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Dave's Take: Jaybird RUN Headphones REVIEW


GolfSpy Dave

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The Golden Age of Wireless

Jaybird RUN - 1.jpg

 

Those of you who join me on the front tees may know that The Golden Age of Wireless was the name of Thomas Dolby's breakthrough 1982 album. You remember the song, She Blinded Me With Science? That was Thomas Dolby.

 

As I write this thirty-five years after that album was released, I would argue that we are actually in the Golden Age of Wireless right now. I know that Mr. Dolby was referencing radio with wireless, but think about how that term has grown in usage.

 

Everything is wireless now. Internet, phones, phone charging, car starting, game controllers, speakers, and the list grows daily. There are probably three or more wireless things within ten feet of you right now.

 

Now is truly the Golden Age of Wireless, and the Jaybird RUN headphones I'm reviewing for you today definitely adds to that golden glow.

 

Jaybird RUN Wireless Headphones

Jaybird RUN - 4.jpg

 

Bluetooth headphones have been on the scene for a few years now. Though it was super cool to finally detach from the music player, many of those headphones had issues with size, connectivity, and overall quality of both sound and design. These areas have definitely improved in recent years though, with size in particular growing ever smaller, until finally reaching the wireless ear bud level.

 

Though other headphones were on the market prior, Apple releasing the AirPods really changed the Bluetooth bud landscape. That's what Apple often does. No longer was it chic to have the white headphone cord showing, now the cool kids needed to have little white hooks in their ears. Apple made the Bluetooth ear buds desirable; prompting other companies to make ones that are as good, or better.

 

A few months back, I put the Jaybird X3 wireless headphones through the paces, and they were my go to headphones for everything (gym, golf, tablet, and so on), until I first opened and installed the Jaybird RUN headphones in my ears.

 

Without a doubt, these are the best wireless headphones I have ever used.

 

Let's take a quick look at the specs, and then I'll share with you why I am so high on the Jaybird RUN headphones.

 

Jaybird RUN - 3.jpg

 

Jaybird RUN Specs

  • 4 hour play time + 8 hour charge case
  • Fast charge - 5 minute charge = 1 hour play time
  • Secure + Comfort-Fit with interchangeable tips and fins
  • Customize your sound with the Jaybird app
  • Sweat-proof and water resistant
  • Music + Calls
  • $179.99
  • Complete specs can be found HERE

 

Charging the RUN

Jaybird RUN - 5.jpg

I want to start with the coolest thing about the Jaybird RUN, the case/charging system. While the Jaybird X3 had excellent battery longevity, I still forgot to charge them, and was left without tunes at the range.

 

With the RUN, the case has a battery too, and so your headphones are always charged. Sure, the AirPods do this too, but it is such a huge benefit to the headphones that it's worth mentioning, even if it's not unique to the RUN. This feature alone pushes the RUN well past other wireless headphones in my arsenal. They always have juice!

 

If for some reason you don't put them in the case when done, putting them in there as you drive to the course/gym should give you plenty of charge for the range session.

 

Jaybird RUN - 8.jpg

 

The case also has multiple lights to let you know the charge state of the headphones, and also the case itself. Any USB connection can be used to charge the case. This is another advantage over the X3 where a proprietary cable was needed for charging.

 

Testing the RUN

Jaybird RUN - 6.jpg

 

Connecting

When you open up the case the first time, the Jaybird RUN headphones immediately look to pair with something. Quick press of the Bluetooth connect button in your phone's preferences, and you are ready to rock.

 

From that point on, every time you open the case, the headphones turn on and pair almost immediately. Putting them back in the case and closing the lid also turns them off. So seamless and easy.

 

Fit

Like the Jaybird X3, the Jaybird RUN package includes multiple fins and ear socks to dial them in for your ears. This is a huge benefit vs. the AirPods where you are far more fit-limited. This time around, the stock fins and socks fit my ears perfectly, keeping the RUN secure no matter what my activity.

 

itb-run-desktop.jpg

 

These stayed in place on the range, on the course, at the gym, walking the neighborhood, and even when I got the body up to run speed. I figured I needed to run a bit since that's their true target after all. Even for a guy whose run is more of a rumble, the Jaybird RUN headphones never even wiggled.

 

Performance

As I said above, the Jaybird RUN stayed in place regardless of my activity. The ear tips made an excellent seal, blocking out much of the environmental noise. I like this a ton because that means you can play the music at a lower volume, and still not hear the 50 cap in the next hitting bay giving lessons.

 

Jaybird RUN - 7.jpg

 

They also do a pretty good job of staying connected to the phone. With the phone close by, sound never dropped out, though I could get them to drop by moving away from the phone in the house. During all of the activities where I used the RUN headphones, my phone was always near me, so this was not an issue. If you leave your phone in the gym locker and just take the headphones to the weight room, there may be some connection problems.

 

Controls are similar to the Jaybird X3. The left bud button controls power and Siri; play/pause and skip are controlled on the right. My only real control gripe is that there is no way to adjust volume on the RUN. To do that, you'll need to use the buttons on the phone. If all of your music is at the same recorded volume, this is not an issue, but I hit some louder and softer tracks during my shuffle. If the sound volume was not ideal, I typically just double clicked to skip.

 

Phone call performance was excellent, though their level of noise canceling makes it a bit awkward for me. I don't want to be the guy that yells into the earpiece during the phone call. The person on the other end could hear me just fine.

