About this item
- Professional sound quality. Multiple MEMS microphones work in harmony to give you professional sound.
- Nose reduction. The microphone is specially designed to remove unwanted background noise. Your callers won’t hear all the sounds going on around you.
- Active Noise Cancellation. ANC gives you the ability to control unwanted noise. You can activate ANC when noise becomes a problem, so you can concentrate better, and get more done.
- Impressive sound. The Evolve2 85 comes with leak tolerant, 40mm ear speakers for sound quality that may just surprise you. You’ll get a nice bass bump, pleasing mids, and sharp highs when listening to music.
- HearThrough convenience. The Evolve2 85 comes with HearThrough so you can have a face-to-face conversation, or just hear your surroundings without having to remove the headset. A safety feature if outdoors, and convenient if in the office.
Description
If you're someone who's looking for a new headset, and you need it to connect to a computer, your mobile devices, be travel friendly, and give you professional sound and a more siltent background, then you've come to the right place.
The Jabra Evolve2 85 is the premier model within the Evolve2 series line.
Some might argue that the Evolve2 65 Flex owns that spot, but that's a discussion for another day. This is all about the Evolve2 85 and what features it has, and what makes it worth your time and consideration.
To learn more about the Jabra Evolve2 85, continue reading, or you can shortcut that by watching our review video below.
Who the Jabra Evolve2 85 is well suited for:
Headsets aren't designed to be one size fits all. There are different headset wearing styles, and when shopping for a new headset, you'll want to select the wearing style that matches your wearing preference.
Who would be an ideal person for a Jabra Evolve2 85?
- Those who prefer an over-the-head, double-ear headset wearing style.
- Those who need a professional grade headset for business voice and video calls.
- Those who are looking for a headset to use with desktop or laptop computers, and mobile devices.
- Those who are looking for a headset that reduces noise.
- Anyone who wants to have great sounding audio for music or podcasts.
- Those who are needing a comfortable headset.
Generally speaking, the Evolve2 85 checks a lot of boxes for a lot of people, but here's a couple of things that might make this headset not the one for you.
Why this might not be the headset for you
- Some people prefer a single ear headset, or a headset that's worn over the ear. The Evolve2 85 is only available in an over-the-head, double ear configuration
- Not everyone enjoys the sensation of having both of their ears full covered. For some, it can leave them with a feeling of too much sound isolation.
- The weight of the headset might make this headset difficult to wear all day long. It weighs over 10 ounces, and by double ear headset standards, that's on the heavy side.
- The price of the Evolve2 85 is higher than many other over-the-head, double ear headsets.
Devices you can use the Evolve2 85 with
The Evolve2 85 was designed to be used with desktop and laptop computers, smartphones, tablets and audio sources that support a 3.5mm connection.
The headset connects to computers via an included USB adapter. You have your choice between USB-A, and USB-C. And though the Evolve2 85 can connect to computers wirelessly that are Bluetooth enabled, the USB adapter provides a much better connection experience. Using the adapter, you'll get a number of benefits over connecting via Bluetooth
- A more stable wireless connection
- Better voice audio quality
- Longer wireless range
- Remote call answering with compatible software
Besides being able to connect to your computers, the Evolve2 85 can also be used with your smartphone or tablet.
You can also connect your Evolve2 85 headset to audio sources that accept a wired, 3.5mm pin connection. The Evolve2 85 comes with a 3.5mm cable giving you even more ways to use the headset.
Microphone sound quality
Customer surveys have revealed that sound quality is among the most important things they look for when shopping for an ew headset. With that in mind, it makes sense to wonder how the Evolve2 85 sounds.
So how does the Evolve2 85 sound?
The Evolve2 85 is widely considered to be a professional grade business headset. When designing the Evolve2 85, Jabra fully understood that a headset of this type needs to sound professional. And that's what you get with this headset; professional sound.
The headset comes with 4 analog and 6 digital MEMS microphones which are fine tuned to pick up your voice loud and clear, and not all the noise going on around you. These are two important aspects of any high quality business headset.
Controlling background noise
Reducing background noise comes in two forms;
- Reducing the sound your callers hear, which is made possible by the noise canceling microphone.
