Having reviewed the Indy ANC from Skullcandy a little over a month ago, and being impressed by its bass performance, battery life, and Bluetooth range, I was keen to examine the Jib True Wireless, the more budget-conscious variant, when it arrived for review.
Upon unboxing, the charging case immediately conveys a lightweight and somewhat plasticky feel. The earbuds themselves present a rather large and bulky design. Initial fitting proved less than ideal, giving the impression they might easily dislodge. However, they remained secure enough for pairing with my phone, which was achieved without issue. A voice prompt confirmed the connection, and testing commenced.
As is my standard practice, I began by evaluating the sound quality with The Other Side from The Greatest Showman. The audio performance was surprisingly robust. While the bass response didn’t quite match the intensity of the Indy ANC, it offered a more pronounced low-end than my current reference headphones. Overall clarity was somewhat diminished, and higher volumes introduced some harshness in the treble frequencies. However, given the price point, the sound quality remains commendable.
Next, I assessed the call quality. During phone calls, the audio in the headphones was clear and pleasant. My voice was transmitted effectively, without excessive ambient noise amplification. Consequently, the Jib True Wireless performs admirably as a hands-free device. Battery life is rated at 22 hours, and in practice, this claim held up well during both music playback and extended conversations.
Similar to the Indy ANC, the Jib True Wireless features buttons on each earbud. While the control scheme appears logical on paper, its implementation proves problematic. For example, a double-click on the left earbud is intended to decrease the volume; however, inconsistent execution often results in pausing the music or activating the voice assistant. Unlike the Indy ANC, the Jib True Wireless utilizes physical buttons instead of touch controls. The placement of these buttons necessitates pressing the earbud further into the ear canal, resulting in discomfort and irritation. Furthermore, the buttons require significant force to activate.
During interval training, I found myself needing to frequently readjust the Jib earbuds to prevent them from falling out. While individual fit is highly subjective and dependent on ear morphology, this experience highlights a potential concern regarding secureness during physical activity.
In conclusion, despite its shortcomings, the Jib True Wireless from Skullcandy offers an exceptionally affordable entry point into the true wireless earbud market, delivering acceptable sound quality and a reasonable feature set for its price. As such, it warrants consideration.
