Jabra - Elite 85h Wireless Noise Canceling Over-the-Ear Headphones - Black

Normally Jabra hasn’t been a key player in a headphone market recently dominated by Bose and Sony. Jabra’s recent wireless 65t earbuds though put them in contention for a new player in the headphones space. As far as wireless earbuds go, I think the 65t’s are one of the best all-around earbuds on the market currently. So, when these 85h over-the-ear headphones came out, I figured it was definitely something to check out, especially since these were being classed in the category as the Sony MX3s and Bose QC35s. Jabra says they’re better than the others but are they really? To start, I own both the Sony MX3s and QC35s. Of the two, the MX3s are my favorite, overall, as they have better noise cancelling, sound and slightly better battery life; the added earcup controls are a nice little bonus as well. So, now it’s time to see how the 85h’s compare to the other two headphones. IN THE BOX: You get the headphones in a very nice carrying case with a velvety interior, airplane adapter, 3.5mm cable (really short) and a USB-C charging cable (also really short). FIT: Of the three headphones, the QC35 fit the best. While the 85h do fit well, they are a tad on the snug side for my tastes. That said, I’ve been wearing them for the past 3-4 hours and no discomfort at all. Also to note, I have a big head so pretty much all over-the-ear headphones are going to feel snug. With the other headphones, I usually have to extend the arms most of the way to get it fit well. These 85h’s I have to pull the arms out all the way just to get it to fit. NOISE CANCELLING: The MX3’s win here. They do a fantastic job with ANC and block out a lot of exterior noise. The 85h’s, however, are a close second. With the snug fit of the headphones, the ANC does a pretty good job at blocking out external noises better than the Bose but not quite good as the Sony’s. I’d put the noise cancelling feature a very close second to MX3’s. SOUND: MX3’s win here. The extra bass the Sony’s have add that stiff punch to bass notes that the Bose and Jabra just doesn’t have. Even with the EQ pumped up, there isn’t that oomph you want when listening to EDM, Hip-Hop, Metal, etc. However, if you listen to other types of music like vocal, instrumental, classical then the 85h are probably a better fit regarding sound. Aside from deep bass notes, the mids/highs are crisp and clear. Really depends on what type of music you listen to so it’s kind of a draw across the board in my opinion. Since I listen to more bass heavy music, the MX3 do it for me. With the Jabra app, you can fine tune the EQ to your liking and save presets as needed for your headphones. There is also an AI component to the sound where 4 of the 8 mics on the headphone pick up and analyze where you are and how noisy it is and switches the headphone setting to optimize sound and battery life. For example, if you’re at home and it’s quiet, it’ll shut off the noise cancelling. Or if you’re in a subway and it’s super noisy, it’ll switch the ANC on. There is also a hear-through setting where you can hear outside noises while playing your music. There is a similar feature on the MX3’s so it’s interesting and a nice feature. BATTERY: Honestly, this really isn’t a huge factor for me. I believe the QC35’s have the lowest battery life and the MX3/85h tout 32+ hour battery life. I’ve never gotten any headphone down to more than 20% battery so, for me, this really isn’t an issue since all three are relatively the same in this aspect. VOICE ASSISTANT: I don’t really use this feature on any device I have so it’s not a huge concern for me. However, with most headphones, you’ll either get compatibility with Alexa OR Google OR Siri but never all of them. The 85h allows you to use any of them depending on what device you’re paired to. You’re only able to setup the headphones with one assistant at a time however you’re not limited to having headphones only being compatible with Google Assistant or just Amazon Alexa. I’ve tested this with my iPhone XS Max and it works as expected. There are 8 mics on these headphones, 2 of which (I think) are dedicated to for the voice assistant feature. Just say Hey Alexa/Google/Siri and it works. No issues here so far. ODDITIES: There’s no power button on these. Had to read the manual to find this out. Basically, you turn the earcups flat to turn them off. Not sure if I like this feature honestly. If you accidentally take your headphones off and hang them around your neck, the cups will kind of turn flat and you may shut off your headphones inadvertently. And if you’re like me and put your headphones on stands, the headphones will stay on. There are three buttons on outside of the right earcup; volume up/down and play/pause button. The MX3 has a feature like this but are touch/swipe and that I do like. The 85h controls don’t seem quite as refined and seem like they were put there as an afterthought. I might get used to them over time however, for this feature, I prefer the MX3 implementation. OVERALL: The 85h are a great set of cans for anyone looking to get an upgraded/higher end set of headphones. With the MX3/QC35 being in the $350 range, that might be a damper for most people looking to pick up new headphones. The 85h come in at $300 which might be a little easier to swallow. You can find the other two headphones slightly lower than retail however, the price point for the 85h should be a nice selling point. Considering that, the features and performance of the 85h are on par with the other two headphones. Might not be as good in one area compared to the others but I think they perform really well and are worth the buy if you’re in the market for a nice pair of higher end headphones.

