Dubai: Jabra Rox Wireless is a single wired device that connects two earbuds and is designed with brushed stainless steel and plastic nuggets and rests around the shoulders.
The magnetic earbuds on the premium stereo Bluetooth headset automatically turn off when contacted and turn on when severed to save battery life without having to press a button. The magnetic power is not very strong and there is a chance that it can get separated when worn around the neck.
It is shock, dust and water resistant. Even though it looks heavy, it is comfortable to wear and stays put in the ears pretty well without relying on the optional rubber bands. The kevlar-reinforced flat and light wire is tangle free. It weighs just 19 grams.
It has to be paired via Bluetooth. The multi-coloured LED light — blue, green and red — on the left earbud indicates charging, and pairing mode status and the light turns off when the device is paired.
The blue colour LED flashes when it is paired, green indicates the device has enough charge or looking for a paired device to sync and red indicates low battery or entering a sleep mode. A voice system tells how much power is on and alters when the device should be charged.
The inline control, covered with rubber, on the wire helps users not to pick up the phone from the pocket to answer a call or change music tracks. The buttons are easily pressable and is positioned below the jaw line. The microphone is not integrated into the remote module but it is situated on the left earbud itself.
The inline control houses the volume up and down button as well as a middle button to play/pause/skip music tracks, answer/reject phone calls, check battery status and redial the last used number.
It can also be paired using an NFC-enabled device.
Four sets of silicon eargels and three sets of optional earwings are included in the box along with a carry case for different sizes. Even though the device feels premium, the eargels and earwings look flimsy. The cable is not long enough to go over the neck.
The charging micro USB port is hidden under the left earbud. It takes two-and-a-half hours to charge fully using a micro USB cable. To charge it, users need to flip open the magnetic metal cap to reveal the hidden micro USB port.
The audio quality delivered by the earphone is balanced, with bass more dominant while higher frequencies are good. The microphone performance for phone calls was average and Jabra needs to focus on this. The noise filter eliminates background noise and both the hearer and the caller can hear the audio clearly.
The device gives just more than five hours of battery life, which is average. So if you are avid music listener, you need to carry a power bank with you in case you need it.
Rox works with any audio sources using Bluetooth. It can also be paired with two devices. The Bluetooth range is excellent up to 10 metres.
The Dolby Digital Jabra Sound app, which can be downloaded from the apple or Google app stores, can create and browse through playlists, share music on Facebook or Twitter and adjust the graphic equaliser. The streamed YouTube content can be played in full-spectrum Dolby Digital Plus sound.
With the app, the bass become heavier and drains down the finer details and overpowers other notes.
The device gives just more than five hours of battery life, which is average, and 18 days of standby. So if you are avid music listener, you need to carry a power bank with you in case you need it. It is priced at Dh520.
