Jabra Unveils Elite 8 Active and Elite 10 Generation 2 True Wireless Earbuds

With a fast pace of innovation in the true wireless stereo (TWS) space, most brands are scheduling product updates outside of a regular refresh cycle. As the consumer arm of GN Group, Jabra has the resources to follow through with this accelerated pace and quickly embrace features that are relevant for consumers. Having updated the firmware of its original Jabra Elite 8 Active and Elite 10 products early this year, the company now announced the next iteration Gen 2 of those very same products.
 
Jabra’s Elite 8 Active Gen 2 and Elite 10 Gen 2, feature innovative audio enhancements, improving on all the great features available to the previous generation. Starting obviously with improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC ), the two new TWS models add improvements to the music experience, improved call performance and, of course, Bluetooth LE Audio native support (generation 1 products will receive LE Audio via firmware update). 

But not content with just adding LC3 and LE Audio support, Jabra looked at how the new technology could truly change the user experience and focused not on the earbuds but on the case. In Gen 2, Jabra has engineered the world's first LE Audio smart case that prioritizes universal streaming and connectivity from anywhere, whether on a flight, treadmill or at home watching TV. 

In both the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 and Elite 10 Gen 2, the LE Audio-enabled smart case allows users to stream wirelessly from any source, connected via USB-C or with a 3.5mm plug. The 2-in-1 cable transforms the smart charging case into a versatile adaptor. Integrated seamlessly into the case, the built-in Bluetooth LE Audio chip offers lower latency than standard Bluetooth connections from case to earbuds. Users can experience better audio and video sync, alongside improved audio quality, courtesy of the LC3 codec, when compared to the basic SBC default codec of Bluetooth classic.  And with these Gen 2 earbuds, users can simply plug in the case to enjoy also spatial sound streaming directly to their earbuds. The enhanced spatial sound streaming is powered by Dolby Audio, with Dolby Head-tracking available in the Elite 10 Gen 2. According to Jabra, in blind tests, 95% of respondents preferred the spatial sound tuning delivered with Gen 2.

Building upon the same unique design of their predecessors, these next-generation Jabra earbuds don't change much physically and they use the same single 10mm dynamic drivers - with the real enhancements being in the listening features. Jabra’s Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) algorithms are now even stronger, being able to block up to twice as much noise as previous generations. The Elite 10 Gen 2 earbuds benefit from Jabra's Advanced ANC, while the Elite 8 offers Hybrid ANC. The noise reduction performance of the internal feedback microphone has also been increased to provide a better ANC effect for noises in the mid- and low-frequency range. 
 
And with the improved ANC comes also new Natural HearThrough, for situational awareness, optimized to reduce wind noise and twice as effective as the previous generation. Thanks to smart algorithms that increase the frequency range of HearThrough, the surrounding ambient sounds now appear clearer and more natural.

Jabra’s next-generation earbuds also offer an improved call performance with 6-microphone call technology and enhanced AI call algorithms. The microphones distinguish which sounds are background noise and prioritize the spoken voice. Effective noise-reduction algorithms are automatically switched on to provide a clear call performance depending on the activity or location, ensuring high speech clarity.

"With these next generation buds we’ve stepped up those features which we know matter most – improved noise-cancelling and enhanced situational awareness – while for the first time bringing innovative LE Audio streaming functionality to the charging case, making it possible to connect to just about anything, anywhere," explains Ehtisham Rabbani, Chief Executive of the Gaming & Consumer Division at Jabra. The Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 offers 6-hour battery (27 hours with case) with ANC on and IP57-rating, while the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 supports up to 8-hours battery life and up to 32-hours with case (ANC on) and is an IP68 rated design (for the earbuds - the case is IP54). Both models support Bluetooth Multipoint connection, Fast Pair, Swift Pair, and Spotify Tap playback, and other specific features.

The new Elite 8 Active Gen 2 retail for $229, and is available in Navy, Black and two new colors (Coral and Olive) from Mid-June 2024. The new Elite 10 Gen 2 has a MRSP of $279, and is available in Titanium Black, Gloss Black, Cocoa and two new colors (Denim and Soft White), from Mid-June 2024.
www.jabra.com