When I selected the Jabra Elite 85h BT Over-The-Ear Headphones for a comprehensive review in exchange for the headphones, I was very curious to explore the newer technological features. I consider myself an audiophile since I started building stereo sound systems in the early 60's for family and friends. I was totally fascinated with sound reproduction and to this day I love listening to music over the highest quality audio equipment I can afford. As an 'Old-School' music lover I have an extensive record collection and enjoy listening to them several times a week through my turntable connected to my amp-receiver and high-end speakers. However, sound technology, especially wireless, has opened up a whole new world for me and offers me freedom from connected audio cables. While devouring the technology specs of this Jabra 85H I immediately found the AI (Artificial Intelligence) engineered into these headphones with Jabra SmartSound. A outstanding feature from audEERING goes over and above any other active noise cancellation (ANC) solutions available. SmartSound includes environmental adjustments, which automatically aligns to my ever-changing surroundings from street sounds, yard noise, office noises, crowds, and even weather. I love it! Normally I would start my review with sound quality. However, because of the spectacular, advanced, technology features, this is where I am going to begin. *** Technology *** > Passive Noise Cancellation - The Passive NC is actually the fit of the over-the-ear earphones. They are snug and comfortable and have a padded top and two large ear cups covered with soft leatherette material that rest comfortably against my ears. WooHoo! The headphones slide on a band over my head and are easily adjustable. They weigh approximately ten and a half ounces – very light. > Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) - The Jabra Elite has eight microphones, four of them are used by the digital ANC to filter out background noises. SmartSound, when activated in the Free Jabra App, or, the headphone mics will gather information from your surroundings and switch between different 'Moments' automatically. However, I have discovered that this may take up to ten seconds to change environments. 'Moments' are categorized as Commute, Public, and Private. Be aware: If you wear glasses like I do, have long hair covering your ears, or any clothing, covering your ears – these may affect the quality of your ANC. > Voice Assistant – Connection to Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant is available by pressing the 'Voice Button' on the RIGHT earphone. I can use voice commands to make calls, send or receive messages. How cool is that? > Phone Calls - When I use this phone feature six of the eight mics give me spectacular wireless call quality. Jabra is the industry leader in high quality, professional headsets. For incoming and outgoing phone calls this set is superior to anything else I have ever used. > Auto ON & OFF - There is no ON or OFF button. When I take this headphone set out of its carrying case, and twist to place on my ears, they turn ON automatically, and like wise, when I return it back to the case, folding it inwards, they turn OFF. > Ear Detection - There is a sensor system inside each earcup that automatically pauses or plays when you take OFF or put ON the headphones. WoW! > Bluetooth Version – Jabra 85h uses the latest BT version, 5.0. My I-Phone quickly connected to the Jabra, and remembers its registry. My wife's Samsung did the same. In fact the Jabra H85 can connect to two different devices at the same time and up to eight devices in its registry. > Intuitive Controls – Easy learning curve. After three weeks of using these cans daily I love how easy it is to just pick them up, twist, and place over my ears. Presto, they are ON and ready to pair, or immediately connect to the last mobile device they were 'paired' with. If someone needs my attention, I simply take the cans off and they automatically pause. They resume when I put them back on. Love it! The RIGHT headphone has the Voice Button to activate your Voice Assistant. A USB-C charging port and an RCA 3.5 mm Audio Jack for connection to outside audio devices. On the outside of the earphone is a Multi-function Button for pairing and phone calls. On the top side of the Multi-function Button is the Volume Up Button, and the Volume Down Button is beneath it. The LEFT earphone only has one button, Sounds Mode. I can turn the ANC ON or OFF, engage 'Hear-Through', and cycle through Moments. > Jabra Sound App – The Jabra Sound App is FREE and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play. It is a multi-functional App, which allows me to set many music and listening settings. Impressive! Important – If you register your Jabra 85H through the Java Sound App your warranty is good for Two Years. Otherwise, you will be limited to a one year warranty. This App has so many User-Friendly settings, it really allows you to take full control of your entire musical experience while using these fantastic headphones. NOTE – The Jabra Sound App was designed for Mobile Devices. Laptops, desktops, tablets may not have the ability for you to really enjoy using these headphones to the fullest. > Water & Dust Resistant – Although Jabra does not specify a specific IP rating, I believe it is IP 52. This Jabra 85h has a nano-coating on the internal components and are advertised as being rain resistant. I use them out at my pool and on the patio. In any case, Jabra offers a two years' warranty for these headphones against water and dust. YooHoo! *** Sound Quality *** > Speakers & Sound – The Jabra speakers are 40mm and deliver crisp, clear, in-depth sound. They are targeted for the mid-ranges, frequency from 10Hz to 20kHz, with exceptional clear voice and channel separation. Impressive! The nuance sounds come clearly to the forefront and 'tickle' my ears with their refinements. These headphones are 'Ear-Candy' to my ears – not to much bass to overpower general music