BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here
Edit Story
We independently select all products and services. If you click through links we provide, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Jaybird X4 Review: Great Versatile Sports Headphones

Jaybird X4 - RTINGS.COM

RTINGS.COM

The Jaybird X4 are great wireless sports in-ears that are fairly versatile for everyday casual use. By design, they are very portable and can easily fit in your pockets or bag if you’re going to the gym. They offer a lot of tips and fins options for optimal comfort and stability during physical activity, or during your commuting. They also barely leak and isolate a decent amount of ambient noise. Unfortunately, like most Bluetooth headphones, they have a bit too much latency for watching videos and their proprietary charging cradle is restrictive at times since you can’t charge the headphones without it. On the upside, they are also compatible with the Jaybird MySound mobile app that offers a great EQ and profile presets so you can customize your sound to your liking.

Pros

+Minimal leakage

+Stable and portable design

+Above average and customizable sound

Cons

- The in-ear fit is uncomfortable for some

- Cumbersome charging cradle

DESIGN

Type: Wireless In-Ear

Enclosure: Closed-Back

The Jaybird X4 kept a very similar design to the previous model, the Jaybird X3. They do have different tips and stability fins which are more earbud-like, making them a bit more comfortable than typical in-ears since they don’t enter your ear canal deeply. You get multiple tips and fins to find the best fit possible for you. They are also rated IPX7 for sweat and water resistance which is useful for athletes. They were designed to be charged with the provided cradle instead of a universal and more common charging cable, which is a bit disappointing and restrictive. They come with a small pouch that isn’t the best protection for the headphones, but thankfully, it doesn’t add too much bulk and can fit in pockets. On the upside, these wireless in-ears are very portable, stable enough for most sports and won’t make you sweat more when working out.

SOUND

Jaybird X4 Frequency Response Graph - RTINGS.COM

RTINGS.COM

The Jaybird X4 is an above-average sounding pair of closed-back wireless in-ear headphones. They have a deep, consistent and punchy bass, with a relatively even mid-range and a well-balanced treble. The bass is slightly overemphasized, and the mid-range is recessed, pushing vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix, which can still be great for bass-heavy genres like EDM, but isn’t suitable for vocal-centric music. They also feel a bit sharp on certain S and T sounds, while others are lacking in detail. This will be most noticeable on vocals and cymbals. Also, like most closed-back in-ears, they don’t have a speaker-like soundstage. On the upside, they are compatible with the Jaybird MySound app which lets you customize the sound to your liking with the provided parametric EQ and sound profile presets depending on what type of music you’re listening to. You also have access to some other Jaybird owner shared profiles.

ISOLATION

Jaybird X4 Isolation Graph - RTINGS.COM

RTINGS.COM

Noise canceling: No

The Jaybird X4 have good passive isolation performance but get outperformed by the X3, probably due to their more earbud-like design. They don’t have any ANC features but still passively block a decent amount of ambient noise, and barely leak at all. This means you’ll be able to raise your listening volumes to block out more noise without bothering people around you with your music. They’ll be great for the office but might not isolate enough in the bass range, where the rumble of engines sits, to be a great option for a daily commute option, but still do a decent job.

MICROPHONE

Jaybird X4 Microphone - RTINGS.COM

RTINGS.COM

Mic type: Integrated

The integrated microphone of the Jaybird X4 is mediocre, but it is usual on most Bluetooth integrated microphones, especially on wireless in-ear headphones. The speech recorded with the X4 mic sounds thin, muffled and lacking in detail. This should not be your first option for calls, and definitely not for gaming. In louder environments like a subway station or a busy street, the mic struggles to separate background noise from recorded speech. It is better suited for quieter environments, but voices still won’t sound full-bodied and clear.

ACTIVE FEATURES

Battery Life: 7.3 Hrs

Charge time: 1.7 Hrs

App support: Yes

Passive Playback: No

The X4 has an average battery life, and they are compatible with a great mobile application which offers sound customization options. They have about 7 hours of battery life, which is about average for wireless in-ears. Unfortunately, they don’t have any auto-off timer so be sure to turn them off after using them if you plan on using them again. They also come with a proprietary charging cradle which is restrictive since you can’t simply grab a common charging cable. On the upside, the Jaybird MySound has a good parametric EQ, and some presets. You also have access to community presets from other X4 owners. It lacks an in-app player and room effects, but it is still a great tool to find the best sound profile.

CONNECTIVITY

Bluetooth: Yes

Wired: No

Wireless range: 45 ft

Latency: 211 ms

The Jaybird X4 are Bluetooth-only headphones that can’t be used wired. Like most wireless Bluetooth headphones, they have too much latency to be suitable for watching video content and gaming. On the upside, they have a great wireless range and is an upgrade over the previous X3. You’ll be able to leave your audio source on a bench at the gym or on a treadmill without a problem if you don’t want to keep it on you, although it is recommended to keep it on you for the best connection stability. They can also be paired with 2 devices, which is convenient if you often switch between your computer and your phone.

WHO SHOULD BUY THEM?

Jaybird X4 Box - RTINGS.COM

RTINGS.COM

If you’re looking for great wireless sports headphones for your workouts, but also want to use them on a daily basis for various use cases, then the Jaybird X4 is a great option. They have good sound quality and you can also EQ them with the compatible app. They are also more comfortable than typical in-ears thanks to their earbud-like design which doesn’t enter your ear canal as deeply, but the fit might not be for everyone. They might not isolate as much as typical in-ears because of the more comfortable fit, but they barely leak so you can raise your listening volume to mask more ambient noise. The X4 also has an IPX7 for sweat and water resistant which is great for athletes who run outside in bad weather or simply if you sweat a lot. Unfortunately, their charging cradle can get frustrating to keep bringing around everywhere, but nevertheless, they are one the best wireless earbuds we’ve reviewed so far.

Shop Now: $129

To see all our measurements and our test results of the Jaybird X4, please go here.

Follow me on TwitterCheck out my website