Update: Pre-orders are now live on the new Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 and Elite 10 Gen 2 wireless earbuds. They will begin shipping on June 24, 2024.
Jabra’s wireless earbud solutions have been in the conversation for our favorite multi-platform solutions for years now, with a steady stream of upgrades and enhancements, but today the new Elite 8 Active Gen 2 and Elite 10 Gen 2 are set to take things to the next level. While you will find updates to the brand’s active noise cancellation tech as well as all-new Natural HearThrough action and some new color options, today the brand is looking to make headlines with what it calls the “world’s first LE Audio smart case.”
New Gen 2 Elite 8 Active and Elite 10 wireless buds from Jabra
Today’s announcements come in the form if the new Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 and Elite 10 Gen 2 wireless earbuds, both of which include Google Fast Pair, enhanced ANC, voice isolation tech, and the new LE Audio smart case.
Jabra has looked beyond the earbuds themselves, engineering the world’s first LE Audio smart case. With an innovative design featuring dual USB-C and 3.5mm jack compatibility, the Elite 8 Active and Elite 10 Gen 2 prioritize universal streaming and connectivity at the press of a button.
This smart case features a new chip that enables users to stream audio from a variety of sources on top of the usual Bluetooth connectivity to your smartphone. Delivering lower latency than standard wireless Bluetooth connectivity, the case itself acts as a sort of liaison between a variety of audio sources and the buds themselves by way of integrated dual USB-C and 3.5mm jacks that provide “better audio and video sync, alongside Hi-Fi sound quality, courtesy of the LC3 codec.”
The buds and LE Audio smart case come with a 2-in-1 cable that effectively transforms the case into an audio adapter of sorts, allowing the buds to also plug into any source while effectively remaining wireless. Practically speaking, you’ll be able to plug the case into things like the audio system on a flight, directly into the treadmill or at home while watching TV and then have it wireless beam the audio to the earbuds to enjoy direct spatial sound streaming.
I guess in many case this was already possible just via your standard wireless connections – some airlines allow a link up their systems over an app and such, not unlike some treadmills. But with the smart case, you’ll be able to wire-in your wireless earbuds to just about anything with a USB-C port or 3.5mm jack. There is no direct details on distance limitations – how close to the wired-in case your wireless earbuds need to be, but I think in most of these scenarios you’ll be relatively close by anyway.
Another thing to keep in mind here is that this sort of wired-in charging case has already been around for a while from other brands, the “world’s first” part presumably refers to the LE Audio and the relatively new LC3 Bluetooth codec to reduce latency when plugging in. This should, in theory, reduce latency on things like portable gaming systems (Steam Deck, other handhelds, Nintendo Switch, and so on).
From there, Jabra says the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 and Elite 10 Gen 2 “open up a new dimension to the audio experience,” with improved spatial sound tuning and Dolby Atmos support as well:
…new spatial sound benefits across a wider range of content, including podcasts. In blind tests, 95% of respondents preferred the spatial sound tuning delivered with Gen 2
The improvements over previous-generation offerings don’t stop there though. Enhanced call performance is made possible with 6-microphone call tech and enhanced AI call algorithms – automatic noise-reduction algorithms “distinguish which sounds are background noise and prioritize the spoken voice.” This sounds a lot like Apple’s new Voice Isolation tech that was announced at WWDC and is set to land on AirPods Pro 2 this fall.
New Adaptive ANC algorithms are also in place here and are said to “block up to twice as much noise as previous generations,” including “aircraft and background noise at the gym.” On the other end of the system, the new Natural HearThrough is designed to deliver increased situational or outdoor awareness while continuing its work dealing with the wind – “surrounding ambient sounds now appear clearer and more natural, while wind noise and whistling are noticeably reduced.”
***Note: We will update this post when the buds come available. Jabra says this will be in “mid-June” on both models…but it looks like it might be as soon as today.
Jabra’s Elite 8 Active Gen 2 land at $229 in navy, black, and two new designs known as Coral and Olive.
- LE Audio smart case for streaming spatial sound from gym equipment & more
- Improved Spatial Sound powered by Dolby Audio
- Improved Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise cancellation. Up to 2x stronger than the previous generation of Elite 8 Active
- New Natural HearThrough with enhanced wind-noise detection. Twice as effective as the previous generation of Elite 8 Active
- Improved call performance with 6 microphones, wind-protecting mesh and noise cancellation algorithm
- Fully sweatproof, waterproof and workout- proof with IP68 rated earbuds and an IP54 rated dust and splash proof case
- Secure wing-free fit with Jabra ShakeGrip technology
- Up to 8-hours battery life and up to 32-hours with case (ANC on)
- Stable Smartwatch connectivity, Swift Pair, Google Fast Pair & Spotify Tap
playback - Bluetooth Multipoint connection
The new Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 carry a $279 list and are available in Titanium Black, Gloss Black, Cocoa and two new colors, Denim and Soft White.
- LE Audio smart case for streaming spatial sound from home TV’s & more
- Improved Spatial Sound with Dolby Head Tracking & a more immersive Dolby Atmos
experience - Improved Jabra Advanced Active Noise Cancellation. Up to 2x stronger than
previous generation of Elite 10 - Improved 6-mic call technology with effective noise-reduction algorithms
- New Natural HearThrough with enhanced wind-noise detection. Twice as effective as
previous generation of Elite 10 - Rich bass from powerful 10mm speakers
- Semi-open design with Jabra ComfortFit technology for all-day comfort
- 6-hour battery (27 hours with case) with ANC on
- IP57-rating
- Bluetooth Multipoint connection
- Fast Pair, Swift Pair, Spotify Tap playback
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