your surroundings.

By switching between different modes (music and media, incoming call, or active call), you can adjust the app’s control layout to some extent. Within these subsets, gestures can be reassigned to different functions. In testing, the controls were easy to navigate and I didn’t feel like I had to push the earbuds further into my ear canal to operate them. .

The IP57 rating of the earbuds is impressive. The first number (5) means very dust resistant, the second number (7) means it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. Cases don’t offer the same durability, so let the earbuds dry completely before docking for charging. leading the segment.

The charging case is a little bulkier than the one for the AirPods Pro. There are status LEDs on the front and a USB-C port on the back for the included USB-C to-USB-A charging cable. The case can also be charged wirelessly via Qi-enabled pads. Jabra sells one of his for an extra $40.

Inside the case, there is a dock for the USB adapter in the middle of the two earbud cavities. This included accessory provides a more robust connection to computers and unified communications (UC) platforms such as Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom. At the time of purchase, choose between USB-A and USB-C variants and specify if you want a model specifically optimized for Microsoft Teams. In my testing, it was easy to plug the adapter into my iMac and use the earbuds for Zoom calls. The only step is to select the Jabra option from the dropdown list of microphones available for that application.

Jabra estimates up to 8 hours of use per charge with ANC on and up to 10 hours with it off. The case holds an additional 25 hours of battery life, depending on ANC usage and typical listening volume levels. The company says the earbuds can be charged in about two hours, and a five-minute charge will give you about one hour of playback.

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Using the Jabra Evolve2 Buds app

During initial setup, the Jabra Sound+ app (available for Android and iOS) allows you to customize your app experience, check in-ear fit and personalize both ANC modes and audio signatures. Of course, each of these steps can easily be skipped.

(Credit: Jabra)

After completing the setup process, the app displays a product image that includes battery life readings for each earbud and case. Below this you can choose between ANC, HearThrough, or Off mode. Selecting the ANC or HearThrough options reveals faders that allow you to control the intensity of each.

Further down is an adjustable 5-band EQ. You can save custom presets or choose from a variety of pre-configured choices. The app also provides soothing recordings such as ocean waves and pink noise to help you relax and concentrate. Otherwise, you can install firmware updates, access user manuals, set up the Find My Jabra feature and find links to Jabra’s support pages.

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disappointing noise canceling

If the Evolve2 Buds are any indication, Jabra has not kept pace with the market leader in noise cancellation. The default setting moderately cuts strong, low-frequency rumble like airplanes, but not as much as the Apple and Bose models mentioned above, and mostly eliminates them. We’ve seen some improvement, but it’s still not competitive.

Earphones were particularly ineffective against recordings of busy restaurants with clattering dishes and noisy conversations. In fact, it was difficult to tell if ANC mode was active. At least they managed to avoid one common pitfall of his.

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Sculpted, distortion-free sound

For our audio tests, we turned off ANC mode and reset the EQ to default settings. On tracks with heavy sub-bass content, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the earphones offer solid low-frequency response. The drivers don’t distort even at maximum volume, but are audible enough at more moderate levels. The boosted bass matches well with the sculpted highs.

(Credit: Tim Gideon)

Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of the sound signature. The drums on this track have extra thump, but they never feel out of place. The highs are also emphasized, and tape hiss sounds louder than usual. Callahan’s baritone vocals receive a crisp high-mid presence to match the rich low-mids, and guitar strumming sounds clear. The engraving here is obvious, but balanced across the frequency range.

The earbuds effectively reproduce the deepest sub-bass tones at the 34-second mark of Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty,” and you can hear the rumble. Vocals have plenty of detail, and despite the boosted bass, they don’t compete for space in the mix.

Low frequencies on orchestral tracks like the John Adams opening scene Other Mary Gospels, with more emphasis, but with a more subtle effect than typical pop mixes. High-mid brass, strings, and vocals sound crisp, and the additional low-mid presence simply adds a little weight.

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clear call

A 4-mic MEMS array (working in conjunction with dual bone conduction sensors in each earbud) provides excellent clarity. I had no trouble understanding every word in the test recording taken with my iPhone. The signal emphasized clarity and seemed to capture a little more midrange than typical. It helps keep the volume at an ideal level, and my experience with Zoom’s test call was similar, with ideal clarity, even if the signal was a little louder.

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Works out of the box, with one drawback

Jabra Evolve2 Buds deliver crisp, bass-forward audio. We appreciate that the app has adjustable EQ to fine-tune the sound signature to our liking. Microphone clarity is also excellent, and the included USB accessory ensures a consistent call connection. will be These qualities make Buds a solid choice for those who spend as much time listening to music as they do video calls. But ANC’s performance simply doesn’t match the Apple AirPods Pro or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II. These models don’t offer much of an advanced mic system, so the Jabra can be a little looser, but if you’re more concerned with noise cancellation than UC compatibility, these are our top picks. .