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Jaybird Freedom Bluetooth Headphones - new 'stay-fit' ear cushions

bigsexyy81

bigsexyy81

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 2, 2010
626
0
http://www.jaybirdgear.com/jf3/

jf3-freedom-bluetooth-buds.jpg


I've looked for the best bluetooth headphones for running/athletics, and it looks like this one is now it with the improved ear cushions.

Sweat-proof with a lifetime warranty against it.

Has anyone used the Freedoms before? I know the ear cushions are new but the Freedoms have been out for a bit.
 
I bought a pair last week at best buy. The set I bought did not come with the new ear cushions so I had to use them all last week without them. I would give it a 3.5 out of 5. Sounds pretty good. Not as nice as the S-9 HD. But they fit better for me. I just got the cushions in the mail today and I ran 5 miles with them on. I would change my rating from 3.5 to 4.5. Still doesn't sound as nice as the S-9 HD's but the fit is perfect. I didn't once reach up to adjust them. Definitely beats the S-10's and S-9 HD's on fit and comfort, but doesn't sound as rich as the S-9's. I will say that I had to take my first pair back to exchange them because the left ear piece went out. I think it was due to me not using the case to store them when not in use. I just threw it in my bag or pocket all the time. If you buy from best buy I would seriously look at getting the replacement plan for them. At least you know you're covered for two years if anything happens to them. Hope this helps with your decision.
 
Thanks! I can't wait to get the ear cushions. They weren't staying in my ear when I ran. Didn't like the gecko ear tips at all.
 
bigsexyy81 said:
Thanks! I can't wait to get the ear cushions. They weren't staying in my ear when I ran. Didn't like the gecko ear tips at all.
Click to expand...

I have them....if you fit them tight, they hurt the ears...I sized to the small and ran a quick 6 mile loop. They seem to do great. No slippage or falling out. This is in 100 degree dallas evenings.

Sound is good as well as the bluetooth range. If anyone remembers there older headphones, there was always a dead spot if you carried your phone in the right pocket or around that height. The new ones don't seem to have that bluetooth dead zone around the body at all.

If anyone wants pics or have other questions just let me know.
 
Pics would be sweet!

I am wondering if Jaybird has a significant backlog on requests for these or if they are just waiting for my 30 days to pass from Best Buy. lol. I can hardly use them without the cushions!
 
men, sure, I agree with the OP! Pics plz!
I just ordered the pair like a day ago, and hopefully they turn out to be good.
One specific part that I want you to take pic is the grill. IDK if you know it or not, but just to let you know, go to Apple's link first, http://www.apple.com/ipod/in-ear-headphones/, and scroll down a little bit and you'll see the pic at the very bottom, where it says 'Keep it clean' next to it. That's the angle that I want to see.
 
still at work but will post some when I get home....what do you want pics of?
 
7racer said:
still at work but will post some when I get home....what do you want pics of?
Click to expand...

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/832/screenshot20110630at338.png/
My bad. I was sure that my explanation was kinda complex. I made a photo with pic #1 and #2. #1 is the one on the left and #2 represents the one on the right. As you can see on #1, there is a white silicon tip. #2 is just a photo as #2, but without the white silicon tip. I want you to take the pic of the Jaybird Freedom 3, just like #2 (that is, without the silicon tip.)
 
okey dokey then...
 

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those are the small "vulcan" ears....the medium was a bit too big and ached after a while.

Even though small, still haven't fallen out or needed me to push them back into the ear during a run.
 
Thanks a LOT 7racer! I really appreciate it! 4000x2248 pictures :D
I was hoping that Jaybird will use the normal grills, but I guess they had to use the cushions to make it 100% waterproof (I'm talking about the second picture. Nonetheless, other pics are awesome too.)
Just one more question (no more pics, I promise.) Have you ever owned a high quality in-ear earphones before? Remember, when I say "high-quality," it means the earphones are superb compared to earphones that comes with when you buy iPods. I currently own Sennheiser CX-300 II, which I'm pretty impressed with. I hope I'm not asking you for too much. Just hyped about my first bluetooth earphones :)
 
Seong,

you have a round about way of asking questions! LOL.

You could have just asked if there was foam or mesh in the ear piece, and if I have experience to comment on the fidelity of the phones.