genres, but enough to appreciate when it needs to be emphasized. The bass can be boosted using the Jabra Sound app, but, it is never overpowering. There are six music presets: Default, Bass Boost, Smooth, Speech, Treble Boost, and Energize. I personally like the Energize preset since it reverts back to the classic 'Smile' in the EQ for most music genres. > Versatility - Headphones feature a 3.5mm RCA Audio Jack. This jack allows me to play my vinyls through my turntable connected to my amp-receiver. I can also play my CDs or DVDs through my amp to these headphones. Fantastic! I love my vinyls. My amp has eighteen EQ frequency settings. These Jabra 85h headphones responded way beyond my expectations using my amp EQ. I organize and play my vinyls according to the music genre that strikes my mood. I adjust my amp-receiver EQ accordingly, which keeps me from having to go back and re-align the EQ playing mixed genres. When I use these headphones in wireless, BT mode through Internet Music Services, like Pandora, I do the same thing. The EQs are also impressive using the Jabra Sound App presets. *** Other Features *** > Battery Life - Up to thirty-six hours of battery life on a single charge. It takes me approximately two hours to fully charge these headphones. After three weeks of use I get approximately thirty hours on each charge. This unit includes a USB-C cable for charging, which is the latest tech for expediency. I can also get an additional five hours of playing time from fifteen minutes of charging time. Great! > Carrying/Storage Case - The included zippered hard case is ideal for trips and provides protection for storage. It also has compartments for the USB-C charging cable, and flight adapter. When the headphones are placed in this case they automatically turn OFF. Cool! *** Wish It Had *** > High Resolution Audio (HRA) – Surprisingly, the Jabra 85h Elite does not have the Qualcom' aptX or Sony' LDAC, the latest HRA codecs designed to deliver CD quality sound over Bluetooth. However, without these codecs I was surprised at the depth of the sound field and the excellent, stereo, channel separation. No matter what genre of music playing I can hear all of the subtle background nuances to include raindrops falling and hitting roofs. Amazing! *** Conclusion *** > For me the most fascinating feature of this Jabra 85h Elite Headphone is the Artificial Intelligence (AI) built in to analyze the background noises of my current audio environment. If my neighbor is outside trimming his hedges, the AI will adjust the ANC to match my surroundings accordingly, and tell me what 'Moment' I am in when it changes. I am not aware of any headphones on the market today beside Jabra that features this technology. I also love that I can take these cans outside because they can take a little moisture. Again, I am not aware of any other over-the-ear headphones that are rainproof and dustproof. I highly recommend these Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Over-The-Ear Headphones – Five Stars.

Build and Design 5/5 Features and Function 4/5 Audio Quality 3/5 Call Quality 5/5 After a week with these as the daily driver having used them at work, traveling/commuting, and around the house, I decided I have seen enough to form a helpful opinion. Will they remain my daily driver, is the question. My background is in sales and I also am a small business owner. It is from those angles I will review these but all will find something in this review useful. I like to think of myself as a tech nerd and sound enthusiast who enjoys innovation as an early adopter. The more I use these, I have to say these are made with business professionals in mind. For Jabra's first entry into the ANC wireless headphone market, we as customers are going to be in for a treat. Jabra is pushing innovation in the ANC market with these and I only see them getting better. We will benefit in the long run with AI implemented here. The call quality alone makes these a business professional's dream if you find yourself switching between phone calls to conference calls to media consumption or media creation on the go. These support simultaneous dual connections allowing you to seamlessly move between two devices. This makes these a serious contender as daily driver for business. You get ANC, excellent call quality and voice isolation with an above average sound all in one feature packed pair of headphones by a company known to tow the line in bluetooth call innovation. I believe Jabra is onto something with AI and if they can get this nailed, it will be a game changer. I want to love these, but the biggest thing holding me back is the "just above average" sound these produce. They aren't very loud and the soundstage needs a lot of work. =Favorite Features= Call Quality is the number one reason you would buy these. If you are a professional who travels and isn't an audiophile these can be for you. This is definitely for those who don't want to lug a separate device to make and take calls. With simultaneous connections, you can connect to your phone and a laptop/tablet to consume media. These are great for web conferences as well and voice isolation is superb. Background noises fade away with the algorithm and its 8 microphone array. Hear Through with Jabra is THE BEST implementation of listening to your surroundings done in any headphones PERIOD. I really believe it has to do with the microphones being under the cloth of the ear cup. This design choice seems to provide acoustic qualities that just sound like professional microphones. Wind noise is almost none existent since the cloth acts like a "deadcat" for the mic. It sounds like I don't have on any headphones and it doesn't sound like it is over processed. The only gripe I have is the noticeable hiss when you don't have any music playing and they are in ambient mode. I have tried many headphones and this even beats the Sony 1000XM3's Ambient Sound option. Smart Sound is an exciting feature in development. Living your life while your headphones analyze