- And reducing background noise for the person wearing the headset through Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The Jabra Evolve2 85 does a respectable job of removing noise which is important if you have noisy coworkers, or for those who work from home who have to deal with the sounds of dogs barking, and children.
So when sound quality matters, you can rest assured that the Evolve2 85 will have you sounding good, while keeping your background noise right where it belongs; off your call.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
ANC is a popular feature because it gives the person wearing the headset the ability to block out distracting background noise. Less distractions means better concentration which translates to being more productive. So unlike a noise canceling microphone that's designed to give your callers a better sounding experience, ANC gives that to the person wearing the headset.
On the left earcup of the Jabra Evolve2 85, there's a sounds button that allows you to activate the ANC feature. When noise becomes distracting, simply press this button and you'll hear those sounds fade away.
HearThrough convenience
This is another standard feature on the Jabra Evolve2 85.
When wearing a headset it's common for someone to approach you, wanting to have a face-to-face conversation. This would normally require you to remove the headset to have that conversation. The frustration is this happens throughout the day which tends to get annoying.
The Jabra Evolve2 85 has HearThrough, so you can have those conversations, or just hear your surroundings, without the need to remove the headset. This feature makes it safer if you're wearing the headset out of the office, and it helps to remove one of those frustratiions at work.
Like with the ANC feature, press the sound button to activate HearThrough, and when you do, it activates the built in microphones to pick up the sounds you're wanting to hear.
On-ear detection
The more advanced headsets are those that come with features not commonly found on many others. One of those advanced features is on-ear detection. Simply put, this is a smart feature that knows when the headset is on, and when it's off.
When you're in the middle of somethings, like on a call, or listening to music for example, and you remove the headset, it reacts to that. When listening to music it will pause, and resume when you put the headset back on.
If you're on a call and you remove the headset, it will mute the microphone. Placing the headset back on will unmute the microphone.
Smart sensors for a smart headset.
Ear speakers & the sound you get
If listening to music is on your list of things you'll use a headset for, then it should come as good news that the Evolve2 85 features leak tolerant 40mm speakers. And when you combine that with Jabra's advanced chipset, you're treated to some very satisfying sound. That inclludes the bass bump you're looking for along with the mids and highs. All in all, you'll like what you hear.
Battery details - what you need to know
How long you can talk, and listen matters when it comes to using a wireless headset. The last thing you want is a headset that has you regularly waiting for a battery recharge.
Here's what you get.
- Up to 37 hours of listening time if the ANC feature is off, 32 if it's on
- Up to 26 hours of talk time with ANC and busylight off, 21 with ANC and busylight on
- Recharge time is up to 140 minutes
- 30% after 30 min and 60% after 60 min on the charger
As Blueooth headsets go, the battery specs on the Evolve2 85 are solid. Some models will provide more, but even more provide less. That puts the talk and listening time of the Evolve2 85 in the upper ranks of battery performance.
One last thing is you can continue to use the Evolve2 85 as a wired headset when it's plugged in for a battery recharge. This is something you won't find on all headsets, which makes it more versatile.
Connectivity
When using the Jabra Evolve2 85, you have several ways to connect to your devices.
- You can connect to Bluetooth enabled computers wirelessly, which I don't recommend because there's a better computer connection option. in #2
- You can connect to desktop or laptop computers via the included Link 380 USB adapter for a more reliable, better sounding call, and longer range.
- You can wirelessly connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth
- You can connect to a computer USB-A port with the included cable and use it as a wired headset when recharging the battery
- And, the Evolve2 85 comes with a 3.5mm cable for use in connecting to devices that support 3.5mm connections.
Simply put, you have a lot of versatility.
The Jabra Evolve2 85 can be used with all the leading UC software applications such as Microsoft Teams, RingCentral, Zoom, Google Meet, Dialpad and many others. You can even get remote call answering with compatible programs which means you can answer calls when away from the desk. This is a highly desireable feature that helps you to be more productive, and gives your callers better service.
Ordering options
When ordering the Evolver2 85 you can choose from:
- Microsoft Teams, or UC variant
- USB-A, or USB-C adapters
- Charging stand, or no charging stand
If Microsoft Teams is your primary business communications vehicle, then you'll want to order that version. But, if you use Teams, but also other programs such as RingCentral, Zoom or others, then you'll want to order the UC variant.
