Tag Archive for: Jabra Elite 7 Active

100 Miles with Jabra Elite 7 Active and Shokz Openrun

Happy New Year! In November 2021, I posted My Fitness Journey and Review of Ultimate Ears UE FITS vs. Jabra Elite Active 75t vs. Poly BackBeat Fit 2100, where I shared in 2014, I established an annual goal of 1,200 miles annually or 100 miles per month.  

Jabra was kind enough to send me the Jabra Elite 7 Active true wireless earbuds. Shokz (formerly Aftershokz) sent me a set of their Openrun (formerly Aeropex). My wife, Michelle, decided to go for 100 miles in December. She agreed to wear one of the headphones and share her feedback. Initially, she started with the Jabra Elite 7 Active and I with the Openrun. After the first day, she asked if she could switch.  

Like professional headsets, one size does not fit all for personal audio devices like headphones designed for fitness. Michelle has used the Powerbeats Pro and Apple Airpods Pro and assumed she would prefer in-ear earbuds. The ANC in the Jabra Elite 7 Active proved to be too much for her. She said it felt like she could hear and even feel her every step. So we switched.  

At the end of December 2021, I logged 127.4 miles and Michelle 100.1 miles. Before we share our thoughts, here are some tech specs and features of each.  

Jabra Elite 7 Active 

  • What you get in the box:  Elite 7 Earbuds, three sets of EarGels™, user documents, charging case, USB-C to USB-A cable, warranty, and warning leaflets.  
  • IP Rating: IP57 – This means the Elite 7 earbuds are perfect for outdoors and are waterproof, sweatproof, and workout-proof, and come with a 2-year warranty when you register your buds in the Jabra sound+ app
  • Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Powerful adjustable Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) blocks distracting background noise instantly, at the touch of a button. Choose one of their five levels of noise cancellation in the Jabra Sound+ app, and stay focused on your workout, no matter what. 
  • HearThrough: When you need to be aware of your surroundings, tap the HearThrough button, and your buds use the internal mics to pick up the sounds around you. 
  • ShakeGrip™ is an innovative material that feels incredibly soft despite its firm grip. Made with a special Liquid Silicone Rubber compound that holds the buds more securely in the ear without the need for ear wings, ShakeGrip™ keeps your buds firmly in place, whether you’re walking, running, or repping.  
  • Battery Life: Elite 7 Active delivers up to 8 hours of non-stop listening with a re-engineered battery. Get up to an hour of power with a speedy 5-minute fast charge. Your buds are good for up to 30 hours with the charging case.  
  • Mono Mode: Mono mode lets you use either bud independently. 
  • Learn more! Jabra Elite 7 Active Technical Specifications and Datasheet 

Shokz Openrun 

  • What you get in the box: Openrun (formerly Aeropex) Headphones, Carrying Bag, Magnetic Charging Cable 
  • IP Rating: IP67 – An IP67 rating makes these completely sweat and waterproof to welcome intense workouts and extreme weather. A moisture detection alert ensures safe charging. Not intended for swimming. 
  • 8th Generation Bone Conduction Technology: Powered by patented 8th generation bone conduction, Bluetooth 5.1, and PremiumPitch™ 2.0+, OpenRun delivers clear sound, powerful volume, and rich bass. 
  • Open-Ear Comfort: Shokz (formerly Aftershokz) open-ear design, powered by bone conduction technology, allows for total awareness of surroundings and bud-free, comfortable listening. Available in 2 sizes to maximize comfort and ensure a secure fit. OpenRun Mini has a .5 inch shorter band size. 
  • Battery Life: With 8 hours of battery life and easy commands such as play, skip, pause, and back-a-track, you can enjoy music, calls, audiobooks, and podcasts all day long. OpenRun also features a 10-minute Quick Charge for up to 1.5 hours of battery life. 
  • Learn More! Shokz Openrun (formerly Aeropex) and User Guide 

Michelle’s Feedback on Shokz Openrun 

I asked Michelle, “What do you think about the Shokz Openrun?”. She responded, “I love them!” She elaborated a little more by stating that she loves the fit. Unlike other earbuds she’s tried, the Openrun didn’t hurt her ears after extended use because there is nothing in her ears. The sound quality was excellent, and she loves that she can hear all the sounds and notifications from her mobile phone just fine. As a Director of Human Resources, she receives emails, text messages, and calls all hours of the day and needs to be aware of them to assess and prioritize responses. The only con she had was when we walked on the side of an extremely busy road; she couldn’t hear her music, but she appreciated hearing the traffic. These have become her favorite headphones for when we’re doing our walks. She is also eyeballing the new Shokz Opencomm UC for use on her laptop for work! 

Danny’s Feedback on Jabra Elite 7 Active 

I’ve been on my fitness journey for much longer, so I’ve tried several fitness headphones over the past ten years. I recently used the Jabra Elite Active 75t and thought they performed well. Jabra was able to make improvements with the new Elite 7 Active. The audio quality of the Elite 7 Active is phenomenal when you consider their small size. The fit of the earbuds seems better and even more discreet. Walking near loud traffic was not an issue with ANC activated; it helped suppress the noise and allowed you to clearly hear the music. Beyond walking with my wife, I also do solo runs and strength training sessions. The new ShakeGrip™ buds kept the earbuds in my ears no matter what activity I was doing. Whenever Michelle and I were having a conversation, the HearThourgh feature was beneficial. I did have a phone call once using them and the other party seemed to hear me just fine. I never had to repeat anything and they didn’t complain about audio quality. I am excited to test the new Jabra Elite 7 Pro

Conclusion 

Many of you have made New Year’s Resolutions that include fitness. Music is a great way to stay motivated and go that extra mile or knock out those extra reps. When it comes to fitness headphones, you have options depending on your personal preferences. Whether you are just starting your fitness journey or are an elite athlete, brands like Jabra and Shokz (formerly Aftershokz) create solutions that align best with your needs.