Jabra launches Elite 85h headphones with SmartSound: exclusive AI technology for intelligent adaptive audio

• Best-in-class headphones sets new standards with maximum battery life, custom engineered 40mm speakers and advanced 6-microphone call technology for crystal-clear sound
• SmartSound technology: AI for adaptive sound environments
• Digital Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation for total calls and music immersion
• 100 per cent hands-free Voice Assistant access
• Certified rain-resistant durability with a 2-year warranty against water and dust¹

CES, 6th January 2019 – Jabra takes challengers to task at CES 2019, with the launch of the newest addition to their Elite range of headsets: The Elite 85h headphones. The new headphones are engineered with Jabra SmartSound, based on audEERING context intelligence technology and include Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Jabra’s HearThrough technology, which enables users to decide how much of the outside world penetrates through to the listener. Whether you are commuting, need to concentrate or are in a crowded place, SmartSound ensures the audio of the Elite 85h automatically adjusts to your surroundings to offer the best calls and music experience.

The Elite 85h headphones set new standards across the board, with 32-hour battery life (with ANC activated), crystal-clear sound with advanced 6-microphone call technology, 40mm custom-engineered speakers for top-quality acoustic experience and industry-leading durability. Together with SmartSound and totally hands-free Voice Assistant Control – allowing for faster and easier voice assistant access on-the-go – the Elite 85h are the smartest ANC headphones on the market.

Like every Jabra device, the Elite 85h has been engineered to meet the challenges that users face in the real world. In today’s digitally-connected society, noise overload is considered one of the key factors affecting personal wellbeing². Jabra’s SmartSound technology tackles noise pollution in a way like never before. Jabra has an exclusive part ownership of intelligent audio analysis company audEERING, the world leader in audio AI technology. The relationship allows Jabra to include environmental adaptation into the new Elite 85h headphones, creating a personalised audio experience that goes beyond current Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) solutions available in the market.

SmartSound, driven by AI technology

Jabra SmartSound is based on audEERING’s context intelligence technology, which uses real-time acoustic scene analysis of environmental sounds. The technology can detect more than 6,000 unique sound characteristics and uses this to adapt audio output to each specific context. This means that when moving from a noisy train station into a quiet train carriage, the context intelligence technology will take notice and will automatically adjust the audio to the changed surroundings. It will select one of the three moments: ‘Commute’, ‘In Public’ or ‘In Private’ to guarantee a consistent quality for your audio experience. Users can personalise their calls and music settings even further through Jabra’s Sound+ app, which will remember your preferred settings within the mode for future similar situations.

Dagmar Schuller, CEO at audEERING said: “audEERING's AI based audio context intelligence technology empowers the new Elite 85h headphones by Jabra to deliver the best call and music experience on the market. Users can be sure to get the most sophisticated product there is with reliable and innovative AI technology made in Germany.”

100 per cent hands-free with Alexa

The microphone solution combined with the Jabra Sound+ app creates a 100 per cent hands-free Voice Assistant access experience. Users no longer need to touch a button on the headphones to interact with Alexa, Siri® or Google Assistant™ - all you need to do is speak, to be connected immediately. Jabra is the among the first to feature this capability, allowing users to access Alexa by invoking the wake word.

René Svendsen-Tune, CEO at Jabra said: “One of the biggest challenges for people on-the-go is consistency in voice, call and audio quality in every environment, whilst ensuring the best voice interaction and connectivity that allows for either total concentration or relaxation. Our Elite range represents the best-in-class products for calls and music. We developed SmartSound, to ensure we can continue to deliver quality calls and music experience wherever you are. The Elite 85h is a revolutionary headset that will change the way we experience sound and cope with noise in the future.”

Key features of the Jabra Elite 85h:

• SmartSound: Audio that automatically adapts to your surroundings
• 100 per cent hands-free: Voice Assistant access without pushing a button
• Four colour variations: Black, Titanium Black, Gold Beige and Navy
• Battery: Up to 32-hour battery with ANC activated and 35 hours without ANC
• Microphones: 8 microphones in total. 6 dedicated for calls, 4 for ANC and 2 hybrid mics for both calls and ANC.
• Speakers: 40 mm custom-engineered speakers
• Durability: Unique IP52 dust and rain resistance, backed by a 2-year warranty against water and dust
• Personalize: Jabra Sound+ app for SmartSound features, including customized settings

Availability & pricing

The headset will be available in four colors (Black, Titanium Black, Gold Beige and Navy), incl. one exclusive to BestBuy in US & Canada (Black). Available from April 2019 at selected retailers at MSRP 299 USD/EUR and 279,99 GBP. Find out more about the Jabra Elite 85h and SmartSound at: www.jabra.com/elite85h.

1 Registration required with the Jabra Sound+ app
2 TIME Health, 2018

PR CONTACT
Claus Fonnesbech
Senior Director, PR & Earned Media, Jabra
Cfonnesbech@jabra.com
+45 2588 4107

About Jabra
Jabra is a leader in engineering communications and sound solutions – innovating to empower both consumers and businesses. Proudly part of the GN Group, we are committed to letting people hear more, do more, and be more than they ever thought possible. Through sound, we help transform lives. Jabra engineering excellence leads the way, building on 150 years of pioneering work. This allows us to create integrated headsets and communications tools that help professionals work more productively; and wireless headphones and earbuds that let consumers better enjoy calls, music, and media. Jabra employs close to 1,100 people worldwide, and reported annual revenue of DKK 4bn in 2017. The GN Group, founded in 1869, operates in 100 countries and delivers innovation, reliability, and ease of use. Today, GN employs more than 5,500 people, and is Nasdaq Copenhagen listed. GN makes life sound better. www.jabra.com

© 2017 GN Audio A/S. All rights reserved. Jabra® is a registered trademark of GN Audio A/S. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners (design and specifications are subject to change without notice).