your surroundings is going to be a game changer. Currently I find it switching profiles too often caused by changes in the environment without changing your location physically. ANC and hear through profiles switch via AI when voices become prominent in a room and then stop. These switches became annoying since I left the voice prompt on to know when it changed. The AI needs to be tuned, but for now it is easier to press the button to switch modes myself. It is early technology and I know Jabra will be updating things to make this better. No other headphones have attempted this feature so kudos to Jabra! Water resistance should be standard by now, but slowly the industry is implementing it. Jabra has done well here. I have not and will not be testing the resistance, but using these at the gym is a go! Sweatproof… CHECK! These are also windproof due to the microphone design and fabric over them. You are protected against the elements with these in short durations. My Thoughts for Improvement -Headband needs to be redesigned. It is difficult to size these with one hand on each ear. You also cannot tell whether each ear cup in equal on both sides. There are no lines, clicks, or numbers to reference. This could be resolved on their next rendition, so let's remember it's their first release to market. -These headphones are not for audiophiles but rather the avg listener who hasn't experienced audio from other headphones in this price range. These lack power and have a weak soundstage which is disappointing. I found the EQ in the app not really effective making it more of a gimmick than a feature. It feels like the EQ only tweaks audio by only reducing instead an frequencies and not boosting them. To an untrained ear, these will sound great if you never owned a pair of headphones in this price range before. For the price you do actually get innovation and call quality. Maybe they will upgrade the speakers in a later release to get more range and clarity. Maybe these can be fixed via a firmware update, who knows. -Ear cups cause me to sweat and stick to my face. Cloth isn't the greatest material for cleaning but it is nice. I wish the ear cups were interchangeable with a breathable material or a redesigned cup so they aren't so hot and get sweaty. -Hiss is audible in hear through mode. Things to know: Cannot be used passively - you need to have a charge in them to use them passively. I haven't seen this in any other ANC headphones which is disappointing. AI is buggy - it is good to see AI implemented in a pair of headphones. It still needs work as it changes for no reason without changes in the environment or sounds. USB C - this should be standard in 2019 but you'd be surprised how many still use micro and mini USB to charge. They do work while you charge them so that is a plus. I am not aware of any other headphones you can charge and use. Quick Charge - 15mins nets you 5 hours. Enough said. Bluetooth 5.0 - Enough said. No aptX, LDAC, AAC, or hi-fi codecs supported. HSP v1.2 , HFP v1.7, A2DP v1.3, AVRCP v1.6, PBAP v1.1, SPP v1.2 support only with no plans to add HiFi codecs. NOT BIG HEAD APPROVED! Auto-On/Auto Pause - just by putting the headphones on powers them on. There are sensors that detect the presence of an ear in the cup. Battery life KING. With ANC on you get 36hrs. Without ANC 41hrs. After a week of heavy use, I still have 60%. I do not doubt Jabra's battery claims. Industry average is around 25hrs so there you have it. Build quality and design are excellent. No questions about this. Dedicated Voice Assistant button is a plus as well. The case provided is probably the best to date. No Audio Delay/Lag on Android devices, but a slight delay on Apple devices I have tested. Wear fatigue is real for some. Big heads will feel it. Ear cups handle big ears just fine. Dual simultaneous connections occasionally cut in and out. Not often but it happens when you are streaming sound from one device and your other device gets a notification. It gets confused as to what should be heard and audio skips. This is to be expected. Smart AI bugs are present. I guess the algorithms are still being tweaked but it will switch between the "public" and "private" moments with nothing in the surroundings changing. I will just be sitting on the couch and all of a sudden a voice will tell you what "moment" you are switching to. I ended up turning it off since the controls are pretty simple to find. Lack of interchangeable ear cups. If these get ripped or damaged… tough. You will need to buy a new pair or look stupid. As of now I cannot find replacements. These remind me of those nasty toilet seats that were "foam" and when they tore, nasty stuff got in… same thing here. These will reek of sweat once the earcup membrane is compromised. In short, if you are thinking about getting them… go ahead. If you can catch these on sale HECK YEAH buy them. If you are an audiophile… pay $50 more and get one of the top two competitors in the market.

Pre-review thought: For $300, these need to be outstanding, in build quality, in sound quality, in ease of operation. Why? Because these headphones are a first for Jabra, a company well-known for its cell phone headsets, but, at the same time, a company that has never had stereo headphones/headset in this price range. This is a price-point typically covered by Sony, Bose, AKG, Beats, etc…but not Jabra. So, how will they fare…keep reading. UNBOXING, AND INITIAL IMPRESSIONS: The packaging is typical of this product type…no surprises, so far. However, upon removing the headset, I found the first thing I liked. While some manufacturers (for example, Sony) design their headphones to have one side tuck inside the headband, and the ear padding of other against the outside of the first, Jabra has implemented a mechanism that, essentially, does that same, except that the left & right cans lay completely flat. This allows the carrying case to be trim, compared to the bulkiness of some others (V-Moda, for example). Also, unlike other manufacturers used of