Customer Reviews

Jabra EarBoom for phones with Universal 2.5mm Jack

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I have to admit that I am a phone junkie since about 8 years. Friends call me from Switzerland to get advise on how their cell phone works. When I bought my current cell phone it came with a Jabra EarBoom Headset. Well, I was not so sure if I should really use it, but hey, what the heck, a try can't hurt. This try was a revolution for me. The very first headset ever that was featherlight, did not mess up my hair, did not distract my view (eg. in the car), did not hang around on my chest, picking up the noise of banging against my pecs whenever I did the slightest move. I drive with this headset on in my convertible and even though the top is down, the engine is roaring and the wind blows around me... I can hear my party, my party can hear me and that thing is like welded into my ear... Even though it puts the sound directly into your ear you can still hear approaching emergency vehicles. This thing is really great. My partner gave me a bluetooth headset as a present. Even though it is about 10 times as expensive than the Jabra EarBoom, I will not change and the bluetooth rots in my gadget cabinet. Buy it. I got it for free, but I would be ready, willing, and (thank you AMEX) able to pay a lot of money for it!

I have tried 9 different varieties of HF cellular devices. I mean tried, not "tried on". Most of these products now reside in my desk drawer or garbage can. The brands I have tried include Motorola, Jabra, Plantronics, generic types, Coby, Ear Glove (not sure if the name is correct) among others. The types of HF devices include head sets, over the ear, ear buds, hands free CLA units and Jabra products. I have found the Jabra products (I currently use an ear boom with winder) to fit my exacting needs and wants the best. WIth my first Jabra product it took me several weeks to "pop" the gel piece in properly, and now I do it without thinking. With the cord winder attachment, which I clip to the antenna of my StarTac or Motorola V60, I am no longer untangling cords and have one simple, easy to carry unit. The Jabra ear boom winder is not perfect, but when I "made the comparisons" this product is the best

This headset works great. Has very good microphone and earphone sound quality. The gel earphone seals out the noise pretty good, after you learn how to stick it in your ear. Because of the unique ear gel shape it does take a couple extra seconds to get it properly positioned. But once it's in there, it's fairly comfy. Boom mic picks up speech pretty good without most other ambient noise. However the boom sticking out of your ear will give you a slight geek factor. But the bottom line is that this Jabra EarBoom does what its supposed to do. I also use this universal plug unit in my cordless phone at home.

i helped develop the danger hiptop (aka "t-mobile sidekick) and hated holding its brick-like nature to my head ... i wanted a good headset ...

the only problem is i *hate* earbuds, so i wasn't looking forward to shopping for/buying one. i went to the local super-electronics store, and abusing their return policy, bought one of every headset they had to try -- 23 headsets to be exact ... i picked up the jabra only to be a complete-ist, figuring there was no way i'd buy its star-trek-bugs-crawling-in-chekov's-ear styling.

but after trying them all, the jabra was *easily* the best feeling and best fitting.

in a nutshell, here are the things i like about this unit in particular:

* it comes with 6 different fittings (3 sizes for the right and the left), so you get a chance to get a *much* closer fit than some generic ear piece.

* contrary to what others have said here, the ear pieces stay *very* snug in your ear (if they don't, you're not fitting them correctly).

* i wear glasses, so i can't tolerate over-the-ear headsets. this, of course, is great in that way.

* i like having the model with the microphone boom over the classic ear-only jabra because it:

1. let's people know you're talking on the phone, and less likely to interrupt you while you're talking.

2. i drive a convertible and the mike cover is good enough that i can easily talk to people with the top down and be heard without a ton of wind noise.

* it's small and easy to wrap up into my cell case.


also in the newest version, they've adding a securing "lip" to the rubber ear pieces that keep them from falling off the ear piece (this definitely was a problem before).

to top it all off, jabra's support is excellent. i called their 800 number when my securing clip for my shirt broke and they immediately sent me *three* replacements, free of charge, along with a ball point pen for my "troubles."

at 10 bucks, these things are a steal ... using one with my hiptop is a joy -- it means i can still contruct sms's, type in emails, add messages and addresses to my address book whilst talking on the phone. if you have a data device of any kind, this will make your phone experience twice as good.

a truly great product from a company that knows how to treat its customers right. what more could you want?

thanks for reading.

