Introduction
When the first Bluetooth headsets were created, they were used for a specific purpose. They were used as hands free devices so that drivers can drive safely. After years since the inception of Bluetooth technology and Bluetooth headsets, there hasn't be any major changes to the designs of these headsets. Many of them are still made as a hands free device, with a single earpiece design.However, as smartphones becoming a norm in our society, there have also been an increase in demands for high quality stereo wireless headsets. Sadly, if you are in the market looking for one, choices are still limited. There aren't many brands making good and high quality Bluetooth headsets. Furthermore, as earphones are sometimes deemed as a fashion statement (remember the times when everyone was wearing a set of Audio Technica ONTO headphones?), the product type is simply not taking off for now because of the limited number of choices consumers can make. They fail to find one that really suits them.
I'm glad to see that Jabra is inventing and creating new designs for their range of Wireless Bluetooth Headsets. For today, we are looking at one of the latest offerings from Jabra - Jabra Play. It's probably the Bluetooth headset which suits my lifestyle best.
A look at Jabra Play
Jabra Play is a very simple device. It is divided into two parts, the Bluetooth receiver and its earphones. Jabra Play also allows you to connect your favourite earphones to it. That means you can still use your audiophile grade earphones with Jabra Play for unprecedented audio quality. It gives you the flexibility if you think the provided earphones aren't good enough.
There are 3 quick access buttons found on the Bluetooth receiver. You can easily a) switch between tracks, b) increase the volume of your music or c) play and pause your songs directly from the receiver, rather than reaching into your pocket and open the music app to get this done.
Jabra Play comes with a standard 3.5mm jack so that you can plug in any earphone with that input into it. Beside the 3.5mm jack are indicator lights for Bluetooth pairing and battery status. The other hole is in fact a microphone. Yes! You can just use Jabra Play as your wireless hands free device as well.
On the other side of Jabra Play is the voice answer/reject button. If you want to pair your smartphone to Jabra Play, this is also the button to press. You can press this button once to check your battery status too. Hidden beneath this button is the micro-usb port for charging.
Together in the box are a quick start guide, a warranty information booklet, a microUSB charger as well as ear buds in different sizes.
It could be a hassle if you are wearing a T-Shirt and you have no wear to hang Jabra Play. Luckily, the Jabra Play's earphones are uniquely designed to hang around your neck, together with the Bluetooth Receiver. It is secure and you will not fear of the earphones getting pulled out of your ears because of the weight of the Bluetooth receiver.
Personal opinions
Aesthetics and usability
I personally think that Jabra Play looks great. Its seems like a device which an Apple Genius will wear at Genius Bar, giving them a geeky but trendy and refined overall look. In fact, if you hang the Jabra Play around your neck, you would probably look as professional as the people seen in the image below.
For a Geek wannabe like me, no wonder it was love at first sight with Jabra Play, specifically the white Jabra Play. Jabra Play looks great with whichever plain coloured T-Shirt that I wear, and it blends in well to my overall profile.
I would like to commend on the battery life of the Jabra Play. Jabra Play lasted me for 5 days (I spend about 1.5hours using the device everyday) before the battery indicator turned red, hinting me to charge it. Charging it is fairly simple too. The device takes 2 hours to fully charge and it will be ready to wirelessly stream my audio from my smartphone for the rest of the week again.
I found the quick access buttons extremely useful and it has became an integral part of the whole wireless experience. I could simply change to the next song easily by just pressing a single button on Jabra Play which is right in front of my chest. SO EASY!
Audio Quality
Audio quality was largely dependent on the set of earphones which came with Jabra Play. This set of earphones produces fairly accurate sound waves into my delicate ear drums. Sounds are extremely clear and heart throbbing. However, if you are looking for earphones that has either excessive bass or treble, you would probably look into an alternative earphone.
For me, this set of earphone is just right and reaches my mark as a good set of earphones. It sounds similar to Creative Technologies' EP630, but probably less on the bass and more on the treble. On a side note, it cancels off environmental noise pretty well too.
By the way, there is a sound app made by Jabra too!
Conclusion
If you are looking for a new set of Wireless Bluetooth headset, why not give Jabra Play a try? I may understand that Jabra Play's design may not be suitable for everyone, but Jabra has got more than Jabra Play for their Bluetooth headset line-up. You can visit Jabra's Website to learn more.
I really liked the fact that Jabra Play works out of the box and setting it up is fairly easy. Simply pair it to your Bluetooth enabled device you're set to go. Overall, Jabra Play is a great Bluetooth headset and it exemplifies wireless audio lifestyle for me.
Available in black or white, Jabra Tag retails at RRP S$88 at Apple premium resellers Epicentre, Nubox, Stereo Electronics, selected Challenger stores and other authorised Jabra resellers.
I really liked the fact that Jabra Play works out of the box and setting it up is fairly easy. Simply pair it to your Bluetooth enabled device you're set to go. Overall, Jabra Play is a great Bluetooth headset and it exemplifies wireless audio lifestyle for me.
Available in black or white, Jabra Tag retails at RRP S$88 at Apple premium resellers Epicentre, Nubox, Stereo Electronics, selected Challenger stores and other authorised Jabra resellers.
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