Jabra Elite 10 Review: Great comfort and sound
The Jabra Elite 10 is a testament to Jabra’s commitment to innovation in the world of Bluetooth headphones. Jabra has long been recognized for its unique approach to audio technology, setting itself apart from the competition. However, one area where they had room for improvement was noise reduction. Prior to the Elite 10, Jabra’s true wireless earbuds often fell short in this department, with noise reduction features that were, at best, passable and generally more of an afterthought.
With the release of the Jabra Elite 10, the company is stepping up its game and boldly claiming the flagship title. Priced at $249, these noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds are competing in the same league as industry giants like Apple, Bose, and Sony.
Jabra Elite 10: Video Review
| Specs | Jabra Elite 10 |
| Speaker size | 10mm |
| Microphone type | MEMS |
| Number of microphones | 6 microphones |
| Speaker bandwidth | 20Hz - 20000Hz |
| Microphone bandwidth | 100Hz - 8000Hz |
| Audio codecs supported | AAC, SBC |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Jabra Advanced ANC™ |
| Spatial sound | Yes, Dolby Atmos with Dolby Head Tracking |
| APP | Jabra Sound+ |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Operating range | Up to 10m | 33ft |
| IP rating | IP57 (headset), IP54 (charging case) |
| Charging case dimensions | 24.4 x 46.9 x 65.4mm | 1 x 1.8 x 2.6in |
| Weight (charging case) | 45.9g | 1.6oz |
| Earbud weight (each earbud) | 5.7g | 0.2oz |
| Music time ANC off (earbuds) | Up to 8 hours |
| Music time with ANC (earbuds) | Up to 6 hours |
| Music time total ANC off | Up to 36 hours |
| Music time with ANC | Up to 27 hours |
| Fast charge | 5 minutes will give up to 1 hour |
| Charging time | Up to 3 hours |
Jabra Elite 10: Design and comfort
The Elite 10 earbuds features a compact ovoid shape that is not only visually appealing but also optimized for comfort and fit. What sets them apart is the presence of a silicone overlay that covers most of the earbuds, leaving only the back exposed. This unique design choice enhances comfort while ensuring a secure fit.
Jabra’s commitment to comfort and fit is further exemplified by their use of a database of over 62,000 ear scans to create an ideal shape that caters to a wide range of users. The semi-intra type architecture, is complemented by oval and asymmetrical tips, making them exceptionally pleasant to wear. The package includes four tip sizes, typically sufficient to accommodate various ear shapes.
These earbuds not only offer exceptional comfort but also limit the feeling of pressure on the ear’s hollow. The combination of elliptical tips, optimized headphone shape, and the special coating ensures that the Elite 10 are not only among the most comfortable headphones on the market but also provide an ideal fit. Coupled with their IP57 certification, they are perfect for sports enthusiasts. While they may not be officially sweat-resistant, a quick rinse after use effectively mitigates this concern. However, it is important to note that the headphones are not suitable for those with very small ears.
Moving on to the charging case, it adopts a more traditional design compared to the earbuds themselves. It lacks any particular coating and follows a design reminiscent of the AirPods 3 case. The case features a status LED on the front and a USB-C port on the back, along with support for Qi wireless charging.
One notable design change from Jabra’s previous models is the shift from a clamshell lid to a flip-top design. Thanks to a larger body-to-lid ratio, opening the lid with one hand is now even more effortless. The only minor drawback is that this new design doesn’t allow the case to stand upright with the lid open.
Despite this minor inconvenience, the compact size of the case makes it easy to slip into almost any pocket, and the inclusion of wireless charging and an excellent-quality hinge ensures that the case + headphones set is nearly faultless.
Control and APP
The Jabra Elite 10 headphones offer an intuitive and tactile control system, relying on physical buttons seamlessly integrated into the silicone overlay for easy access to various functions. These buttons are not only responsive but also cover all the essential actions, making for a user-friendly experience.
On the right earphone, you’ll find controls for classic playback functions, including play/pause and track navigation. These functions are achieved through a series of 1, 2, or 3 clicks, allowing you to easily skip to the next track or go back to the previous one without reaching for your device.
The left earphone is dedicated to managing the noise reduction modes. This means you can switch between different noise reduction settings with ease, tailoring your listening experience to your surroundings. This feature is particularly useful when transitioning from a noisy environment to a quieter one or vice versa.
Furthermore, the Elite 10 headphones provide convenient options for hands-free control. You can activate your smartphone’s voice assistant with a simple command, allowing for voice-activated tasks and queries. Adjusting the volume is also hassle-free, ensuring you can fine-tune your audio to your preferred levels without any fuss.
As a bonus feature, the headphones offer Spotify Tap functionality, which can be configured through the accompanying Jabra Sound+ app. With this feature, you can directly launch a playlist that you’ve saved on the popular streaming service, adding a layer of convenience to your music listening experience.
The app provides a dedicated 5-band equalizer, allowing you to fine-tune the audio to your exact preferences.
Additionally, you’ll find an ambient noise generator and a range of ergonomic optimizations, primarily geared toward call management. While Jabra Sound+ may not offer the same extensive feature set as Sony Headphones Connect, it makes up for it with its well-organized and intuitive interface.
Connectivity
The heart of the connectivity experience in the Elite 10 is the chip, which boasts Bluetooth 5.3 technology. This chip brings several key features to the table, demonstrating Jabra’s commitment to delivering a seamless and forward-looking user experience.