 

run-jet-2.jpg.imgw.1000.1000.jpg

 

Those of you who want to tweak the various bass and treble levels can do so on the Jaybird phone app, though I found the stock settings to be perfect for my tastes.

 

Value

At $179, the Jaybird RUN represents no small investment. That price is actually $20 higher than the AirPods. Are these better than the AirPods? Truth be told, I can't really answer that because I don't own the AirPods, but that may actually be the answer.

 

I'm one of those all-in Apple guys. My first computer in college was as Mac Plus, and I've probably had twenty or more Apple computers, iPods, iPhones, and so on since then. I loved the look and the features of the AirPods when they came out, but didn't buy them because I was worried about one falling out and getting damaged or lost. I know I'm not the only one who felt this way about the AirPods.

 

I have no fears of losing one of these RUN headphones. They stay in place, even though they are so light that you forget you are wearing them. Maybe I didn't give the Apple headphones a fair chance, but I just can't see how they could fit better than the RUN.

 

Dave's Take: Running with the RUN

Jaybird RUN - 2.jpg

 

So far, I'm definitely gushing over the Jaybird RUN. These are so close to being the perfect wireless headphones. I just wish that I could adjust volume from the speaker. That's really my only complaint, and it is totally overshadowed by the other awesome aspects of the RUN. If you are a dedicated runner, or just if you feel like losing a few pounds, eating healthier, and making a few friends in the process, then the Jaybird RUN are for you.

 

Now I just wish that Apple (or someone) would make an iPod Shuffle with Bluetooth connectivity. Leaving the big phone behind and playing music on lightweight wireless headphones from a lightweight wireless player would truly be my Golden Age of Wireless.

Volvo Intorqueo

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Dave, I've had my second pair (can't remember the model now) for at least 3, maybe even 4 years now and they are the best bluetooth headphones I have had the pleasure of owning.  My first pair had a problem but Jaybirds customer service took care of it with no absolutely no trouble.  I was an early adopter to Bluetooth headphones and had a few pairs of duds from other manufacturers.  I am glad to see someone else snagging a pair of birds and enjoying them.  I hope yours give you a long time of trouble free service like mine have!

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Dave, I've had my second pair (can't remember the model now) for at least 3, maybe even 4 years now and they are the best bluetooth headphones I have had the pleasure of owning.  My first pair had a problem but Jaybirds customer service took care of it with no absolutely no trouble.  I was an early adopter to Bluetooth headphones and had a few pairs of duds from other manufacturers.  I am glad to see someone else snagging a pair of birds and enjoying them.  I hope yours give you a long time of trouble free service like mine have!

I was/am impressed with the Jaybird X3 headphones as well. My son wanted to trade me his Beats wireless headphones for them :)

 

The RUN are so good.

Volvo Intorqueo

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How is the noise cancelling?  My primary use is while mowing the lawn.

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hmmmmm.  Great review.  I have never tried these or the apple buds.  I do have the bluetooth Bose sports which I do like.  There is a wire between the two buds though.  When trying to hit balls the wire does get in the way.  might have to try these...

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Wholly cow they look huge. Think Ill just put my Bose 901 in each ear call it a day.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using MyGolfSpy mobile app

Not as big as you think. Click the link to the Jaybird site and you can see some in-ear shots. One is attached below.

I can post my ears later if that will help...

Screen Shot 2017-11-29 at 3.07.01 PM.png

Volvo Intorqueo

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hmmmmm.  Great review.  I have never tried these or the apple buds.  I do have the bluetooth Bose sports which I do like.  There is a wire between the two buds though.  When trying to hit balls the wire does get in the way.  might have to try these...

That was the big advantage over the X3's. Losing that wire was a huge benefit. 

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That was the big advantage over the X3's. Losing that wire was a huge benefit. 

so I went to find my bose buds and they are gone...can't find them ANYWHERE.  so frustrating but now the door is open jump on the jaybird bandwagon...

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Job well done on that review Dave.

Those look like some nice ear-phone-speakers-bud things. I'd probably be willing to try them perhaps one day if I get in the market.

I have to wonder how much less they'd cost if the company ditched all the fancy presentation box stuff and went minimal packaging.

Again... nice review. With pictures!!

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Thanks for this.  They look and sound great.  But knowing me, I'm sure I'd find a way to lose them one at a time.   As inconvenient as wireless ones that are connected by a sting or band, at least I'm less likely to lose them.   And I don't use them a whole lot, so I'd have to really increase my usage to probably justify the purchase.   But very well done review! 

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@GolfSpy Dave  have you had any trouble with the left/right bud losing Bluetooth pairing during use?

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9 minutes ago, JohnSmalls said:

@GolfSpy Dave  have you had any trouble with the left/right bud losing Bluetooth pairing during use?

Here and there, but usually it is at start up if it happens. I just put them back in the case and re-pair them and that usually fixes it. I can't think of a time when they had been playing for a while and then dropped out though.

Volvo Intorqueo

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1 hour ago, GolfSpy Dave said:

Here and there, but usually it is at start up if it happens. I just put them back in the case and re-pair them and that usually fixes it. I can't think of a time when they had been playing for a while and then dropped out though.

That's the main issue that has kept me from ordering a pair.  Glad to know it's a simple fix!  Looks like a pair JB Run are in my future

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