Wireless at the leg. For the past five years, manufacturers of 100% wireless headphones (known as “True Wireless”) have been rubbing their hands while treating our ears. While Apple and its AirPods and AirPods Pro dominate the industry with around 60% of sales, many brands are riding consumers’ expectations. Among them, the Danish Jabra who was not born last rain. And who proves it with his
Elite 3.
At least twice cheaper
The manufacturer specializing in audio products is launching very affordable headphones for the first time (79 euros), which is at least half the price of its previous models. Admittedly, it adapts to the pricing requirements of the market which has largely democratized, but has the Jabra cut back on quality?
Intras that resist the rain
The slightly revised design of the Elite 3 is also synonymous with better ergonomics. Supplied with three sizes of silicone tips, the headphones find their place perfectly at the entrance of the ears. They are of the intra-auricular type. Unlike others that sit right at the entrance of the ears (like AirPods), their tip sinks slightly into the ear canal (like AirPods Pro). Here, no need for a small plastic fin as is sometimes the case to ensure their maintenance. Tested by walking, but also by running, the Elite 3 have not moved an iota and we have never felt the need to push them back into the ears to strengthen their support during exercise.
To the IP55 standard, they are resistant to rain. Warning: for more athletic use, their resistance to the effects of sweat is not necessarily guaranteed. It is better to focus on beefier headphones (IP 57 standard), such as the manufacturer’s Elite Active 75t, if you sweat a lot.
Compatible with the Jabra Sound + app, the Elite 3 can benefit from the support of a modest equalizer. Here, it is impossible to refine the audio settings in a silversmith way by playing on the audio curves, but the possibility nevertheless of favoring the reproduction of the words, to reinforce the bass, the treble … Our tests have often led us to increase the share of the low frequencies , the natural sound of the Elite 3 seems a little too high.
Considering their tight price, these headphones do not benefit from an active noise reduction system. The mechanical isolation provided by the headphones, which are of the in-ear type, may however be sufficient in most cases. Traveling by plane may require the reinforcement of active noise reduction.
In the state, the Elite 3 nevertheless offer a very practical function for daily use, in the middle of the street. This is the HearThrough mode (some call it “Transparency”) which allows the noise of the street while listening to your music. It is a real security so as not to be surprised by a car. When tested on the Elite 3, this function proves to be relevant, even if you have to remember to switch it off once at the office when you tap the keys of a computer keyboard, the clicks becoming particularly audible. !
Equipped with physical buttons, the Elite 3 are easy to control. This is not necessarily the case with headphones with touch controls with which we regularly mix the brushes. And unlike other headphones, it is even possible here to increase and decrease the listening volume.
A little sharp at the base, the sound of the Elite 3 is simply corrected. Once the bass is reinforced, it turns out to be rich and warm. Example with Male Fantasy by Billie Eilish with a smooth finish. The bass can also be more offensive. The rest, The grenade (Clara Luciani) or even The same (Maître Gims & Vianney); I do not care (Ed Sherran & Justin Bieber) testified to us. Watch out, some hissing sounds sometimes on the higher-pitched voices, but nothing that grazes the eardrums. And good point: you can turn up the volume without suffering from distortion (thank you Kungs and This Girl which definitely gives fishing to end a session of running !). For their part, telephone conversations are supported by four microphones. The sound is clear and our various correspondents interviewed told us that they heard us perfectly, even when we were outside.
The Elite 75t in ambush
On arrival, the Jabra Elite 3 offers at 79 euros a very good price / performance ratio. Without active noise reduction, resistance to sweat and with a sound pulling slightly on the high frequencies, they also have their limit. But the manufacturer remains faithful to its trademark.
To this quality of listening very honorable for the requested budget is added an autonomy which flirts with the best: up to 7 hours per charge (21 hours with successive recharges in their storage case). Beware, dilemma: the price of Elite 75t, launched at 179 euros, has just increased to 99 euros. Released at the end of 2019, these headphones with a 24-hour battery life are not resistant to sweat, but integrate noise reduction thanks to an update. The offer is expected to last until the end of September.