Jaybird Vista Review: Durable Earbuds For a Rugged Lifestyle

2023-01-10 | Yvonne

Tip: While excellent water resistance and durability make the rugged Jaybird Vista earbuds an exciting buy, the lackluster feature set might just turn some users off. I put them to the test for 24 hours.

Jaybird Vista Reviews: Earbuds for a rugged lifestyle: The Jaybird Vista are incredibly durable and long-lasting. However, some people might be turned off by the poor feature list. They were tested for 24 hours.

Jaybird Vista Headphones

We like this

Military-grade and IPX7 durability
Fit and sporty style
App with all the features and design

The Things We Hate

Sound is not something special
Battery life is somewhat limited
A bit too expensive

While these earbuds will appeal to sporty listeners, they are not for audiophiles.

Jaybird sent us a unit to review for one our writers. For more information, please read on.

Jaybird, a pioneer in Bluetooth headphones, was a top choice for sporty headphones back when they were primarily tethered with one wire. Jaybird Vista's true wireless earbuds, which are Jaybird's first venture into Bluetooth e-phones without wires, offer an intriguing argument for choosing them over premium brands.

Jaybird's name is synonymous with rugged, sporty earbuds. And that's not just marketing promises—Jaybird has managed to get some serious durability ratings and has built a pair of earbuds that look and feel stable.

They lack some other features, such as active noise cancellation and Bluetooth connectivity. Even the sound quality is not the best. This might not matter for some people, but it may be for others in this class. To see how sturdy these earbuds were, I bought a set of Vistas black.

Design: Jaybird is very sporty and stylish.

Jaybird's X Series of Bluetooth earbuds was reviewed by me a few years ago. I thought they were very good. Jaybird Vistas are a great example of this design.

The earbuds appear to be a matte, standard black with the cover closed. There is a Jaybird logo on the case. The ear hook that holds them in place is much smaller than the ones from other brands. These earbuds have a unique, squared-off shape. But I don't think that's a bad thing—they look unique but are still understated enough to not be obnoxious.

You can get them in an earthy turquoise (Jaybird names it Mineral Blue), which makes quite a fashion statement. These earbuds are visually loud only because of the yellow pop that dominates the of the charging case. Although it's fun to open the case, I'm not sure why they didn't include this feature on the earbuds. Although it's not an issue, these earbuds look very sporty, from a form standpoint. However, the colors don't seem as vibrant as one would expect for this category.

Related Reading: Microsoft Surface Headphones Review: A Premium Set

Comfort: Some people find it too tight, uncomfortable, or secure.

My reviews of wireless earbuds have been enough to make sure I know what fits my ears. It's possible for this category to be subjective so make sure you take all the information from an actual reviewer, including me, with a grain.

The Jaybird Vistas feel too small to my liking. The problem is not with the size of the ear tips (there are several sizes in the box), but the angle and shape that the earwings force the earbuds into your ears. The wings push the earbuds into your ears because the enclosures are more elliptical and longer than the perfect round.

This means stability, and great passive noise cancelling for some. It's too snug to wear for long periods of time. They would work well if you are a serious exerciser. Because they don't roll around in the streets, I prefer an ear-wing design.

It makes sense that Jaybird would put a lot of eggs into this basket—the buds are marketed as sporty and outdoors-friendly headphones. Jaybird's soft silicone is very gentle on the skin. These are an excellent choice for comfort if you don't mind a snug fit.

High quality and durability: These are the key characteristics that make us stand out.

There are so many wireless earbuds on the market, it is hard to choose one that stands out. While some brands focus on the sound quality of their earbuds, others are more concerned with features such as ANC or battery life. Jaybird doubles down on durability by introducing the Vistas.

Jaybird's commitment to military standards is even more important. This means that the earbuds have passed multiple shock, drop and crush tests.

The water resistance is first. Vistas received an IPX7 rating, which is the highest you can get from true wireless headphones. It offers exceptional protection against water and moisture. This rating is not recommended for sport-specific headphones, as you will likely sweat a lot on the buds.

Jaybird's commitment to military standards (specifically MIL STD 810G) is what makes this even more important. This means that the earbuds have passed multiple shock, drop and crush tests. They can also withstand tropical humidity and hurricane-force water conditions. Jaybird has a page called '#earthproof.' This bodes well for your purchase's longevity.

My experience is that the earbuds feelrugged. Although I didn't have a chance to set up a cliffside tend at 6,600 feet, the earbuds were comfortable enough that I did take them on a couple of walks in winter cold and sleet. Although the earbuds are sturdy from a quality standpoint, the case doesn't have the same attention to detail that premium products.

Sound quality: Enough to make it through the day

Jaybird Vistas are a perfect example of Jaybird's focus on sound quality. That doesn't mean you should count out the Vistas on sound quality alone—I generally really like the measured sound profile you'll get with the brand.

