Aliph Jawbone Bluetooth Headset (Silver/Grey)

by Jawbone

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 0.9 x 0.4 x 2.4 inches ; 2.9 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000VUGZIK
• Item model number: CT725LAU3212
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (209 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,234 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

These days, it seems that wireless Bluetooth headsets are a dime a dozen, but Aliph's Jawbone stands apart from the pack not only due to its unique looks but also thanks to some seriously amazing noise canceling technology. Originally developed for DARPA (The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) to create a communication headset that would pick up voice in hostile environments, the Jawbone offers some of the best clarity from a Bluetooth headset we've experienced.

Sophisticated modern industrial style meets the next step in audio technology with the Jawbone Bluetooth headset.

It can be worn on either ear, and you can customize your fit by choosing from one of the included earloops and earbuds.

The first thing you notice about this headset is its rather chunky size and cheese grater-like texturing on the exterior. Designed by Yves Behar, an award-winning industrial designer who also contributed to the design of the OLPC (One Laptop Per Child, aka the $100 Laptop), the Jawbone certainly has that iconic modern look that will be copied for years to come. It's also a bit large on the face (due to the embedded technology and speech sensor), which reminded us of Lando Calrissian's assistant, Lobot. But then there's no easy way to disguise a Bluetooth headset, and it's probably an advantage as passersby won't think you're just muttering crazily to yourself.

The Jawbone can be worn on either ear, and it comes with four earloops of varying sizes to fit your lobe. Made of solid metal with a rubber cover, they're fairly comfortable around the ear. The trick, however, is getting it on over the ear, and this is the Jawbone's biggest disappointment. Because it's so stiff, you literally have to use both hands to try to slip it on over your ear. And since we don't wear our headset constantly, we missed a few calls while performing this dance. Also, the metal frame does bend (as we found after carrying it in our pocket), which can be viewed as an annoyance or as a feature--enabling you to form-fit the frame to your ear. It also comes with five ear pads of varying shapes and sizes, and we tried one of the teardrop shaped pads to secure the Jawbone inside our ear sans metal frame--it was comfortable and worked for awhile, but isn't a solution if you're moving around a lot.

As with Steve Jobs, Behar is not a fan of protruding buttons. Thus, the Jawbone's two controls are hidden within the headset, requiring you to press either the front or back of the unit to answer calls, adjust volume, or turn on/off the noise cancellation function. While we've read some reviews that complained about these hidden controls, we had no problem in accessing them and appreciated their tactile response. The Jawbone also comes with a custom-fit recharging cable that can either plug into a PC's USB port or into the included wall jack. We enjoyed the flexibility of the USB charging, but wished the cable could have been a more standard USB mini-jack (for those times when you forget to bring the cable along).

But the true test of the Jawbone is how its "noise shield" performed. First, a little about this technology. The Jawbone has a small piece of rubbery plastic that protrudes from the bulbous microphone and sits flush against your face, and this sensor tells the Jawbone whether or not you're speaking and can remove background noise from your ongoing speech signal. It can also dynamically adjust the volume of the incoming audio from your call.

We tried the Jawbone in a number of different situations, and for the most part it worked flawlessly. Sitting at our desk with the stereo volume cranked up while playing The Chemical Brothers, our call partner was none the wiser. She didn't hear any of the music coming through, and our voice came through strong on her end. While standing on a street corner, the undulations of traffic noise never made it through to our caller, while we noticed an uptick in volume with an increase in traffic noise.

However, the Jawbone wasn't perfect, as it doesn't do a great job in windy situations. Still, for the good majority of situations you'll find yourself in--from busy airports to talk-heavy coffeehouses to traffic-laden city streets--the Jawbone should perform very well, masking the surroundings to improve fidelity for you call partner as well adapting your ear volume to the surrounding environment. We just wish the ear frame was a bit more flexible.

Pros:

• Amazing background noise masking capabilities--even when faced with loud, thumping music
• Outstanding adaptive volume as the environment around you changes
• Options for customizing the fit

Cons:

• Metal earloop frames are hard to quickly put on
• Non-standard USB connection is a bummer if you forget the cable at home

Product Description

Designed by the renowned Yves Behar, Jawbone takes mobile style to new heights. Jawbone's perforated shield curves to match the outline of your face while the inside surface is made from medical grade plastic to provide a soft and smooth feel on the skin. Jawbone can be worn on either ear, and you can customize your fit by choosing an earloop and earbud from the several shapes and sizes provided. Jawbone's ergonomic design enhances the acoustic performance and keeps the device lightweight, stable and comfortable. How it works- Jawbone measures the ambient noise around you and automatically enhances the incoming audio and adjusts the volume to make every incoming call sound crystal clear. Using adaptive sound technology, the Jawbone uses two microphones and a voice activity sensor. When placed against the cheek, the sensor detects voice vibrations rather than picking up the sound from your mouth. Excellent sound quality, adaptive noise cancellation, catchy design and comfortable fit.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

187 of 192 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here's a Trick To Make Jawbone Fit & Stay In Your Ear Better!, March 28, 2007

By 

Glen Noonan (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Ok, for those of you that have the Jawbone or are looking to purchase it, let's face it - it's the best on the market period! The noise cancelling it can do is simply phenomenal! I know since I have had them all from Jabra, Motorolla, Plantronics, etc. We have all been there, if you are in your car, airport, or outside the background noise makes it very difficult for the other person to hear you. If you want to solve that, get the Jawbone!

