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I’ve been a fan of Jaybird headphones for a long time, ever since I bought a pair of X2 sport headphones years ago. I was pumped when they reached out about partnering on a review of their latest offering – the Jaybird Vista True Wireless Headphones. TLDR – These are absolutely my new favorite headphones for travel!
Who is Jaybird?
Shipping their first headphones way back in 2006, Jaybird is devoted to making the best headphones for runners and athletes. They’ve been through many iterations, usually with their standard design of a wire connecting two ear buds behind the neck. The Vista is their first foray into truly wireless headphones. They even have a devoted app, allowing you to tweak the equalization in your headphones!
As I mentioned, I’ve owned a pair of their X2 headphones since they debuted. I’ve worn them for travel, running, lifting, construction, etc, and they’ve handled it all. The only thing that mildly annoyed me was the flapping of the connector cord on my neck. The new Vistas take care of that problem.
Truly Wireless
I’ve long been skeptical of truly wireless headphones. My biggest concern is that they will fall out of my ear and get lost, without a cord to keep them attached. The Jaybird Vistas are exactly what I hoped a wireless in-ear headphone would be. They connect via Bluetooth to any equipped media player.
These headphones contour to the ear and fit so securely, that I can shake my head HARD, and they don’t move at all! They come with three different size options, to make sure they fit, regardless of ear size. No wires means no tangled mess in your bag, and nothing to get caught and yanked as you explore new cities or hike back country trails.
Noise Blocking
The secure fit also has the fortunate side effect of blocking nearly all external noise. I wear them for woodworking, in lieu of my usual ear protection, and they’re perfect. They can definitely minimize the annoyance of that loud toddler on your flight. I wore them on a recent Southwest flight to Atlanta, and I couldn’t hear any ambient noise.
Comfort
These babies are definitely comfortable and lightweight. They sit almost flush with the outside of my ear, and they’re so light that I could easily forget about them. Even if you’re not listening to music, you could use them as ear plugs to sleep on a flight. The only slight drawback for me, is that they don’t sit perfectly flush with my ear. If I lay on a pillow, they press just a bit, and over time it can get a little sore.
Share with a Friend
My wife and I like to download and watch TV shows during long flights. With the Jaybird Vista headphones, we can each use one bud and watch the movie together. We don’t have to do the patented neck-lean-to-share wired headphones.
Battery Life
Battery life is very important during travel. The ear buds themselves carry a 6-hour charge, and the carrying case also holds another 10 hours worth of charge. If your buds run out of juice, simply pop them in the case for 5 minutes and enjoy another hour of audio. You can also use each ear bud independently, to really extend the total battery life.
They have intelligent power management. You can turn them off manually, or they will automatically power down when disconnected from your media player or docked in the case.
Sound Quality
I’m not much of an audiophile, so my opinion here won’t be very profound. I would put the sound quality of these headphones on par with my Bose QuietComfort over-ear headphones. You can also use the Jaybird app to dial in your preferred sound profile.
Earthproof
Jaybird labels these headphones as #EARTHPROOF. They passed rigorous military-grade compliance standards. They’re resistant to water, sweat, dust, impact, and crushing. While I probably won’t take them swimming, they do have an IPX7 rating. This means they could be submerged under a meter of water for 30 minutes.
Control/Calls
This isn’t really groundbreaking, but you can control your media with a touch of the headphones. Change tracks, adjust volume, or answer calls by simply pressing on either ear bud. According to my mom, the call audio is crystal clear on both ends.
Final Thoughts
I’m very impressed with the Jaybird Vista headphones. I went into this test a bit skeptical, but once I felt them in my ears, and they withstood the head shaking, I was sold. The audio quality is awesome, the noise blocking is great for loud planes and airports, and then #EARTHPROOF durability is very important for all sorts of travel. I recommend that you pick up a pair of these headphones for your next trip.
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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
