So I have been using this product for about 5 months now extensively, which means everyday for at least 2-3 hours. I use them at the gym (music), at work (music and calls) and at home (video and music). I use them ALL THE TIME.
I have gone in depth into every feature of this product and believe that now I am in a position to give an unbiased review of these wireless earbuds.
I bought these because I like to buy products for the features and not because of the brand. And so while I considered the Bose Soundsport too but eventually bought these as they bring more to the table.
I shall describe performance on the following parameters (out of 5):
1. Audio quality - 4/5
I have a fair idea of what good audio sounds like and have heard the Bose Soundsport as well (which people in this price range might consider as well). The bottom line is: the audio is great and the app makes it even better. There is clarity across the range of sounds and the earbuds perform well at high volumes as well (only at very high they will start to become painful). I have heard that some people don't find them bassy enough but for my taste (I prefer to be "honest to the artist" and do not generally use equalisers to bump up a particular aspect of the track), they are just fine, I can feel the base and that is OK by me.
Sound isolation is standard that you generally expect from earbuds (wired or wireless). One downside is that due to the lack of popularity of Jabra products you will not find Comply eartips for these (which is not the case with the Bose), so you have to be careful not to lose or damage the ones given by Jabra.
2. Call quality - 2.5/5
Jabra makes a big deal about each earbud having 2 mics and I thought that this will mean great audio quality and ambient noise cancellation (I need it too as my job keeps me on the phone a lot). However to my surprise and disappointment that was not the case. Unless you are in a decently quiet environment the earbuds WILL pick up a lot of ambient noise and make it almost impossible for your caller to hear you, yeah, its that bad. For example, they pick up something happening in the kitchen WHEN I am actually sitting in the bedroom. Thus, noise from the TV, someone talking around you, all will be heard by your caller and if it gets loud around you, they will know.
However, one redeeming factor here is that such things can be tuned by software updates (yes, we now live at a time when headphones get software updates too) and going forward I expect Jabra to fine tune their product so that it is better able to cancel out the ambient noise, the earbuds have the hardware to do it, they might just need the right software to tell them now to do it.
3. Features - 4/5
This is one area where the Jabra team has really excelled. The Sound+ app that connects with the headphones has a lot of features and they have been really intelligent about designing the app. A few of my favorite features are:
- Ability to use earbud mics to hear the outside environment
- "Focus mode" where the app plays soothing sounds for you to focus your attention e.g. rain, birds etc.
- Ability to track/count your steps
- Ability to locate your earbuds
While the app freezes from time to time, its nothing serious and I am happy about the features they have included (I think that they are more than what you will find in the Bose). One more thing, the case does not magnetically attach the earbuds (they stay in the case using gravity) and that is the one downside that is not in the Bose product.
4. Battery life - 5/5
As I said, I am a pretty heavy user, still I never found myself lacking battery on these things. They can easily get you through a 4-5 hour listening session and an entire day if you keep them out of the case but use them intermittently. Plus the charging case charges them pretty fast and holds two full charges. Great battery life.
5. Comfort - 4/5
Initially I used to feel a pain in my right ear after some time of wearing these but no more now (maybe my body has adjusted), and I can go on wearing these for 1.5-2 hours no problem. Plus they are light so once you have them on you forget that they are there.
But the main benefit is the freedom that they give you. See the thing is that you will never know how much wires get in your way until you remove them completely and trust me the ability to freely rotate your head or run or jump up or down without the wires getting in your way is a benefit that you only get to know one you start using a truly wireless product. This is the sole reason that I use them so much, its just so easy. If you are someone who wants finds wires to be a hassle when you are commuting/working out/doing chores then just basis that I would recommend these to you.
6. Durability - 2.5/5
So I keep my things pretty maintained and these are no exception. I regularly clean them and keep them dry and so they are working well for me and I plan to use them for years to come. But talking about durability in general they are OK, I mean once you hold them (or the case) in your hand you will not be blown away, its just plastic. Rubberised plastic but plastic in the end and it comes with the durability of plastic. So it will not stand being dropped often and you will have to be careful. Nothing has happened to mine though, yet.
7. Final verdict - 3.5/5
The Jabra Elite Active 65t are a great alternative to the Bose Soundsport and I am happy to have bought them. Even though the left earbud suddenly stopped working and I had to run after Jabra to replace it.
Good care of these will have them serve you for a long time to come.
Books
10 Days Returnable
You can return if you receive a damaged, defective or incorrect product.
Used Books
10 Days, Refund
Returnable if you’ve received the product in a condition that is damaged, defective or different from its description on the product detail page on Amazon.in.
Refunds will be issued only if it is determined that the item was not damaged while in your possession, or is not different from what was shipped to you.
