Jaybird Tarah Wireless  Headphones Review

Review updated Aug 13, 2020 at 04:19pm
Writing modified Sep 27, 2021 at 02:01pm
Tested using Methodology v1.4 
Jaybird Tarah Wireless

Track

0.0
Mixed Usage 
0.0
Neutral Sound 
0.0
Commute/Travel 
0.0
Sports/Fitness 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Wireless Gaming 
0.0
Wired Gaming 
0.0
Phone Calls 

Track

 1

The Jaybird Tarah Wireless are sports-oriented wireless in-ears that are versatile enough for everyday use. They isolate a decent amount of noise and have a similar sound signature to the Jaybird X4 Wireless, though with a slightly more underemphasized bass. They're comfortable and stable enough to stay in your ears during intense workouts. Unfortunately, their ear tips and stability fins are combined in one unit, which results in a less adjustable fit than if the components were separate pieces. On the upside, they're also compatible with the MySound app that grants you a wide range of features to personalize your listening experience.

Our Verdict

0.0
Mixed Usage 

The Jaybird Tarah Wireless are decent for mixed usage. They provide a fairly well-balanced sound profile and are more comfortable than most in-ears, thanks to their shallow in-ear fit. They block a decent amount of ambient noise and barely leak any audio, so they're a good choice for commuting. Unfortunately, their battery life isn't enough to last you a whole workday.

Pros
  • Stable design.
  • Parametric EQ in companion app.
  • Well-balanced default sound profile.
  • Sturdy build quality.
Cons
  • High wireless latency.
  • Proprietary charging cradle.
  • Short continuous battery life.
  • Mediocre microphone noise handling capabilities.
0.0
Neutral Sound 

The Jaybird Tarah Wireless are decent for neutral listening. The Jaybird Tarah have a well-balanced sound profile overall. By default, they deliver impressively accurate bass and mids, though their treble response is slightly uneven. They're also compatible with the Jaybird MySound app, which gives you access to a parametric EQ if you want to adjust the sound profile to your liking.

Pros
  • Parametric EQ in companion app.
  • Well-balanced default sound profile.
Cons
  • Small soundstage.
0.0
Commute/Travel 

The Jaybird Tarah Wireless are good for commuting. Their noise isolation performance is satisfactory overall, though they struggle to block out sounds like bus and plane engines. They barely leak any audio, so you can drown out the background noise by raising your volume without bothering people around you. The in-ear fit is comfortable enough for short trips but may become a little fatiguing during longer listening sessions. On the upside, you can easily keep them on you, thanks to the portable design.

Pros
  • Decent passive noise isolation and low audio leakage.
  • Sturdy build quality.
Cons
  • Short continuous battery life.
0.0
Sports/Fitness 

The Jaybird Tarah Wireless are great for sports. They're very stable and have a shallow fit that lets your ears breathe. Their control scheme is slightly lacking in functionality but makes up for it in ease of use, so you can adjust without disrupting your pace. Their wireless design also reduces the risk of getting a wire snagging on something and pulling the headphones out of your ears. Unfortunately, their all-in-one design makes their fit less adjustable than headphones that come with separate stability hooks and tips.

Pros
  • Stable design.
  • Sturdy build quality.
Cons
  • Ear tips don't provide a wide range of adjustability.
0.0
Office 

The Jaybird Tarah Wireless are satisfactory for office usage. They're effective at reducing the volume of background chatter and barely leak any audio, meaning that you can listen to your music at high volumes without annoying nearby coworkers. They also support multi-device pairing, which is handy if you tend to swap between listening to content on your phone and computer. However, their in-ear fit may not suit everybody, and their battery life is too short to last you for a whole day.

Pros
  • Decent passive noise isolation and low audio leakage.
  • Multi-device pairing.
Cons
  • High wireless latency.
  • Short continuous battery life.
0.0
Wireless Gaming 

The Jaybird Tarah Wireless aren't suitable for wireless gaming due to their high audio latency on PC. They also can't connect to PS4 and Xbox One consoles.

0.0
Wired Gaming 

The Jaybird Tarah Wireless are Bluetooth-only, and you can't use them with a wired connection.

0.0
Phone Calls 

The Jaybird Tarah Wireless are okay for phone calls. Their in-line mic makes your voice sound fairly natural, if a little thin and muffled. People on the other end of the line will struggle slightly to understand you if you call from a noisy or crowded environment. That said, they do a decent job of blocking out ambient noise.

Pros
  • Decent passive noise isolation and low audio leakage.
Cons
  • Mediocre microphone noise handling capabilities.
  • 0.0
    Mixed Usage
  • 0.0
    Neutral Sound
  • 0.0
    Commute/Travel
  • 0.0
    Sports/Fitness
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Wireless Gaming
  • 0.0
    Wired Gaming
  • 0.0
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Aug 13, 2020: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
    2.  Updated Mar 18, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
    3.  Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
    4.  Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.

    Check Price

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    Comparison picture

    The Jaybird Tarah are great for sports, but they're also versatile enough for everyday use. They deliver a reasonably well-balanced listening experience by default and are compatible with the MySound companion app, which offers an EQ to customize their sound profile to your liking. They're very similar to the Jaybird X4 Wireless, though with earbud-like tips that don’t enter your ear canal as deeply. However, they don’t have as many fit options since the tips and stability fins are one unit. They also come with a proprietary charging cradle, which is somewhat restrictive if you lose or damage it.

