Innovative Wireless Earbuds Both Offering Personalized Hearing Experiences
Wireless earbuds users in the year 2020 have an ever-increasing variety of high-quality products to choose from. One of the standouts among the many available options are the Elite 75t earbuds by Jabra. Since their release, the Elite 75t earbuds have gained accolades for its small size, powerful bass, and comfortable fit.
In May, Jabra made headlines by rolling out a pair of new features available via firmware update for the Elite 75t:
- Customizable tap touch controls
- A personalized sound profile based upon the user’s individual hearing known as “MySound”
The addition of such features naturally invites comparisons to the new IQbuds2 MAX earbuds from Nuheara. Below is a detailed comparison of the functionality and available features with both products. Decide which are the best truly wireless earbuds for your needs.
What’s in the Box?
- Charging case
- Pair of truly wireless earbuds
- 6 silicone earbud tips
- 6 memory foam earbud tips
- Soft cloth carrying pouch
- Charging cable
IQbuds² MAX
- Charging case
- Pair of truly wireless earbuds
- 6 silicone earbud tips
- Charging cable
Jabra Elite 75t
Noise Cancellation Technology
Active Noise Cancellation+
“We’ve tested it on a 14-hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney, next to a noisy fan, under an air-conditioner, in a noisy workplace and in a very noisy bar. And without hesitation, we can say the noise-cancelling betters any earbuds or headphones we’ve ever reviewed.”
– Australian Financial Review
IQbuds² MAX
Passive Noise Isolation
“Although the Jabra Elite 75t does not have active noise cancellation, its passive noise isolation works very well. With a good seal, the headphones block out a majority of external sound, though active noise cancellation would have gotten rid of more low and high frequency sounds like the drone of a plane. ”
– TechRadar
Jabra Elite 75t
Operating System Compatibility
Fully compatible with Android and iOS systems
IQbuds² MAX
Fully compatible with Android and iOS systems, although primary AAC Bluetooth codec works best with iOS systems. No AptX compatibility for Android users.
Jabra Elite 75t
Sound Personalization & Enhancement
“The Ear ID assessment was found to be a more thorough test than what was expected. After monitoring the environment for sound level, it walks the user through a test of 6 frequencies, from 20 to 70 dB, in each ear: 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 3000 Hz, 4000 Hz, and 6000 Hz.
The buds utilize the NAL-NL2 fitting formula (the most popular fitting formula used in hearing aids today) to customize the sound following completion of the Ear ID process.”
– Hearing Health Matters
IQbuds² MAX
“Jabra notes that its parent company, GN Group, has significant expertise when it comes to hearing aids, and it’s leveraging that knowledge with the MySound test. But from the customer’s perspective, you don’t really learn much useful information. I wish that the app would show you your test results or exactly how it’s changing the sound in each ear. Instead, once you complete the MySound process, the EQ is automatically applied and you’re left without any useful information about your ears.”
– The Verge
Jabra Elite 75t
Blended Hearing / Audio Transparency
Launched in 2017 with the original IQbuds, Nuheara was the first hearable to enable users to blend their digital media with surrounding world noise through their earbuds. In addition to simply turning on and off the outside world, the IQbuds2 MAX offer the ability to equalize the level of digital vs. physical world noise, balance bass and treble in world audio, and utilize pre-set location profiles to optimize blended hearing in various environments.
“This is one of the coolest gadgets I’ve looked at in a while. The IQbuds allow you to mix digital audio from your device with your surrounding audio. ”
– Unbox Therapy
IQbuds² MAX
Added as firmware update in May of 2020, the Jabra Elite 75t earbuds now offer basic “hear-through” functionality similar to AirPods Pro.
“Similar to the Transparency mode on the new AirPods Pro, the HearThrough feature uses the microphones built into the earbuds in order to let you listen to what’s going on around you. It also amplifies the sound a little, enabling you to hear even better than normal which makes you feel like some kind of futuristic cyborg. ”
– SoundGuys
Jabra Elite 75t
Directional Hearing Control
“Audio beamforming technology to isolate and enhance sounds directly in front” of the user.”
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– Hearing Health Matters
IQbuds² MAX
Feature not included.
Jabra Elite 75t
Bluetooth Codec
IQbuds2 MAX supports SBC, AptX and AptX-LL Bluetooth Codecs.
IQbuds² MAX
“The only high-quality Bluetooth codec supported by the Elite Active 75t is AAC, which serves iOS users well. However, this doesn’t provide much benefit to Android users as AAC performance is unreliable on Android OS.”
– SoundGuys
Jabra Elite 75t
Tap Touch Controls
Separately customize six different tap-touch controls on left and right earbuds (single tap, double tap, and long tap on each ear)
Available commands include:
– Play/pause audio
– Activate Siri or Google Assistant
– Turn on/off augmented hearing (transparency mode)
– Turn up/down volume
– Next track or previous track
– “Focus” directional hearing on or off
– Answer phone call
– Hang up on phone
– Toggle between surrounding world audio equalization configurations (i.e. “restaurant, office, home, etc.).
IQbuds² MAX
Separately customize six different press-button controls on left and right earbuds (single press, double press, and triple press).
Available commands include:
- Play/pause
- Next track
- Restart Track
- Voice Assistant
- HearThrough
Jabra Elite 75t
Sound Quality
“A quick tour through different genres of music via a popular music streaming service found a rich and high-fidelity sound, with deep bass and crisp treble. “
IQbuds² MAX
“The Jabra Elite 75t heavily exaggerate low notes, which is great if you want to stay pumped during your workout, but can be detrimental to overall sound reproduction.”
Jabra Elite 75t
Help for Hearing Challenges
“Customized amplification for your level of hearing loss and the ability to focus on the voices directly in front, along with features found in premium music earphones such as active noise cancellation (ANC) and voice-assistant access.”
IQbuds² MAX
Per the Jabra website:
“MySound lets you hear your music the way it was meant to be heard.“
However the product makes no mention of speech enhancement or clearer conversations.
Jabra Elite 75t
Choosing the IQbuds2 MAX or Jabra Elite 75t
Both Nuheara’s IQbuds2 MAX and Jabra’s Elite 75t earbuds are well-designed earbuds that offer good value at their respective price points. Ultimately, the best option for a consumer really depends on their needs. Given it’s lower cost, the Elite 75t are a practical choice for someone looking for earbuds to use while working out or making occasional phone calls.
However, anyone looking for premium active noise-cancellation, users with mild-to-moderate hearing challenges, or those simply looking for a premium audio experience with high fidelity sound across all frequencies — will likely find the added expense of the IQbuds2 MAX to be well worth the cost.
