When Jabra launches new flagship wi-fi earbuds, it often splits the distinction by releasing “Pro” and “Active” variants that, whereas barely totally different from each other, comply with related paths. Not a lot this time round, the place the Elite 8 Active veers additional away from the extra superior Elite 10. It’s not a lot that Jabra relegated these Active buds to second-tier standing, simply that there is a clearer line separating the 2 and what they’re purported to be good at. For the Elite 8 Active, it is delivering nice sound, noise cancelation, and a few of the hardest sturdiness you may discover in any pair.Jabra Elite 8 Active: Price and availability(Image credit score: Jabra)Jabra launched the Elite 8 Active in September 2023, the place they are going to be very simple to seek out in retail and on-line shops till newer fashions finally section them out. They begin out at $199, and will take a while earlier than they drop in worth. They are available in black, navy, darkish grey, and caramel.Jabra Elite 8 Active: What’s good(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)It’s uncommon to come back throughout wi-fi earbuds with IP68 safety. To put that in perspective, that is the identical ranking many smartphones and different moveable devices, like audio system and motion cameras, are likely to have. For Jabra, it is simply been a pure development to get right here, however going from IP57 within the Elite 7 Active to IP68 is a notable bump in each mud and water resistance. In different phrases, you can work out carrying the Elite 8 Active, bounce within the pool to chill off after, and they might nonetheless carry on going. That’s spectacular sturdiness and peace of thoughts when integrating earbuds like these into an energetic life-style. The rubberized coating from earlier than returns once more, though in contrast to the Elite 10, it would not wrap across the complete internal casing. Those buds are IP57, so they’re nonetheless a bit extra inclined to mud or water harm.How typically you may put on the Elite 8 Active within the pool or tub is admittedly as much as you, however I might argue the larger issue is sweaty runs and exercises, the place it is essential to rinse and wipe clear. Salt is a kind of issues that may burrow into any crevice, inflicting harm over time. Jabra says it is constructed these buds to face up to that over time with good upkeep.(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)While the Elite 8 Active share some design traits with the Elite 10, the general mould is far nearer to the Elite 7 Active. That’s nice information for familiarity and luxury when you’ve used these earlier than, and it additionally explains why these earbuds use the identical ear suggestions, whereas the Elite 10 have totally different oval-shaped suggestions distinctive to that pair. Odds are good you’ll get a great seal carrying these anyway, serving to lock in audio (and bass) and maintain it from passively leaking out. Active noise cancelation (ANC) now not must be calibrated off the bounce now that it really works within the background to lift or decrease the power primarily based on noise ranges round you. The passive isolation and ANC work properly to dam or muffle background sounds, however some higher-frequencies or deep rumbling tones should still really feel audible. While not so good as the noise cancelation within the Elite 10, the 8 Active do a greater job than their very own predecessors. HearThrough can also be higher in that it feels just like the sound coming is extra pure reasonably than mechanical or digital. (Image credit score: Android Central)One of the massive additions right here is spatial audio, letting you hear suitable Dolby Atmos content material with a digital 3D encompass sound impact. You will not get head monitoring such as you do with the Elite 10, however when you do not look after that, you principally have free reign to take heed to music or watch exhibits and films with the spatial impact in tow. All you could do is toggle it on in Jabra’s Sound+ app and search for Atmos content material in different apps. It’s fairly cool, and although there’s room for refinement, it’s off to a great begin.Sonically, the Elite 8 Active are in any other case stable gamers. You get a pleasant, wealthy sound that feels a bit extra resonant in comparison with their predecessors, so you may count on a pleasant steadiness of highs, mids, and lows right here. Neither the bass nor treble really feel overpowering. You can all the time regulate the tuning to no matter you please, both by selecting one of many EQ presets in Sound+ or creating one in all your personal. If you have got eclectic music tastes, these buds will likely be excellent for these causes, although it is best to mess around with the app to seek out what sounds greatest for you.Phone calls will not fairly match the readability of the Elite 10, which do higher at lowering wind and different ambient sounds whereas speaking, however they’re nonetheless stable. Plus, multipoint assist works splendidly for concurrently pairing with two gadgets, which is why the Elite 8 Active are dependable in conditions the place you could keep related. It’s truly potential to attach with a cellphone and smartwatch on the similar time, if you could for any motive.