Design and features:The Epic Air has integrated microphones and volume, music player, and call connect/disconnect touch controls for use with paired Bluetooth devices. Additional features include a charging/carrying case has built-in rechargeable battery that can also be used to charge other USB charger devices like cell phones via its USB port. This model is claimed by the manufacturer to be water resistant and comes with eight pairs of ear pieces in various types and sizes, the charging/carrying case that the manufacturer claims can be used to recharge the earphone batteries up to four times between its own charges, and a USB charging cable. A free jLab Audio app is available for download to Apple or Android mobile devices; this app provides various signals that are intended to "burn-in" audio devices, but otherwise seems to be a shopping link to other jLab products.
Sound quality: We found the Epic Air delivers sound quality that falls in the very good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks. The overall sound can be summarized as somewhat heavy and hazy. Bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is a bit prominent and boomy. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is even, but somewhat hazy and a bit dark (there is an opaqueness that covers up fine detail). The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is fairly extended, but a bit smeared (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer sound blurred). While the sound has a good sense of liveliness it is somewhat closed-in -- sound-wise it is somewhat obvious that you have something plugging up your ears. A very faint hiss may be heard between tracks and during quiet audio passages.
Comfort: As typical of in-ear models the Epic Air produces a sense of pressure in the ear canal opening that might be uncomfortable for some. Users with medium or large sized ears will probably find that this fairly bulky model stays in place with no problem, but it takes a bit of fumbling to get them in place and the ear hooks might interfere with the behind the ear fit of eye glass temples. Users with smaller ears might find that this model does not fit well or at all (the earphones will only be held in place by the earpiece extensions into the ear canals; the ear hooks don't provide support, and the bodies of the earphones are too big to fit into the earbowls). Incidental contact with the touch controls on the earpieces can cause unintentional pausing, track skipping, or volume level changes.
