Ever since Apple launched the AirPods back in December 2016, it has dominated the True Wireless Earphones market. This is evident from the huge number of Apple AirPods sales. This paved a way for more and more brands to launch their own True Wireless Earbuds. Some of them targeted the budget market while others went after the high-end spectrum competing with the AirPods. Compared to the early days, the tws earphones manufactured these days have a far better performance overall.
They look better, have better drivers, and best of all they sound great. Some of these brands have also started coming up with earbuds that have active noise cancellation. The battery life has also improved. Today we will be reviewing one of the better tws earpods out there, the Jaybird Vista. But before that let’s talk a little about True Wireless Earphones.
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What Are True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earphones?
Whenever someone hears the term “wireless”, they think about something that connects wirelessly and doesn’t require any cables or wires. This is true for all wireless earphones. They don’t require any wires to connect to the device. But the thing is they still have a wire that connects both the earpieces. So they aren’t totally wireless in the “true” sense, it’s just that their mode of connection is wireless. A true wireless earphone has no wire whatsoever. They have two separate earpieces that pair with each other and connect to the device. This makes them completely wireless unlike the others which might not require a jack to connect but still have a wire to connect the earpiece. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of TWS earphones? Let’s see that.
Advantages of TWS Earphones
- Convenience: This is one of the biggest advantages of true wireless earphones. The fact that it doesn’t have any wires at all, makes it very convenient to wear and use. This is unlike other wireless earphones that still come with a wire of some kind. With those you pretty much have to have a wire around your neck while you are using the earphones. This can be very annoying and frustrating while carrying out day-to-day routine or even when you are working out. A TWS helps you avoid all these hassles. You can just pop them in your ears and, thanks to their lightweight and compact build, you will forget that you are even wearing them. Also with the increase in the range of Bluetooth, you no longer have to remain tied with your phone while using them. TWS earphones have all the advantages of the traditional wireless earphones and add a few of their own.
- Easy Access: Another aspect that benefits from the lack of wires is accessibility. All you need to do to access the tws earphones is to take them out of its case and pop them in your ears and that’s it. This is unlike the wired earphones where you had to untangle the cords every time you take them out to use. That used to be very frustrating. Well, with tws and even wireless earphones, you no longer have to worry about untangling the cords.
- Quick and Easy to Connect: TWS makes it very easy to connect your earphones to yours. They don’t require being plugged in unlike wired ones. Compared to normal wireless earphones, they don’t require to be turned on manually every time. All you need to do is take them out of its case and it will automatically turn on and connect to your paired devices.
- Included Power Bank: The case that comes with tws earphones also acts as a power bank. This solves the problem of low battery life up to some extent. Most tws earphones can be charged up to three-time using its case. All you need to do is keep the case charged and your TWS earphones will last almost a day.
- Free movement: This one is pretty obvious. Being truly wireless and not having any wires connected to the phone, tws wireless earphones give you completely free movements. These earphones give you the freedom to move around doing tasks while staying connected to the device without having to carry the device along all the time. With increasing Bluetooth range, you can go to a distance of up to 35 to 40 m without getting disconnected. However, the Bluetooth range depends on the Bluetooth technology of the earbuds.
Disadvantages
- Regular charging: This is one of the biggest disadvantages of earbuds. True wireless earphones, like wireless ones, are powered by batteries and require to be charged constantly. Wired ones on the other hand don’t require any charging, all you need to is plug them in and you are all set. But unlike wireless earphones, tws earphones last only about 3-4 hours. The included power bank might improve it a little, but that’s still not enough for a few.
- Sound Quality: Don’t get me wrong. TWS earphones sound great but audiophiles might not find it that pleasing. The thing is that the sound quality of tws earphones is nowhere close to the quality of those wired ones. This is partly because tws earphones are still in a developing phase and their size doesn’t allow them to use better audio drivers as of now.
Now that we have the technicalities out of the way, let’s take a deep look at the Jaybird Vista.
Jaybird Vista Review
Jaybird Vista Specs
- Type: In-ear style
- Noise-isolation: Passive
- Output 12 mW RMS (with a level limit)
- Audio Format: 16-bit Stereo
- Response Bandwidth 20Hz – 20kHz
- Play Time: 6 Hrs* + 10 Hrs in the case
- Charging time: 2 Hrs
- Quick charge: 5 min = 1 hour playtime
- Charging: Via charge case with USB connector
- Waterproof: IPX7 waterproof
- Customizable EQ using Jaybird app
- No video latency
Jaybird Vista Highlights
- Weather Resistance: The Jaybird Vista has an EarthProof capsule construction that now has an IPX7 rating. This makes it both waterproof and sweatproof. All its critical components have been sealed against dust and grit. So you can rest assured that it can weather any condition.
- Locked In: The Jaybird Vista earbuds have a very secure and firm fit. They come with three different silicone ear gels of different sizes and are interchangeable. This ensures that you get a secure, ultra-comfortable fit.
