Review: Jaybird’s sub-$100 Tarah wireless headphones deliver value and function

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Jaybird Tarah Wireless Headphones Review

Today, Jaybird has announced the new Tarah Wireless Sport Headphones. Coming in at $100, this is one of the brand’s more affordable releases in recent memory. Tarah arrives on the scene today with 6-hours of battery life and a simplified design that stays true to Jaybird style.

Over the last week I’ve been able to give Jaybird’s latest release a good run through. Head below for a few quick thoughts and additional details.

Jaybird announces new Tarah Wireless Headphones

In recent years, Jaybird has expanded its wireless headphone lineup to include three different offerings. You can always count on Jaybird to deliver annual upgrades with slight tweaks. Last year’s addition of the Run Truly Wireless Headphones amped up the high-end, while affordability was set aside for the time being.

The new Tarah earbuds sport a familiar design which include replaceable earfins and buds. Jaybird has always been amongst the best in the business when it comes to shipping necessary accessories. That trend continues with multiple sizes of silicone gel buds to fit different ears.

An integrated remote control delivers a familiar button layout that handles playback and access to voice assistants. Inside is the built-in six hour battery that can be quick-charged in just 60-minutes. You’ll get one hour of playback going the fast route. Jaybird is using a proprietary contact charging system that plugs in to just about any USB port. More on this in a moment.

Of course, the Jaybird app remains for a customizable listening experience. Users can tune the EQ to their preferences or lean on presets for different genres.

Jaybird Tarah Review

Over the years I’ve reviewed a variety of Jaybird headphones, from its truly wireless Run to the upgraded Freedoms. One thing that I’ve always loved is the Jaybird design. There’s something about it that feels sporty. Jaybird continues to nail it in that regard when it comes to Tarah. These earbuds are lightweight and easy to use right out of the box. The adjustable neckband is a welcome addition too. As mentioned above, Jaybird remains best in its class in terms of offering a customizable fit for each user.

The brand has been somewhat lacking on the low-end from a price perspective in recent years. Freedom 2 cracked the $100 barrier, but otherwise you’re looking at going above that number. X4 sell for $130 and Run are even higher at $180. Jaybird is facing increased competition from lower-end brands on Amazon, pining for consumer’s money at a fraction of the cost, which is something that the brand must be cognizant of. Introducing another sub-$100 pair of headphones is the right move.

When it comes to sound, Jaybird nails it once again. The iOS app is a must-have if you pick up a pair of Tarahs. I do not recommend leaning on the stock listening experience. Utilize the app and tune the sound to your preferences. After all, you’re certainly doing the same with your earbuds. I found the sound to be neutral, in a good way. These are all-purpose buds that work for podcasts and various genres of music. You won’t find high-fidelity performance here, but the price doesn’t warrant that either.

My biggest complaint is Jaybird’s proprietary charger. I appreciate that they’ve skewed from microUSB, but this thing is asking to be lost. It’s about the size of a pen cap and is a requirement when you’re away from home for multiple nights. You won’t want to toss it in your bag unwillingly. To be fair, Jaybird says that they often replace the charger for free. But still, it’s an odd choice in my eyes.

Should I buy Jaybird Tarah?

Do I recommend Jaybird’s new Tarah headphones? Yes. They deliver solid performance and customization for the price tag. $100 isn’t too much to ask from a well-respected name like Jaybird. High-marks for a personalized experience and sporty design push them over the top.

You can pre-order the new Jaybird Tarah today direct from the manufacturer for $100 in two colors. A third will be exclusive to Best Buy.

Pre-order Jaybird Tarah today for $100

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