INTRODUCTION

   Remote work (or work from home) is not a new concept but even though it has actually existed for almost as long as the internet itself it wasn't until COVID-19 that it really took off and expanded to most businesses out there. Remote teaching (or at home learning) is also not something we haven't seen in the past but it has become very popular since mid-2020 and that alone was enough to skyrocket worldwide web camera (webcam) sales to levels noone really thought possible before. However even though for remote teaching even the simplest headset should be more than adequate for the majority of students when it comes to remote work demands increase by quite a lot and this is where UC compatible headsets with ANC capability come in. Two such headsets sit at the top of the market currently, the ADAPT 660 by EPOS Sennheiser which i reviewed a while back (review here) and the EVOLVE2 85 by Jabra which i have here with me today. 

   Jabra is a leader in engineering communications and sound solutions – innovating to empower both consumers and businesses. Proudly part of the GN Group, we are committed to letting people hear more, do more, and be more than they ever thought possible. Through sound and video, we help transform lives. Jabra engineering excellence leads the way, building on 150 years of pioneering work. This allows us to create integrated headsets and communications tools that help professionals work more productively; wireless headphones and earbuds that let consumers better enjoy calls, music, and media; and pioneering video conferencing solutions, enabling seamless collaboration between distributed teams. Jabra employs approx. 1,800 people worldwide, and reported annual revenue of DKK 6,2bn in 2019. The GN Group, founded in 1869, operates in 100 countries and delivers innovation, reliability, and ease of use. Today, GN employs 6,500 people, and is Nasdaq Copenhagen listed. GN makes life sound better. www.jabra.com

   Just like with the ADAPT 660 by EPOS Sennheiser the EVOLVE2 85 by Jabra (currently available in black and beige colors) is aimed towards demanding professionals rather than audiophiles which is why aside its two 40mm dynamic stereo drivers (frequency response of 20Hz-20KHz with 117dB sensitivity) it also sports a grand total of 10 microphones (6 MEMS digital featuring a frequency response of 100Hz-8KHz and 4 MEMS analog with a frequency response of 5Hz-20KHz) which according to Jabra can remove up to 97% of all background conversation noise. Of course, the EVOLVE2 85 also packs many extras including Bluetooth v5.0 (simultaneous support for up to 2 devices with support for the following profiles: HSP v1.2/HFP v1.7/A2DP v1.3/AVRCP v1.6/PBAP v1.1/SPP v1.2) and UC wireless connectivity via the bundled Link 380 USB dongle (works with all leading Unified Communications platforms and is optimized for Microsoft Teams), support for AAC/SBC wireless audio codecs, quad microphone digital hybrid ANC system (cancels up to 54% of the noise around you), hearthrough and sidetone functions, exterior earcup controls, foldable and rotating earcups, 6 sound/music presets (neutral/speech/bass boost/treble boost/smooth/energised), voice prompts in 6 different languages (English/German/French/Chinese/Japanese/Korean), busylight function (LEDs on the exterior of both earcups which light up when you're using the headset) and up to 37 hours of audio playback with ANC off and 32 hours of audio playback with ANC on (5V/500mAh internal lithium-ion rechargeable battery). An optional charging desk stand is also bundled both with some product versions and as a standalone.