I have been experimenting with several handsfree devices in the last month as we are rolling out a company wide handsfree policy. We have experimented with speaker phones and remotely located microphones, but the best sound quality (both send and receive) has come from the Jabra Earboom. It is safe to use as well since it can be put in your ear with one hand. Like most people I don't wear it non-stop in the car. I usually set it on the passanger seat and when the phone rings, I can pick it up and place it in my ear with one hand. According to people I've talked to, the audio quality is great and it's really easy to hear on my end as well. It is comfortable and has different size ear gels with the unit.

Jabra makes, by far the best hands-free devices on the market. This particular model, the EarBoom, is not with it's faults. However, it will meet your needs for the most part if you figure out it's peculiarities.

Jabra provides multiple ear gels for comfort and for left ear or right ear use. The criticism that they are hard to get used to is valid. You have to try putting them in different ways till you figure it out. The instructions are not a substitute for trial and error I suppose.

As for the hands-free jack on your phone, you have to make sure you have a 2.5 millimeter jack. That is the one with 2 stripes on the plug. Unfortunately, a specific compatibility list is hard to come by. Look at the specs for your phone and give it a try.

The microphone will capture sound just fine, despite the short arm. If you find people are telling you your voice is muffled, you must slighly twist the microphone head. I have found that sometimes, if it is at the wrong angle, it will not capture sound as well. The arm is flexible enough that it can be adjusted slightly.

I also prefer the EarWave Boom or the EarWrap, which have wraparound ear attachments and a slightly longer more solid arm. The Jabra EarWave Bud doesn't have a microphone arm, but instead has the small mic on the cable with a clip to attach it to your tie. Personally I don't like those models. I have not found much difference in sound quality, though the EarWave Boom and the EarWrap are somehow easier to figure out.

For difficulty of use and for a microphone arm style that I just don't like, I have docked this unit 2 stars. It should be noted that none of Jabra's newer models have this microphone arm any longer But this is good bang for the buck. Try other higher end models if you are more demanding, like I am, and are willing to spend the money.

I really like this handsfree set. It is very comfortable in my ear with the different size gels and also you have the option to use right or left ear. The microphone is just next to your cheek. I can move around with it and will not fall off or rub against anything close to my face. The audio is great. I can also take it anywhere with me. Not just in the car! I highly recommend this earset.

The best thing about the Jabra line is that their earpieces STAY IN PLACE so much better than the clip-over-your-ear style headsets or plain earbuds. This product is no exception, and it's perfectly comfortable.

I was, however, expecting somewhat better voice transmission quality (I tested it by calling my own voice mail and having a friend call me using my own cell phone). It's adequate, but somewhat muffled. I've had clearer voice transmission from my end on a Plantronics headset that cost about $25.

Since I got it for $10 and no shipping on clearance, I have no complaints - the mouthpiece is nice and small and so it's easy to stuff the whole thing in a pocket.

So I bought this thing based on the Amazon reviews and saved a bundle over the local retail cost (yeah Amazon!), but that's not why I'm writing this review.

I'd like to talk about the performance and comfort of the Earboom. The eargel thingies are designed quite well, of the three different sizes for each ear you're bound to find one that fits very comfortably. Turns out I couldn't find any that fit my right ear comfortably for extended periods of use but found a perfect fit in my mate on the other side. My wife had the exact opposite experience - hopefully our daughter will inherit more symmetrical ears! I hate jogging so can't comment on the fit during that activity but can say the gels fit suprising well in the folds of your ear and the boom is quite secure when installed. I'd have to imagine it'd take a big hit to knock it loose once in place.

Sound quality from the earbud is decent, but I feel the Earboom lacks some fidelity, especially the higher frequencies. Normally this is not a problem, but it can sometimes make the person you're talking to sound like Isaac Hayes. The speaker is plently loud and the lack of high frequencies allows you to tune into the tonal range where us humans tend to converse, without having the voices washed over with background noise. The gels block an appropriate amount of external sounds allowing you to concentrate on the discussion at hand without impeding your ability to hear say an ambulance while driving. There is a small slot on the gels that funnels some external noise to your drum, while the rest of the gel fits snug to the ear blocking out other stray noise paths.

I've asked people how I sound and thus far the feedback has been positive, my voice comes through loud and clear despite the boom's apparent lack of length, reinforcing my belief that size DOESN'T matter. In fact, I have found the mic to be very sensitive to even small sounds. Forget talking on the phone and subtly typing on the keyboard our mouse click surfing - they'll hear every click. Another example, I was in my house and the person on the other end could hear the kids playing in the pool 40 feet away with the house windows closed!! Yes, the mic is that sensitive. Even while driving they could hear when I shifted gears. Not that it's obtrusive to the other person on the phone, it's just good to be aware they can hear it all.

