Jabra Elite 8 Active review

Jabra’s newest set of earbuds devoted to train have been dubbed by the corporate as ‘the world’s hardest buds’. On paper, they do dwell as much as that declare. They’ve among the finest waterproofing you will get on a product of this sort and are made out of sturdy supplies to face up to knocks and drops. 

For that, you’ll must fork out $199/£199. However are the Jabra Elite 8 Energetic headphones well worth the steep price ticket? I’ve examined these out while travelling, exercising and chilling at house that can assist you make an knowledgeable choice.  

Design and construct

• 4 color choices 
• IP68 ranking on buds 

The Jabra Elite 8 Energetic are available 4 completely different colors: Black, Caramel, Gray and Navy Blue.  

They’ve a spherical design with a closed seal tip, and there are three completely different pairs of ear gels within the field to fit your ear form. They’re sufficiently small to suit beneath helmets with out a problem, and so they really feel good and light-weight at 5g per bud.

The Elite 8 Energetic buds have an IP68 ranking, which is uncommon on earbuds. You possibly can submerge them in water, and even put on them poolside, and never fear about them breaking. As they depend on a Bluetooth connection, you received’t be capable to swim with them for those who’re utilizing a stroke that goes underwater, as Bluetooth principally stops working when submerged. You’d want headphones with devoted offline music storage, just like the H2O Audio Tri Professional Multi-Sport.  

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

These are comfy to put on, even for lengthy durations – I even ended up napping with them on. They stayed largely safe in my ears when I discovered the appropriate suggestions for me, although previous to that I had an embarrassing second dancing round my kitchen the place the buds flew proper out, hit the wall and dropped to the ground. Luckily, this yielded zero marks, exhibiting the US MIL-810H certification is effectively earned (the buds are rated, not the case).

With the smallest ear suggestions, I wore them out on a jog within the rain and so they stayed securely in place, and so they have been equally secure throughout a tricky HIIT exercise with burpees and squats. Nevertheless, needless to say there are not any wings or hooks included for further peace of thoughts.

The rubberised materials on the case and buds appears to select up marks and gunk greater than different buds I’ve used. The case isn’t fairly as sturdy because the buds, with an IP54 ranking. Nevertheless, it has additionally survived a couple of knocks and bumps with out selecting up any marks or harm.  

Relatively than contact controls, the Jabra Elite 8 Energetic have a button on every bud, with completely different clicks assigned to numerous instructions. While they’re responsive, they’ll really feel a tad uncomfortable as you find yourself urgent the bud additional into your ear canal. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Good options  

• Six EQ modes 
• Clear app format 

Establishing the buds with my smartphone is as straightforward as pie. Merely take away the buds from the case, press the buttons for 3 seconds till the LEDs begin flashing blue (indicating that they’re now in pairing mode), after which go into your Bluetooth settings to attach them.  

To get the complete utilization out of the buds, there’s the Jabra+ app for iOS and Android. It’s the place you’ll be able to regulate the ANC, EQ ranges and button controls.

There are six audio presets out there: Impartial, Speech, Bass enhance, Treble enhance, Easy and Energise. There additionally a customisable mode with sliders, so you’ll be able to regulate the audio to manually fit your preferences.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

The app even contains choices for the output of your name audio, with a sliding scale for sidetone (listening to your individual voice throughout a name), and the choice to alter the EQ ranges to favour both treble or bass. There’s additionally assist for Spotify Faucet, and for Google Assistant on Android and Siri on iOS. 

Jabra’s format of the app is clear and customisable, with no area wasted and no points with loading or crashing. It’s prime quality, and probably the greatest person experiences I’ve had with an audio product.  

The Bluetooth vary is as much as 10m, and I had no issues with the connection dropping after I went upstairs in my home and left my telephone downstairs. There’s additionally on-ear detection, so the audio you’re taking part in will pause whenever you take away one or each earbuds. You’ll be able to toggle this auto-pause on or off within the app settings.

Sound high quality

• 6mm drivers 
• Adaptive ANC  
• Dolby Spatial audio 

While advertising and marketing for the Jabra Elite 8 Energetic focuses on their sturdy construct, the sound is nothing to smell about both. They’ve 6mm drivers, with a frequency vary of 20 – 20000Hz. They’ve assist for normal codecs akin to SBC and AAC, however there is no such thing as a hi-res codec assist such as you’ll discover on earbuds such because the Sony WF-1000XM5.

Nonetheless, audio is stable on the Elite 8 Energetic, with a good steadiness between bass, mids and highs. My signature observe for testing, Sebastian Bohm’s remix of New Order’s ‘Blue Monday’, has brilliant strings and powerful drums. The devices are clearly distinguishable and create a fantastically blended listening expertise.