plastic, or metal, for the outside of the cans, Jabra has chosen cover these areas with fabric, giving it a very pleasing look, while, at the same time, not “standing out in the crowd”. Even the “Jabra” logo is fairly discreet. At this point, the Jabra 85h already has some advantages over others. SETUP: While the 85h doesn’t have NFC, it’s still easy to pair. Additionally, Jabra offers the (optional, but highly suggested) Jabra Sound+ app, providing the majority of the same features found in Sony’s (more expensive) WH1000xM3, such as equalizer settings, & noise cancelation. However…BIG difference…you also have Jabra’s excellent environmental settings, called “Sound+ Moments”, which automatically adjusts the level of noise cancelation, based on your environment – Public, Commute, & Private. I do need to mention that, while this has nothing to do with setup, the Jabra 85h does NOT support aptX, or AAC, audio. COMFORT & EASE OF OPERATION: While I really like my Sony MDR-BX950N1s, & V-Moda Crossfade M-100s, in terms of comfort, the Jabra 85h is far superior. Honestly, I hate even having to admit it, as I REALLY like my Sonys (wireless) & V-Modas (corded)…but, these Jabras truly are incredibly comfortable. Part of me was even hoping the Jabra 85h would be less comfortable than my beloved Sonys…but, the Jabras win. As for ease of operation, I’ve never had any headphones/headset with touch controls, so I was a bit wary. Not only because I somewhat distrust touch controls, but also because I’ve read enough reviews of other brand’s headphones/headsets with touch controls, and how problematic they can sometimes be. Si, I was greatly surprised to discover that the Jabra 85h had no problems I could discover. Even slide, tap, and double-tap worked exactly as Jabra claims they will. Now, here’s something that might confuse some potential buyers – there is NO power button. In fact, there are only two buttons to be found on the Jabra 85h – one for cycling between sound modes (off, noise cancelation, and “hear through”), and one cycling between your voice assistant, & “mute mic”. To turn the 85h off, you lay the cans flat, and, to turn them on, you rotate the cans into ‘listening’ position. SOUND QUALITY: Even though the 85h doesn’t support aptX, or AAC, these still sound excellent. I am NOT a fan of artificially-boosted bass, which is a major reason why I seriously dislike ALL Beats products. For those who are like me…those who appreciate accurately reproduced audio…you are REALLY going to like these. The audio has depth, special awareness, and sounds very ‘natural’. In fact, bass is slightly under-emphasized, so as to allow vocals to come through more clearly. Again, my dislike of Jabra products (especially their Elite 65t & Elite Active 65t) had me hoping the sound quality had “problems”…but, they don’t. The Jabra 85h can easily hold its own against the best Sony & Bose have to offer, with some minor “issues” (which I’ll get to). In short, if you’re trying to select between the Sony 1000X, Bose QC35, & Jabra 85h, for $50 less, while the 85h won’t be as good on a couple of points, it WILL equal the others in most ways, and even best them in some other ways. ADDITIONAL POINTS: Battery life: Sony claims 38hrs w/ ANC off, & 30hrs w/ ANC on; Bose claims 20hrs w/ ANC on, but won’t state the time w/ ANC off; Jabra bests them all, with 41hrs w/ ANC off, and 36hrs w/ ANC on. Mics (for ANC, or ‘noise cancelation’): Bose – 2, Sony – 4, Jabra – 8 Water/Dust resistance: Bose & Sony – none, Jabra – Rain Resistant Bluetooth: Bose & Sony – 4.x, Jabra – 5.0 Warranty: Bose & Sony – 1yr, Jabra – 2yrs If you’re getting the feeling that Jabra is intending to seriously beat the other manufacturers at a game they’ve been playing for a longer time, then you’ve hit the nail on the head, so to speak. Best of all, it doesn’t matter what mobile OS you’re using, or what brand of handset you’re using, as the Jabra 85h supports ALL major assistants – Google, Bixby, and Siri. THE GOOD: Costs less than almost all others in the same price range Sounds just as good, if not better, than almost all others in this price range Offers features that are equal, or better, than almost all others in this price range One of the few offering Bluetooth 5.0, as well as USB-C for charging Twice (or more) as many mics as competitors Warranty that is double that of other manufacturers Honestly, I could continue, as there are several additional “good” points…but, so as to not create an even longer review, I’ll stop here, as I’m certain those reading have already figured this out THE BAD: Does not support aptX, or AAC codecs THE UGLY: Nothing I can come up with. FINAL VERDICT: Once again, before testing the Jabra Elite 85h, I did not have high hopes for them…partially due to my dislike of Jabra products, and partially due to previous bad experiences with Jabra products (I guess those two reasons are very closely related). However, after listening to them for several days, and several hours (one day included over 5hrs of continuous listening), I can say, without a doubt, these will become my primary choice for wireless headset. As for my (former) beloved Sony headset, those are now my wife’s. Sure, you can get the Bose QC35s, and they will be better in a few ways (the Bose ANC is still the best), but you’ll spend $50 more to do it (unless these Jabras are on sale, in which case the Bose will cost you $100 more). The point is, if you’re looking for a high-quality, great-sounding, Bluetooth headset, you can’t go wrong with the Jabra Elite 85h. they sound just as good as Bose, have noise-cancelation just as good as Sony, have a warranty that’s twice as long, and a battery that will outlast the others by quite a few hours. Now, quit reading, and go get them. Disclaimer: This product was provided free, or at reduced cost, for the purpose of reviewing the product. Nevertheless, the above review, be it positive, negative, or anywhere in-between, is a 100% honest review, and the price paid played absolutely no part in my review.

