Jaybird says the battery lasts eight hours, and the reality is a little under this in our experience, perhaps seven hours. Using an Android phone you can see the rough battery level in the notifications drop-down. And a nice American lady Jaybird X4 reads out the charge level whenever the pair is turned on, to the nearest 10 per cent. I've updated my Jaybird Tarah Pro earbuds and I'm still having connectivity issues. What should I do? My right Jaybird bud plays music and my left bud says connect other ear bud when I press the button, what do I do?

JAYBIRD X3 SUPPORT JAYBIRD X3 SUPPORT

One of the biggest draws of the X3, relative to its predecessors, is their affordability. With that in mind, they’re an excellent choice. The fit is super-secure while remaining comfortable, the sound quality is great, and the battery life hasn’t been sacrificed. The Jaybird X3 rectify many of the complaints we had with the X2 and Freedom models. It remains a shame that the headphones can store only one profile, though. As with the Freedom, I’d love to be able to toggle between different profiles directly from the headphones. I tend to prefer a more bass-heavy sound when lifting weights, but a more serene one when zoning out on a 10K run. Jaybird X3 – Sound Quality

The mids are a little more subdued, and factors like soundstage separation and mid-range texture are roughly what we’d expect from a well-regarded headphone series at the price. They are fine, not mind-blowing. Don’t take this as too half-hearted praise. While the Jaybird X4 earphones don’t set any new standards for audio, their signature has a wide appeal and compares well with other popular models in this class. This really is a fabulous pair of sports earphones on the whole, and the flaws we’ve mentioned are comparatively minor for what is otherwise a superb wireless offering at a stellar price-point.

Jaybird X3 review: The much-improved Jaybird X3 is a top

My Freedom 2 buds keep turning off or my music device keeps stopping after I connect. What do I do? After using them for a few weeks, we’ve completely bedded into this style. Only after comparing to the slightly more restrained SoundMagic E11 did we remember that extra low-end punch was there. The MySound app mentioned earlier also allows for plenty of customisability to mix things up to your taste. Sound quality offers a good mix of an exercise-friendly tone without going overboard. And the companion app lets you thoroughly customise the character of what you're hearing. Jaybird does need to work on improving the response speed of the remote, though. Using a 6mm driver, like the Freedom, there isn’t much to separate the sound signature between the two models. That’s to say, the out-of-the-box performance is excellent and up there with some of the best sports headphones I’ve tested.

Finally, a waterproof build in a Jaybird product

Like the Jaybird Freedom, the new X3 can be used with the Jaybird MySound app on iOS or Android. This lets you customise the sound profile using EQ settings. So if you prefer a little extra bass or tighter treble, that’s up to you. Changes you make are saved directly to the headphones, so they’ll follow you to whatever device you pair them with and you’re free to uninstall the MySound app. Frustratingly, while this is a positive move, I’m still a little disappointed to find that a proprietary clip is required to charge the X3 – rather than a direct micro-USB port like most headphones, including the previous Jaybird X2. In fact, adding further insult to injury, the charging clip actually has a micro-USB port on it. There are plenty of Jaybird X4 presets that also boost the bass, which might be handy for workouts. My Jaybird Tarah Pro earbuds keep turning off or my audio device keeps stopping after I connect. What do I do?

Jaybird Troubleshooting – Jaybird

We would comfortably recommend these to gym junkies, audio purists and average Joe’s alike (don’t worry, you’re special in your own way), and while waiting for Bluetooth connections to improve their reliability is an option, at this price it isn’t worth missing out. Perhaps more usefully in a sports scenario, is that two pairs of Jaybird X3s can be paired with a single device. So if a friend has a pair, you can both pair to the same audio source to listen to music simultaneously. This is great if you’re working out with a buddy, or going for a run but don’t want to carry a music source each. Most of the X3’s design changes over the X2s are for the better — a smaller profile allows them to fit under helmets and hats, an upgrade to Bluetooth 4.1 provides longer battery-life (8 hours) and the ability to pair two devices, and support for the aforementioned MySound app makes for incredibly malleable sound. Jaybird has reduced the size of the earbud casing compared to the X2. Not only does this stop them from protruding out of your ears as much, but it also means they’re now “helmet compatible”; they won’t get in the way of your helmet straps. Having thrown on a cycling helmet, I can attest to this claim. The earbud casings are nowhere near as tiny as those found on the Jaybird Freedom, however, nor are they made from metal. These are plastic, but they at least feel well-constructed and robust. The X3 are sweat-proof, as you’d expect.

The Jaybird X3 support Bluetooth 4.1, which brings with it some handy extras. For starters, you can pair the X3 with up to two devices simultaneously, dynamically switching, say, between a phone and a tablet. MyTune ultimately proves Jaybird has done a very good job with its own default “flat” tuning. However, the ability to tweak some of its limitations is welcome. Verdict The mids and treble are given respectable prominence, while the bass is punchy, with plenty of energy to help power you through your next workout. Not surprisingly, especially when wearing the more isolating Comply tips, the sound can be a little narrow – but these aren’t headphones you’ll be listening to critically. The Jaybird X4 earphones juggle the audio priorities of sporting earphones well, and are well-suited for daily use. They have some extra bass energy and power, very welcome during runs and gym workouts. But not to the extent they sound juvenile or bloated. It means you’ll have to carry around the dedicated charging clip rather than just a more ubiquitous micro-USB cable.