Comfortability in every endeavor is one of the essential quests of humans. The Covid-19 pandemic changed how we work, and web conference apps like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet became our new normal.
However, all is not well without appropriate headphones that can ensure seamless audio communications when using these platforms. Companies like Sony and Jabra came to the rescue of professionals and individuals alike with their top-notch headphones.
One of Jabra’s popular products is the award-winning Jabra Evolve2 85, specially created to complement professionals’ bid to attain perfection in their workplace. But we can’t forget about Sony, a household name in top-of-the-line tech products.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a quantum leap by the company to provide its users with high-functioning specs to optimize their work and day-to-day life.
We’ll compare Jabra Evolve2 85 and Sony WH 1000XM5 and get down to the nitty gritty of what these products offer to help you make the best decision between the two headphones. Let’s get into it!
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Jabra Evolve2 85: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | Jabra Evolve2 85 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $398 | $519 |
| Bluetooth? | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple Connections? | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 37 hours | 30 hours |
| Active Noise Cancellation? | Yes | Yes |
| OS Compatibility | Not OS specific | Not OS specific |
| Microphone Control? | No | Mute/Unmute |
| Charge Time | 3.5 Hours | 2.2 Hours |
| Weight | 250g | 286g |
| Speaker Size | 30mm | 40mm |
| Warranty | 2-year | 2-year |
- Two processors control 8 microphones
- Auto NC Optimizer
- The new Sony V1 Integrated Processor
- Hands-free calling with 4 beamforming microphones
- Up to 30-hour battery life with quick charging
- Ultra-comfortable, lightweight design with soft-fit leather
- Enhanced ANC that cancels 54% of noise around you.
- Powerful, leak-tolerant speakers for calls and music
- Up to 37 hours of battery life per single charge
- Foldable boom arm for professional calls on the go
- Optimized for Microsoft Teams
Jabra Evolve2 85 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: What’s the Difference?
Design
The two headphones are designed to be worn over the ear, but there are plenty of things that set them apart.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 can be folded flat and placed on a desk perfectly. The Jabra Evolve2 85 cannot be tweaked around, leaving users with no choice but to maintain its proprietary form, which comes with a desk stand for added convenience.
©History-Computer.com
The primary purpose of a design is to provide comfort, and both headphones are laced with soft-fit materials that ensure long-term wear with little discomfort. However, the Jabra Evolve 2 85 does not have a tangle-free cable, while the Sony WH 1000XM5 cable is designed to be tangle-free.
Sony WH-1000 XM5 comes with a collapsible case that saves space and aids portability. Its case includes an audio cable and one USB-A cable. However, the Jabra Evolve 2 85 takes it further to have a carry case, audio cable, USB-A and C cable, desk stand, and flight adapter.
Features
Both are top-quality headsets equipped with sensors that pause or play music when removed from the head. There is a difference of 36g in the weight of these headphones. Jabra Evolve2 85 considerably weighs more with 286g, while Sony WH- 1000XM5 weighs 250g.
With the Speak to Chat feature, Sony WH-1000XM5 automatically pauses your music and allows ambient sound when you are speaking. The music resumes automatically when you stop talking. Jabra Evolve2 85 has an RGB busy light that indicates activeness to other people.
©History-Computer.com
Your partners or colleagues can easily detect you occupied and listening just from the light. It also has a fast charge feature that gives you 3 hours of playtime from 3 minutes charge. The Jabra Evolve2 85 has a quick charge that gives you 8 hours of battery life from a 15-minute charge.
Sound/Microphone
The primary purpose of headphones is the audio quality sent out or received. The sound frequency that Sony WH -1000XM5 produces is between 4Hz to 40,000Hz, while Jabra Evolve2 85 can produce 20Hz to 20,000Hz. The lower the speaker’s low frequency, the deeper and more massive the bass it produces.
The higher the high frequency, the clearer the treble of the speaker. It’s clear that the Sony WH-1000XM5 comes out as a winner here. But, the Jabra Evolve2 85 came in hot to compensate for its shortfall with a bigger driver unit, 40mm, against the Sony WH-1000XM5’s 30mm driver unit.
©History-Computer.com
The sound pressure level of Jabra Evolve2 85 is better at 117dB/mW to ensure its production of louder sound when supplied with audio. Sony WH-1000XM5 is not far behind with a 102dB/mW. To further consolidate its bass and high note delivery, Sony WH-1000XM5 has a neodymium magnet, while the Jabra Evolve2 85 does not.
