review
Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex Review Professional Headset Microsoft Teams Certified
Thursday, September 21, 2023
The Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex steps into the spotlight as a professional headset tailored for the ever-evolving hybrid work landscape.
The Evolve2 65 Flex has been thoughtfully crafted with professionals in focus, featuring contemporary aesthetics and convenient elements like a discreetly retractable shortened boom arm and a hinged headband (2.5cm wide). These design attributes notably enhance the headset's ease of transport.
The Evolve2 65 Flex headset is an improved version of the Evolve2 30 headset - equipped with leatherette (PU leather) cushioned earpads and a headband. The headband is padded only on the bottom side, but the top side also features PU leather covering with the Jabra engraving. The headset offers a comfortable level of clamping force and earpad padding. Although the padding isn't exceptionally thick, this design choice actually prevents the earpads from exerting uncomfortable pressure on the ears. The earpads have a dome-shaped design without any openings, measuring 7cm in height and 6cm in width.
In addition to PU leather, the Evolve2 65 Flex incorporates PC/ABS plastics and stainless steel in strategic areas, enhancing its overall durability and lifespan while maintaining a lightweight profile of just 137 grams. Unlike the traditional yoke earcup design, the Evolve2 65 Flex adopts a unique earcup configuration. In this design, there is no yoke; instead, the earcup is directly connected to the headband stem, pivoting from it. This design choice reduces the headset's footprint but does limit the earcup's tilt range for up/down movement. Nevertheless, the earcups have the flexibility to rotate flat up to 90 degrees in one direction.
The Evolve2 65 Flex features a conventional headband adjustment system, combining plastic construction with a stainless steel band for added durability. Unlike a traditional ratchet-style headband with notches, the Evolve2 65 Flex employs a silent adjustment mechanism that relies on friction to maintain the desired position. Alongside the headband adjustment, you'll find a sturdy folding hinge that produces a satisfying click when folding the earcups inwards. In terms of dimensions, the Evolve2 65 Flex measures 11cm in height, 23cm in length, and 15cm in width, with a lightweight design tipping the scales at just 136 grams.
Located on the earcup, you'll find four plastic physical side buttons that offer subtle yet tactile feedback. These buttons serve various functions, including volume control (both up and down), play/pause, power on/off, Bluetooth pairing, ANC/hear through (which can be disabled through the app), track skipping (both forward and backward), voice assistant activation, and mute.
The Jabra Sound+ mobile app expands your button
control options and provides access to additional settings, including
EQ adjustments, "find my earbuds" functionality, six customizable preset
sound profiles, ambient sound settings, sidetone adjustments, and call
equalizer settings.
In addition to the mobile app, Jabra offers a desktop app called Jabra Direct, which grants access to certain settings not available in the mobile app. These settings include options related to hearing protection and the "boom arm answer call" feature, which allows you to answer calls by simply deploying the boom arm.
Located on the earcups, you'll also find a USB-C port and an additional physical button, referred to as the "MS Teams control," on the earcup's faceplate. It's important to note that the UC variant of this headset does not include the MS Teams control button. Furthermore, there is a busylight LED indicator onboard the earcup, which serves as a visual signal to those around you when you require uninterrupted focus.
The right earcup of the Evolve2 65 Flex features a discreet boom arm microphone, which is designed to be unobtrusive due to its compact size. In contrast to traditional headphones with boom arms that protrude significantly, the Evolve2 65 Flex boasts a shorter boom arm that can be swiveled down and up into the earcup, effectively concealing it from view. This eliminates the need to unplug the boom arm microphone, a common requirement with other headsets. The Evolve2 65 Flex's boom arm microphone measures 5cm in length and can be silently swiveled up and down, automatically muting the microphone when retracted.
When playing audio at 100% volume using the SBC codec, you can expect approximately 21 hours of battery life with ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) activated and 32 hours with ANC turned off when listening to music. If you primarily use the headset for calls, the Evolve2 65 Flex provides a battery life of around 15 hours with ANC on and 20 hours with ANC off.
The Evolve2 65 Flex charging stand has a compact design, measuring 8.5cm in diameter, 1cm in thickness, and weighing 70 grams. It features a predominantly smooth plastic construction and includes foam padding around the bottom base for added stability.
The Evolve2 65 Flex excels in several areas, with its audio quality being a notable highlight. Equipped with 28mm drivers, these headphones deliver impressive sound quality characterized by robust and punchy bass, as well as clear treble extension when needed. While the sound stage is detailed, it tends to be somewhat narrow. Fortunately, you have the flexibility to customize the sound signature to your personal preferences, so you're not limited to the default sound profile.
In terms of microphone sound quality, the Evolve2 65 Flex performs admirably, providing a natural and clear audio output. It effectively suppresses background noise and wind noise, ensuring that your calls are crisp and free from unwanted distractions.
However, it's important to note that the Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature is not the headset's strongest aspect, primarily due to its on-ear design, which limits the ANC performance. On the other hand, the HearThrough mode, also known as transparency mode, functions effectively by allowing external sounds to come through naturally and clearly. If ANC is a top requirement, check out the Elite 85h headset.
Selling points
- Google Fast Pair
- ANC with ambient mode (HearThrough)
- Certified Microsoft Teams compatibility
- Low Latency Bluetooth adapter included (same on e you get with the Speak2 75)
- Charging stand (add-on accessory)
- Works with Mac and PC
- AAC codec support
- Quick charge - 45% charge in just 30 minutes
- Compatible with Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom
- Good bass extension
- No blinking bluetooth light during use
- Battery level voice alerts
- Supports absolute bluetooth volume
- Outstanding Hybrid ANC performance
- Exceptional call quality
- On-board mute button
- Wired audio support (via USB-C port)
- Compatible with 3rd party Qi chargers
- Microsoft Teams control
- On-board ear detection (can be disabled in app)
- In-call busy light (can be disabled in app)
- Low sound leakage at max volume
- Comfortable to wear all day at work
- Foldable design
- Passthrough audio whilst charging
- Wireless charging via charging stand
- 360° Busylight optimizes focus during work
- Multipoint dual connectivity
- MySound personalization elevates your music experience.
Potential deal breakers
- Limited earcup tilt
- No 3.5mm audio port
- Lacking ANC performance
- Expensive
- Thin earpad padding
- Bluetooth 5.2 - not the latest bluetooth 5.3 version
As previously mentioned, the Evolve2 65 Flex is available in two variants: the UC certified version and the Microsoft Teams (MS) optimized version. Opting for the Teams variant of the Evolve2 65 Flex offers distinct advantages, including certification as a Teams device, remote meeting control capabilities, enhanced connectivity features, and comprehensive support from both Jabra and Microsoft.
In terms of accessories, the package includes an unbranded 1.2-meter USB cable (featuring USB-A to USB-C connectors), a Jabra-branded felt pouch with an elastic band fastener and a secure pocket designed to accommodate the Bluetooth adapter. Additionally, there is an optional add-on charging stand included, complete with a 1-meter-long USB-A cable that is non-detachable. You can buy the Evolve2 65 Flex from Amazon.
0 comments