Are you on the hunt for wireless earbuds that can keep up with your active lifestyle? Do you crave exceptional sound quality, noise cancellation, and long-lasting battery life while maintaining comfort and fit? If so, look no further than the Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds, touted as the toughest earbuds on the planet. In this comprehensive review, I'll delve into the features, performance, and design of these rugged earbuds and determine whether they live up to the hype.
Design and Build: Unbreakable and Resilient
The Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds are engineered to withstand the harshest environmental conditions, from scorching heat to bone-chilling cold, from dust storms to water submersion, and from shocks to accidental drops. With an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, these earbuds can survive being submerged up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Furthermore, they boast MIL-STD-810H certification, which means they've successfully endured rigorous tests for temperature extremes, humidity, salt spray, vibrations, and impact.
Crafted with Jabra's ShakeGrip silicone rubber, these earbuds provide a secure in-ear fit without the need for wing tips or ear hooks. You have four color options to choose from: Black, Dark Grey, Navy, and Caramel. The durable charging case also carries an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance.
The earbuds feature physical buttons on each side, giving you control over playback, volume, calls, voice assistants, noise cancellation, and spatial sound. These buttons are user-friendly and highly responsive. Additionally, the earbuds are equipped with sensors that automatically pause or resume music when you put them on or take them off.
In the package, you'll find the Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds, a wireless charging case, EarGels in three different sizes, and a USB cable.
Sound Quality and Features: Immersive and Dynamic
The Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds deliver exceptional sound quality with a well-balanced and detailed sound signature. They offer deep and powerful bass without overshadowing the mids and highs. Vocals come through clearly and crisply, free from harshness or sibilance. The treble is bright and airy, avoiding any excessive piercing or distortion.
These earbuds support Dolby spatial sound, creating a 3D audio experience that enhances the depth and direction of the sound. You can select from four spatial sound modes: Off, Standard, Focus, or Full. The spatial sound truly shines when used with content encoded in Dolby Atmos or Dolby Digital Plus.
The earbuds are equipped with adaptive hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC), which employs six microphones to block out unwanted external noise. You have the flexibility to adjust the ANC level from full to off or anywhere in between using either the app or the buttons on the earbuds. While effective against low-frequency noises like traffic or airplane engines, it may not completely eliminate high-frequency sounds such as voices or alarms.
These earbuds also offer a transparency mode that enables you to stay aware of your surroundings without removing the earbuds. You can activate this mode by pressing the button on the left earbud or through the app, making it useful for situations where situational awareness is essential.
Featuring six microphones with wind-protecting mesh, the earbuds ensure clear voice quality during calls or voice commands. These microphones excel at picking up your voice even in noisy environments while minimizing background noise and wind interference.
Battery Life and Charging: Long-lasting and Convenient
The Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds boast impressive battery life, whether you have ANC enabled or disabled. With ANC on, a single charge can provide up to eight hours of playback time, with the charging case extending that to up to 32 hours. When ANC is off, you can enjoy up to 14 hours of playback time from a single charge, with the charging case extending it to an impressive 56 hours.
Charging the case is a breeze with both wireless and USB-C options. Using a cable or a wireless charger, it takes about two hours to fully charge the case. For those moments when you're in a hurry, just 15 minutes of charging via the case will give you an extra hour of playback time. Convenient LED indicators on the case display the battery levels of both the case and the earbuds. You can also check the battery status through the app or by using your voice assistant.
App and Compatibility: Customizable and User-friendly
The Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds are compatible with both Android and iOS devices, connecting seamlessly via Bluetooth 5.2 to ensure a stable and reliable connection. You can also pair them with up to two devices simultaneously and effortlessly switch between them.
These earbuds work seamlessly with popular voice assistants like Google Assistant, Siri, or Alexa. You can activate your voice assistant with ease, either by pressing the button on the right earbud or using the wake word.
