Jabra Elite 8 Active Review: The most not killed headphones
When it comes to sports headphones, durability and performance are non-negotiable. In this realm, the Jabra Elite 8 Active emerges as a true champion. These earbuds are not just another addition to the market; they represent a significant leap in both design and functionality. Built with military-standard materials, these earbuds are virtually unbreakable, making them an ideal choice for athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike.
To elevate your listening experience, the Jabra Elite 8 Active incorporates adaptive active noise cancellation. This advanced technology allows you to block out unwanted background noise, creating an immersive audio environment. Whether you’re in a bustling gym or running on a noisy street, you can enjoy your music with crystal-clear clarity.
The Elite 8 Active’s spatial audio feature delivers a three-dimensional sound experience, allowing you to feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. It’s the perfect companion for those intense workout sessions or when you simply want to escape into your own world.
One of the most impressive aspects of the Jabra Elite 8 Active is their exceptional battery life. These earbuds can keep up with your longest workouts, offering hours of playback time on a single charge.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active is a top-tier choice for sports enthusiasts seeking a combination of durability, advanced features, and exceptional sound quality.
Jabra Elite 8 Active: Video Review
| Specs | Jabra Elite 8 Active |
| Driver size | 6mm |
| Audio codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Sound | Dolby Audio, multiple EQ modes in the Jabra Sound+ app |
| Speaker bandwidth | 20Hz - 20000Hz (music mode), 100Hz - 8000Hz (speak mode) |
| Microphone | 6-mic call technology with wind noise-protecting mesh |
| Microphone bandwidth | 100Hz - 8000Hz |
| ANC | Adaptive Hybrid ANC |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3, Bluetooth Multipoint connection, Ready to support |
| Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) & LC3, LC3plus codec with future firmware update | |
| IP rating | IP68 (headset), IP54 (charging case) |
| Military Standard | (MIL-STD-810h) |
| Battery life | Up to 8 hours + additional 24 hours in the charging case (ANC on) |
| Charging time | 3 hours |
| Wireless charging | Yes |
| Fast charge | 5 minutes will give up to 1 hour |
| Weight | 5g | 0.2oz (each earbud), 46.4g | 1.6oz (charging case) |
| Dimensions | 19.7 x 19.7 x 29mm | 0.8in x 0.8in x 1.1in (earbud) |
| 24.4 x 46.9 x 65.4mm | 1in x 1.8in x 2.6in (charging case) | |
| USB cable length | 20cm | 7.9in |
Jabra Elite 8 Active: Design
Jabra Elite 8 Active have undergone rigorous military testing, earning an impressive IP68 certification for dust- and waterproof protection. They can endure the harshest conditions, from massive dust clouds to accidental drops of up to 1 meter and even submersion up to 1.5 meters. In fact, these super tough earbuds have met all the requirements of the US Military Standard for Ruggedized Electronics (810H).
The stem connecting the main body of the earbuds to the part that enters your ear canal has been shortened. This design tweak adds to the overall comfort, ensuring that you can wear these earbuds for extended periods without discomfort.
The Elite 8 Active retains the innovative ShakeGrip technology from previous models, ensuring a secure fit during workouts without the need for additional accessories like wingtips or ear hooks. What’s new is the expanded surface area covered in ShakeGrip, maximizing in-ear grip and stability.
These earbuds are available in four sleek colors—Black, Caramel, Dark Gray, and Navy Blue—allowing you to match your personal style.
The charging case of the Jabra Elite 8 Active also boasts impressive durability. With an IP54 rating, it offers substantial dust protection and can withstand splashes of water from any direction. This is a noteworthy feature because most noise-cancelling earphone charging cases do not offer dust or water protection at all.
In terms of design, it features a smooth matte finish and a curved rectangle design that fits comfortably in your pocket. Despite its toughness, it remains slim and lightweight at just 45g. The front panel houses a status LED, and the bottom is equipped with a USB-C port for charging, with the added convenience of Qi wireless charging support.
Connectivity and Controls
The Elite 8 Active headphones adopt the latest Bluetooth 5.3 technology, ensuring robust and reliable wireless connectivity. With support for the AAC and SBC audio codecs, you can expect high-quality audio streaming.
Jabra is future-proofing your listening experience by promising support for the LC3 and LC3plus audio codecs, even though the release date for these enhancements is yet to be announced. These advanced codecs are poised to deliver an even higher level of audio fidelity, making your music sound richer and more immersive.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active doesn’t just stop at basic Bluetooth connectivity; it also supports Google Fast Pair, making the initial pairing process swift and hassle-free. Additionally, these earphones offer multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously. This means you can seamlessly switch between your smartphone and tablet without the need for constant pairing and unpairing.
