• TWEAK
• Hardware
• Headset

Jabra Elite 8 Active

Translate from : Jabra Elite 8 Active

S specifications

• Form factor: 100% wireless earbuds in the ear
• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Adaptive Hybrid ANC
• ANC on call: Yes
• Automatic volume adjustment: Yes
• Number of microphones: 6
• Microphone type; MEMS
• Microphone bandwidth: 100 Hz-8,000 Hz
• Spatial Sound; Yes, Dolby Audio
• Sidetone: Yes
• Mono mode: Yes
• HearThrough: Yes
• Noise-isolating fit: Yes
• Speaker size: 6 mm
• Speaker bandwidth (music function): 20 Hz-20,000 Hz
• Speaker bandwidth (speech function): 100 Hz-8,000 Hz
• Supported audio codecs: AAC, SBC
• Automatic music resume: Yes
• Automatically pause music: Yes
• IP class (headset): IP68
• IP class (charging case): IP54
• Military Standard (MIL-STD-810h) : Yes
• Wireless charging: Yes
• Charging time: Up to 3 hours
• Quick charge: 5 minutes gives up to 1 hour
• Standby time: Up to 315 days
• Total music time with ANC disabled (earbuds and charging case ): Up to 56 hours
• Music time with ANC activated (earbuds and charging case): Up to 32 hours
• Music time with ANC disabled (earbuds) : Up to 14 hours
• Music time with ANC activated (earbuds): Up to 8 hours

The list of specifications above is taken directly from Jabra's own website. In particular, it is worth paying attention to the IP ratings that the set has. It is respectively IP68 for the two earbuds and IP54 for the case.

This means that the two earbuds are dustproof and waterproof for up to half an hour at a depth of up to one and a half metres. For the case, it applies that it is dust-repellent and can withstand water splashes.

This means that on paper the Jabra Elite 8 Active lives up to its claims of being able to follow you in even the most sweat-dripping workout.

A tour around the Jabra Elite 8 Active

As I mentioned in the introduction, it has not been long since I reviewed the Jabra Elite 10. On the surface, it is very difficult to see the difference between the two sets if we ignore the color. Therefore, many of the details here will also sound very familiar if you have read the review of the Jabra Elite 10.

Our test model came in the Marine Blue colour, but it is also available in Black, Caramel or Grey.

Like most other sets of this type, the Jabra Elite 8 Active naturally comes assembled in a small transport and charging case.

The case is discreetly designed in matt black plastic with pleasant soft shapes and a very subdued Jabra logo on the front. Here there is also a small LED light to indicate the charging status.

At the bottom there is a USB C connector for charging, but it is also possible to charge the case and earbuds wirelessly via the Qi standard.

The case opens at the top where the lid is held closed magnetically. It makes a very satisfying button when you close it.

Inside there is another small status LED and then of course the two Earbuds which are also magnetically held in place and charged via Pogo pins.

The two earbuds are as muted in design as the case and are pleasantly light with a weight of only 5 grams each. The surface has a nice matte soft touch surface that is good at repelling dirt and fingerprints.

On the front of each earbud there is a control button with a Jabra logo.

Placed and held firmly in the ear via the soft silicone tips. It is the medium size that is fitted as standard, but there are large and small silicone tips in the box as well if you need to adapt.

Software

If you want to have access to all options for customizing the Elite 8 Active, you need to go to the Sound+ app on your smartphone.

Here it is possible to get a quick status of the set with things such as the battery status of both the case and the earbuds. You can also choose whether you want to use ANC, HearThrough or neither.

You can also adjust the EQ settings via Sound+. There are six different predefined ones to choose from, or you can customize your very own.

Jabra has also added what they call Soundscapes. Here you can choose from a number of different sounds that you can put on if you want some peace or to dampen other noise around you without wanting to put on music.

There are 12 different presets to choose from with things like White or Pink Noise, songbirds or rain.

The Jabra Elite 8 Active also supports Dolby Atmos Spatial Sound. Here, via the app, you can also adjust the settings for what is, however, not possible as on the Elite 10 set for Head Tracking.

Finally, there is also the option of customizing more practical things such as the functions of the two buttons on the set. Functions can be added to each earbud and it is also possible to activate things such as Voice Assistants such as Google Assistant.

All in all, there is a lot of functionality to be found in the Sound+ app and much of it can be customized so much that it should be possible for most people to get a setup that suits them.

Jabra Elite 8 Elite Active comes with In Ear Detection and via the software it is possible to set what should happen with e.g. media playback or calls if you take your earbuds out. It is then possible, for example, to pause music or mute the sound of a conversation by simply removing one or both earbuds.

Testing

I've been using the Jabra Elite 8 Active for a few weeks now with my Google Pixel phone. It has been a good mix of music, series and internet videos on YouTube.

The connection to my Google Pixel phone was very easy and the set was detected automatically the first time I opened the case near the phone via Fast Pairing.

You have the option of connecting up to two devices at a time, so it is very easy to switch back and forth between e.g. tablet and phone if needed.

Fit and comfort have been really good throughout my test. The pre-assembled medium silicone tips fit me just fine.

The low weight means that it has not been a problem to use the set even for a long time and I did not experience any discomfort at any point in my test. Jabra has also ensured that there is built-in pressure compensation, which certainly helps to ensure good comfort.

The sound in the Jabra Elite 8 Active is super solid with a nice, well-defined sound image that, even at high volume, gets the job done without significant distortion. It leans a little towards the bass-heavy end, which can be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your preference.

I also don't think the definition is quite as clear as on the Elite 10 set from Jabra. There was a distinct difference when I compared the two sets head-to-head. However, it is not such a big difference that it is super obvious.

In addition, there are fine options for adjusting the sound via the EQ settings. That, combined with the good drivers, makes it possible to get a solid sound adapted to personal taste.

One of the big selling points of the Jabra Elite 8 Active is of course the good IP rating that the set comes with. As I mentioned in the introduction, the two ear buds can withstand immersion in water up to one and a half meters for up to 30 minutes.

I didn't test for that long myself, but during my test I had both the set with a trip in my small outdoor tub of cold water and with a regular trip under the shower.

Both parts managed the set without any problems, and it was a slightly strange feeling to be able to continue hearing music even with your head underwater.

So if you want to listen to music during activities where there is a possibility of getting wet, the Jabra Elite 8 Active can easily cope with that.

The Elite 8 Active coped with the ANC task very much in the same style as the Elite 10. It does best by sorting out the deeper tones in the background noise, such as from a train or the like. Higher notes such as voices get through more.

Just like with the Elite 10 set, the Elite 8 Active also wins many points for many of the nice features that come with it. Details like In Ear Detection and solid Hear Though are super nice to have when you're moving around the world and need to hear what's happening around you.

Jabra itself states the battery life at around eight hours with ANC and 14 hours without ANC. However, it can be extended to a total of 32/56 hours if you factor in the extra battery time from the eutie.

During my test, everything pointed to the indications from Jabra hitting very well.

Price

I can currently find the Jabra Elite 8 Active with an online price of around 230$.

Conclusion

With their Elite 8 Active, Jabra has made a solid Treu Wireless headset aimed at active users who want a set that can handle dusty and wet environments without problems.

The good IP54 Rating means that you can have the set with you in most places and even swim with them if you have to.

That security combined with good battery life and a solid sound means that you get a really good set where you need to listen to music for the intense training.

We land with a final score of 9 and a Safe Buy Award for a feature-rich set for the demanding outdoor user.

Pros

• IP54 rating means the set can be used anywhere
• Good battery life
• Sensible ANC

Cons

• Nothing noteworthy