The Jabra Evolve3 85 is a premium headset that aims to be the ultimate solution for all your communication and entertainment needs. With a price tag of around $1000, it certainly has the potential to be a game-changer in the market. But does it live up to the hype? Let's dive into the details and find out.
Unboxing and Design
The Evolve3 85 comes in a sleek and slim travel case, which is a welcome addition for those who are always on the move. However, I found the cables to be a bit of a hassle, as they don't have a designated compartment and can easily fall out. The design is clean and understated, with no boom mic, making it ideal for public use. The earcups are flat and slim, allowing for easy storage in a thin carry case. The weight is also impressive, at just 220 grams, ensuring comfort during long sessions.
Comfort and Battery Life
Comfort is a key feature of the Evolve3 85, with soft fabric earcups that are gentle on the ears. However, I found that the fabric can get warm in humid weather, which might be a concern for some users. The battery life is truly impressive, offering up to 25 hours of talk time and 120 hours of music playback with noise cancellation turned off. Charging is flexible, with USB-C and wireless charging options, and the user-replaceable battery is a rare and convenient feature.
Call Quality and Work Features
The Evolve3 85 truly shines when it comes to call quality. Jabra's advanced voice technology ensures clear and stable calls, even in noisy office environments. The busylight feature is a great addition, allowing you to signal to others not to interrupt during calls. The headset is packed with work-focused features, such as sidetone, hearing protection, auto pause, and app controls for wear detection and sleep mode. These features make it an excellent choice for professionals.
Connectivity and Controls
The Evolve3 85 offers simple and intuitive controls, with playback, call, and voice assistant functions split across both earcups. Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connectivity ensure a stable connection to two devices at once. The included USB Bluetooth dongle provides a longer range and better stability compared to some built-in laptop radios. However, I did find the sound quality to be a bit underwhelming, with a focus on speech clarity rather than rich music.
Noise Cancelling and Audio Quality
The noise cancelling feature is where the Evolve3 85 falls short. While it performs well indoors, reducing general background noise and making calls easier to follow, it struggles in louder environments. Public transport noise and wind can cut through, making it less ideal for commuting compared to leading noise-cancelling headphones. The audio quality is also not up to par for everyday listening, which is a significant drawback for those who travel often or are music enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
The Jabra Evolve3 85 is a solid choice for those who prioritize call quality and work features. Its comfort, battery life, and work-focused features make it a compelling option for professionals. However, the noise cancelling and audio quality are areas where it falls short, which might be deal-breakers for some users. If you're looking for a true all-in-one headset, the trade-offs are harder to ignore. Personally, I think the Evolve3 85 is a step in the right direction, but it needs some improvements to truly stand out in the market.
