ANC Affected! 🤔 Jabra Elite 10 / 8 Active New Firmware 2.1.8

TL;DR

New firmware 2.1.8 introduces features, but impacts on ANC vary.

Transcript

firmware 2.1.8 added a whole bunch of quality of life improvements to the Jabra Elite 10 and the Elite 8 active a new wind noise reduction mode forc hearr and calls focuses the noise cancelling to a certain frequency to cut the flapping sound of wind other new features include new voice prompts Auto volume adjustment during course and automatically... Read More

Key Insights

• 💨 Firmware 2.1.8 introduces beneficial features like wind noise reduction and auto volume adjustments to Jabra's Elite lineup.
• 🙂 Initial tests show the Elite 10's ANC performance may have improved very slightly, while the Elite 8 Active exhibits potential weaknesses in ANC effectiveness post-update.
• 💨 Users should be aware that features like wind noise reduction can impact the overall ANC experience.
• 🙂 Sound quality remains largely consistent across both models, with slight variations noted in loudness for the Elite 10.
• ❓ Comparison testing between updates can provide insights into performance stability and feature effectiveness through side-by-side evaluations.
• 👤 Jabra actively monitors user feedback, indicating a commitment to ongoing product development and improvement based on real-world experiences.
• 👤 Subscription options for comparison tools are available for users who find it difficult to test earbuds in-store and seek detailed audio comparisons.

Questions & Answers

Q: What new features does firmware 2.1.8 bring to the Jabra Elite earbuds?

The new firmware introduces various quality of life improvements like a wind noise reduction mode to cut wind sounds during calls, auto volume adjustments based on environment, and new voice prompts. It aims to enhance the user experience by focusing on key audio performance aspects during calls and listening.

Q: Has the active noise cancelling (ANC) performance changed with the new firmware?

Testing suggests that the Elite 10's ANC performance has not deteriorated and may have improved slightly, though the differences are subtle. Conversely, the Elite 8 Active appears to exhibit weaker ANC, particularly in canceling middle-range frequencies, which is concerning for users who rely heavily on noise cancellation features.

Q: How does the firmware update affect sound quality for both earbuds?

The sound quality for both the Elite 10 and Elite 8 Active remains largely unchanged, with minor adjustments noted. The Elite 10 exhibits a slight increase in loudness in bass and midrange frequencies, while the Elite 8 Active's audio profile is nearly identical to its pre-update sound quality.

Q: What should users do if they experience performance issues post-update?

Users should check if the new wind noise reduction mode has been activated, as it can affect ANC. If users continue to experience issues not addressed in the video, they are encouraged to share their feedback, given that Jabra takes user experiences into account for future improvements.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The latest firmware update (2.1.8) for Jabra Elite 10 and 8 Active adds quality improvements, including a wind noise reduction mode, auto volume adjustment, and enhanced voice prompts.

• Performance testing shows minimal change in noise cancellation for Elite 10, while an observed decline in ANC effectiveness for Elite 8 Active raises concerns.

• Both models maintain sound quality with slight loudness improvements on the Elite 10, while the Elite 8 Active remains consistent; however, user feedback is essential to understand individual experiences post-update.