Jabra decided to step away from the consumer market not long after launching the Elite 10 earbuds. But the latest professional headsets from the company still manage to infuse a bit of that consumer comfort.
The new Evolve3 series, which launches in Australia on March 1, are work headsets that actually look like something you'd want to wear outside the office. No boom mic jutting out from your face, just a clean, modern design that wouldn't look out of place on a commute or a flight.
To get around the loss of the boom mic, Jabra has introduced something called ClearVoice, which uses deep neural network technology to separate your voice from background noise. The company claims it works so well that you'll sound professional even if you're taking calls in a busy café or an airport terminal.
There are two models in the range. The Evolve3 85 ($979) is an over-ear design for people who need maximum noise isolation, while the Evolve3 75 ($719) sits on-ear and offers a lighter, more breathable fit with better situational awareness.
Both are significantly slimmer and lighter than their Evolve2 predecessors – the 85 is 35% slimmer and 23% lighter than the Evolve2 85.
Battery life looks solid, with up to 25 hours of call time or 120 hours of music playback (with ANC and busylight off) on the Evolve3 85, and 22 hours of calls or 110 hours of music on the 75.
There's also fast charging that delivers 10 hours of use from just 10 minutes of charging, plus wireless charging support.
The adaptive active noise cancellation is interesting because it keeps working during calls, not just between them. Most headsets turn off ANC when you're on a call, but Jabra has kept it running to help you focus on the conversation even in noisy environments.
The headsets are built with IT departments in mind. They're certified for major UC platforms, come with a pre-paired Bluetooth adapter for secure connectivity, and can be managed remotely through Jabra's Plus Management software.
The batteries are replaceable, which should help extend the product's life and reduce e-waste.
$979 for the Evolve3 85 isn't cheap, and $719 for the 75 is still a significant investment. But if you're someone who spends a lot of time on calls and wants something that actually looks good while delivering professional audio quality, Jabra might have finally nailed the work-life crossover headset.
