Design and features:These headphones will not operate if the built-in rechargeable battery is not charged or if they are not turned on. When turned on they will provide audio with or without the noise-canceling feature being engaged, and the noise-canceling feature can be used with or without listening to an audio program. These headphones can be used wirelessly with Bluetooth devices or can be cord connected. When cord connected they have medium-high sensitivity regardless of whether the noise canceling feature is turned on or off, so they can provide satisfying volume levels when used with home audio equipment and even lower-powered portable audio devices. The Elite 85h has integrated microphones and volume, music player function, and call connect/disconnect controls that work with paired Bluetooth devices. The headphones can be set to automatically turn the noise canceling function on or off or to switch to ambient sound monitoring based on the noise environment. They support Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Siri digital voice assistants when they are used with Bluetooth devices that have those capabilities and that, if needed, have the appropriate apps installed. Other features include an automatic pause feature that pauses audio playback when the headphones are removed from the ears and resumes playback when they are put back on, manufacturer claimed water and dust resistance, and earcups that fold and swivel for ease of carrying and storage. This model comes with detachable 47-inch long standard audio cable, a USB charging cable, mini-plug-to-airplane-jack adapter, and a carrying case. The free Jabra Sound+ app for Apple and Android mobile devices can be used to change the tonal balance of the headphones, set the automatic noise cancelation/ambient sound monitoring parameters, enable the auto pause feature, and to update the headphone's firmware.
Sound quality: We found the Elite 85h provides Excellent active noise reduction and that it sounds the same regardless of whether the headphones are Bluetooth or cord connected or if the noise cancellation feature was turned on or off. It delivers sound quality that falls in the Very Good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks. The overall sound can be summarized as somewhat bassy but otherwise a bit thin. Bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is somewhat prominent and boomy. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is a bit thin, but somewhat grainy and slightly hazy, the upper midrange is a bit etched (a bit more sharply outlined then it should be), and overall has a bit of a plastic resonance (something like what you would hear if you talked into a semi-rigid plastic cup). The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is fairly extended, but is somewhat prominent, and a combination of smeared (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer sound blurred) and sizzly (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer also have a sound reminiscent of bacon frying). Somewhat open sounding and does a so-so job of recovering room ambience. Good dynamics. These headphones provide Excellent noise reduction with the mid and higher frequencies reduced the most; the noise canceling feature produces a slight hiss can be heard in very quiet environments when there is no audio program material to mask it. When the headphones are Bluetooth connected to a mobile device the tone settings of the Jabra Sound+ app have a noticeable effect on the sound of these headphones; the last tone setting that was made on the app while the headphones were Bluetooth connected is maintained when the headphones are cord connected. Regardless of whether the noise cancelation feature is turned on or off background hiss may be heard at the highest headphone volume settings when they are cord connected to battery powered audio devices; the hiss may be more apparent when the headphones are cord connected to AC powered audio equipment.
Comfort: We found that these headphones produce a sense of light to moderate pressure around the ears. As typical of over-ear models the ear pads might feel hot and/or sticky after prolonged use. Users with larger ears might find that the over-the-ear fit of the ear pads feel cramped, or that the ear pads sit on, rather than around their ears; in that case the less-than-ideal fit around the ears might interfere with the earpad seal and reduce the noise reduction capabilities of the headphone. Users with smaller heads may find they can't get a good earpad seal (earpads gap at the top) and that the bass becomes a bit subdued. Some users may find that when they lean far forward the headphones feel unstable and shift forward, but not to the point of falling off. When wearing this model while walking muffled vibrations from each foot step can be heard slightly through the headphones. When using this model with the audio cable model the sound of the cable rubbing on clothing may also be heard faintly through the headphones.
