Jabra Elite Active 65t VS Simgot ET142

SIMGOT’s ET142 pairs a planar driver with a PZT, delivering a bright-leaning, lively all-rounder that feels like a more mature, slightly more detailed take on the original S12 tonality. Treble is the surprise: it carries bite and air without the usual planar “sizzle”, landing closer to a well-implemented PZT sheen. Micro-nuance on cymbal work is improved, vocals are open, and technical performance is among the best heard from planars in this bracket. The 2 kHz region can read a touch shy, while overall treble sits above Harman, so expect sparkle and energy rather than warmth.

Volume and fit matter. At mid levels (~60–65 dB) the ET142 sounds engaging and airy; push past ~70–75 dB and the upper energy can turn fatiguing, with forward vocals and sharper highs on busy tracks. Tip choice is critical: treble-boosting tips can be too much, whereas wide-bore, smoother tips (e.g., “Senai Wide”) keep the top end in check. Both included nozzles measure and sound essentially the same—an opportunity missed for a second, tamer tuning. Genre-wise, rock, indie and slower pop benefit from the speed and air; dense electronic can edge bright, while K-/J-pop stays bouncy at moderate volume.

Bass is quick, punchy and clean with tight decay and excellent separation—don’t expect DD-level rumble or lingering reverb, but do expect balance and definition. Versus safer, more relaxed tunings (S8/S15/S12 2024), the ET142 is the more exciting pick; against neutral all-rounders (e.g., “Pilgrim”), it trades smoothness for air and sparkle; compared to sets like “Dusk,” it’s livelier with less treble fizzle but a more forward top end. At around $200, build is excellent (metal shells, braided cable) and the value strong—competing with some $300–$400 options. In short: choose ET142 for a bright, technical, energetic listen; skip it if a laid-back or dark tilt is the goal.

Jays Audio original ranking

SIMGOT ET142 comes across as a sleek, chrome-heavy hybrid with a planar + PZT setup, dressed in CNC’d stainless shells and a surprisingly thick premium cable, plus a magnetic case and swappable 4.4/3.5 plug. Two tuning nozzles are included; differences are subtle, but the gold nozzles give a warmer, more relaxed balance versus the blued “airier” set. At a listed ~$220, the build and accessories feel upscale, though that cable is borderline overkill for an IEM.

On power, the ET142’s 14 Ω load behaves better with a more linear solid-state source (e.g., JDS Labs Element) than with tubes; an impedance adapter can tame noise. The tuning reads smooth, non-aggressive, with bass present but not the star; sub-bass “slam” isn’t the focus, yet vocals and staging are clean and pleasing. Treble with the gold nozzles stays polite, while the blued set adds some sparkle without turning harsh.

The special sauce is the imaging: sound feels “inside” and slightly behind the head, creating a quirky but engaging sense of placement that should be excellent for gaming. Overall it fits neatly among planar hybrids at this price—refined, smooth, and easy to enjoy rather than a fireworks show—earning a straightforward recommendation, especially for SIMGOT fans who value comfort, build, and that distinctive spatial presentation over brute-force bass.

Z-Reviews original ranking

Build & accessories: ET142 arrives with an all-metal chassis, a tidy two-pin cable with interchangeable termination, and swappable nozzles (blue default vs. gold). The blue nozzle proves smoother, as the gold adds extra 2–3 kHz energy that can edge into shout. Ergonomics are compact, vented, and well-finished, though not as feather-light as some resin competitors.

Tuning & technicals: The hybrid architecture (planar plus bone-conduction) projects an expansive, airy stage with clean separation and layering. However, that upper-mid peak can make gunfire and busy mixes feel a bit spicy, leading to a “deer-in-headlights” sensation during chaotic moments. Tonally it’s clear and detailed, but the extra air sometimes pushes nearfield cues slightly forward in the stage instead of delivering immediate urgency.

Gaming performance: Imaging and verticality are solid and footstep cues are intelligible, placing ET142 in a B+ to B range for competitive play. Against a warmer rival with stronger low-end presence, ET142 is less fatiguing than the gold-nozzle setup but still brighter than ideal for Apex/Valorant chaos; the rival’s bass weighting keeps gunfire tamed and localization snappier. Overall, ET142 is good for gaming with strong separation and stage, best for players who value clarity and air over maximum urgency.

Fresh Reviews original ranking