Archives for June 2016

Versatility Running Through Your Ears: JAM Audio Transit Micro Wireless Earbuds Review

The main ubiquitous problem with sport headphones mirrors one of the main reasons for refusing to go to the gym: they’re a hassle. The short, knotty wiring, the prone-to-dislodging earbuds, the limited functions available on the mid-strip remote (if there even is one); these culminating irritations nearly persuade users to forego their headphones when heading out to the gym, or worse, make staying home and further indenting their couch cushions sound much more appealing. JAM Audio’s new sport earbuds seek to alleviate all these discouraging irritations, as well as providing functions that are designed for exercise. The question remains, do the JAM Audio Transit Micro Sport Wireless Earbuds rise above and beyond the couch of their mediocre peers, or do they make a bag of chips sound more appealing than the music they play? Let’s take a look in this JAM Audio Transit Micro Wireless Earbuds Review.

Aesthetic

Right from the start, the user will be delighted to see that they don’t need to use their aggressive hands, teeth, a pair of scissors, nor the sharpest steak knife to access these headphones. JAM Audio Transit Micro Sport Buds reside intricately coiled inside a standard BPA-free sport water bottle showcasing both the 3-dimensional look of the headphones, as well as the secondary intent of this particular JAM Wireless Audio product: fitness.

Further than the exercise purpose of these headphones, the look embodies the qualities of fitness. Sleek, compact, modifiable, adaptable; it is obvious this product was designed to accommodate every user and any terrain. There are two ear grip accessories with small, medium, and large sizes for each. One that fits in the inner ear canal as well as another that rounds the rim of the whole ear.[Tweet “Sleek, compact, modifiable, adaptable; it is obvious this product was designed to accommodate every user and any terrain. @JamSpeaker”]

Additionally, these earbuds are practically wireless; the only wire is a one-foot long reflective chord, coiled around a small curved plastic plate in the middle, that connects the two earbuds to each other. This wiring is ultimately extremely useful. The length provided enough space to add an attached basic remote: two volume buttons and a play-pause button, and be just long enough that in the case of the headphones dislodging from the user’s ears, they should hang around the back of the user’s neck. This feature can be a life-savor, especially when using JAM Audio Transit Micro Sport Earbuds during exercise.

However, the short length of the wiring can make it difficult for the user to move their head freely without the headphones falling out. This short length is most likely the secondary reason for the addition of the multiple ear-grip styles and sizes, though the standard small-medium-large format will require the user to try each size and style to ultimately determine which suits them best. This requirement can be both an inconvenient expense of the user’s time and result in the user still ending up unsatisfied with their most compatible headphone accessory arrangement. The amount of trial and error necessary to construct a viable set up not only detracts from the headphone’s appeal but is ultimately indicative of the design error on Jam’s side.

These sport earbuds are available in 3 color patterns. If the blue/black combination doesn’t suit you, there are a green/black and pink/black color combos as well.

Wireless Functionality

Despite the few nonessential design errors, the JAM Audio Transit Micro Sport Buds are the Swiss army knife of consumer-centered functions.

The Bluetooth functionality is exceptionally competent and stable. It only takes a second to link a device to the headphones, and the connection rarely disrupts or disconnects. However, the connection disrupts most frequently when the user moves at faster speeds.

The Bluetooth is activated by holding the play-pause button on the mid-wire remote panel. On the remote panel are the increase and decrease volume buttons as well. JAM Audio elevates the functionality of these buttons by engineering them to be multi-functional. While playing music, if the increase volume button is held, the playlist will skip to the next song; if the decrease volume button is held, the playlist will skip back one song. If the headphones are connected to a phone, the play-pause button can be pressed to answer an incoming call or held to reject the call. Despite these implementations seeming like common sense and rudimentary additions, they are rarely included, though welcome add-ons. Especially considering how the aim for these headphones is to be used during exercise, these buttons are incredibly convenient and useful.

A thoughtful bonus innovation is the music cancellation button found on the left earbud. In any case, the user would like to hear their environment clearly while still listening to music (i.e. running on a road), they can press this button and stop the music in their left ear while it resumes in their right. Small extra, substantial increase in potential safety.

The one nearly detrimental caveat is that the user must recharge the headphones. The JAM Audio Transit Micro Sport Earbuds have a 10-hour battery life. Understandably, this is the one way the headphones can be wireless, however, if the user is working out in the gym, running in open terrain, or too far from their home without the charger, they are hopeless. Even if the user did carry the charger and had outlets at their disposal, they would still need to remove the headphones and let them charge for at least thirty minutes. This inconvenience can be the deciding factor between purchasing these headphones or going with a wired or more expensive wireless pair of headphones.

Wireless Sound Quality

These earbuds are designed for exercise use and multi-functionality. While the list price of these buds is $79.99, the Amazon selling price is closer to $50. Though being the fundamental purpose of headphones, the sound quality must be evaluated respectively. Wrong. Correct, yes, yet unnecessary with the JAM Audio Transit Micro Sport Buds. The sound quality on these headphones not only match that of SkullCandy’s Smokin Buds 2 (which are designed primarily for sound quality) but ultimately surpass them pertaining to particular elements. Both the heaviness of the bass and the distinction between sounds are superior on the JAM Audio Transit Micro Sport Buds. This statement holds true across genres. From the elaborate Hip Hop/R&B hit “Monster” by Kanye West to the elegantly robust concertos of Felix Mendelssohn, the earbuds’ fidelity and power are unwavering.

It would take months to truly test this or any other comparison, however, after an adequate number of trials, it is clear that this product does not just stack up to the competition; it is above the rest. Ultimately, the Jam Audio Transit Micro Sport Buds are a top contender; it wasn’t until I heard new lyrics and sounds from songs I have heard numerous times that I discovered the earbuds’ exceptional heights. The same outcome was found with my fellow evaluators, as well.

Verdict

Though these headphones may not be qualified to compete against the sound quality of Dr. Dre’s Beats and the likes, they provide an exceptional plethora of convenient functions and dominate top selling headphone brands designed purely for outstanding sound. It would be a mistake not to purchase these headphones built for any consumer in practically any terrain (though, I recommend having a spare wired set of headphones if the juice runs out). JAM Audio Transit Micro Sport Buds don’t just emerge from their couched competitors; they exceed so far until the rest might as well fall by the wayside. They even provide a water bottle – how refreshing.

JAM Audio Transit Micro Sport Buds kick it up a few notches for each feature. They have established themselves as a formidable competitor.

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media on our Twitter or Facebook pages. We’d be eager to hear your thoughts.

FTC Disclosure: JAM Audio Inc. provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Transit Micro Sport Buds sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC 2016.