(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)Reliable communication is all the time good, particularly with a gradual Bluetooth 5.3 connection when you’re the sort to make use of a voice assistant. Jabra kicked out Alexa, leaving solely Google Assistant because the resident selection within the Sound+ settings. The earbuds will default to no matter you employ in your cellphone anyway, however the integration deepens must you select Google’s assistant within the app. Despite the rugged construct, these earbuds maintain their bodily buttons, additionally sustaining their reliability as a result of there’s nothing touch-sensitive happening right here. That’s an enormous deal while you’re figuring out or throughout a run, hike, bike journey, or no matter else, making it much less probably you’d find yourself fiddling to skip or repeat a observe, as an illustration.As for battery life, Jabra charges the Elite 8 Active at as much as eight hours per cost (with ANC on), which is fairly bang-on when you’re conserving quantity ranges near default ranges. The case provides you one other three expenses and helps each wi-fi charging and quick charging. In a pinch, you may plug in for 5 minutes and stand up to an hour of playback — sufficient for many exercises or commutes.Jabra Elite 8 Active: What’s not good(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)It’s attention-grabbing that Jabra affords three sizes of ear suggestions for the Elite 8 Active, whereas the Elite 10 get 4. Different suggestions, sure, but it surely’s an odd discrepancy in any case. One commonality between them that feels a bit vexing is the restricted codec assist. You solely get AAC and SBC right here, leaving out any hi-res audio codec like aptX or LDAC. It’s truthful to say these earbuds aren’t focusing on those that care about such issues, however I might say it is about time Jabra actually thought-about doing it for its flagship buds.I additionally want Jabra lined these earbuds with the rubber coating throughout reasonably than leaving the internal portion uncovered. It’s well-protected, however the mixture of supplies forces you to be extra vigilant about conserving them clear, particularly if particles will get caught within the crevice the place the outer coating meets the internal plastic. Jabra Elite 8 Active: Competition(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)It’s not all the time simple to seek out good exercise earbuds, however they’re on the market. The Elite 8 Active are adequate to compete with any rugged pair obtainable, so regardless of stiff matchups, they stand out. The Jaybird Vista 2 are older now by present requirements, although they will take care of some punishment to maintain you energetic and prevent a couple of bucks within the course of. Don’t rule out the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and their IPX7 safety. It’s true the ‘X’ leaves you within the mud (pun meant), however the water resistance is spectacular. They’ve confirmed themselves able to dealing with all kinds of exercises. You may additionally persist with a funds choice and check out the Jabra Elite 4 Active in its place when you’d reasonably spend much less. Jabra Elite 8 Active: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)You can buy this if…
You need sturdiness and one thing rugged.
You need good sound with ANC assist.
You need a comfy match with bodily buttons.
You need an EQ to work with.
You should not purchase this if…
You actually need hi-res audio codecs.
You do not want spatial audio.
You’re on a tighter funds.
Rather than a forgotten sibling to a extra feature-laden set of earbuds, the Jabra Elite 8 Active earn their maintain their very own manner. Being energetic is not the one motive to think about shopping for these, particularly once they come off as considerably of a cut price in comparison with the Elite 10 and different flagship pairs.The sturdiness is an enormous a part of the story, to make certain, although general consolation and efficiency are ample causes to strive these. If you need earbuds you may belief on the health club, you’ve got bought them right here. If you are not into figuring out however want one thing that lasts, that is what these have been constructed to do.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active keep on the corporate’s pedigree for crafting wi-fi earbuds that may not solely sound good but in addition take a proverbial beating. With IP68 safety, these earbuds are prepared for any exercise routine or routine.