Each earpiece of the Elite 8 Active is equipped with easy-to-operate tactile buttons. While some users may find capacitive touch controls prone to accidental presses, the physical buttons on these earbuds offer a more reliable and deliberate interaction.
The default control layout is designed with user intuition in mind, incorporating all the essential functions:
Left Earbud:
- Single press: Cycles between ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) and HearThrough (transparency) modes.
- Double press: Activates your voice assistant or Spotify Tap (depending on your preference in the app).
- Long hold: Decreases the volume.
- Single press (during a call): Answers calls and functions as a mute toggle.
- Double tap (during a call): Ends a call.
- Long press (during a call): Place a call on hold.
Right Earbud:
- Single tap: Controls playback.
- Double press: Takes you to the next track.
- Triple press: Takes you to the previous track.
- Long hold: Increases the volume.
The beauty of these controls lies in their flexibility. You have the option to customize gestures to correspond to different functions based on your preferences, giving you a truly personalized listening experience.
ANC and Sound quality
While the driver size remains the same at 6 mm, the Elite 8 Active takes a leap in active noise cancellation (ANC). These earbuds utilize an Adaptive Hybrid ANC system that intelligently adjusts according to your environment. This feature eliminates the need for manual input and provides a hassle-free experience, ensuring that you get the optimal noise-cancelling performance no matter where you are.
Jabra introduces its innovative Wind Neutralising HearThrough technology to the Elite 8 Active. This feature effectively muffles wind interference without blocking out important ambient sounds like traffic noise. The flexibility to switch between ANC and HearThrough with a simple press on the left earbud ensures you have full control over your auditory surroundings.
The Elite 8 Active employs a sophisticated 6-microphone setup not only for calls but also for features such as ANC. This ensures that your voice is captured clearly during calls, even in noisy environments, making every conversation crisp and clear.
Jabra partnered with Dolby to enhance the sound of the Elite 8 Active, making them Dolby Audio-enabled. This collaboration results in a superior audio experience that’s rich, immersive, and finely tuned. The addition of Spatial Sound for media adds a new dimension to your audio experience, making it feel like the sound is surrounding you, rather than just coming from the left and right channels. While there’s no head tracking involved, the overall effect is remarkable.
The Jabra Sound+ app complements the Elite 8 Active by offering six music presets that allow you to personalize the sound of your earbuds. Whether you prefer more pronounced bass or crisper highs, you can choose a preset that suits your preferences. Additionally, you have the freedom to create your own custom presets, tailoring the sound profile to your liking.
The Elite 8 Active impresses with its balanced and powerful audio output. Thanks to Jabra’s history in designing hearing aids, these earbuds offer a sound profile that’s well-suited for a wide range of listeners. Even if you have specific sound preferences, the app’s presets and customization options ensure that you can fine-tune the audio to your liking.
Battery life
The Elite 8 Active earphones can provide approximately eight hours of playback time on a single charge with ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) enabled. When you combine this with the charging case, you have an additional 24 hours of battery life.
With ANC turned off, the battery life gets even more impressive. You can expect around 14 hours of continuous playback from the earbuds alone, and when paired with the charging case, you get a remarkable 42 hours of total battery life. This extended battery performance is ideal for those who prefer to have their earbuds last for days on end without worrying about finding a charging outlet.
It’s worth noting that while these numbers are impressive on paper, actual battery life may vary depending on several factors. Your typical listening volume, the intensity of ANC usage, and environmental conditions can all influence how long your earbuds will last on a single charge.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active offers a rapid charging feature. In just five minutes of charging, you can gain approximately an hour of listening time. When it’s time to fully recharge the earbuds from an empty battery, it takes approximately three hours.
Jabra Elite 8 Active: Conclusion
The Jabra Elite 8 Active represents a remarkable fusion of durability, cutting-edge technology, and immersive audio quality.
Engineered with military-standard materials, the Elite 8 Active boasts an IP68 rating, ensuring they can withstand dust, water, and the rigors of intense workouts or outdoor adventures.
These earbuds feature an Adaptive Hybrid ANC system that adjusts dynamically to your surroundings, offering a tailored noise-cancelling experience.
With support for advanced audio codecs, collaboration with Dolby, and the introduction of Spatial Sound, the Elite 8 Active delivers an immersive and balanced audio experience. Customizable sound presets in the Jabra Sound+ app allow you to fine-tune your listening experience to your liking.
So, if you seek earbuds that can keep up with your active pace, elevate your listening experience, and provide the durability you demand, the Jabra Elite 8 Active stands as an exceptional choice. These earbuds are not just headphones; they are your ultimate companions for active living.
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