I own high end equipment but really can't tell the difference (Sonus Faber stuff). My headphones consists of Monster Studios, tours, and D-jays. The d-jays are my best sounding in-ear headphones. The Studios, the best over the ear.

I don't listen to any SACD quality music and my music isn't ripped at a super high rate...so with what I listen to the Freedoms' sound close to my tours. The base is pretty good and the high end not tingy.

For what they are intended for...sports activities...they sound great because they stay in the ear. The bad part is that since they stay in so well it is harder to hear ambient noise (I can't hear as well when my Garmin watch beeps during my interval runs or when a bike is coming up on my when riding/running)
 
Haha, my bad :) I'm used to saying the word 'grill.' I've never seen meshed foam on in-ear earphones before in my life, so I was expecting either silver grill or plastic piece. Nice headphones btw, XD. Now I can be sure that my money is well spent. Some reviewers out there say it has a crappy audio quality. I was just curious what it sounds like to you (jaybird also addressed that some of the early batches had audio problems.)
 
Review:

1. With the new ear cushions, they stay in the ear great.
2. Supposedly these have great sweatproofing, which is key.
3. Sound is not great. It isn't bad, and I don't need it to be great when I am running, but it does leave some to be desired.
4. Cut out a few times while I was working out. The phone was 3' from the phone. Maybe I am too picky, but that just ain't gonna cut it for me.

For $100, I'm not overly impressed. Likely returning these. It's a damn shame, these looked to be the best out there as far as Bluetooth headphones made for jogging. If they were $50 I'd see the value, but for units that cut out as much as they did, not worth it.
 
bigsexyy81 said:
Review:

1. With the new ear cushions, they stay in the ear great.
2. Supposedly these have great sweatproofing, which is key.
3. Sound is not great. It isn't bad, and I don't need it to be great when I am running, but it does leave some to be desired.
4. Cut out a few times while I was working out. The phone was 3' from the phone. Maybe I am too picky, but that just ain't gonna cut it for me.

For $100, I'm not overly impressed. Likely returning these. It's a damn shame, these looked to be the best out there as far as Bluetooth headphones made for jogging. If they were $50 I'd see the value, but for units that cut out as much as they did, not worth it.
Click to expand...

Have you ever tried the Jaybird SB2? I have had one since December last year and run maybe 400 miles with them and they are still going strong despite being soaked with sweat every other day. They are on the ear and not in the ear and that can be a personal like or dislike, but I have found them super comfortable and decent sounding, plus they let me hear the environmental noise while running.

I have not had any cutout issues. It does say in the SB2 manual that they are designed for your device to be worn on your right side for best effect. I wear mine on an armband on my right arm.
 
anyone here ever used the older jb-200? i would like a comparison if anyone has the knowledge.

i loved these but unfortunately one side stopped working so i've been using some wired iems in the meantime.

can you still hear the environment around you with the jf3? i liked that aspect of the jb-200 so i could leave them on when making a food order or eating food too. the iems i have now you hear the inner crunching when eating if left on.

thanks to anyone who replies.
 
I bought the Jaybird Freedoms from Best Buy but returned them after using them just once. They would not stay in my ear and the controls were just too damn small and cumbersome to use. Hold the volume button down to change tracks? Why not tap to change tracks and hold to change volume? People are much more likely to want to change the track frequently than the volume. Just didn't make much sense to me and I need something that's a bit easier to use at the gym.

Anyway, I'd recommend you guys check out the Rocketfish RF-MAB2 bluetooth headphones (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Rocketf...lack/9246862.p?id=1218068108153&skuId=9246862). Rocketfish is Best Buy's store brand but their bluetooth headphones are shockingly good (check out the generally positive reviews on Best Buy's website and Amazon). I used them while working out and they were comfortable, sounded great and the controls were very easy to use.

If you're looking for something really cheap, check out the Evere T909S (can be had for about $30 or so). I got a pair off ebay and they just arrived yesterday - pretty cool design and I was shocked at how loud they were. I haven't given them a good workout yet but I plan to do that soon.
 
Recently picked these up from Best Buy. they still do not have the revised version in yet with the ear cushions included, at least in South Florida area. I contacted Jaybird and they are sending them out to me today though, so hopefully i get them soon.

Also, just to let you guys know, the Comply t-400 earfoams fit on these really well. I worked out with them today and they actually kept them in my ears during my cardio and everything. Check them out. :)
 
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