The Jabra Sport Coach Bluetooth Headset are great for athletes but you don’t have to be one to appreciate all these sub-$150 wireless headphones have to offer. I can’t run without music and these Bluetooth headphones are, by far, the best way yet to cut the cord and go for a run. They are comfortable, stay put and sound great.
The Jabra Sport Coach Bluetooth Headset are, “wireless sports earbuds with intelligent audio coaching optimized for cross training and indoor workouts. With integrated cross training app.” In this review I’m going to focus most on the headset simply as a bluetooth wireless headset. The “intelligent audio coaching” and integration with the Jabra Sport Life App certainly are a key selling point of this headset but I happen to think it stands on its own even without the app. The sport functionality is, to my mind, value added. In other words, while you can be a cross-training athlete and get the maximum benefit from this headset you can also be a three to four times a week 5K runner like me and really appreciate them. Come to think of it, these headphones are comfortable and good-sounding enough that you can be a couch potato and still appreciate them!
The headphones are of the in-ear design and come with a variety of both EarGels and EarWings so you can get the best fit and sound possible. The EarGels need to be sized properly so the earbuds sit in, and seal into, your ear canal.
The better the fit the better and more immersive the sound you will get. The EarWings fit into the cartilage of your ear and, when sized properly, hold the earbuds securely in place without the need to uncomfortable earloops. The headphones also shit with two FitClips. These grab the extra cable and bring it together so there is less cable flopping behind your head. I appreciate the non-flopping cable but found the FitClips rub against my neck in a somewhat unpleasant manner. I’m not sure I’ll be using them.
The combination of the EarWings, EarGels and FitClips result in a pair of in-ear headphones that really stay in place. As an added benefit, I don’t get “cable noise” transmitted to my ears when the headphones move in the manner I, all too often, do with both wired and wireless headphones.
Jabra could easily have focused on the fitness aspect of this headset to the detriment of the sound quality they offer but didn’t… thankfully. As they note:
Don’t compromise on the sound quality. Dolby Sound Enhancement brings out the true depth and clarity of your digital music, even when listening to YouTube tracks. All without wires getting in your way, allowing you to focus 100% on your workout.
I was pleasantly surprised by the sound and found myself turning to these headphones not just when I go for a run but, for example, right now as I am writing this review. That’s right, the Jabra Sport Coach Bluetooth Headset is designed and marketed as a pair of sport headphones but they are good enough to use everyday all the time. No, they don’t offer as much bass as on-ear or over-the-ear headphones might and sure, the 5 1/2 hours of battery life is a bit on the lower end from what we have seen with other Bluetooth headphones but it is still enough that you can use them as your daily driver.
Even the in-line controller and microphone is placed in a position on the short cable that make controlling your music on the go simple to do!
And since the headphones have an IP55 rating they are sweat, shock, and weatherproof enough to endure most any outdoor activity other than swimming.
So as Bluetooth headphones it is easy to make a case for the Jabra Sport Coach Bluetooth Headset. Of course that is only part of the story with these headphones and you will, “get the most out of your Sport Coach earbuds with Jabra’s fitness app.”
Plan, track, and analyze your cross training or other indoor workout. Choose from more than 40 exercises, from beginner to advanced. Get in-the-moment, personalized in-ear audio coaching as you work out. Use time or repetition-based training while being motivated by your favorite music.
The headphones also work with the Endomondo, RunKeeper, Strava, MapMyFitness and Runtastic apps. Since I’m pretty heavily invested in using RunKeeper I wasn’t all that interested in the Jabra Sport app and the headphone’s added functionality. Honestly, I just don’t need it and don’t think that devalues the worth of these headphones in the least.
That noted however, the app and sport functionality may well be a selling point for you so let’s let Jabra run down the function and features:
TRACKFIT MOTION SENSOR: If you combine your cross training with running, the integrated TrackFit™ motion sensor will measure distance, pace, steps, cadence and calories burned. This unique motion sensor captures detailed activity and performance data for the Jabra Sport Life App, helping you train at the right intensity.
JABRA’S SPORT LIFE APP: Get the most out of your Sport Coach earbuds with Jabra’s fitness app. The Jabra Sport Life app helps you plan, track and analyze your cross training workouts and gives you personalized and inspiring in-ear coaching as you workout to help you optimize each session.
PLAN YOUR WORKOUT: Easy to create and save your own circuit training sessions. Build from over 40 exercises and create your own library to select your personalized workout suited to the time you have.
TRACKS AND COACHES: Make the most out of each session with real-time audio coaching. You get automatic coaching tips at specified time and measurements such as distance, pace, step count, cadence, calories burned etc. Jabra Sport Life app accurately captures your every move and keeps you on track to push you harder than ever before in your intervals.
ANALYZES: Record key stats such as your pace, step count, cadence, calories burned, distance and route. A comprehensive work-out history and achievements page put your work-out data instantly at your fingertips.
MEASURE YOUR FITNESS LEVEL TESTS: Jabra Sport Coach allows you to perform a non-heart rate based fitness test outdoor or indoor. All you have to do is run as far as possible in 12 minutes.
The Jabra Sport Coach Bluetooth Headset weigh just 16 grams/0.56 oz and, thanks to the aforementioned secure fit of the headphones you may actually forget you are wearing them. I know I have more than once! In addition, the headphones offer NFC pairing if you have an NFC-enabled phone. If you don’t there’s nothing to worry about. The pairing process is simple and quick.
Perhaps most importantly, the Jabra Sport Coach are designed to sound great and, in keeping with their name, are “crafted to withstand exercise under any conditions.” I’m a fan and see myself turning to these are my preferred running and wireless headphones for some time to come. You can learn more and order yours here.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample of the Jabra Sport Coach
What I Like: Comfortable and stay put once you find the right combination of inserts; Sound quite good!; Works with Jabra’s app and a number of other fitness apps as well; Good just as Bluetooth headphones
What Needs Improvement: Only get 5.5 hours of operation per charge