Jabra's Evolve3 85: A Work-Life Headset?
Jabra's latest offering, the Evolve3 85, promises to be a versatile headset, catering to both work and personal needs. With a focus on clear voice pickup, noise reduction, and an impressive battery life, it aims to be a one-stop solution for calls, music, and travel. But does it live up to the hype? Let's dive in and explore.
The All-In-One Vision
Jabra's pitch is intriguing: one headset to rule them all. The Evolve3 85 is designed with calls in mind, prioritizing voice clarity and noise reduction. But it also doubles as a music headset, offering up to 120 hours of playback with noise cancellation turned off. This all-in-one approach is appealing, especially for those seeking simplicity and convenience.
However, the price tag of around $1000 raises eyebrows. It's a premium investment, and the question arises: is it worth it? The review explores this dilemma, weighing the pros and cons.
Unboxing and Portability
The headset comes with a slim travel case, a practical addition for those on the move. But there's a catch: the cables lack a dedicated compartment, leading to potential tangles and inconvenience. The inclusion of a Bluetooth dongle and wireless charging pad in some versions is a nice touch, though it adds to the overall bulk.
Design and Comfort
The Evolve3 85 boasts a clean, understated design, devoid of a boom mic, which is a welcome feature for public use. The earcups are flat and slim, contributing to a compact form factor. The headset weighs approximately 220 grams, ensuring comfort during extended wear. However, comfort varies depending on the earcup material, with some preferring the fabric to leather.
Impressive Battery Life
One of the standout features is the battery life. The Evolve3 85 delivers up to 25 hours of talk time and a staggering 120 hours of music playback with noise cancellation disabled. The flexibility of charging options, including USB-C and wireless charging, is a significant advantage. The user-replaceable battery is a rare feature, ensuring longevity even after the initial battery fade.
Work-Focused Features
Jabra's focus on work is evident in the Evolve3 85's features. Sidetone allows users to hear their own voice while speaking, ensuring clarity. Hearing protection safeguards against sudden loud sounds, and auto-pause functionality pauses audio when the headset is removed. The app controls for wear detection and sleep mode further enhance the user experience.
Connectivity and Controls
The headset offers seamless connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint functionality, enabling connection to two devices simultaneously. The inclusion of a USB Bluetooth dongle provides a stable connection and extended range. Controls are conveniently split across the earcups, with power, noise cancellation, and playback functions easily accessible.
Sound and Noise Cancelling
While the sound quality is satisfactory, it leans more towards speech clarity than rich music reproduction. The noise cancellation, though effective indoors, struggles in louder environments, making it less ideal for commuting. The headset's performance in noisy settings could be improved, potentially impacting its appeal for frequent travelers.
Final Verdict
The Evolve3 85 excels in its primary purpose of work-related calls, offering clear audio and useful features. Its comfort and battery life are commendable. However, the noise cancellation and audio quality for everyday listening leave room for improvement. For those primarily focused on calls and meetings, it's a strong recommendation. Yet, for a true all-in-one headset, the trade-offs may be challenging to overlook.
In conclusion, Jabra's Evolve3 85 is a capable headset, but the quest for a perfect 'do-everything' device remains an ongoing journey.