The Evolve2 85 comes with a Jabra Link 380 USB adapter. It's important to match the right connection type when ordering. Some computers use USB-A ports, while others use the newer, USB-C. Keep this in mind when placing your order.
The Evolve2 85 comes with a USB-C to USB-A charging cable. If you'd prefer to recharge the headset with a stand instead, that's available as an option.
Tech Specs
| Box Contents | Headset, desk stand (SKU dependent), Jabra Link 380 BT adapter, 1.2m/3.9ft USB-C to USB-A cable, 3.5mm jack audio cable 1.2m/3.9ft, carry case, warranty and warning (safety leaflets) |
| Misc | |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Available Software | Jabra Direct, Jabra Xpress, Jabra Sound+ |
| Headset form factor | Over the head, double ear, around the ear |
| Audio | |
| Microphone | 4 Analog MEMS / 6 Digital MEMS |
| Microphone sensitivity | -35 dBv/Pa (analog microphone)/-26 dBFS/Pa (digital microphone) |
| Microphone frequency range | 5-20.000Hz for analog microphone/100Hz - 8000Hz for digital microphone |
| Audio codecs supported | SBC, AAC |
| User hearing protection | Jabra SafeTone |
| Certifications | Certified for Microsoft Teams. Meets Microsoft Teams Open Office requirements.** Certified for Alcatel-Lucent, Amazon Chime, Cisco, Google Meet, Mitel, Unify. Works with all other leading UC platforms. |
| Battery | |
| Music Time | Up to 37hrs (with ANC off)/Up to 32hrs (with ANC on) |
| Talk Time | Up to 26hrs (with ANC/busylight off)/Up to 21hrs (with ANC on/busylight on) |
| Battery recharge time | Up to 140min |
| Power consumption | 5V/500mA |
| Battery status % after 30 min / 60 min | 30% after 30 min and 60% after 60 min |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectiions - computer & mobile devices | USB-A/USB-C Bluetooth adapter, 3.5mm jack (corded), Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth profiles | HSP v1.2 , HFP v1.7, A2DP v1.3, AVRCP v1.6, PBAP v1.1, SPP v1.2 |
| Wireless range | Up to 30m/100ft |
| Max number of Bluetooth paired devices | Up to 8 devices |
| Simultaneous connections | 2 |
FAQ's
Q: What is the wireless range of the Evolve2 85?
A: It's rated up to 100 feet, but how much range you'll get will depend on how many barriers your wireless signal will travel through. Barriers such as walls, elevators etc. all degrade the strength of a Bluetooth wireless signal which can lower range. We normally use the rule of thumb of half the stated range as usable range. In this case, that'd be around 50 feet.
Q: Does the headsert come with a Bluetooth adapter?
A: Yes. It comes with a Jabra Link 380 wireless Bluetooth adapter. It comes pre-paired to the headset so it's a plug and play situation. Adapters will give you a better wireless connection, better audio quality, longer range and remote call answering with compatible software apps.
Q: How do I recharge the Evolve2 85?
A: Two ways; first, if you purchased the optional charging base, you can place the headset on that for a battery recharge. If you didn't order that, then plug in the included USB-C to USB-A battery charge cable to recharge the battery.
Q: How long does the battery last?
A: There are different times, which depend on whether you're listening to music, or on a live call. Battery life also depends if you're using other features like Active Noise Cancellation, or a busylight for example. But here's what you need to know:
- Up to 37 hours of listening time if the ANC feature is off, 32 if it's on
- Up to 26 hours of talk time with ANC and busylight off, 21 with ANC and busylight on
- Recharge time is up to 140 minutes
- 30% after 30 min and 60% after 60 min on the charger
Q: Does the Evolve2 85 have a 3.5mm jack?
A: Yes. The headset not only has a 3.5mm jack, but when you guy an Evolve2 85, it comes with a 3.5mm cable for connecting the headset to devices that support 3.5mm audio inputs.
Q: Is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) active during a call?
A: No. When you are on a call, the microphone activates and ANC and Hearthrough will deactivate. This is intended, as the sidetone then let you hear your voice and be aware of the volume of your voice when you speak.
When the call is finished, the sound mode will return to the setting that was in use before the call.
Note
You can use the Sound Modes button on the left earcup to cycle through these options: ANC, Off, HearThrough.