On the usual mode, the bass hasn’t fairly bought that ‘thump’. This may be improved within the EQ settings, although you received’t get the identical expertise as you’d with an over the ear pair of headphones. I discovered myself drifting to both the Easy or Energise modes probably the most.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Rock tracks akin to Beastie Boys’ ‘No Sleep Til Brooklyn’ has sharp drums and snares with no blowing out like chances are you’ll discover on cheaper earphones. Pop songs akin to ‘Unwritten’ by Natasha Bedingfield sound heat and full of life on these buds, while funk tracks akin to ‘Cosmic Sans’ by Cory Wong and Tom Misch have a particular and playful bassline that accentuates the filtered lead guitar.  

Hans Zimmer’s ‘Planet Earth II Suite’ has an exquisite depth to it, with small particulars within the orchestra being highlighted. For podcasts, I utilised the Speech mode, although this does make intro soundtracks sound a lot quieter and a bit bizarre – vocals are simply nice on Impartial mode anyway. I’ve seen that a couple of Twitch streams even have a slight lag on dialogue.

Dolby spatial audio is supported on these buds. This improves the environment in film scenes designed with this kind of audio, such because the the live performance efficiency of Shallow in ‘A Star Is Born’. Nevertheless, I’d keep away from utilizing it on regular music tracks, as in any other case it makes every thing sound like its being broadcast down a rest room.

I’ve been impressed with the ANC on the Elite 8 Energetic. They’ve been sturdy sufficient to strongly muffle the sound of airplane engines and make the sound of a screaming child not as grating. While they received’t present full silence as a pair of over the ear headphones would because of the greater seal, they’re among the finest I’ve used.  

The Speak Via/Ambient mode can be a deal with, although you will have your quantity on the decrease finish to nonetheless hear conversations, akin to for those who’re ordering your first pumpkin spiced lattes of the 12 months like me (no judgement please).

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

My solely gripe with each modes is that typically, when no music/podcasts are taking part in, the filtering noise is audible, which is somewhat uncomfortable. Nevertheless, I can’t think about many individuals might be utilizing ANC with nothing taking part in.  

There are six microphones on the Jabra Elite 8, three on every, that are used most throughout telephone calls. While the buds have been fairly efficient in blocking wind noise and automobiles, my voice was fairly tinny and never tremendous loud to the individual I used to be on the decision with.

Battery life & charging 

• As much as 32 hours battery life 
• Round 2 hours and 35 minutes to cost 

Longevity on the Jabra Elite 8 Energetic is superb. The buds will last as long as eight hours on their very own, which is extendable as much as 32 hours with the case – that’s utilizing ANC. This may be prolonged to a whopping 56 hours with out ANC, which is 14 hours utilizing the buds alone.

These figures have been correct in my testing. Jabra contains the battery degree within the app, and a continuing notification in your smartphone additionally gives fast viewing. When the juice is working low, the buds will inform you with a voice immediate.

Charging for the Elite 8 Energetic is unimpressively gradual at 2 hours and 35 from flat to full in my testing, although Jabra states that this might take as much as three hours in whole. There’s a USB-C cable included within the field, however the case doesn’t assist wi-fi charging.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Worth & availability  

The Jabra Elite 8 Energetic value $199/£199. American readers can purchase them from Jabra, Amazon and Walmart, while these within the UK can purchase them from Jabra, Amazon and John Lewis. Jabra gives a two-year guarantee, ought to something go unsuitable. 

If you happen to’re out there for health focussed earphones, then you definately also needs to try the Beats Match Professional, which retail for a similar worth because the Elite 8 Energetic. There’s additionally the Shokz OpenFit. For extra choices, try our chart of the perfect true wi-fi buds.  

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Ought to I purchase the Jabra Elite 8 Energetic? 

While the Jabra Elite 8 Energetic have a excessive price ticket, it’s nearly justifiable – particularly for those who want earphones to accompany you throughout train. They’re safe, comfy and usable in rain and for sweaty exercises due to IP68 water and mud resistance. The army grade sturdiness is good to have, too.

The audio is simply as spectacular, suiting a variety of genres. The ANC blocks out a great deal of noise, although simply remember that typically the microphones choose up a little bit of ambient noise when nothing is taking part in. 

Mix all that with a protracted battery life, and also you’ve bought a stellar pair of buds in your fingers – and in your ears. However there are a variety of glorious options at equally excessive costs.

Specs

• 6mm drivers
• Six microphone array
• Wi-fi: Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP v1.3, AVRCP v1.6, HFP v1.8, PBP V1.0, TMAP V 1.0
• Button controls
• Battery life: As much as 32 hours (with ANC and with case), as much as 56 hours (with out ANC and with case)
• IP68 ranking (buds solely), IP54 water resistance (case)
• Weight: 5g per earphone, 46g case
• Works with Jabra Sound+ app
• Helps Dolby Spatial Audio
• Helps AAC and SBC codecs
• Siri and Google Assistant assist
• 10m vary
• US MIL-810H certification