What more to say about such a simple device. Form Fit and Function are all there and I would recommend this product. In fact, I just ordered another - it makes a great gift!

I think this is a pretty good earpiece... granted, I've only used one other (it was a flimsy little thing that came w/ my friend's Nokia), but this one far surpasses that one in sound quality and comfort. Where my friend's would fall out of my ear, this one (once I got it figured out) never comes loose. Second, listening to people on my friend's, I would have to turn up the sound to hear the person well, and then they sounded muffled and distorted; but on my Jabra I can actually turn down the volume on my phone and they sound crisp and clear-- moreso than when I'm not using the earpiece. Finally, when my friend calls me and uses her earpiece, she sounds distant and muffled; I've had no complaints from the people I'm talking to using the Jabra, and, in fact, my mom said it sounds better when I use the EarBoom than when I don't.

The ear gels are a bit hard to get used to. They are oddly shaped (as you can see in the picture), and there are six of them total-- three of them for each ear. Lots of reviewers complained about the fit and comfort of the ear gels, while others claim these are the most comfortable earpieces they've used and that they fit perfectly... I can honesly say I've had both experiences. When I first got this unit the earpiece kept falling out everytime that I would turn my head: *very* frustrating. I tried pushing it into my ear as hard as I could, I tried holding it in place with my hand, but that only seemed to defeat the purpose of having a hands-free earpiece. Nothing seemed to work. I was thinking of returning it. I was thinking of throwing it into traffic on I-95. And then one day, somehow, I came to the realization that you have to sort of twist it into your ear-- with the little poky-out part stuck in the fold of your ear next to the ear canal (not the fold on the top of your ear; if you do that it'll just pop out again)-- and then *voila* it stays put. Matter o' fact, it'll stay put so well that it'll be a little bit difficult-- even *painful*-- to get out again.
I can imagine that people with different ear sizes, different patience levels, and lower IQs might have different experiences than my own. But all I can say is that once I had this little bugger figured out, I was golden. I love this thing and almost never talk on the phone without it.
Admittedly, it is a bit difficult to get into your ear-- I'd say it takes upward of 2 seconds to get in properly (before you're good and practiced at it), which may not sound like a lot, but it's long enough to not recognize somebody's voice or hear the first sentence they say, or whatever. A *very mild* frustration. But like all things good and pleasant, it takes a little practice to get it just right and now I have it so that I can answer the phone, slip the EarBoom in my ear and start a conversation without missing a beat. In fact, I find this earpiece to be so comfortable that I forget that it's in until I go to scratch my ear or something!

The other complaint that I saw on here was that it's not compatible with Nokia phones. In fact, it even says right on the package that it's not compatible with Nokia. That's funny, I have a Nokia 3589i and it works just fine. They make two other models of EarBoom (one of which clearly would not have worked with my phone), both of which claim to be Nokia compatible, and *neither* of those works with my phone! Confusing? Yes! The problem is it doesn't work with *all* Nokia phones. While browsing at the store I noticed that the ones that claimed to be Nokia compatible had a list of phones that it works with, but it didn't include mine (it included one that was, numerically speaking, very close to my model: the 3590); which piqued my curiosity. And so I went to the friendly manager of the store that I was in and he opened two of the different packages for me and let me test both of them. One of them worked, the other didn't. The strange part of it was that we couldn't see a visible difference in the two units... and then one of us noticed that on one of them the jack had two small black stripes around it (that's this one, and if you look closely at the picture you can see them), while the other one (the one marked as Nokia compatible) had three. Hmmm... Curious.
So my advice is to either know your phone well (as in, have the little book handy) or ask for help before purchasing.

All in all 4 of 5 stars. I'd give it 5 stars on performance and comfort, but have to take it down a notch for an extended period of getting used to it and for confusing packaging.

Addendum:
Several months later the little piece of foam has fallen from the end of the boom so that any sound from the wind becomes almost unbearably loud for the person at the other end... And living in windy Providence, this is a bit of an annoyance.
Also, for a while I was having a problem where the earpiece would cut out for seconds at a time so that I couldn't hear the person on the other end of the line (and, likewise, they couldn't hear me) unless I jiggled the little jack. This was *very *FRUSTRATING.** Now, for some reason, I'm not having that problem anymore. I'm not really sure if the problem was due to my phone or the EarBoom. Either way, it's something buyers should be aware of.