There is no digital signal processing or big-name brand audio, nor fancy codecs. This makes the headphones sound somewhat flat in practice, but I am impressed by how powerful they are with 6mm drivers.

However, the soundstage and clarity are not great. You'll instead get solid-sounding headphones with sufficient bass to play the top 40, and enough detail to listen to podcasts.

It is comparable to headphones priced at this price: 103dB sensitivity, 23ohms impedance and frequency range of 20Hz-20kHz. There are also very low harmonic distortion. You won't get any digital signal processing or a big-name brand of audio, nor fancy codecs. SBC is the only available protocol. This makes the headphones sound somewhat flat in practice, but I am impressed by how powerful they are with 6mm drivers.

The accompanying mobile app allows you some control over your EQ setting. This can help shape things a lot better. If sound quality is your top priority, don't purchase these earbuds.

Battery life: Perfect

The Jaybird Vistas offer about 6 hours of playback time, with an additional 10 using the battery case—at least according to their spec sheet. Although battery life can vary depending on how you use it, these are the most reliable I have seen.

To make headphones usable for daily use in 2021 you will need to have at least 20 hours total (including battery case). These headphones don't have the longest battery life, but it doesn't mean they aren't reliable.

With just 5 minutes of charging, the USB-C charging port located on the battery case allows for approximately an hour's playback. Because the battery life is slightly shorter, the earbuds will still work if you plug them in.

Overall, I'm coming out on the negative side for this category—with a long, rectangular case as big as this one and earbuds that don't offer ANC anyway, I was really hoping for a bigger battery.

There are a few hiccups in Connectivity and Codecs

Jaybird isn't doing well in this category, even though it may sound like an old record. Bluetooth 5.0 has a solid connectivity feature, as is to be expected with modern earbuds. You can find the required headset profiles here. The Class 2 standard range is around 30 feet.

The connection is stable once they are connected. Oddly enough, the moment I first connected my earbuds was where I had most problems. You must manually set the headphones into pairing mode. This is not the case with most headphones.

It seems quite simple to put the buds in the case, and then press the pairing button. My earbuds were not charged enough to allow them to remain in infinite pairing mode. After plugging them in for twenty minutes, I unplugged them and was finally able to pair them. This is a poor experience, particularly for those who bought the headphones at such a low price.

Software, controls & extras: This app is great and has no touch controls

Jaybird chose to use push-button controls for its earbuds rather than using touch options. The large button on each earbud covers the entire chassis. Pressing it will allow you access basic controls such as pausing, playing and answering calls. It is awkward to use these buttons in practice.

The app has a lot of control capabilities. You can find lost earbuds easily, access Spotify, music syncing and EQ presets. Apps that are limited in controls can be a bit frustrating. It is nice to know professional care has been taken.

The case also has a shoelace-style strap. Most wireless battery cases do not provide an easy way to attach the case directly to a backpack. Vistas have this option, and it makes sense since they're outdoors-focused headphones. This minor feature really enhances on-the-go capabilities.

The app has a lot of control capabilities. You can find lost earbuds and other useful features like Spotify, EQ presets and music syncing.

The price is a bit high considering the features.

Jaybird Vistas are available for as low as $150. Although the Vistas are not at the very top of the market for their price, it is still within the range of affordability. Due to all of the requirements for durability, the headphones will be priced high.

If durability and toughness are your top priorities, the cost might not be too high. The product might not be worth the cost for average listeners who demand modern features such as ANC and less lossy codescs.

Jaybird Vista Vs. Bose Sport Earbuds

The latest sport earbuds from Bose bring a lot of workout-friendly features right along with them—things like sporty colors, IPX4 water resistance, stable fit, and touch controls. The Bose sound profile is superior to the Vistas', although the Vistas offer a clear advantage with better durability and water resistance. The tradeoff between the two is entirely up to the buyer. Once you have weighed your requirements, it is easy to make a decision.

Final Verdict

Extremely rugged and barebones earbuds.

Jaybird Vistas' durability is the obvious title of their game. These headphones are military-grade and IPX7 waterproof, so they won't break down on you. Is that enough to justify the $200 price tag? It really all depends. Although you won't get the most battery life or ANC here, there will be decent sound quality, a sporty design and a comfortable fit. It all comes down to what you do. If you are a runner or hiker, then the Vistas might be worth your consideration.

Specifications

Product Name Vista Headphones
Jaybird Product Brand
MPN 985-000865
Prices from $150.00
Publication Date: July 2019,
Weight 0.2 oz.
Product dimensions 2.2x2.4x1.8cm
Color Black, Nimbus Gray, Mineral Blue
Battery life 6 hours for earbuds, 16 hours with battery case
Wired/Wireless wireless
Wireless range 30 feet
1-year warranty
Audio Codecs SBC

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