Although it has been a few weeks since Christmas, I thought I would share the two things I got to try as a Christmas surprise over the past few days.
Jabra Elite 85t
True wireless earbuds have become a necessity for me, be it for daily use, work calls or when commuting to different places. One problem that I encounter while using my wireless earbuds is that when speaking to people face to face, while still wearing my earbuds, I can barely hear them, which is probably due to the passive noise cancelling feature from the silicone earbud tips.
When using the Jabra Elite 85t, however, I didn’t face this problem. This is all because of Jabra’s latest and most advanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) chip that not only silences background noise effectively but also lets you tune in exterior noise via the HearThrough mode. This HearThrough function, as well as active noise cancellation, can be controlled to five levels via the Jabra Sound+ app. The Sound+ app allowed me to choose what sound modes I wish to have, the ability to customise the equalizer or select from music presets.
For example, imagine the scenario where you are enjoying your music while on a walk in a busy shopping centre with ANC active so you don’t hear any disturbance from background noises, when someone approaches you to ask for directions. By just pressing the left earbud to enable the HearThrough function, I can clearly hear the queries the stranger asked me. After giving directions, another press and I’m back to enjoying clear and crisp music.
I usually listen to alternative R&B from artists like SZA, Lolo Zouai, Gallant and more, and I have to say, the Elite 85t does an amazing job on sound and I can thoroughly enjoy my music when on the go. During impromptu calls, I can simply press on the left earbud to hear my speaking volume while conversing on the call.
In terms of comfort, the Elite 85t fit snugly in my ear with its oval ear gels and semi-open design, and I’ve worn them for hours and not felt any strain in my ears. Maybe, instead of rounded ear gels, oval ear gels should be the next big thing. The Jabra Elite 85t is now available at $348 in Titanium Black from authorised Jabra sellers, while other colours like Gold Beige, Grey and Copper Black will be available in the first quarter of 2021.
Jabra Elite 45h
Headphones can be of convenience for some and yet be a hassle for another. It all boils down to what the headphones can provide in terms of the wearing experience. That could include noise cancellation, weight/bulkiness of the headphones and even battery life.
Similar to the Elite 85t, all Jabra headsets are calibrated with the Sound+ app allowing users like myself to customise the listening experience. For the Elite 45h, users can choose to customise their music equaliser and music presets. It is also possible to connect to Amazon Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant.
A surprising feature of the Jabra Elite 45h is that it has a longer battery life of 50 hours compared to the previous 40 hours. Imagine, that is practically 5 days of use before recharging. One might question how long to charge the headphones considering its durability. However, the Elite 45h also has an improved ultra-fast charging feature, where 15 minutes of charging can get you 10 hours of battery life.
Compared to other headphones, the Elite 45h only has a single fold to allow it to lie flat which can be inconvenient for those that carry smaller bags. However, it only weighs 160g making it lightweight. It would not strain your neck after long use. It is also perfect for conference calls with its dual-microphone technology that allows clarity in your voice even in noisy environments.
The Jabra Elite 45h is now available at $138 in Titanium Black, Navy and Gold Beige from authorised retailers like Lazada or Shopee or the Jabra website.
