Their sound quality is solid and energetic, but a richer sound can be found for less money. Good for fitness freaks, but only decent for the rest of us.

Fitbit Flyer review - SoundGuys Fitbit Flyer review - SoundGuys

Audio company Jaybird is as focused as they come, so you immediately know what you’re getting when it announces a new pair of headphones. Like all of its other headphones, such as the Jaybird X2 these are replacing, the X3 are headphones geared towards sports and adrenaline-fuelled activities. 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. I've updated my Jaybird Tarah Pro earbuds and I'm still having connectivity issues. What should I do? This really is a fabulous pair of sports earphones on the whole, and the flaws we’ve mentioned are comparatively minor for what is otherwise a superb wireless offering at a stellar price-point.The headphone uses Bluetooth 4.1, and I had no problem pairing -- and re-pairing it -- with an iPhone 6S and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. As an added bonus, Jaybird says you can now pair two sets of X3 headphones to one device and even pair your X3s to two devices simultaneously. (I could test pairing two X3s to one device because I only had one review sample.) As a headset, the X3 performed well, but don't expect business-class performance. There's no noise-reduction technology built into the headphone, and it helps to move the Double press the power button. The LED will flash rapidly and you should hear a double tone. Your buds have now been reset. The tip style is odd too. Instead of a lip on the aperture to keep the silicone tip in place, the Jaybird X3s use a sort of ridged cone. If they’re not pushed on firmly, the tips fall off easily.

Jaybird X3 review: The much-improved Jaybird X3 is a top

Like the Freedom, you’ll probably find yourself fiddling around with the fit out of the box, but once you’ve found a winning combination, you’ll be rewarded by wireless sports headphones that won’t budge. As they house extra electronics and a battery, only the boldest just sit in your ear like a normal IEM (in-ear monitor). We don’t want them falling out mid-walk after all. 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.

With that said, the Flyer is made to work seamlessly with the Fitbit Ionic. So if you’re an early adopter of Fitbit’s first smartwatch, you should probably go with Fitbit’s earbuds. Regadless, with other more proven workout earbuds on the market, the Fitbit Flyer is a tough sell. The big upgrade for the 2018-2019 Jaybird X4 is advanced water resistance. An IPX7 certification means these are among the most sweat and weather-proof earphones in existence. The Jaybird App gives you the tools you need to take total control of your Jaybird headphones. Create your own EQ presets and save them to your buds. Find a flawless fit. Fine-tune levels to your hearing for the perfect sound no matter what device you’re paired with. The buttons on the newly designed remote are responsive and easy to operate blindly. Sarah Tew/CNET

Jaybird X3 review | TechRadar

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. The Jaybird X4 earphones juggle the audio priorities of sporting earphones well, and are well-suited for daily use. They have some extra bass energy and power, very welcome during runs and gym workouts. But not to the extent they sound juvenile or bloated. Sound quality offers a good mix of an exercise-friendly tone without going overboard. And the companion app lets you thoroughly customise the character of what you're hearing. Jaybird does need to work on improving the response speed of the remote, though. 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.There are plenty of Jaybird X4 presets that also boost the bass, which might be handy for workouts. 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. My Jaybird Tarah Pro earbuds keep turning off or my audio device keeps stopping after I connect. What do I do?

Jaybird X3 review: The much-improved Jaybird X3 is a top Jaybird X3 review: The much-improved Jaybird X3 is a top

The Beyerdynamic Byron BTs have a smoother, more characterful mid-range, making the Jaybird X3s sound a little cold in comparison. Rhythm and dynamics are solid, though. 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. The design may be like this to improve water resistance, as the aperture is large for a pair with 6mm drivers. My Freedom 2 buds keep turning off or my music device keeps stopping after I connect. What do I do?Fit and ruggedness are at the heart of the Jaybird X3s’ design. Other than solid Bluetooth reliability and a reasonable 8-hour battery life, the tech isn’t at the forefront. There’s no aptX or NFC support, for example. Not everyone will love the Jaybird X3s’ style, though. The hook and tip combo fills your ears, with a feel not that far removed from a custom-fit in-ear monitor, although this does provide better-than-average noise isolation. People who don’t like true wireless. While true wireless earbuds are all the rage nowadays, they’re not for everyone. If you know you’re not going to enjoy the true wireless experience and feel more comfortable with a cable connecting your two buds then these might be for you. The Jaybird X3 wireless sports headphone is smaller than the X2, has improved battery life, costs less and sounds excellent for an in-ear Bluetooth headphone. It's sweat resistant and comes with a compact protective carrying pouch.