---HIGHLIGHTS--- Amazing Call Quality, Long-Lasting 36 Hour Battery, Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation, Great Sound, Water Resistant, Comfortable, Bluetooth Version 5.0, USB-C Charging ---DESIGN and CONTROLS--- These headphones are comfortable, very well made, and feel capable of standing up well to regular indoor and outdoor use. They are certified as being rain and dust resistant. The water resistance could prove to be invaluable if you plan to use it outside. They use a USB-C port for charging. It takes about 2 hours to fully charge them and a 15 minute charge can provide 5 hours of use. A short USB-C cable is provided and it fits nicely in the included hard carrying case. The battery is rated to last as long as 36 hours. I have been using them extensively for the last week and can confirm that the 36 hour rating is accurate. I used them on a round trip from New York to London, and after 9 hours of use each way I had a very impressive 80 percent of the battery remaining. These headphones offers the very best battery life available. They also have an optional 3.5 mm audio input. A flight adapter and audio cable is included, and they both fit in the carrying case. Also included is a hard carrying case that will do an excellent job of protecting them while traveling. There is not a power button. To turn them on you rotate the ear cups to the open position. To turn them off you rotate the ear cups to the closed position. There are numerous control buttons that take some practice to learn, but once you get the hang of them they work well. Compatible with Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa. ---CALL QUALITY--- Jabra is known for making products that offer premium call quality and these headphones live up to that reputation. I own several pairs of high quality headphones and I can say without hesitation that the call clarity of these headphones is better than anything I have ever used. ---SOUND QUALITY--- The overall sound quality of these headphones is excellent. I found them to be very pleasing to the ear and they produced sound that was very clear, detailed and full range. After testing them extensively in flight and at home, I can confirm that the Adaptive Noise Cancellation works well. If they had been released 2 years ago I would say they were the state of the art, but considering the stiff competition I would rate them as a very close second to the Sony WH-1000XM3. The EQ in the Jabra App can be used to adjust the sound to individual preference and to compensate for source material that is mixed to different levels. The App allows a great degree of customization of the sound and controls. It uses Bluetooth version 5.0 which offers less compression that the original codec. It also allows 2 devices to be paired at the same time. ---BOTTOM LINE--- If you need the very best call quality you can get, then the Jabra 85h headphones are the ones to get. In the area of call quality, they exceed anything else on the market, even my beloved Sony WH-1000XM3’s. In the area of noise cancellation, the Sony WH-1000XM3’s have a slight edge. But most people under most conditions, will be very impressed with the adaptive noise cancellation that these headphones offer. If you are not in a very challenging noise environment you may not even notice any difference between these and the more expensive Sony’s. So if you want to save some money these headphones are certainly worth a look.

I was really excited about these headphones because they utilize the newer Bluetooth 5.0 chipset which allows that fatty battery life they have as well as a strong wireless connection. Unfortunately, these headphones did not meet my expectations. These headphones are amazing among average headphones, however, comparing them directly to Bose and Sony's high-end noise-canceling headphones they fall short. The reason why I am giving them only 2 stars is because of the type class of headphones Jabra has marketed them for. If they were marketed as a mid-end class I would rate them higher. I wanted to mention this because these are not "bad" headphones they are just overpriced for mid-end headphones. Before I go into the issues I have with these headphones I want to highlight the great aspects. Pros: • I love the design personally. The unobtrusive logo and the mesh accents make the headphones look really subtle but sexy. Kudos on the physical design • So comfy! Like pillows for my ears! • Boom Battery life = Champion • Great call experience, (the hearthrough makes it nice when you are talking to someone). • The hearthrough (sidetone) feature is really great especially with over-the-ear headphones but I wish there was a way to adjust the sensitivity because it does pick up some ambient noise. • The sound is good/great, not amazing, but ultimately no real complaints. Anybody that claims to be an audiophile and complain about the sound should know that currently, wireless headphones cannot compete with high-end wired headphones. So if you are an "audiophile" don't buy Bluetooth headphones lol. • The autopause/resume when you take off the headphones and put them back on is a super cool feature. Although I have been running into a problem where the headphones pause audio while wearing them. So this feature is not totally perfect, but love the concept. • Turning "off" the headphones by tilting the earcups forward is an awesome UEX. Very slick. • Connecting to the phone, (Iphone) is instant and seamless • Physical buttons are intuitive. Cons: • Bluetooth Connectivity sucks in certain scenarios. Horrible when commuting. UGH so disappointing, even with the new chipset these headphones constantly drop when I am walking through the city. If these headphones are around a lot of people who have wireless devices + being by structures that have wireless signals be prepared for a terrible experience. These headphones cannot keep connected to my phone. I am also thinking this has to do with these headphones not supporting aac codex which is what Iphones use. If you are a city commuter I would NOT get these headphones. If there is no firmware update I am going to have to return these guys because the dropping is so bad. If you are by yourself you will be fine but Jabra literally advertises them as like commuter "smart sound" Headphones. • This is a perfect transition to the "smart sound" feature. Awesome