Q: How do I manually turn on HearThrough on my Jabra Evolve2 85?
A: To manually turn on HearThrough, press the Sound modes button on the left earcup to cycle through the available options until HearThrough is announced.
Left earcup
You can configure HearThrough settings using Jabra Sound+ (Google Play | App Store) on your smartphone or Jabra Direct on your computer.
Q: How do I turn on/off Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on my Jabra Evolve2 85 headset?
A: You can turn on/off ANC manually on the headset and also using Jabra Sound+.
Turn on/off ANC manually
Press the Sound Modes button on the left earcup to cycle through these options: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), HearThrough, Off.
Left earcup
Turn on/off ANC using Jabra Sound+
- In Jabra Sound+, select the Moment you want to customize.
Moments in Jabra Sound+ are customized independently from one another. If you select a different Moment, you may need to repeat these steps. - In Sound Modes, change the setting according to your personal preferences.
You can configure ANC settings using Jabra Sound+ (Google Play | App Store) on your smartphone or Jabra Direct on your computer.
Q: Is the Jabra Link 380 Bluetooth adapter compatible with a desk phone that has USB connectivity?
A: No, the Jabra Link 380 is built with a different and more advanced technology that is not compatible with most desk phones.
The Jabra Link 380 is engineered to ensure performance with other systems in wireless connectivity, USB-C connectivity, security and longer range, as well as to prepare for more advanced functionality with future products.
Q: What's the difference between the Jabra Evolve2 75, and the 85?
A: The 85 model comes with larger ear cushions that fully surround the ear. The Evolve2 75 ear cushions go against the ear. The 85 model also comes with a 3.5mm audio jack, and an audio cable for connectivity to other supported devices. The 85 is a larger headset, and it weighs more than the 75. The Evolve2 75 has a bit more battery life compared to the 85. These are a few of the differences.
Q: What is sidetone
A: Sidetone is audio feedback from one's own voice, that a headset/headphones user hears when speaking into the microphone. Voice is picked up by the microphone and transmitted to the speaker. You can typically adjust the sidetone level on a Jabra device through the free software.
Q: What do the LEDs on my Jabra Evolve2 85 mean?
A: Here is an explanation of the LED colors and behaviors.
Note
The Jabra Evolve2 85 comes in a UC variant and a Microsoft Teams variant. The Microsoft Teams variant features a Microsoft Teams button and LEDs. These are indicated in the following image by an asterisk.
The following explanation is in English. For translated versions check the available languages of the user manual in the Product documents section.
Q: What is the wireless range of the Evolve2 85?
A: The range is rated up to 100 feet, or 30 meters. However, the actual range you get will depend on your environment, and how many obstructions exist between your headset and your phone or computer that you're using it with. More obstructions between them means less wireless range. A good rule of thumb is to estimate half the stated range. In this case, that would be about 50 feet, plus or minus.
Q: How do I manually turn on/off the busylight(s) on my Jabra Evolve2 headset?
A: When you are wearing the headset and on a call, the busylight(s) automatically light up red to indicate that you are busy.
To manually turn on/off the busylight(s), simultaneously press the Volume up and Volume down buttons on the right earcup.
Note
You can configure busylight settings using Jabra Sound+ (Google Play | App Store) on your smartphone or Jabra Direct on your computer.
Images are for guidance purposes only. The displayed image may differ slightly from your device, however the content is still relevant and accurate.
Downloads
Jabra Evolve2 85 - USB-C UC Stereo Datasheet
Jabra Evolve2 85 - USB-C UC Stereo Setup
Jabra Evolve2 85 - USB-C UC Stereo Manual
Videos
Jabra Evolve 75 vs Jabra Evolve2 85 - Live Mic & Speaker Tests! Is it worth the upgrade?
SHOWDOWN Bose 700 UC vs Jabra Evolve2 85 Wireless Bluetooth Headset - LIVE MIC TEST!
Jabra Evolve 80 vs Jabra Evolve2 85 - Is Jabra wired better than wireless? LIVE MIC & SPEAKER TEST!
Accessories
Jabra Evolve2 85 Charging Stand USBA | 14207-65
Jabra Evolve2 USB Cable USB-C to USB-C | 14208-34
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