Jabra has announced new wireless earbuds that can stream spatial audio from virtually any source. The Elite 10 Gen 2 and Active 8 Gen 2 are equipped with the world’s first LE Audio smart case. The buyer can choose between different colors.
Jabra Elite Active 8 Gen 2 and Elite 10 Gen 2
It’s been less than a year and a half since Jabra introduced the world to its flagship Elite 10 and fitness-focused Elite Active 8 wireless in-ear headphones , but now a successor is already here. Both models have successors, the Elite 10 Gen 2 and the Elite Active 8 Gen 2. The most distinguishing feature is the addition of the world’s first LE Audio smart case.
The smart case can be used as a Bluetooth transmitter, as follows: use the USB-C or 3.5mm connector to connect to a variety of sources, such as gym treadmills, airplane entertainment systems and laptops, and you can stream audio wirelessly. The housing similarly also enables spatial audio streaming from virtually any source thanks to an integrated chip. With lower latency, Jabra promises not only a more integrated, more versatile system, but also better audio and video synchronization.
But there’s more and that’s spatial sound, with the Elite 10 Gen 2 and the Elite Active 8 Gen 2 offering enhanced spatial audio powered by Dolby, with only the Elite 10 Gen 2 offering full support for Dolby Atmos tracks and Dolby Head Tracking.
Noise cancellation has also been boosted for both models. Jabra promises ANC that is up to twice as strong for the second-generation Elite 8 Active and Elite 10. Battery life remains unchanged: the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 offers a total of 32 hours of playtime with the case (ANC on), while the Elite 10 Gen 2 offers a total of 27 hours (ANC offered). Thanks to six microphones and noise cancellation algorithms in both pairs, the new duo also aims for clearer, less noisy voice calls.
Since these are two pairs of wireless earbuds designed for quite different tasks, the design aspects and overall form factor do vary a bit. Aimed at athletes, the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 aims for a deeper, more secure fit, aided by Jabra’s grippy in-ear material, while the Elite 10 Gen 2’s less intrusive, more open design aims for comfort over longer periods.
The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 features an excellent water and dust resistance rating of IP68, improving on the respectable IP57 rating of the new flagship debutants. However, both sets do offer Bluetooth Multipoint for connecting to multiple sources at once, and both support Swift Pair for Windows 11, Google Fast Pair and Spotify Tap.
The sporty Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 is available in navy blue, black, coral or olive green for a price of 229 euros. The flagship Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 is available in titanium black, glossy black, cocoa, denim blue and soft white, for 279 euros.
