Using a 6mm driver, like the Freedom, there isn’t much to separate the sound signature between the two models. That’s to say, the out-of-the-box performance is excellent and up there with some of the best sports headphones I’ve tested. The mids and treble are given respectable prominence, while the bass is punchy, with plenty of energy to help power you through your next workout. Not surprisingly, especially when wearing the more isolating Comply tips, the sound can be a little narrow – but these aren’t headphones you’ll be listening to critically. It remains a shame that the headphones can store only one profile, though. As with the Freedom, I’d love to be able to toggle between different profiles directly from the headphones. I tend to prefer a more bass-heavy sound when lifting weights, but a more serene one when zoning out on a 10K run. Jaybird X3 – Sound Quality My Jaybird Tarah Pro earbuds keep turning off or my audio device keeps stopping after I connect. What do I do? Jaybird has reduced the size of the earbud casing compared to the X2. Not only does this stop them from protruding out of your ears as much, but it also means they’re now “helmet compatible”; they won’t get in the way of your helmet straps. Having thrown on a cycling helmet, I can attest to this claim.

JAYBIRD X3 SUPPORT JAYBIRD X3 SUPPORT

Frustratingly, while this is a positive move, I’m still a little disappointed to find that a proprietary clip is required to charge the X3 – rather than a direct micro-USB port like most headphones, including the previous Jaybird X2. In fact, adding further insult to injury, the charging clip actually has a micro-USB port on it. The mids are a little more subdued, and factors like soundstage separation and mid-range texture are roughly what we’d expect from a well-regarded headphone series at the price. They are fine, not mind-blowing. Don’t take this as too half-hearted praise. While the Jaybird X4 earphones don’t set any new standards for audio, their signature has a wide appeal and compares well with other popular models in this class. Perhaps more usefully in a sports scenario, is that two pairs of Jaybird X3s can be paired with a single device. So if a friend has a pair, you can both pair to the same audio source to listen to music simultaneously. This is great if you’re working out with a buddy, or going for a run but don’t want to carry a music source each. The MySound app mentioned earlier also allows for plenty of customisability to mix things up to your taste. There are plenty of Jaybird X4 presets that also boost the bass, which might be handy for workouts.Jaybird says the battery lasts eight hours, and the reality is a little under this in our experience, perhaps seven hours. Using an Android phone you can see the rough battery level in the notifications drop-down. And a nice American lady Jaybird X4 reads out the charge level whenever the pair is turned on, to the nearest 10 per cent. The earbud casings are nowhere near as tiny as those found on the Jaybird Freedom, however, nor are they made from metal. These are plastic, but they at least feel well-constructed and robust. The X3 are sweat-proof, as you’d expect. After using them for a few weeks, we’ve completely bedded into this style. Only after comparing to the slightly more restrained SoundMagic E11 did we remember that extra low-end punch was there.

Jaybird X3 review | What Hi-Fi?

Like the Jaybird Freedom, the new X3 can be used with the Jaybird MySound app on iOS or Android. This lets you customise the sound profile using EQ settings. So if you prefer a little extra bass or tighter treble, that’s up to you. Changes you make are saved directly to the headphones, so they’ll follow you to whatever device you pair them with and you’re free to uninstall the MySound app.One of the biggest draws of the X3, relative to its predecessors, is their affordability. With that in mind, they’re an excellent choice. The fit is super-secure while remaining comfortable, the sound quality is great, and the battery life hasn’t been sacrificed. The Jaybird X3 rectify many of the complaints we had with the X2 and Freedom models. Most of the X3’s design changes over the X2s are for the better — a smaller profile allows them to fit under helmets and hats, an upgrade to Bluetooth 4.1 provides longer battery-life (8 hours) and the ability to pair two devices, and support for the aforementioned MySound app makes for incredibly malleable sound. It means you’ll have to carry around the dedicated charging clip rather than just a more ubiquitous micro-USB cable. The Jaybird X3 support Bluetooth 4.1, which brings with it some handy extras. For starters, you can pair the X3 with up to two devices simultaneously, dynamically switching, say, between a phone and a tablet. MyTune ultimately proves Jaybird has done a very good job with its own default “flat” tuning. However, the ability to tweak some of its limitations is welcome. Verdict