JLab - Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset - Graphite

I thought I’d have a hard time connecting but took maybe 10 seconds. Great and comfortable. Not good with earrings though-

Very comfortable to wear through my 9 hour shift, good quality sound hearing and crisp mic, long battery life, and love the noise canceling option

Video conferencing post the COVID pandemic has become very routine. Once an occasional event, I typically currently attend about ninety nine percent of meetings and trainings in this manner for my professional duties. In light of the aforementioned, it is paramount that headsets required for these interactions be functional, comfortable and robust as they can possibly while providing value. Having previously been very reluctant of headsets with booms, I find myself continually impressed by JLAB’s Epic Work ANC On-Ear Headset. As packaged: • JLAB Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset • USB-C Dongle • Dock Stand • USB-C to USB-C Cable (almost 60 inches) These headsets are light and comfortable. Although they are “on-ear”, I do not feel tired wearing them for long periods. The headband is padded and appears to be durably connected to the earcups. I have previously owned headsets that had plastic connections to the earcups which eventually cracked or snapped within rather short periods of moderate use. The muffs as previously mentioned are comfortable and should have been leather in my opinion for additional durability. The right earcup houses the rotating boom which mutes conversations when vertical and unmutes in the horizontal position. This feature can definitely help with the nuances of muting and unmuting during use. Although the application in use may not depict the correct status, having the option to simply swivel the boom for the appropriate microphone status is a plus in my books. On the right earcup are also the volume rocker, power button and a JCON/logo button (default control for audio noise cancellation, Be Aware and Hear Yourself functions.) Both buttons are configurable and capable of multifunction based on the input (i.e. single, double or long tap.) The Logo button can also be disabled to prevent accidental taps. A USB-C port, an LED status indicator and additional microphone for the noise-cancelling features complete the list of items located on the right earcup. The left earcup has the charging connectors for the dock stand and another microphone for the noise-cancelling features. JLAB’s Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset has multiple connectivity options: • Hardwired via included USB-C cable • USB-C Dongle via direct connection to compatible devices or via dock stand (which would need to be connected directly to compatible device) • Bluetooth – with ability to stay connected to two devices at any time The hardwired connection can be direct between the headset and the device using the included USB-C cable or in a daisy chain via the dock stand; this setup will require an additional USB-C cable as there will be a connection between the dock stand and device as well as a second wired connection between the dock stand and the headset. For the hardwired connection, the headset must be turned off to be recognized. The headset gets charged when hardwired. While the headset needs to switched off for this connection, the noise cancelling and Be Aware features remain available. In my experience, the equalizer options are not available via this connection. The USB-C connection option establishes a wireless connection between the headset and a compatible device. The included USB-c dongle stows away in the dock stand when not needed. This connection can be established with the USB-C dongle directly connected to the compatible device or via a connection to the dock stand when it (the dock stand) is physically connected to the compatible device via a USB-C cable such as the one included. Noise cancelling and be aware features remain available along with access to the equalizer options while connected in this manner. Connections via Bluetooth offer the most versatility in my opinion. This is the only connection with access to the JLAB app (Google Play or Apple App Store) which in turn provide capabilities listed below: • Configure power and JCON/Logo buttons • Tweak custom equalizer • Tweak custom Hear Yourself volume level • Configure safe hearing volume level • Update headset software • Access to nine different ambient sounds (soothing in my experience) which can be mixed should that be desired • Access to burn-in tool (to help break in components for “optimal performance” per JLAB Using this headset is fairly straightforward. Once turned on, the user is greeted with a confirmation voice note “JLAB on.” For initial setup, a long press of the power button activates the pairing mode and allows nearby devices to add via Bluetooth. As previously stated, the headset can be connected to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Once the initial pairing has been completed, simply turn off the Bluetooth on that device and repeat the pairing process with the second device. Upon turning on the headset, a “Bluetooth connected” message is heard should a previously connected device be within proximity. This message will repeat should two previously connected devices be within proximity confirming they have been connected to the headset. When turning off, “JLAB off” can be heard before shutdown. Sound output is very clear. The equalizer has presets for voice and music. A custom option is user configurable, and all three options can be used for either music or voice needs. The bass is deep and comparable to some other high end over-the ear variants I have previously owned. For calls, I have been told quality is clear. The Hear Yourself function enables the user to get a sense of the sound of their voice as heard by the recipients on the other end. There is an option to increase, decrease or disable this effect. The smart Active Noise-Cancelling is very effective in drowning out ambient sound when needed. JLAB states a threshold of up to 30 dB but I have been comfortable with about 40 dB in my experience. Should there be a need to be more conscious of your surroundings, the Be Aware mode amplifies the ambient sounds for the user. Battery appears to last long but I have yet to confirm JLAB’s 60 hours runtime with noise-cancelling enabled. In summary, JLAB’s Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset is an outstanding performer with a premium feel and packed with impressive noise-cancelling features among others. It appears well-built and should last a while. JLAB’s generous two-year warranty should help resolve any premature issues along the way. While the headset checks are the required boxes on my list for my daily needs, I thought I would share my wish list for the next iteration. As we continue to occasionally work from home, a carrying case would go a long way to move between locations. As previously stated, the ability for the physical alignment of the boom (i.e. vertical/horizontal) which corresponds to mute and unmute to be appropriately reflected with applications would be very welcome.