concept, really like it but it is not there yet. Smart sound when commuting switches so often it is distracting. I bike and walk to work in Chicago. I bike under els and next to traffic. The headphones will recognize this environment as "commuting" mode but the moment that it detects speech it switches to public mode. Jabra needs to dial back that sensitivity because it is constantly switching back n' forth. I ended up just turning off this feature because it is too sporadic for commuting and I don't know why you have it on when you are just chilling by yourself. So... for me, this feature is not functional, but it is a cool idea. • ANC is not good. I think it sucks compared to high-end noise-canceling headphones. These ANC would be good for average noise-canceling headphones but shelling out top dollar I am expecting better. With ANC mode on I can still literally hear my padded keyboard. ANC is just about nonexistent. I understand why Jabra can claim that in ANC mode the headphones can last +30 hours... It is because they hardly do anything. I am not exaggerating either. If I am in "Off" mode and I turn on "ANC" mode the difference is negligible. I think what is happening here is that they made the Passive Noise Cancelling really good so that ANC would not have to really be there or work that hard. Very disappointing. If you are wearing these on the plane, you are 100% hearing that engine loud a clear. I was even testing them with a bathroom fan and I could hear the fan loudly. If they can provide an update they should because ANC is laughable compared to high standards. (Passive noise canceling is good though lol no lie) • Mention in the pros -- the headphones will auto pause sometimes which is annoying. It especially happens if you are rocking a beanie or some sort of hat. • App over is good but there is a terrible UEX with the equalizer. When you go to try and adjust the slider it is very difficult to tap accurately on the slider. The hotspot must be very small. This would not be an issue if the container the sliders are on could not move, but it most definitely can. So what ends up happening is that it is sooooo easy to initiate the background container that when you think you are going to be moving the slider up and down you actually end up moving the container widget. PLEASE FIX. The error rate for me has to be close to 70% which is terrible UEX, especially it is basically the main function for the app on the user end. This is my honest review. I really wanted to love these headphones but I just don't. Jabra, you have some amazingly cool/innovative ideas woven into these headphones that I think other companies will be inspired to do something similar. However, these great features mean nothing to the user if the basic functions of "wireless noise-canceling headphones" are not there. Terrible connectivity in crowded situations, (Bike, train, walk) and very basic/minimal ANC easily outweighs the cool features for me. I will be happy to update this review if in the near future a firmware update fixes the major issues I have. However, currently, the connectivity issue during my commute has these headphones on a one-way ticket back to BestBuy. They are basically broken for what I want to use them for :(

The headset came with a 2-prong airline audio adaptor, a 4-foot 3.5mm audio cable (TRS), a USB charging cable (USB A to USB C), and a rather large (8” x 7” x 2”), rigid, oval carrying case. Sadly, it did not include a User’s Manual (available at https://www.jabra.com/supportpages/jabra-elite-85h#/#100-99030000-02). The unit came fully charged (100%!). Pairing: The 85h is put into pairing mode by a long press on the center button on the right earcup. Pairing with my iPhone 6+ and Samsung S4 was simple with and without the Sound+ app. I had hoped to use the 85h for teleconferences at work, however pairing with my work computer (Windows 7 laptop) was problematic and incomplete. Pairing with my personal Windows 10 laptop was straightforward. Use the “Jabra Elite 85h (stereo)” device for best sound quality. Design: What was done well: Battery life is exceptional! The Jabra promotional literature claims 36 hours of use with ANC enabled on a single charge. I have yet to get to “battery medium” in 12h of intermittent use (with ANC) and can’t imagine a situation when I would wear them for that long in one sitting. Needless to say, I have not been able to test the quick-charge claim that a 15-minute charge on a dead battery will get you 5 hours of use. Buttons are well placed and easy to access. The volume buttons work independently from the volume setting on the connected smartphone, even with Sound+. The 85h is bulkier than in-ear ANC headsets, but they are comfortable for extended wear. Earpads are comfortable, but can get warm after a while. The folding design is well-conceived. The 85h turns itself off to conserve battery when it the earcups are turned flat. The left earcup also pivots inward for easy storage in the case. What can be improved: The 85h is primarily designed to be used with a smartphone with the Sound+ app installed. I use my phones for conversations and use other devices for music and video (e.g. Hi-Res digital audio player and computer) for which the Sound+ app is unavailable. An update to the firmware to make the 85h less dependent on the Sound+ app would be nice. There is no mark or letter that I could find to identify the right and left side of the headset. A letter or color designation (even a small one) would be helpful. The only way to update the firmware is using the Sound+ app installed on a smartphone. There is a zip file with the latest firmware on the Jabra web site, but there are no instructions on how to install the update from a computer. The 85h design could have accommodated a 4-pole (TRRS) plug that would have allowed it to double as a wired headset. The “on-ear detection” feature is a nice thought, but did not work for me. Taking the 85h off is supposed to pause music or mute a call. This feature did not work for me. Not having this feature shouldn’t sour anyone’s opinion of the 85h (except, perhaps, the engineer who worked so hard to put it there). Sound+ app: The Sound+ app requires access to location, photos/media/files, microphone, Bluetooth connection information, device ID and call information, and wearable sensors/activity data. The Sound+ app