- Battery Life: On a full charge the Vista can give you up to 6 hours of audio playback. In addition to that you get an additional 10 hours of playback from the included case which also acts as a power bank for the earbuds. To top it all, Vista also comes with a 5 minute “quick charge” feature that gives you an hour of audio playback.
- Find Your Flow: The Jaybird App gives you total control over the 6mm drivers which has improved driver accuracy and less harmonic distortion. There are pre-loaded EQ presets or you can create your own preset to better suit you.
- Convenience: Thanks to the compact design of both the earbuds and the case, the Jaybird Vista is really easy to wear and carry. They are among the smallest and lightest earbuds available on the market. They are so convenient that you may not even feel as if you are wearing them.
Design and Build
The Jaybird Vista is Jaybird’s second truly wireless earbuds after its Run XT. They are a very compact and lightweight pair of earbuds. Their design can be considered as minimal and straightforward design. Something that you expect of most earbuds. The body of the Jaybird Vista is made up of brushed and rubberized plastic. This results in a subtle grip which prevents the earbuds from springing out of our hands. Even though the Jaybird Vista is geared more towards athletes and runners, they can easily compete with most tws earbuds out there. These earbuds are very lightweight and weigh only 6g each.
While most earbuds you will find have silicone ear tips at its ends for a comfort fit, Jaybird took a different approach with its Vista earbuds. These earbuds have both an ear tip as well as a wing tip, both of which are connected to the casing. These serve the purpose of fitting both into the inside and the upper edge of the ears. This connected design not only provides a better fit but also prevents sweat and water from going inside the earphones and even from damaging the drivers.
As far as the sizes of ear tips are concerned, there are three different sizes available. Two of those tips include the wing tip as well while the third one ditches the wing tip. While this would result in a less secure fit, they will be helpful if you don’t plan on running or something that involves a lot of movement. These earbuds have SportFit’s integrated silicone gel ear tips and wing tips.
The Vista earbuds are also waterproof and have an IPX7 waterproof rating. This means it can easily withstand getting dropped in one meter of water or even a downpour. Along with all this, you also get some sweat proofing. So you don’t have to worry about your earbuds getting drenched every time you run or work out wearing them.
For the purpose of charging, there is a USB-C port on the Vista. By including a USB-C charging port, Jaybird managed to get fast, reliable, and efficient charging. They also claim to have a quick five-minute ‘super-charge’ feature that can give up to an hour of playback. In terms of battery life, you will get a total of up to six hours of playback on a single full charge. Thanks to the case, which also acts as a power bank, you get an additional 10 hours of playback. They also have a single earbud mode, which lets you use only a single earbud at a time. So technically you can use only one earbud at a time and get around 30+ hours of playback, but that isn’t very practical to listen to just one earbud at a time.
Just like the Jaybird Vista earbuds, the included charging case is also very impressive. It is very compact and lightweight as well. It can provide up to ten additional hours of playback. The case is very lightweight and can easily fit in your pocket without making it feel bulky and overloaded. These reduced dimensions are thanks to the cases’ diagonally-slanted charging stations which reduces the width. The case also includes a lanyard of sorts. This can be used to connect a keyring or other such things.
This lanyard is made of the rope which can also be found on the Jaybird Tarah Pro. The inside of the case has a neon coating which makes it very easy to locate the earbuds specially in the dark or early in the morning. There’s also a single light on the charging case which pulsates when it is being charged or when the case is opened. Unfortunately, there’s no visual indicator to display the battery percentage left. But at least there is a voice prompt telling you the current percentage of charge left each time you connect them to your device.
Comfort
Since the Jaybird Vista has been marketed as an earbud more suited for athletes, one should expect it to have a better bit. And as expected, they have a perfect fit and shouldn’t come off that easily. This is thanks to its textured surface design as well as a wingtip which keeps the earbuds firm and put inside the ears. These earbuds have a casing fully connected to the ear tip as well as a wingtip. This makes it fit better in both the inside and the upper edge of the ears. This design provides a better fit and also prevents sweat and water from going inside the earphones and damaging it. The tips that come pre-fitted with the Vistas were also firm fitting. They also provide three extra pairs of earbuds just in case. Overall, the Jaybird Vista earbuds are very comfortable to wear, have a better fit and are great for long time use.
App
Jaybird also has an app which is surprisingly good and enjoyable. It not only guides through pairing the earbuds to your device but also selects a personal equalizer preset for you. It optimizes the sound field based on hoe you hear by playing you six different sonic tones and adjusting accordingly. If you want, you can also tweak this preset manually and also save it to the headphones. Further you can also manually tweak the functions of each of the bud’s central buttons. You can play or pause a track or even load your favorite playlist with a single press. You can also change the volume or power it off by long-pressing the button.
