Jaybird is making a splash this morning with the announcement of the smallest earbuds that it has ever released. The new Freedom headphones have two notable features, including fully customizable sound profiles and extended battery life. Longer usage times are handled by a new portable power supply that boosts playback to eight hours. More below.
The latest Jaybirds feature a 20 percent thinner design in comparison to the company’s previously released X2s. Additionally, the buds use metal injection molding versus plastic, which should result in an upgraded finish. This is a nice change of pace from the typical colored design that we see from the $100-$200 price range. Speaking of which, the Freedom series of headphones will be available in Gold, Carbon, Red and Blue at launch.
Out of the box, users can expect around four hours of playback on a single charge. This jumps to eight hours when the included portable battery charger is added on. The power supply system attaches to the remote via microUSB and adds more playback time on-the-go. Jaybird includes the standard three-button remote with volume, playback and Siri controls.
The other standout feature here is the proprietary MySound technology that works in conjunction with a free iOS or Android app. Users will be able to create customized EQ presets. Alongside is a kind of cheesy throwaway feature that allows listeners to copy Jaybird-sponsor athletes custom levels. If you’ve been wanting to hear your music the same way that Kerri Walsh Jennings does, you’re in luck. The new app is only compatible with the JayBird Freedoms at this time but will work with future releases.
Jaybird is clearly making a play towards a fashion-forward product here. It’s a natural move to produce Apple-friendly headphones that use metal materials over cheaper alternatives. This is the first release from Jaybird since it was acquired by Logitech for $50 million in cash last month. All told, the slimmer design should result in a better fit for most users. A common complaint is that these type of earbuds fail to conform to most ears. Jaybird includes a set of plastic and memory foam earbuds in a variety of sizes to help remedy this problem, as well.
The Freedom series of headphones is available for purchase today from Best Buy for $199.99. For comparison, that’s $50 more than the list price for its popular X2 headphones.
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[9to5-press-release]
Jaybird Blurs Lines Between Sport and Fashion With Freedom Wireless Bluetooth Buds
SALT LAKE CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jaybird, the pioneer and leader in premium sport wireless headphones, today announced Freedom Wireless Bluetooth® Buds, its fifth-generation of Freedom. Combining sophisticated style, incredible sound and increased comfort into the smallest, most advanced wireless earbuds ever designed, the buds are both functional and refined, packing premium features into a bite-sized package. Jaybird’s passion for great product doesn’t stop at great buds. Through the MySound app, you can customize and save your own personal sound to Freedom from your favorite music service or the Bluetooth-enabled music device you use.
The ground-breaking, engineering-enabled Jaybird once again re-writes the rules of earbud design and user experience, marking Jaybird’s continued leadership in wireless headphone innovation.
“This latest generation of Freedom liberates our lives like never before,” said Judd Armstrong, founder and CEO of Jaybird. “These micro-sized tapered buds deliver our best-ever sound while featuring a reduced size that fits all ears, all in a low-profile fit that resonates with everyone. The over-ear fit and elegant metal accents of Freedom bring a fashionable element while also being more rugged than ever, offering the freedom to bring your music anywhere, from mountain to motorcycle, thanks to the buds’ helmet friendly breakthrough form.”
With Jaybird Freedom, you get micro-sized sand blasted metal accented housing in a fashionable, small package. Traditionally, in-ear Bluetooth buds use plastic materials to assist with signal performance, but Jaybird has overcome these challenges by moving all electronics to its miniaturized three button controller while still delivering an incredible eight hours of play time (four hours play time with an additional four hours through the listen-while-you-charge charging clip). If you need a battery boost, clip the lightweight charger on while driving to the gym or during your workout and get an extra hour of playtime in just 20 minutes. So from the gym, to the streets, trails, office or anywhere in-between Jaybird Freedom means you’ll never miss a beat.
One of Jaybird’s hallmark design standards is drop-free music while offering incredibly small products. Jaybird continues to deliver this standard in Freedom, providing a huge win for active people where a lot of movement will not trip up the signal between phone and Freedom. Jaybird takes all these use cases into consideration when developing its products.
Availability
Jaybird Freedom is available today exclusively from Best Buy stores, BestBuy.com and jaybirdsport.com for $199.95. Freedom rolls out to additional retailers over the summer. The buds come in four fresh colors: Gold, Carbon (Black), Blaze (Red) and Ocean (Blue). For more information, please visit JaybirdSport.com or connect with us on Facebook.
About Jaybird
Established in 2006, Jaybird is an active lifestyle consumer electronics brand based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jaybird makes premium market leading sports tech products to inspire people to be active and empower them to improve their lives. Jaybird has pioneered the sports Bluetooth headphone market and are currently the third top premium sport headphone brand in the US. Jaybird is obsessed with delivering insanely great sound that goes with you throughout your day. For more information, please visit www.jaybirdsport.com.
Jaybird, the Jaybird logo, and other marks are registered in Switzerland and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For more information about Jaybird and its products, visit the company’s website at http://www.jaybirdsport.com.
[/9to5-press-release]
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