JLab Audio GO Air

Design and features:

The GO Air has integrated microphones and touch sensitive volume, music player, and call connect/disconnect controls for paired Bluetooth devices. Additional features include three switchable EQ modes that change the tonal balance of the headphones, support for Apple Siri and Google Assistant voice commands when Bluetooth paired to devices that have those capabilities, and manufacturer claimed water resistance. This model comes with three pairs of ear pieces in various sizes and a charging cradle/recharger battery/carrying case with integrated USB charging cable that the manufacturer claims can be used to recharge the earphone batteries approximately 3 times between its own charges. The free JLab Audio 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 GO Air delivers sound quality that falls in the good range - it reproduces music and voice reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. In the Signature EQ mode the bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is a somewhat prominent and boomy. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is a bit thin, slightly hazy somewhat grainy and sibilant. The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended fairly extended but is smeared, sizzly (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer have a sound reminiscent of bacon frying), somewhat prominent, and dry. The sound also has a decent sense of liveliness and is somewhat open--sound-wise it almost seems like you don't have anything plugging up your ears. It does a decent job of recovering room ambience (the sense of the acoustic space in which the audio program that's being listened to was recorded). Mixed character - warm bass with coolish midrange and cool treble. The overall sound can best be summarized as somewhat bassy and edgy, and a bit dry. The EQ settings do have an effect on the sound - compared to the Signature setting the Bass Boost setting increases the bass, and the Balanced setting makes the sound telephone-like.

Comfort and Fit:
As typical of in-ear models they produce a sense of pressure in the ear canal opening that might be uncomfortable for some. Users with small earbowls might find that the earphone body feels a bit bulky in their earbowl and that they stick out too far and feel like they may lever out of place and are mostly held in place by the section of the earphone that is inserted in the ear canal, but that they will generally stay in place during casual use. Users with medium sized ear bowls will probably find that this model fits and stays in place with no problems for casual use, but they may not stay in place during vigorous head movement. Users with larger sized ear bowls will probably find that this model fits and stays in place with no problems for casual use and may also be stable during vigorous head movement. Some users might find tapping on the touch controls to actuate some of the functions drives the earphone further into the ear canal and causes ear discomfort. Incidental contact with the touch controls can cause unintentional volume level changes, playing, pausing, or track skipping.

The JLab Audio GO Air portable Bluetooth wireless earphones have an isolating ear-insert design. These earphones are intended for use with Bluetooth enabled audio devices including cell phones and have a claimed reception range of around 30 feet. They have built-in microphones and integrated touch sensitive Bluetooth volume, music player function, and call connect/disconnect controls. Additional features include three switchable EQ modes, support for various digital voice assistant functions when used with Bluetooth capable devices that have those features, and manufacturer claimed dust and water resistance. The GO Air comes with three pairs of ear pieces in various sizes and a charging cradle/recharger battery/carrying case with an integrated USB charging cable. It is covered by a 24-month warranty.