The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds are the latest addition to Jabra’s line of premium wireless earbuds, specifically designed for those with an active lifestyle. With a strong emphasis on durability, sound quality, and advanced features, these earbuds aim to offer a compelling option in a crowded market. Here’s a detailed look at their performance.
Design and Build Quality
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 maintains a rugged and sporty design, typical of the "Active" series. These earbuds are built to withstand harsh conditions, featuring an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. This means they can be submerged in water for extended periods without damage, making them an excellent choice for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
The earbuds also boast a secure fit, with Jabra’s ShakeGrip™ technology ensuring they stay in place even during intense workouts. The earbuds come with multiple ear tip sizes to accommodate different ear shapes, contributing to comfort during prolonged use. However, some users might find the earbuds slightly bulky, which could cause discomfort after extended wear.
Sound Quality
When it comes to sound, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 doesn’t disappoint. They deliver a well-balanced audio experience with a slight emphasis on bass, which is ideal for those who enjoy energetic music during workouts. The mids and highs are clear, offering a good amount of detail in vocals and instruments.
The earbuds support AAC and SBC codecs, which provide decent sound quality across most devices, though the lack of aptX or LDAC support might be a downside for audiophiles looking for higher-resolution audio streaming. That said, the overall sound signature is versatile, making these earbuds suitable for a wide range of music genres.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and HearThrough
One of the standout features of the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 is its Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The ANC is highly effective, particularly in blocking out low-frequency noises like the hum of an airplane or the rumble of a train. It’s not the best in class, especially when compared to market leaders like Sony or Bose, but it is more than adequate for most environments.
The HearThrough feature, Jabra’s transparency mode, allows ambient sounds to filter through, which is useful for staying aware of your surroundings during outdoor activities. The transition between ANC and HearThrough modes is seamless, and the ability to customize the level of ambient noise is a nice touch.
Battery Life and Connectivity
Battery life is another strong point of the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2. The earbuds offer up to 8 hours of playback on a single charge with ANC turned on, and the charging case provides an additional 24 hours of battery life. This gives you a total of 32 hours of use, which is impressive and should suffice for most users even during long trips.
Charging is done via USB-C, and a quick charge feature gives you an hour of playback with just 10 minutes of charging. However, the lack of wireless charging might be a minor inconvenience for some users, especially at this price point.
In terms of connectivity, the earbuds use Bluetooth 5.2, providing a stable and reliable connection. Pairing with devices is straightforward, and the earbuds support multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously. This is particularly useful for those who need to switch between a laptop and a smartphone during the day.
Additional Features
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 comes with a companion app, Jabra Sound+, which offers a range of customization options. You can tweak the sound profile with an equalizer, adjust ANC levels, and manage the HearThrough feature. The app also provides firmware updates, ensuring your earbuds remain up to date with the latest features and improvements.
Voice assistant support is available, with compatibility for Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri. The built-in microphones deliver clear voice quality during calls, although they can struggle slightly in very noisy environments.
Conclusion
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds are a solid choice for those seeking durable, high-quality wireless earbuds with a focus on fitness and outdoor use. They offer a good balance of sound quality, effective ANC, and a comfortable, secure fit. While they may not have all the bells and whistles of some competitors, such as high-resolution audio codec support or wireless charging, their rugged build, reliable performance, and strong battery life make them a worthwhile investment, particularly for active users.
These earbuds may not be the top choice for audiophiles or those seeking the very best ANC, but they excel in their intended role as durable, versatile earbuds for an active lifestyle.
£229.99
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