Connection
Connecting the Jaybird Vista to your phone via Bluetooth is very easy. To begin with you need to pair the earphones with your device. For that, you just open the charging case and you should see the LED light blinking. If it doesn’t blink, you need to turn it on by pressing down the internal button for around two seconds. The earphones should now be visible to your device. Open the Bluetooth menu and select the Jaybird Vista to complete the pairing. Now it will automatically connect to your device every time it is turned on. The earbuds have a Bluetooth 5.0 firmware. It also uses a JBS1 chipset that establishes a strong connection between the earbuds and your device. It creates two separate connections which means you can also use just one earbud at a time. The wireless connectivity range is 10 metres after which there may be some stutters or it might get disconnected.
In-Built Mic Quality
True wireless earbuds aren’t really known for their microphone quality. Especially the Jaybird Vista, the primary target user for which is athletes and runners. It is specifically made for activities that involve frequent movements. So it shouldn’t come off as a surprise that the in-built microphone of the Vista isn’t that good. You can still use it to make calls but the person on the other end of the call might get disturbed by all the noises around you. Your voice might sound murky and unnatural to the person you are talking to. So we would suggest you use your smartphone’s microphone if possible. Especially if it is a business call.
Performance
No matter how good looking or compact and lightweight a pair of earphones are, there’s no use of that if it doesn’t sound good. It’s time to find the answer to one of the most important questions when looking for a pair of earphones. How does the Jaybird Vista sound and is it worth its price tag? To tell it in short, well the Vista sounds awesome. It came as a surprise given its form factor. Let’s now dive into the details.
For its price, the Jaybird Vista sounds pretty decent. It doesn’t bombard your ear with bass and delivers warm sounding music across low, mid, and high frequencies. However, there was some auditory masking from low-end frequencies and the higher-pitched midrange frequencies like the one from electric guitars. Even though it is a fitness earphone, the audio performances are more similar to over-ear earphones. One can easily hear the slowly fading of every individual note. There were no problems listening from them whether you are very active or you are sitting idle. They sounded just about the same as other true wireless earphones that aren’t geared for sports.
Like with most tws earphones, there is no noise cancellation on the Jaybird Vista as well. But even then, the isolation was actually very good. The level of isolation was perfectly fine if you are indoors or even working out in the gym. They managed to isolate most of the noises. However, it isn’t that great if you are outdoors. In such a situation, you would be hearing your surroundings as well. The reason for this isolation is the ear tips that completely fill your ears and leave little gaps. However, since these are Jaybird’s proprietary tips you won’t easily find third-party ear tips that function properly. Thankfully, Jaybird provides three extra pairs of ear tips so you can find the right fit for yourself. Overall the Jaybird Vista earbuds aren’t that loud, so you shouldn’t expect them to completely isolate you from the outside world. The fit is very firm which results in some sound isolation, and the audio detail also remains intact even at the highest volume.
The Jaybird Vista also has a mobile app that comes with a few different EQ presets by default. It also recommends podcasts and playlists from other Jaybird users. There are many EQ presets you can choose from which are somewhat decent. However they are not the best configuration you can get. The default preset might be a little bass-heavy for some. The other default presets include options for warmer mids, boosting the bass, or removing the higher frequencies. But the good thing is that the Jaybird app has a Personal EQ feature that lets you create your sound profile very quickly and easily. The app allows you to play with all the different frequencies and come up with a configuration that best suits your taste. Once you properly set up the profiles, you will see a good improvement in the sound quality of the earphones. If you are not able to configure them properly, you can always use the preloaded ones.
- Compact charging case
- Instant and reliable connection
- IPX7 water resistance
- Secure fit
- Great companion app
- No heart rate monitors
- Not suitable for long usage
- Limited battery life
- No high-quality Bluetooth codecs
Jaybird Vista Review verdict
The Jaybird Vista true wireless earbuds may be fitness-oriented earbuds but thanks to its overall performance one can easily think it to be just like other earbuds. They sound really great and you shouldn’t feel that it is a fitness-first earbud. Design-wise, it has a minimal look and it looks great. The size of the earbuds, as well as the case, is very compact. They are easily one of the smallest and lightest earbuds available on the market. They also fit perfectly and are very comfortable to wear. The earbuds come with three additional ear tips which are also great. The battery life is decent considering it is a true wireless earphone and you also get an additional 10 hours playback from the included case. Not to forget the 5 minutes “quick charge” feature that gives you about an hour of audio playback. There is no noise cancellation but thanks to its firm fit, the earbuds manage to isolate most noises. Finally they are also IPX7 water and sweat resistant. Above all they are dust proof as well.
All these makeup for a perfect tws earphone. The price might be a little high but given its compact and lightweight design, and a premium sound quality, making it worth its price. So if you are looking for a good pair of TWS earbuds either for use while running or while working out or for simple usage, then look no further. Given that it comes under your budget, the Jaybird Vista is a perfect fit to be your next true wireless earbuds.
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