For further customization, Jabra offers a companion app called Jabra Sound+. This app allows you to fine-tune various settings and features of the earbuds. You can adjust the equalizer, spatial sound, ANC, transparency mode, button functions, voice assistant preferences, receive firmware updates, and more. The app even boasts a handy Find My Earbuds feature to help you locate your earbuds if they ever go missing.
Moreover, the app includes MyFit, a feature that assists you in finding the best fit for your ears by assessing the earbud seal and providing feedback on how to improve it. Additionally, there's MySound, a feature that personalizes the sound profile of the earbuds based on your hearing.
Pros and Cons: Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks
The Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds offer an impressive array of features for outdoor enthusiasts and active individuals. With their durable and comfortable design, rich and immersive sound quality, adaptable noise cancellation, long-lasting battery, and extensive customization options, they stand out in the wireless earbud market.
However, it's essential to note a few drawbacks:
Pros:
IP68-rated for water and dust resistance
MIL-STD-810H certified for durability
Dolby spatial sound for immersive audio
Adaptive hybrid ANC for effective noise cancellation
Extended battery life with wireless charging support
Six microphones with wind protection for clear calls
Comprehensive app with numerous customization options
Cons:
May not securely fit all ear shapes, particularly without wing tips or ear hooks
ANC may not effectively cancel out high-frequency noises
Rubber material may accumulate dust and dirt more quickly
Conclusion: Are They Worth the Investment?
The Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds represent a top-tier choice for those seeking wireless earbuds for outdoor workouts and activities. They seamlessly combine durability, performance, sound quality, noise cancellation, battery life, and smart features to create an impressive package.
While they come at a premium price of $200/£199, which places them at the upper end of the wireless earbud market, their ruggedness, performance, and versatility make them a worthwhile investment for those who prioritize these qualities.
If you're interested in purchasing the Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds, you can sign up for the 'Notify Me' button on Amazon India to receive alerts when they become available. Alternatively, you can explore other Jabra products on their official website or other online platforms.
We hope this review has provided you with valuable insights and information. If you have any questions or comments about the Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds, please feel free to share them in the comments section below. Your feedback is important to us.
FAQs:
1. Are the Jabra Elite 8 Active Earbuds waterproof?
Yes, they have an IP68 rating for water resistance, which means they can be submerged up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
2. How is the sound quality of the Jabra Elite 8 Active Earbuds?
These earbuds deliver exceptional sound quality with a balanced and detailed sound signature, deep bass, clear vocals, and bright treble.
3. What is Dolby spatial sound, and does it enhance the audio experience?
Dolby spatial sound creates a 3D audio effect, enhancing the sense of depth and direction of the sound. It is available in four modes and works best with Dolby-encoded content.
4. How effective is the noise cancellation on these earbuds?
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Earbuds feature adaptive hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) and are effective in reducing low-frequency noises such as traffic or airplane engines.
5. What is the battery life of the Jabra Elite 8 Active Earbuds?
With ANC enabled, you can expect up to eight hours of playback time on a single charge, with the charging case extending it to up to 32 hours. With ANC off, it's up to 14 hours on a single charge, and up to 56 hours with the case.
6. Do these earbuds support wireless charging?
Yes, the charging case supports wireless charging, providing convenient charging options.
7. Are the Jabra Elite 8 Active Earbuds compatible with voice assistants?
Yes, they work with popular voice assistants such as Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa.
8. What customization options are available through the Jabra Sound+ app?
The app allows you to adjust settings like equalizer, spatial sound, ANC, transparency mode, button functions, voice assistant preferences, and more.
9. Do the earbuds come with different sizes of EarGels for a comfortable fit?
Yes, the package includes EarGels in three different sizes to ensure a secure and comfortable fit.
10. What are the pros and cons of the Jabra Elite 8 Active Earbuds?
Pros include their durability, sound quality, ANC, long battery life, and customization options. Cons may include fit issues for some users, limited ANC effectiveness against high-frequency noises, and susceptibility to dust accumulation.