    If you're looking for more options, see our recommendations for the best budget earbuds, the best Bluetooth earbuds under $100, the best cheap wireless earbuds, and the best budget wireless headphones.

    Jaybird X4 Wireless

    Track

    The Jaybird X4 Wireless and Jaybird Tarah Wireless are very similar headphones, but the X4 have a slight edge. The X4 have a slightly longer continuous battery life, a more adjustable fit, and come with a soft pouch. On the other hand, the Tarah have a better wireless range. The X4 also have an in-line remote that doesn't feel as cheap as the Tarah’s.

    Jaybird X3 Wireless

    Track

    The Jaybird Tarah Wireless are slightly better sports headphones than the Jaybird X3 Wireless. The Tarah have a shallower, more comfortable in-ear fit and a higher IPX7 rating for water resistance. They also have a marginally better-balanced default sound profile, but both can be adjusted via a parametric EQ within the Jaybird MySound app. If wireless range is a concern for you, the Tarah are superior. On the other hand, the X3 have better noise isolation, slightly longer continuous battery life, and lower latency, but neither is well-suited for watching video content.

    Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless

    Track

    The Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless are an upgrade over the normal Jaybird Tarah Wireless model. The main difference is battery life, as the Tarah Pro lasts twice as long on a single charge. The Tarah Pro have rotating and magnetic buds and a braided cable. They also have much lower latency, which is good for watching videos. On the other hand, if you only use these for workouts and don’t necessarily need long battery life, the less expensive Tarah model could be a better option.

    Jaybird Freedom 2 Wireless 2017

    Track

    The Jaybird Tarah Wireless are better headphones than the Jaybird Freedom 2 Wireless 2017 in most respects. The Tarah have a better-balanced sound profile, longer continuous battery life, leak less audio, and a longer wireless range. They're also rated IPX7 for water resistance. On the other hand, the Freedom 2 are more comfortable.

    Show more 
    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!
    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!

    Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.

    You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.

    Test Results

    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeLockedIn-ear
    EnclosureLockedClosed-Back
    WirelessLockedYes
    TransducerLockedDynamic

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Comfort
    WeightLockedLock lbs
    Clamping Force
    LockedLock lbs

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Ease Of UseLockedLocked
    FeedbackLockedLocked
    Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
    Volume ControlLockedLocked
    Microphone ControlLockedLocked
    Channel Mixing
    LockedLocked
    Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
    Talk-Through
    LockedLocked
    Additional ControlsLockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Breathability
    Avg.Temp.DifferenceLockedLock °C

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Portability
    LLockedLock"
    WLockedLock"
    HLockedLock"
    VolumeLockedLock in³
    Transmitter RequiredLockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Case
    TypeLockedLocked
    LLockedN/A
    WLockedN/A
    HLockedN/A
    VolumeLockedN/A

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Build Quality

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Stability

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Sound
    Sound Profile
    Bass Amount
    LockedLock dB
    Treble Amount
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Raw Frequency Response
    0.0
    Bass Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    Low-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    High-Bass
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Mid Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    High-Mid
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Treble Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    High-Treble
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Peaks/Dips
    Peaks
    LockedLock dB
    Dips
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Imaging
    Weighted Group Delay
    LockedLock
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    LockedLock

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Passive Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Distance
    LockedN/A
    Openness
    Locked
    0.0
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    Locked
    0.0

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Speaker Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Room Ambience
    LockedLocked
    Head Tracking
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    WHD @ 90
    LockedLock
    WHD @ 100
    LockedLock

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Test Settings
    Firmware
    LockedLocked
    Power
    LockedLocked
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Codec
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    ANC
    LockedLocked
    Tip/Pad
    LockedLocked
    Microphone
    LockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Isolation
    0.0
    Noise Isolation
    Isolation Audio
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Overall Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Noise CancellingLockedNo
    Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Treble
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Leakage
    Leakage Audio
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    LockedLocked
    In-Line
    LockedLocked
    Boom
    LockedLocked
    Detachable Boom
    LockedLocked
    MicLockedYes

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    LFE
    LockedLock Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    LockedLock dB
    HFE
    LockedLock Hz
    Weighted THD
    LockedLock
    Gain
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Noise Handling
    Speech + Pink Noise
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Speech + Subway Noise
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    SpNR
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Continuous Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Additional Charges
    LockedLock
    Total Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    LockedLocked
    Audio While Charging
    LockedLocked
    Passive Playback
    LockedLocked
    Charging PortLockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    App Support
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    macOSLockedLocked
    WindowsLockedLocked
    Equalizer
    LockedLocked
    ANC Control
    LockedLocked
    Mic ControlLockedLocked
    Room Effects
    LockedLocked
    Playback Control
    LockedLocked
    Button MappingLockedLocked
    Surround Support
    LockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Connectivity
    0.0
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    NFC Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedLock ft
    PC Latency (SBC)
    LockedLock ms
    PC Latency (aptX)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    LockedN/A
    iOS Latency
    LockedLock ms
    Android Latency
    LockedLock ms

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    Non-BT Latency
    LockedN/A

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    LockedLocked
    USB Audio
    LockedLocked
    DetachableLockedLocked
    LengthLockedN/A
    ConnectionLockedLocked
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    LockedN/A

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    PC / PS4 Compatibility
    PC/PS4 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PC/PS4 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PC/PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Xbox One Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    LockedLocked
    USB Input
    LockedLocked
    Line In
    LockedLocked
    Line Out
    LockedLocked
    Optical Input
    LockedLocked
    RCA Input
    LockedLocked
    Dock Charging
    LockedLocked
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.