will remember the last location where your 85h was paired with your phone, but it won’t tell you where they are now. I see no reason why a Bluetooth headset would require access to wearable sensor/activity data. In order to actively connected the 85h to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, Sound+ app must be installed on both. The SmartSound feature allows the app to listen to your surroundings and determine which ANC mode to use. I prefer to disable SmartSound. There are four editable “moments” available in Sound+. The full functionality of each is beyond the scope of this review. The Sound+ app is “self-documenting” (which means you have to install the app to learn how it works). There are some FAQs on the Jabra web site, but no User’s Guide in PDF format. Operation: The mode switch on left earcup (ANC/Hear-Through/Off) may stop working if you don’t turn the 85h off before pairing a device without the Sound+ app. The functionality of the buttons is dependent on 1) the device to which it is connected, 2) whether the Sound+ app is installed, 3) whether you are actively listening, and 4) whether the source or 85h was powered on first. The features and functionality of the 85h can be quite different with and without the Sound+ app installed. It is a very good headset and quite usable without the app, but many of the advertised features of the 85h rely on the Sound+ app to work. Sound Quality (SQ): Like every other Bluetooth headset I have tried, there is an audible hiss with ANC. The hiss is louder when the 85h is in the “hear-through” mode. There is no hiss when ANC is off or when connected using the 3.5mm audio cable. The quality and Bluetooth version of the source device makes a *big* difference when listening to music. SQ was unremarkable with my iPhone 6 (IOS 12.2) and Samsung S4 (Android 5.0.1), SQ was markedly improved when I paired the 85h with my Hi-Res digital audio player and using the LDAC or aptX-HD Bluetooth codec. The 85h is responsive throughout the specified 10Hz to 20kHz frequency range. Bass is present, not too forward, and well-defined. There is a bit of bass extension making them less precise than my wired headphones. The mid-range is well-balanced with clear vocals and good orchestral range. Treble was clear without being sibilant. Overall: The 85h is not quite “audiophile” quality, but very close and a good option when traveling and listening to music or watching videos on Bluetooth source systems that are aptX-HD or LDAC codec capable. The battery life is exceptional and will easily see you through to any destination (and back again). The Sound+ app is more intrusive than I would like, but is required to use all of the features advertised by Jabra and to make firmware updates. They are bulkier than other some other Bluetooth headsets, but the battery life is worth it.

I have been researching ANC bluetooth headphones for a few months now. Up 'til now, I've only owned cheap Chinese bluetooth earbuds that did the job without much fuss, but I was yearning for a more professional over-ear model. I wanted a fuller, deeper sound with more weight, as well as good call features. Unfortunately, the Jabra Elite 85h falls short. As a Jabra headset, the Elite 85h does a fine job of handling calls, but the musicality of these headphones is an utter disappointment. Before we go any further, here's a quick background about why my opinion on these headphones might matter to you: - I'm a bit of an audiophile. - I have been a hobbyist home music producer and DJ for almost 20 years. I regularly used big over-ear headphones long before they became a mainstream fashion statement. - I have over $15,000 in professional-grade speakers and audio gear. - In short, I know more about audio quality than the average person. ***AUDIO/MUSIC*** The Jabra Elite 85h are not a good choice for music because: 1) They have an emaciated bass response (even on a full charge). I understand that many headphones in the mainstream market have a bloated bass response. That isn't what I'm desiring, and that is not what I'm expecting from the 85h. However, the bass should be full and defined without being bloated. That is not the case here. 2) The speaker drivers offer a good amount of clarity and stereo separation. There is good imaging from left to right, but hardly any depth from front to back. I could hear nuances in vocals and acoustic instruments, but everything lacked weight. I have $200 studio monitor headphones that have more powerful bass than the 85h without sounding bloated. I tried various combinations of the EQ and other settings, but no setting was able to effectively overcome the svelte nature of the sound that these cans kick out. In fact, they began distorting badly when I selected the "bass boost" EQ. That is when I promptly removed the headphones from my head and started planning their return. ***NOISE CANCELLATION (ANC)*** The ANC on the Jabra Elite 85h headphones is very good. Admittedly, I'm not an ANC expert, but I felt the noise cancellation and related features on these headphones were excellent. ***CALL QUALITY*** I made a few calls in various different environments ranging from a quiet room to an airport. I had no issues of concern. ***BUILD QUALITY*** These headphones are almost entirely made out of plastic, fabric, foam and memory foam (for the ear cups). At the $299 price point, I expect more, and I have received better build quality from other brands. The foam on the headband and ear cups is covered by a type of plastic that will certainly deteriorate (peel) over time if you wear your headphones a lot. I know this because I've owned several headphones that use the same materials, and they all do that. ***COMFORT*** I think I have an average sized male head. The Elite 85h have been very comfortable. There is no clamping or other discomfort of note. ***BOTTOM LINE*** If you are a fan of Hip-Hop, Techno, House, Bass Music, or anything that is prominent in the bass frequencies then you will likely not enjoy these headphones. If you don't care about bass and loudness, or you are willing to sacrifice those factors for long battery life, great call quality, and noise cancellation then the Jabra Elite 85h might be the right choice for you. I wanted an all-rounder that would be equally good with music and call quality. Unfortunately, these did not meet my expectations.