One standout feature is the multipoint connection capability, which allows you to connect the headphones to multiple devices simultaneously. This is a significant convenience for users who frequently switch between devices, such as a smartphone and a laptop, without the need to constantly disconnect and reconnect. Each earphone can also operate in mono mode independently, providing flexibility in how you use the headphones.
The Elite 10 also supports Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair quick pairings, streamlining the setup process when connecting to compatible devices from these tech giants.
While the Elite 10 includes support for standard audio codecs like SBC and AAC, Jabra has its eyes set on the future. A notable feature worth mentioning is the Elite 10’s compatibility with the LE Audio standard, which will be enabled through a future update. LE Audio brings a host of ergonomic advantages, and one of its key components is the inclusion of the LC3 codec. This codec not only offers mandatory support but also the optional superset known as LC3+.
LC3+ represents a technical advancement over LC3, offering increased speed of up to 1 mb/s and improved call quality. This is a significant step forward in audio technology, promising a better overall listening and communication experience for users.
ANC and microphone
We don’t typically expect groundbreaking active noise reduction (ANC) from Jabra, as the manufacturer has faced challenges in this area in the past. However, with the release of the true wireless Elite 10 earbuds, it seems they have made significant progress in overcoming this hurdle.
Compared to their predecessors, especially the Elite 85T, the Elite 10 earbuds demonstrate notable improvements in ANC performance. The most noteworthy progress can be observed at lower frequencies, where the ANC now effectively attenuates ambient noise. While they may not quite reach the level of ANC champions like the Sony WF-1000XM5, AirPods Pro 2, the Jabra Elite 10s do an impressive job, reducing noise by approximately 20 to 25 dB in the bass and midrange frequencies, and even up to 30 dB in some specific frequency ranges. There’s room for improvement, especially in the high-midrange frequencies where the attenuation is less pronounced, but the progress is evident.
In terms of passive isolation, the Elite 10 earbuds continue to impress. Despite their breathable semi-intra shape, they manage to deliver performance comparable to in-ear headphones. In fact, they outperform the AirPods Pro 2 in this regard. While they may not reach the level of the highly immersive Sony WF-1000XM5, they certainly stand their ground and compare favorably to other Bluetooth ANC headphones.
One aspect where Jabra has traditionally excelled is the hands-free kit function. With the Elite 10, there are no significant improvements compared to previous generations, but that’s not necessarily a drawback. Jabra maintains its reputation for clear and intelligible voice capture, even if it lacks a bit of naturalness and sounds slightly muffled. However, the strength of these headphones lies in their consistent intelligibility, regardless of the surrounding environment. Even in noisy settings, the voice may become somewhat nasal, but the Elite 10 earbuds continue to deliver reliable performance.
Sound quality
The Jabra Elite 10 Bluetooth headphones come equipped with a new sound architecture featuring 10 mm dynamic transducers. In terms of sound quality, there aren’t any drastic changes compared to previous Jabra offerings. Instead, Jabra continues to refine its formula, resulting in a fairly controlled and well-balanced sound profile that works effectively across a wide range of music genres.
One characteristic that remains consistent is the emphasis on bass, which adds a rounded quality to the overall sound without becoming excessively heavy. On the treble side, while there may be some oscillations in the high-mids, Jabra tends to accentuate the very high frequencies. This results in a vivid and demonstrative sound signature, which can sometimes border on being overly pronounced. Instruments like cymbals and high-frequency elements stand out prominently, and a certain brilliance emerges during listening sessions.
One of the strengths of the Jabra Elite 10 is their ability to maintain a well-rounded sound without any noticeable frequency gaps or recessed areas. This means there aren’t any significant lacks in the sound profile, and users have the flexibility to make adjustments via the equalizer without introducing distortion (by simply lowering certain frequency levels). This particularity contributes to the headphones’ versatility, making them suitable for a wide range of music genres.
From a technical standpoint, it’s important to note that the Elite 10 headphones may not deliver exceptional linearity in the treble, and very low frequencies lack the definition found in high-end models and top-tier Bluetooth headsets. However, they still offer good detail levels and a reasonably wide and forward-projected soundstage.
One notable feature is the inclusion of 3D sound technology developed by Dolby, featuring head movement tracking. This function, which can be activated through the app, is more than just a gimmick. Similar to what exists in Apple’s Spatial Audio, the implementation of this Dolby technology is subtle and doesn’t detract from the listening experience. It can be beneficial, especially in video content, where the immersive quality becomes more noticeable. While it doesn’t drastically transform music, it can significantly enhance the overall audiovisual experience, making it particularly useful for video consumption and enhancing the headphones’ versatility.
Autonomy
The Jabra Elite 10 headphones impress with their remarkable battery life, especially when ANC is factored in. They exceed the manufacturer’s estimates and offer up to 8 hours of playback with ANC and an impressive 10 hours without it. When combined with the charging case, the total battery life comfortably surpasses 30 hours and can even approach 40 hours.
When it’s time to recharge the headphones fully, it takes up to three hours to do so. However, if you’re in a hurry, you’ll be pleased to know that just a quick five-minute charge can provide you with approximately an hour of listening time.
Jabra Elite 10: Conclusion
In summary, the Jabra Elite 10 headphones offer a compelling package that includes exceptional comfort, robust construction with IP57 resistance, a delightful user experience, effective noise isolation, and impressive battery life.
Although they may have room for improvement in terms of sound precision and natural sound capture, these headphones represent a significant step forward for Jabra. They are a versatile and highly capable audio companion for a wide range of activities and listening preferences.
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