Now for the problem. The biggest complaint is that it is hard to get the Jawbone to stay in your ear, get on your ear, or feel comfortable in your ear.

Now for the fix. Buy some spare Jabra EarGels from the Jabra website under "Accessories" at $7 for a packet of 6! Jabra EarGels are designed to channel sound directly into the ear for perfect reception, so conversations sound clear and natural at both ends of the call. They are made of a translucent soft material shaped to sit snugly in your ear for a comfortable and secure fit. Jabra EarGels are hygienic and washable and come six in a pack - three sizes for left and right ears.

**The Jabra EarGels are molded to fit an ear perfectly and they will fit over the current round rubber earbud from Jawbone! That's right, keep the round black rubber earbud from Jawbone on the earpiece and then slide the Jabra EarGel over it. Both earbud and EarGel fit snug together and the holes line up perfect! Now you can take off the metal Jawbone earloop. Now place it in your ear. Ah ha, notice it stays solid in your ear and the sound is louder for you to hear. Also with a more secure fit, the Jawbone's voice activation sensor stays snug against your cheek. You can now even take off the Jawbone's tricky earloop since the Jabra EarGel makes the Jawbone stay put in your ear. Without having to use the earloop, you can take the Jawbone on and off your ear fast.

I hope this has helped everyone.

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great headset, March 28, 2007

By 

Jeff Clark "Jeff" (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

The Good - The Jawbone headset has a lot to like. The noise canceling technology really works. In a car with the radio turned up and the person at the other end could hear me fine, with the radio noise being low muffled background sounds. The Jawbone is loud enough to that you can hear in a semi noisy environment (i.e. car with the radio on, etc...) The unit comes with 4 ear hooks and 4 inserts that fit into the ear, making a comfortable fit an easy find for most. The Jawbone comes with a USB cable, so when traveling with a PC you don't need the extra power supply (but see below).

The not so good - First the Jawbone while wonderful at damping other nosie sources doesn't handle wind. In a windy situation the other person simply can't hear you. So while excellent with most background issues, it is only average with wind. Next, there are only two buttons, one "main" on/off/answer/hangup button. And one volume button. The jawbone attempts to auto set the volume based on the background noise, and this mostly works. But if you want to manually adjust the volume you have one button that turns the volume up then cycles back to the softest settings after reaching the top. This is not a big problem for me, and I almost never need to turn the volume down, but could be an issue for some. Next, The power cord end that plugs into the headset is not a standard USB plug (like the Moto), so you will need the jawbone cable to charge the unit. (Don't loose it!) Finally, the jawbone is designed for your face, not your pocket. It looks like it could be easily damaged in a jeans pocket or other potential crushing situation. So you will need to hold on to the unit in hand or find a safe way to carry it.

Overall the Jawbone is an excellent unit with some amazing noise canceling qualities. If pocket-ability is not a requirement, the Jawbone is a very good option.

56 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Hype at All, December 7, 2007

By 

Karen V. (Manassas, VA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Aliph Jawbone Bluetooth Headset (Silver/Grey) (Wireless Phone Accessory)

I have to say I was a somewhat skeptical about this product based on the reviews; however, since receiving it I have been extremely pleased. The range and clarity of this headset are phenominal. It's crystal clear with the calls I've received and has been the same for the person on the other end. Everyone has asked me if I got a new phone. I've had no dropped calls and am able to pick up my phone, without having it physically on me, from any where in my house. I have a 3-level townhome. I found this out strictly by accident. I forgot I had the headset on and went to the basement. My cell phone rang and the headset jingled as it should. To my surprise when I picked up the call it was as clear as if I was right in front of the cell phone, on both ends. Here are my thoughts (pros and cons) on this headset:

1. Comfort--PRO: This is by FAR the most comfortable headset I've ever used.

CON: It took a bit of time to figure out which of the pieces made the set most comfortable for me.

PRO: There aren't that many to weed through.

2. Aesthetics--PRO: It comes in several colors and is light-weight and interesting looking.

CON: It is a little bigger than most other headsets, and due to the ear piece design is probably not something you'll want to shove down in your pants pocket...'specially if you wear "bun-hugger" blue jeans. ;o)

3. Ease of Use--PRO: It was very easy to pair with my phone. It was very easy to figure out where the on/off and volume buttons were and to use them by feel alone.

CON: If you have heavily calloused fingers, such as a guitar player, you may have difficulty finding the specific pressure point to answer the phone as the little raised dash to push on is very small.

CON: It's a bit akward to quickly get on your ear with one hand, especially if you have really long hair. The rubber end of the ear hook gets caught in my hair and doesn't slide around the ear easily.

PRO: It becomes easier to get the ear hook over the ear with one hand with practice.

Over all I think this is a great product and I made the right choice. If I could do one thing to make a change, I would figure out how to make the ear hook turn and fold flat against the boom so it could be easily pocketed...even in "bun-hugger" blue jeans!