Jabra has finally released their Jabra Music line of headphones. As the company explains, the headphones combine “state-of-the-art design with excellence in sound quality and ultimate durability”. I am loving the $249.99 Jabra Revo Wireless Headphones, and they have been going everywhere with me. The sound, durability, comfort and overall execution of the wireless headphones is a home run. Now, however, the Jabra Revo Wireless Headphones have some competition in the form of the Jabra Revo Wired Headphones. The Jabra Revo Wired Headphones are the corded version of the line, and they come in at $50 less. Is the savings of $50 worth giving up the flexibility of going wireless? Are there aspects in which the Jabra Revo Headphones beat their wireless siblings? Let’s look more closely.
The Jabra Revo Headphones and the Jabra Revo Wireless Headphones share the same DNA. Other than the color, the Jabra Revo headphones look quite similar to the Jabra Revo Wireless Headphones. That, of course, makes perfect sense since they are both part of the new Jabra Music Revo line. The headphones sound the same as well. In fact, when swapping the headphones but using the same cord with both the Jabra Revo and the Jabra Revo Wireless headphones, I could not hear a difference.
There is, of course, a difference since one pair of headphones packs all kinds of wireless goodness into the ear cups while the other… well, while the other does not. That is the reason the Jabra Revo Wireless headphones weigh in at 7.8 oz while the Jabra Revo Wired Headphones come in .4 oz less at 7.4 oz. I thought I could tell the difference in weight, but I also wondered if it was simply my imagination. I placed both in Elana’s hands and asked which was heavier. She picked the Jabra Revo Wireless headphones each and every time. So yes, the .4 oz does make a difference. It is not huge, but it is there and, as a result, you might find a tiny bit less ear fatigue if you use them for an extended period of time. (By comparison, the Beats Studio are almost 8.5 oz, and the Beats Wireless are 7.4 oz.)
There is difference between the two headphones — the cables. While the cable included with the Jabra Revo Headphones has three different buttons the one included with the Jabra Revo Wireless Headphones have just one.
That makes sense since the cable on the wireless version is a backup to the wireless functionality while the cable on the Jabra Revo Headphones is a necessary if the headphones are to be anything more than a paperweight. The difference between the three buttons on the wired headphones and the single button on the wireless version is huge. It means you have much more control over your music on the go. With the inline control you can play or pause music, skip tracks and take calls. In addition, it has a microphone so you can take calls and carry on conversations on the go.
Another difference can be found when you look at the point at which the cable attaches to the headphones. On the Jabra Revo Wireless headphones (top), the audio cable only connects to one earpiece since the other is a microUSB connector for charging the headphones. The Jabra Revo Headphones (bottom) don’t need to be charged. As a result, both ear cups have a 3.5mm port for connecting the cable.
That means you can choose which side you want the cable to come from. It is a small convenience that makes a difference. You can also see that the Jabra Revo Wireless Headphones have an on/off switch while the wired headphones do not.
Other than the differences I’ve noted above, the wired and wireless versions of the headphones are not all that different. Like the wireless version the Jabra Revo Headphones come with a code that provide access to the Jabra-Sound app. As noted in the review of the Jabra Revo Wireless Headphones, the app is a mixed bag — but that is more Apple’s fault than Jabra’s.
And like the wireless version, the Jabra Revo Wired Headphones come with a carry bag that lets you take the headphones on the go. They fold up into a fairly small package and, thanks to their build-quality, can simply be thrown into your gear bag once in the carry bag. Still, I do wish the headphones came with a hard case that was more protective.
I’m a fan of the Jabra Revo Wireless Headphones and, as a result, it only makes sense that I like the Jabra Revo Headphones as well. I prefer the inline control of this pair and I do find that the small difference in weight is actually quite welcome. Are either deal breakers? Not in the least. Bother are, however, worth considering when trying to determine which headphones to buy.
So which headphones SHOULD you buy? If saving $50 is important to you go for these wired headphones. If having the option to connect the cord to either ear cup go for these wired headphones. If a small weight difference matters to you, go for these wired headphones. Otherwise go for the Jabra Revo Wireless Headphones since they provide the most flexibility and let you go wired or wireless. Either way you really cannot go wrong.
Get them here in white for $199.99, or purchase them here in gray for $199.99.
MSRP: $199.99
What I Like: Tough; Attractive; Strong cloth cable; Sound very good; Block out a good amount of ambient sound
What Needs Improvement: Soft carrying bag rather than a protective hard case; Cause a bit of ear fatigue after extended periods of use
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample
