Jaybird (company)
{{Short description|Consumer electronics company}}
{{Other uses|Blue jay (disambiguation)|Jay bird (disambiguation)}}
{{Promotional|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Jaybird
| logo = File:2020-jaybird-logo-black.png
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| type = Subsidiary
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| foundation = 2006
| location = Salt Lake City, Utah
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| industry = Audio, Consumer electronics
| products = Headphones, wearable activity trackers
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| founder = Judd Armstrong
| owner = Logitech (2016–present)
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| homepage = {{URL|https://www.jaybirdsport.com}}
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Jaybird is a Utah-based consumer electronics company owned by Logitech. The company designs and manufactures headphones and wearable activity trackers.{{cite web|title=Jaybird|url=http://www.inc.com/profile/jaybird|publisher=INC}} The company is mainly known for its line of wireless Bluetooth sports headsets. Jaybird was founded in 2006 by Australian entrepreneur Judd Armstrong.{{cite web|title=Judd Armstrong, Founder and CEO of JayBird |url=https://www.malakye.com/feature/6727/Judd-Armstrong-Founder-and-CEO-of-JayBird |publisher=Malakye |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302084338/https://www.malakye.com/feature/6727/Judd-Armstrong-Founder-and-CEO-of-JayBird |archivedate=2016-03-02 }}
Company history
Jaybird was founded by Australian entrepreneur Judd Armstrong in 2006. Armstrong was disappointed with the performance of headphones available at the time, and wanted to create a product for himself that would be sweat-resistant and non-restrictive for physical activity.{{cite web|title=The Wireless Powerhouse: JayBird Headphones |url=http://thebestrunningheadphones.com/blog/jaybird-headphones |publisher=The Best Running Headphones |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302151552/http://thebestrunningheadphones.com/blog/jaybird-headphones |archivedate=2016-03-02 }}{{cite web|last1=Devlin|first1=Jone|title=The Wireless Powerhouse: JayBird Headphones|url=http://digital.macdirectory.com/i/867-tune-in/55|publisher=Mac Directory}} Armstrong placed a few of his prototype products online for sale to recoup production cost. After receiving positive feedback from the public, he founded JayBirdGear LLC in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2006.{{cite web|title=Jaybird|url=http://store.treoo.com/shop-by-brand/jaybird.html|publisher=Treoo}}
The company's first Bluetooth headset, the JB100 Freedom, was launched in late 2007.{{cite web|last1=France|first1=Jasmine|title=JayBird JB-100 Bluetooth Stereo Headset review|url=https://www.cnet.com/products/jaybird-jb-100-bluetooth-stereo-headset/|publisher=CNET}}
In 2014, the company was listed for the first time amongst the 5 top-selling premium headphones along with Beats, Bose, Sennheiser, and Sony, according to market research company NPD Group.{{cite web|last1=Johnston|first1=Lisa|title=Beats Still Tops In Headphones|url=http://www.twice.com/beats-still-tops-headphones/56044|publisher=Twice|access-date=2016-02-22|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303015138/http://www.twice.com/beats-still-tops-headphones/56044|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last1=Morris|first1=Chris|title=50 Cent opens up on a big Beats Electronics regret|date=18 March 2015|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/03/18/50-cent-opens-up-on-a-big-beats-electronics-regret.html|publisher=CNBC}}
On April 12, 2016, Logitech acquired the company for $50 million.{{Cite news|url=http://blog.logitech.com/2016/04/12/music-just-got-better/|title=Music Just Got Better - Blog PROD|date=2016-04-12|work=Blog PROD|access-date=2017-09-21|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/04/13/logitech-jaybird/|title=Logitech buys Jaybird for $50 million|work=Engadget|access-date=2017-09-21|language=en-US}}
In August 2019, Jaybird released the first generation of Vista wireless Bluetooth earbuds. In June 2021, Jaybird released the next iteration, Vista 2.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-09 |title=Jaybird Vista 3 |url=https://reviews-technology.com/jaybird-vista-3/ |access-date=2023-09-07 |website=reviews-technology.com |language=en-US}}
Reception
The company's X2 headset model released in 2015 has been included in Best Headphones lists by technology and gadget publishers such as Engadget,{{cite web|last1=Dragan|first1=Lauren|title=The best exercise headphones|date=20 July 2023 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/04/24/the-best-exercise-headphones/|publisher=EnGadget}} TechCrunch,{{cite web|last1=Matney|first1=Lucas|title=The 13 Best Sounding Headphones For Everyone On Your Nice List|date=13 December 2015 |url=https://techcrunch.com/gallery/the-12-best-sounding-headphones-for-everyone-on-your-nice-list/|publisher=TechCrunch}} and PC Magazine.{{cite web|last1=Greenwald|first1=Will|title=The Best Headphones for Running|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2410143,00.asp|publisher=PC Mag}} Tim Gideon, writing for PC Magazine, rated the headset 4 out of 5 stars, and praised it for its "high quality audio performance," and for being "ideal for athletes who need a very secure fit for intense training."{{cite web|last1=Gideon|first1=Tim|title=Jaybird X2|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2490095,00.asp|publisher=PC Mag}} Jeff Dunn from Business Insider included the X2 in his list of "best headphones for working out." Dunn commented, "For the best sound from an exercise-oriented headphone that isn’t outrageously overpriced, go with the Jaybird X2." Dunn warned that finding the best fit for each individual user could take time as the headset is shipped with equipment for the user to configure to their ear size.{{cite web|last1=Dunn|first1=Jeff|title=These are the best headphones for working out|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/best-exercise-headphones-running-working-out-buying-guide-2015-10|publisher=Business Insider}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.jaybirdsport.com}}
{{Logitech}}
Category:Electronics companies established in 2006
Category:Manufacturing companies based in Salt Lake City
Category:Headphones manufacturers
Category:Audio equipment manufacturers of the United States