I’ve acquired a mushy spot for Jabra earbuds. Within the early days of absolutely wi-fi buds, Jabra’s nascent Elite line helped show the idea. Like Apple’s first AirPods, Jabra earbuds labored at a time when most rivals struggled with the fundamentals. However extra just lately, Jabra hasn’t fairly saved up with the competitors. Whereas its workout buds nonetheless rank extremely, the flagship Elite 10 have taken a backseat to choices from Apple, Bose, Sony, and others.
It’s not that Jabra hasn’t continued to innovate. It’s simply that different manufacturers set a quicker tempo, providing extra superior options, higher noise canceling, and in some circumstances, higher sound high quality for the cash. Inside that context, it’s maybe unsurprising that Jabra’s dad or mum firm is chucking up the sponge on shopper earbuds altogether. The brand new Elite 10 Gen 2 and Elite 8 Gen 2 ($230) will be Jabra’s last.
The corporate goes out with a relative bang. The Elite 10’s second coming presents extra aggressive noise canceling and a enjoyable new characteristic that turns the charging case right into a wi-fi transmitter from any 3.5-mm or USB-C audio output. The buds are nonetheless one thing of a tricky promote at $280, particularly contemplating you possibly can’t rely on any new options sooner or later. However with a comfortable match, sturdy efficiency, and a few cool new methods, the Elite 10 Gen 2 make a case (no pun supposed) in your consideration.
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The brand new Elite 10’s core design hasn’t modified, and that’s a very good factor. The earbuds have a premium really feel, from the {hardware}’s grippy exterior to tactile buttons that make it easy to manage playback instructions in any situation. Not like loads of rival noise cancelers, the Elite 10 Gen 2 have vigorous weather-proofing, with an IP57 score that certifies their resistance to mud and the power to be rinsed off and even dunked after a run or health club session.
Just like the Elite 85t earlier than them, the ten’s “semi-open” match offers some aid from ear occlusion (that plugged-up feeling). The oval-shaped housings purpose for ergonomics—Jabra claims it measured 64,000 ears to get it proper—with equal components consolation and stability. The buds aren’t fairly as comfortable as my favourite match, the Technics EAH-AZ80 (9/10, WIRED Recommends), however I can put on all of them day with solely minor discomfort. 4 units of ear gels show you how to get the match proper.
{Photograph}: Ryan Waniata
There aren’t many options that the Elite 10 Gen 2 don’t cowl in some method, all specified by Jabra’s reliable (if considerably overwhelming) Sound+ app (iOS, Android). You’ll discover a multi-band EQ and presets for adjusting sound, a Discover My Jabra characteristic, customizable controls, and auto-pairing choices like Google Quick Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, amongst a number of different choices at your fingertips.
The earbuds are straightforward to pair to 2 gadgets by holding down the outside buttons, letting you seamlessly swap between a cellphone and laptop. That’s not at all times the case with new earbuds we take a look at, however as I’ve come to anticipate, the Elite 10 Gen 2 work with out fuss.
Like earlier Jabra fashions, you possibly can tailor your expertise with choices like turning on or off the auto-pause sensors, adjusting how a lot of your voice you hear in cellphone calls, and even adjusting the decision EQ. Talking of calling, the buds labored properly indoors and out, with a wind buffer swap that permits you to optimize them for inclement climate.
