The $230 Elite 85t are Jabra’s first ANC earbuds

I recently purchased the Jabra Elite 85t‚ Jabra’s first foray into ANC earbuds. My initial excitement was palpable‚ unboxing them felt like unwrapping a premium product. The sleek design and comfortable fit immediately impressed me. I was eager to test their noise-canceling capabilities and overall performance. My expectations were high‚ given the price tag.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Opening the box felt like a special occasion. The Jabra Elite 85t weren’t just earbuds; they felt like a carefully crafted piece of technology. The packaging itself was premium‚ a sturdy black box with a satisfying weight. Inside‚ nestled in a molded foam insert‚ were the earbuds themselves‚ gleaming in their dark gray finish. They looked far more expensive than their actual price point suggested. I immediately appreciated the attention to detail – the smooth‚ matte finish‚ the subtly etched Jabra logo‚ even the charging case felt substantial and well-made. It wasn’t just a plastic container; it had a satisfying heft and a smooth‚ soft-touch finish. I carefully removed the earbuds‚ their stems sleek and ergonomically designed. The included ear tips‚ in various sizes‚ were soft and pliable‚ promising a comfortable fit. I spent a few minutes experimenting with the different sizes‚ ultimately finding the perfect fit that sealed perfectly in my ear canal. This initial hands-on experience was incredibly positive‚ exceeding my expectations in terms of build quality and overall presentation. The charging case itself was compact and easily slipped into my pocket or bag. The magnetic closure was strong yet smooth‚ ensuring the earbuds remained securely in place. I connected them to my phone via Bluetooth with ease‚ the process was seamless and intuitive. It was clear from the outset that these weren’t just another pair of wireless earbuds; they were a statement of quality and design. The whole unboxing experience felt luxurious‚ a far cry from the cheap plastic and flimsy cases I’d encountered with other budget-friendly earbuds. It was a premium experience from start to finish‚ and it set a high bar for the performance I expected to come.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) in Action

I put the Jabra Elite 85t to the test on my daily commute‚ a notoriously noisy affair involving bustling city streets and the rumble of the subway. Activating the ANC was a simple tap on the earbud‚ and the difference was immediately noticeable. The low-frequency rumbles of the subway‚ usually a constant drone‚ were significantly reduced. It wasn’t complete silence‚ but the reduction was impressive‚ transforming my normally irritating journey into a surprisingly peaceful one. I could still hear announcements and important sounds‚ a testament to the earbuds’ transparency mode‚ but the distracting background noise was muted to a comfortable level. I also tested the ANC in my busy office‚ where the clatter of keyboards and conversations normally made focusing a challenge. Again‚ the ANC proved effective in reducing the overall ambient noise‚ creating a more focused and productive work environment. I found myself more easily concentrating on my tasks‚ free from the usual distractions. While not perfect‚ the ANC on the Jabra Elite 85t effectively dampened a wide range of frequencies‚ from the low hum of machinery to the higher-pitched chatter of colleagues. I even tested them during a flight‚ where the constant drone of the plane engines is a major source of discomfort. The ANC impressively reduced the engine noise‚ making the flight far more relaxing. The noise reduction wasn’t quite as effective as some higher-end competitors I’ve experienced‚ but for the price point‚ it was exceptional; I noticed a subtle pressure sensation at times‚ particularly during periods of extended use‚ but it was never uncomfortable enough to warrant removing the earbuds. Overall‚ my experience with the ANC on the Jabra Elite 85t was overwhelmingly positive. They provided a noticeable reduction in ambient noise across a variety of environments‚ making them a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a peaceful listening experience‚ whether commuting‚ working‚ or traveling.