Sony WH-1000XM5 has eight microphones, four in each earcup. These microphones are equipped with multi-noise sensor technology that provides up to 98% active noise-cancellation and is calibrated to pick your voice in case you are in a noisy environment.
There is no issue about the other end not able to hear you properly. The microphones are compatible with major voice assistants like Google Assisant and Amazon Alexa. On the other hand, the Jabra Evolve2 85 boasts ten microphones, four analog MEMS, and six Digital MEMS. Four digital microphones activate the active noise cancelation.
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Power
There are clear-cut differences between the two headphones. Jabra Evolve2 85’s playtime is up to 30 hours without active noise cancelation and a busy light, but can only last up to 20 hours when both features are active. Sony WH -1000XM5 can last a maximum of 30 hours with noise cancellation and 40 hours without noise cancellation.
The charging time of the Jabra Evolve2 85 is 2.2 hours. Whereas, the Sony WH -1000XM5 has a charge time of 3.5 hours. This is understandable, considering their battery life.
©Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com
Connectivity
It is not surprising that both the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Jabra Evolve2 85 are equipped with Bluetooth, which gives them the wireless capability and an audio jack for wired connection. However, the Sony WH-1000XM5 has a better Bluetooth version, 5.2, than the Jabra Evolve 85 5.0 version of Bluetooth technology.
©History-Computer.com
But, Jabra is not to be scoffed at! The Evolve2 85 headphone has a massive operating range of about 30m, while Sony falls short with a meager 10m. This means that while Sony WH -1000XM5 is equipped with better Bluetooth technology, the Jabra Evolve2 85 can easily do thrice.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 supports SBC, AAC, and LDAC audio formats. In comparison, the Jabra Evolve2 85’s supported audio formats are limited to two, AAC and SBC. Both headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously, allowing users to switch easily across their gadgets.
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Jabra Evolve2 85: 8 Must-Know Facts
- The Sony WH- 1000XM5 has more playtime (37 hours) than Jabra Evolve2 85 at 30 hours.
- Jabra has a lower charge time of 2.2 hours compared to Sony WH- 1000XM5, which has 3.5 hours of charge time.
- Jabra Evolve2 85 wireless operating range is up to 30m (100 ft), compared to Sony WH-1000XM5 10m operating range.
- Both headsets are accompanied by a mobile app that can be used to configure them.
- Both headsets have active noise cancellation.
- Jabra Evolve2 85 comes in two variants, Unified Communications, and Microsoft Teams Certified.
- Sony WH-1000XM5 uses touch and button control, and the Jabra Evolve2 85 uses a button control.
- Jabra Evolve2 85 has a desk stand, while Sony WH- 1000XM5 can be folded flat.
- Two processors control 8 microphones
- Auto NC Optimizer
- The new Sony V1 Integrated Processor
- Hands-free calling with 4 beamforming microphones
- Up to 30-hour battery life with quick charging
- Ultra-comfortable, lightweight design with soft-fit leather
- Enhanced ANC that cancels 54% of noise around you.
- Powerful, leak-tolerant speakers for calls and music
- Up to 37 hours of battery life per single charge
- Foldable boom arm for professional calls on the go
- Optimized for Microsoft Teams
Jabra Evolve2 85 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Which One Is Better for You?
The Jabra Evolve2 85 is costlier, but it has a better operating range and aesthetics. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a moderate price, better sound quality, and more battery life.
If your work deals mainly with Slack and Microsoft Teams, the Jabra Evolve2 85 Teams variant is perfectly equipped to optimize your experience. Other unified communications platforms like Google Meet also certified Jabra Evolve 2 85 for its platform.
Professionally, if you don’t mind the extra cost, you won’t regret going for the Jabra Evolve2 85. If you are looking for premium quality for a lesser price, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is your jack-of-all-trades pick. It offers more for its price compared to the Jabra Evolve2 85.
The Future of the Jabra Evolve2 85 and Sony WH-1000XM5
As both Jabra and Sony continue to make advancements to their technology, we might see additional updates to their products. In the following six to 18 months, we could see the following:
- Improved noise cancellation with algorithms to better identify and block out any background noise.
- Extended battery life and faster charging times.
- New design options such as a wider range of materials and colors for consumers to choose from.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Prostock-Studio.
