Review: Jabra Evolve2 is a comfortable, well equipped & versatile headphones

Jabra Evolve 2 65 might prove the perfect headphones for working at home in this new COVID-19 environment.

Jabra Evolve2 65 Bluetooth 5 headset.

Jabra Evolve 2 65 might prove to be the perfect headphones for working at home in this new COVID-19 environment. There’s no dispute that the Evolve 2 65 is very comfortable. The silicon head pad fits snugly and the whole unit doesn’t feel bulky.

Some bigger headsets offer superb audio quality but you feel like you’re wearing a crown. This isn’t the case with the Evolve2 65.

The Evolve has a retractable boom microphone that happens to fit my needs working from home. I plonk my phone in the middle of the apartment, and take calls on the headset using its boom mic using the headset’s Bluetooth 5 connection as I walk around.

Currently I am using an iPhone, so to make a call I simply ask Siri to dial the number using this headset. If I want to mute a call at any stage, I rotate the boom mic away from my mouth. To end a call, I press a button in the middle of the right earcup. It couldn’t be simpler.

There’s another button at the bottom of the right cup for powering and pairing, three buttons at the back right for pausing music, volume control and moving back and forwards through a playlist, and another button forward right for summoning your personal assistant.

As with many headphones, it takes time to get used to push button control, but having all the buttons on the right earcup makes the learning process digestible.

Headset and desk stand.

Like the competition, there’s an app that extends the headphones’ functionality. It has a music equaliser with presets for bass boost, smooth, speech, treble boost and an energise setting which I like that brings out the thump of the drums and boomier bass.

The Evolve 2 65 has other tricks, such as a find me feature. The headset stores its location on the phone whenever its Bluetooth 5.0 is disconnected, so there’s a good chance you’ll find them around your home, provided you don’t move the headset when not in use.

The app has other settings, such as a toggle switch for auto resuming music when you put the Evolve2 back on. Rotating the boom microphone downwards accepts a call, and the headset plays a reminder tone periodically when the mic is muted. You can adjust the volume you hear of your own voice, while on a call.

There’s a separate equaliser for calling. You can choose default, more bass or more treble.

You can set the sleep mode time for closing down the headphones when they become inactive, and you can choose whether you want voice or tone guidance. Voice guidance is useful without being overbearing.

This headset doesn’t have a 3.5m audio port, just a USB-C connector, so it isn’t designed for plugging into a plane’s audio system. Overwhelmingly I connect with Bluetooth.

You get a USB-C to USB-A cable, a pouch for the headset, and a stylish desk stand you can hang the headset on and keep it charged.

My review Evolve 2 65 headset is one of three models. The recommended prices, including the stands, are Evolve2 85 - $730, Evolve2 65 - $437 (my test unit) and Evolve2 40 - $203, but it’s worth shopping around for a cheaper price.