[SOLVED!] Jaybird X3 Vs. F5: Earphone Showdown

Considering the popularity of Jaybird, it’s no surprise that many comparisons of earphones cover Jaybird models and Jaybird X3 vs. F5 is one of them. In use, both models can guarantee an excellent listening experience so people find it difficult to make up their mind on what to buy. If you also have a hard time choosing between Jaybird X3 and F5, my article will be of use to you. Down below is a detailed analysis of the Jaybird earphones and if you read to the end, you should be able to select the right one.

Descriptions

 

 

 

	Jaybird X3	Jaybird F5
Transducer	Dynamic	Balanced armature
Frequency range	20Hz – 20kHz	20Hz – 20kHz
Sensitivity	103 dB	96 dB
Impedance	16 ohms	16 ohms
Connection	Bluetooth 4.1	Bluetooth 4.1
Battery life	8 hours	4 hours (8 hours with charging clip)
Weight	0.63 ounces	0.57 ounces
Price	$34.99	$39.99

Reviews 

Sound

Jaybird X3 and F5 come from the same brand but they belong to different series and use different transducers (dynamic vs. balanced armature).  Therefore, while both earphones feature the same frequency range (20Hz – 20kHz), they have distinct sound characteristics. In the case of Jaybird X3, it delivers excellent treble and the level of clarity is tip-top by all accounts. On the other hand, Jaybird F5 excels in providing bass and it’s unmatched in terms of warmth in the sound.

About sensitivity, Jaybird X3 is superior to F5 (103 dB vs. 96 dB) which is why it’s well-suited for high-intensity genres. The sensitivity difference between Jaybird X3 and F5 is not significant though so F5 still gives a good account of itself in most of the cases. For impedance, since Jaybird X3 and F5 share the same rating (16 ohms), they resemble each other once it comes to accuracy of sound production. Also, the low impedance rating means both Jaybird earphones support a wide range of portable devices.

Pair

For the sake of convenience, Jaybird designs X3 and F5 to use the Bluetooth 4.1 standard for connection. Because of that,  regardless of your choice in the end, the pairing process is going to be a walk in the park. In the case of range, Jaybird X3 and F5 will maintain connection as long as the distance between them and your devices stays below 180 feet. Still, reports indicate that the range changes depending on the environment so for the best result, you should keep your earphones close to audio sources.

Battery

As wireless earphones, Jaybird X3 and F5 draw power from internal batteries to sustain their operation. Quite a few factors affect the battery life of Jaybird earphones but on average, X3 is the winner (8 hours vs. 4 hours). Of course, you may take advantage of the charging clip to increase the battery of F5 in times of need. Nonetheless, it’s important to point out that the charging clip alters the center of gravity of F5 and hurts your listening experience.

Handling

In layman’s terms, Jaybird X3 is slightly heavier than F5 but both models remain manageable for most of the time. Thus, Jaybird earphones allow you to listen to music for an extended period and you can manipulate them to your liking.

Cost

While the community thinks of Jaybird X3 and F5 as budget models, F5 is a bit more expensive than X3. If you have money to spend, feel free to pick up whatever earphones that match your needs and requirements.  However, if you have a tight budget and want to save as much money as possible, it’s widely advised that you opt for F5. For good measure, you should buy your earphones from reputable retailers and steer clear of “Too good to be true” deals.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide the one that comes out on top in Jaybird X3 vs. F5. If you care about treble and like listening to pop, rock, metal, … then you should get your hands on Jaybird X3. In the case that you prioritize bass and wish to listen to music in comfort, Jaybird F5 won’t fault you. Take into account what you need from your earphones and make up your mind accordingly.

Earphones Not Working: Troubleshooting

Your earphones act up out of the blue and you have no idea what is going on? Then it’s strongly recommended that implement the measures down below:

• Disconnect and reconnect: If you use wired earphones, all you have to do is to unplug the jack, wait for a minute and replug it. If you use wireless earphones, proceed to un-pair and re-pair it.
• Check out audio sources: Needless to say, if audio sources (smartphones, tablets, computers, …) experience issues, earphones will struggle to work as expected. Depending on the situation, you may be able to address the issues by restating audio sources
• Look for signs of damages: The dedicated nature of earphones means it won’t take much to damage them. If you notice signs of damages on your earphones, don’t hesitate to grab replacements.