Jabra Elite 10 – Comes with a cherry on top

Having been an enthusiast of over-ear headphones for the longest time, I must admit my intrigue was piqued by the Jabra Elite 10 — a set of earbuds that promised high-quality sound and active noise cancelling without the bulk. In the bustling dance of daily life, from crowded commutes to the dynamic bustle of one’s workspace, the practicality of these earbuds is a harmonious solution to one’s auditory needs. Let’s delve into why these tiny titans of sound are reshaping my acoustic landscape.

 

First Impressions

The Jabra Elite 10s arrived in a package that exuded sophistication and promised innovation. As someone who has navigated the often disappointing journey of finding the perfect fit, in what often feels like a rather goldilocks journey, the variety of earbud sizes included was a heartening sight. The charging case is compact, appears robust and the earbuds connect firmly with the charging points in the case. After having had other pairs of earbuds that did not nestle well and would inconsistently charge, it was a relief to see.

In Use

The initial setup was a breeze—a testament to Jabra’s user-friendly approach. Engaging the Dolby Spatial Sound, with Head Tracking on, for the first time was akin to stepping into a new auditory dimension; it was as if the music had been set free from the confines of two-dimensional space. This said, the effect was so profound that it took my brain a few moments to adapt to this newfound freedom of sound. It’s an example of Jabra’s ambition not just to keep up with technology, but to push its boundaries.

Yet, without Spatial Sound, I noticed an unexpected flatness to the music. This feature, once turned off, made me acutely aware of the engineering feats these earbuds achieve with it on. Songs that once felt vibrant now seemed dull and nearly tinny—a distinct contrast of how it had felt just moments before. It appears the Elite 10s invite you to step into a fuller sound dimension, one that perhaps spoils your ears for the ordinary.

Focusing purely on what differences there were in the audio, it made me realise just how insanely comfortable these earbuds are, that I very barely noticed the feel of them. In fact, Jabra having scanned 62,000 ears, so that their EarGels could comfortably fit anyone and everyone is exceptionally evident in their design.

I did find it took me a little while to adjust to the button controls, in terms of number of presses and which side, but being able to easily look up the controls and the manual in the Sound+ app made the adjustment a bit easier to navigate.

 

 

Issues and Troubleshooting

Sync Issues

Occasionally, I found that one earbud would not connect to the phone, when I would take them out of the case. To rectify this, it was as simple as pressing down on the earbud for a few seconds and it would then connect.

Interestingly, the exception to that was when I had the Sound+ app opened and only one earbud had connected (despite taking both out at the same time) even with pressing the other earbud several times, I could not get it to reconnect till I first closed the app.

Differences in Charge

After I got into the routine of using them for my daily life, I did notice something that rather puzzled me. The earbuds seemed to deplete battery at different rates, at times. I thought it may have been due to Head Tracking, but after turning it off, there was still often a discrepancy in battery use. That being said, even with varied use—calls, music, and the occasional video—the earbuds and their charging case kept pace with my life’s tempo, never leaving me tethered to a power outlet. With my weeks of use, and naturally putting them into their case when not in use, I did not have even one day where I got close to flattening their batteries.

 

Suggestions

Though the Elite 10s cater to a seamless audio experience, I sometimes found myself missing a physical link between the earbuds. Whilst it may not be so feasible with their ergonomic and carefully thought-out comfort fit design, a magnetically attachable cable to join the two earbuds, would be handy for when doing activities that require you to frequently momentarily take them out, like when beckoned for a quick conversation. The HearThrough feature addresses this need partially, maintaining audio transparency whilst keeping the buds securely in your ears, but it is not always appropriate for every environment.

 

Highlighted Features

Bluetooth Multipoint

Bluetooth Multipoint stands out as a pinnacle of the Elite 10s’ feature set. It simplifies the process of switching between devices, a function that has become increasingly essential as our digital ecosystems grow. Also, with both earbuds pairing as one device it makes it a lot easier to connect them to your phone or other devices. With other earbuds, individual pairing always seems to run into quite frustrating issues at one point or another. Jabra have completely avoided that complication.
Also, as you can pair the Jabra Elite 10s to two devices at once, you can easily switch from watching a video on YouTube on your laptop, to answering a call on your phone, seamlessly.

ANC

The ANC is a welcome haven, offering solace from the buzz of general life—its efficacy such that sometimes, the silence it offers is music enough. It is very impressive how well Jabra have managed to incorporate ANC in the Elite 10s. The ability to disengage from the audio world without complete isolation is, paradoxically, a kind of connectivity—to peace, to focus, to a moment of respite.

HearThrough

HearThrough, on the other hand, is about staying connected to the world around you. It’s a feature that recognises the importance of being present, and it’s implemented with a finesse that allows for immediate shifts between isolation and awareness. Having the option to be able to easily swap to HearThrough by the touch of a button when necessary, to gauge one’s environment, is a handy feature to improve one’s safety.

Sound+ App Features

The Sound+ app is a central hub for controlling the auditory experience. Perhaps as I am someone that likes to tinker with things, I was glad to discover that the Sound+ app allowed for either simple presets, or very customisable settings; whether changing the function of the buttons, or of the equaliser options. The app caters to a variety of listening preferences, providing an accessible interface for audio customisation. The Spatial Sound option, enhanced with Head Tracking, brings a cinematic quality to the music and movies that’s novel for earbuds, more so reminiscent of live performances.

Sound Modes

Sound Modes Toggling between ANC, HearThrough, and off is a breeze directly on the earbuds or via the app—a versatility that’s much appreciated.

Dolby Spatial Sound

Spatial Sound with Head Tracking engulfs you in an audial tapestry that’s both expansive and intimate—a leap in listening technology that enhances everything from songs to movies.

Music Equaliser

The Music Equaliser in the app is the brush with which you can paint your soundscape. With not having used any Jabra products before, I was pleasantly surprised that there are several auto preset options, Neutral, Speech, Bass Boost, Treble Boost, Smooth and Energise. The preset options are well thought out, but the real personal touch comes from the freedom to adjust the frequencies to one’s own taste—Jabra understands that sound is personal, and they empower you to make it so.

Soundscape

Soundscape Jabra’s Soundscape is the cherry on top – whether it’s the sound of rain or the purring of a cat, these audio vignettes offer an escape, a mental vacation carried by sound, and designed for relaxation. Soundscape is a feature that showcases Jabra’s wanting to add value to their customers.

 

Conclusions

In the world of true wireless earbuds, the Jabra Elite 10s stand out as a beacon of innovation, comfort and superior sound quality. They offer a window into the future of personal audio—a future that’s already here. From the practicality of their charging case, the sophistication of their ANC, to the finesse of their app, these earbuds fit effortlessly into the rhythm of daily life.

The Jabra Elite 10 have a MSRP of AUD$379 are available in Cream, Cocoa, Titanium black, and Gloss Black from JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks, The Good Guys, Amazon and Jabra.com.au.

DRN would like to thank Jabra for providing the review unit.

 

Specifications

Headphone Type: True Wireless In-Ear
Connection Type: Bluetooth® 5
Impedance: 32 Ohms ±15%
Driver Diameter: 6mm
THD: <3% at 1KHz
Sound Pressure Level: 99-105dB
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20KHz
Weight: 57g
Battery: 6 hours on a single charge, and an additional 24 hours with recharging using the case