Audio is excellent, comfortable even with glasses on, the earpieces can rotate to adjust for comfort, the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation), is easily accessible on the mic itself. The ANC works very well. It muffles a good portion of the outside noise. Great for working from home with a lot of background noise. The design is good, but unfortunately, the mic only goes on the Right side and can’t be reversed. The box contains: Headset, Docking system (with USB Dongle plugged in), USB-C Dongle (for docking) to plug directly into the device the headphones are being used for, and USB-C cable for charging or using as a wired headphone set, and Quick User Guide. The ANC on the mic, as stated, works very well, and allows you to hear conversations better. The mic is also very easy to put on mute so that you aren’t heard during conversations. You simply lift the mic boom and you are muted. The jLab EpicWork ANC Headphones have a lot of convenient features: - Multiple connection options (cell phone, laptop, tablet, etc.) - 2 in 1 Docking System serves as both a charging hub and a USB hub. 1. Dock (with USB-C dongle plugged in) 2. USB-C dongle plugged directly into device 3. USB-C cable plugged directly into your connections. - Bluetooth multipoint connects 2 devices simultaneously when direct connection is not in use - Quick mute rotation Mic, flip to mute rotating boom mic. Ensures clear communication during calls. - Use Google Fast Pair to find headphones. Pairs effortlessly to Android device with Google Pair (Pairs well without Google Pair too). Pairs with iPhone easily as well and can use Google Find My Device if jLab EpicWork Headphones get misplaced. - Long battery life. I still have almost a full battery after using them for 3 days 5 hours each day. - Crystal clear calls – little to no interference, static or dropped calls. I can even walk around the apartment and still not lose the connection. - JLAB APP – available from iPhone App or Google Play (Android). Just pair the jLab EpicWork Headphones for access to all functions, plus extra functions not on the headset. This include relaxing ambient sounds. I personally like the jLab EpicWork Headphones for the fact that there are only 3 major buttons: Power, Volume + or -, and ANC button on the mic boom. I can also just listen to Audio books, Music, and podcasts by just flipping up the boom mic to mute and pressing and holding the volume + and – buttons at the same time. The jLab APP explains how to change to the various available functions as well as adjust the sound balance. I find the jLab EpicWork Headset is easy to use, and the APP is easy to follow and fun to use. I recommend the jLab EpicWork Headset for ease of use and comfort. I just wish the Mic boom were reversable (can be used on either right or left side). This is why I’m only giving it 4 stars otherwise it would have been 5 stars.

Love it, works great for my classes and can listen well.