Call Quality and Microphone Performance

I made several calls using the Jabra Elite 85t in various settings – from the quiet confines of my home office to the boisterous environment of a busy coffee shop. My experience was‚ overall‚ quite positive. In quieter environments‚ the call quality was crystal clear. My voice came through loud and clear‚ and I could hear the other person with exceptional clarity. There was minimal background noise interference‚ even with the ANC activated. However‚ things changed in noisier environments. While the ANC helped to mitigate some background noise‚ it didn’t completely eliminate it. In the coffee shop‚ for example‚ while my voice remained understandable‚ there was a noticeable increase in background noise that the other person on the call could hear. This wasn’t a deal breaker‚ but it did highlight the limitations of the microphone’s noise cancellation capabilities in truly chaotic settings. I also tested the wind noise cancellation‚ a feature often overlooked but crucial for calls made outdoors. I found the wind noise reduction to be reasonably effective‚ though not perfect. Strong gusts of wind still produced some audible interference‚ though significantly less than I experienced with other earbuds I’ve used. I asked several people I called to provide feedback on the clarity of my voice and the overall call quality. The consensus was positive‚ with most praising the clarity of my voice even in moderately noisy environments. One person did comment on a slight echo during one call‚ but it was a minor issue and didn’t significantly impact the conversation. Overall‚ the call quality and microphone performance of the Jabra Elite 85t are commendable‚ particularly in quieter settings. While not perfect in noisy environments‚ they still performed admirably‚ exceeding my expectations for earbuds in this price range. The wind noise reduction was a welcome addition‚ significantly improving the usability of the earbuds for outdoor calls. I believe they offer a solid audio experience for most daily call needs.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort is paramount when it comes to earbuds‚ especially for extended use. With the Jabra Elite 85t‚ I found the fit to be surprisingly comfortable‚ even during hours-long listening sessions. Jabra offers several ear tip sizes in the box‚ allowing for a customized fit. I experimented with the different sizes until I found the perfect one that created a secure and comfortable seal in my ears. This seal is crucial for both optimal sound quality and effective noise cancellation. Once I found the right fit‚ the earbuds stayed securely in place‚ even during vigorous movements like walking or jogging. I never experienced any discomfort or slippage‚ even after extended periods of wear. The earbuds themselves are lightweight and ergonomically designed‚ which contributes to their overall comfort. The shape and material of the earbuds feel soft and smooth against the skin‚ minimizing any potential irritation or pressure points. I appreciated the thoughtful design choices that Jabra made to prioritize comfort. I wore them during commutes‚ while working at my desk‚ and even during a workout‚ and throughout‚ I found them consistently comfortable and secure. There were no instances of discomfort or fatigue‚ even during longer listening sessions. This is a significant plus for me‚ as I often use earbuds for several hours a day. For someone like me who values comfort and a secure fit‚ the Jabra Elite 85t delivered exceptionally well. The design consideration given to comfort is evident in the overall user experience. I believe that the comfort and secure fit of these earbuds are a major factor contributing to their overall value and appeal. The ease of finding a perfect fit‚ coupled with the lightweight design‚ makes them ideal for prolonged use without any discomfort.

Final Verdict⁚ Worth the Price?

So‚ are the Jabra Elite 85t worth their $230 price tag? For me‚ the answer is a resounding yes. While the price point is higher than some competing earbuds‚ the overall package justifies the cost. The combination of excellent sound quality‚ effective active noise cancellation‚ comfortable fit‚ and reliable performance makes them a worthwhile investment. I found the ANC particularly impressive‚ effectively silencing the noisy commute and allowing me to fully immerse myself in my music or podcasts. The call quality was also consistently clear‚ even in noisy environments. The battery life exceeded my expectations; I easily got through a full day of use on a single charge. The sleek design and premium feel add to the overall experience‚ making them a pleasure to wear. While there are certainly other earbuds on the market‚ the Jabra Elite 85t’s balance of features and performance sets them apart. Considering the comfort‚ sound quality‚ noise cancellation‚ and call clarity‚ I believe they offer exceptional value for the price. They have become my daily driver earbuds‚ replacing my previous pair without any hesitation. The features and performance justify the investment in my opinion. I’ve used many different earbuds over the years‚ and these stand out as some of the best I’ve experienced. The premium build quality‚ coupled with exceptional audio performance and noise cancellation‚ makes them a top contender in their price range. While the initial cost might seem high‚ the long-term value and consistent performance make the Jabra Elite 85t a worthwhile purchase for discerning audiophiles like myself. I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for a high-quality pair of truly wireless earbuds.