Customer Reviews

Jabra HALO Bluetooth Stereo Headset

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(46)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(22)
1 star:		(39)

 

 

I bought this headset specifically to pair with my iPhone. The sound is great and I certainly did not experience the volume issue that a previous reviewer noted. Bluetooth works very well when paired. Most of the time I have to delete the device from the iPhone and allow it to pair as if initially. That is a hassle but works well. The fit is comfortable but the rigid band that connects the ear pieces limits to some extent the flexibility. I have enjoyed a number of phone conversations and that function is so far flawless. I can hear the other party very well and everyone has reported excellent sound on their end. The light weight, comfort and wireless functionality makes this product a winner and well worth the price.

I finally took the plunge to buy a stereo bluetooth headset even though there a few choices. I have to preface my review saying I have a small head and very small ear canals so headsets that might fit well on most others are too big for me. I didn't want a cord hanging down on my neck or headphones that fall out when I run. The Jabra Halo is extremely comfortable and secure. It fits very flush so I can even wear a cap over it. My only concern is that it will be too warm to wear in the summertime. The sound is excellent without any interruption. The volume sensor takes a little getting used to since it's not a mechanical volume control but works well. Like the comments of others - the lowest volume may not be low enough for some. I tend to listen at the gym or running outside so my main concern is sufficient loudness and the Halo has that covered. Pairing was easy although I didn't have the headset sides locked into place so I had to call Jabra. I called another time about using the headset to move to the next selection (which can't be done on an iPhone). Both times Jabra tech answered the call immediately and provided excellent help.

Let me start be stating that the audio quality was acceptable, both for calls and music, but overall, the design is seriously lacking in the following respects:

1. The power switch is integrated into the headband hinge -a snap open, fold-and-slide affair that feels rather insubstantial and twice collapsed (inadvertently shutting down the radio) while in the process of taking the unit off my head.

2. Beyond the power switch functionality, the folding configuration provides no significant space savings. It's not as though collapsing these headphones will make them any less bulky in a laptop bag or purse.

3. The earpieces do not pivot or swivel at all -basically, if your head isn't a perfect fit (and mine isn't), they don't sit right on your ears and constanly slide off.

4. The software-based, touch sensitive volume control is a profoundly unreliable, counterintuitive gimmick. A hardware dial or rocker switch would have been much better.

5. The headband and earpieces are lined with some kind of synthetic velour that traps lint and fuzz admirably, but doesn't add to the comfort. And finally,

6. You can't control the tracks on an iPod Touch or iPhone 3G/3Gs with it. I know that's not Jabra's fault -that is a problem with Apple's current version of A2DP, so I don't consider it a knock on this product per se. I just mention it for the benefit of anyone planning to use these with one of those devices.

If you're really in love with the aesthetics of this unit, consider the Jaybird Sportsband. They're $10 cheaper, and they have basically the same features, but the earpieces adjust to the shape of your cabeza and you get real, tactile controls.

Comfortable to wear, but warm. The inside of the headset is lined with a padded velvet, so I wouldn't recommend wearing them if you're going to sweat.

They look amazingly sleek. Low profile, distinctive without being ridiculous.

I had no problems pairing with my iPhone and PC. Calls were clear, both for me and the person on the other end.

Does fold to take up less space, but not *much* less, so other than folding to turn them off, there's almost no reason to do so.

Sound quality was very, very nice, but for some reason, when paired with the iPhone, minimum volume is ridiculously loud. Watching TV on the computer was a pleasant experience, but listening to music was impossible. I don't tend to blare my music anyway, but when the minimum is still louder than my comfortable max, it's time to return the product.

With that said, I'd snatch it back up in a heartbeat if the manufacturer fixed the sound issue*.

(*Edit: 2011 - I'd originally titled this review "Eardrums... I miss them." The volume issue was apparently a problem with Apple's bluetooth software that has since been fixed.)

Wow, I will be the first to say that I was very hesitant about getting these, mainly due to the reviews and remarks in regards to how they work with apple products older apple products do not work with it, but thats cause the bluetooh signal is updated.. so blam apple or upgrade. I decided to rsik it and try them out and if worst came to worst retrun if needed. I am so glad I did, the rumors or comments abotuhow they are difficult to sync with an ipad are all false. I saw these on wired magazines podcast and they were very accurate on every aspect. The headphones surprisely have amazing sound quality versus my apple earpods, and actually even better tahn my seinhueser high quality plug ins. Syncing was a breeze, just hold button down and it will show up on ipad an done. Battery life is better than expected as well.I am averaging about 8hrs. I also love that the charge time is only 2hrs. the touch sensors work fine, the only advice I would give being that it is a wireless signal.. is give it a second or two when changin volume n dont go crazy tapping the plus area on the ear piece, it will get loud n blow your ear off.
Overall these are the best bluetooth headphones I have ever owned and used. Despite all the good points they are some flaws. Like many other reviewers the first thing I notice was the shut off feature which requires you to snap and pull on the headset. Immediately it feels against nature to do this.. but so far I havenot had an issue. Many feel they will break over time, overal I feel that if taken care of they will last quite awhile..just don't be a brute with them.
For me personally my biggest quam is the charging cable! seriously it is the words smallest charging cable ever, I am curious how they expect you to use them while they charge which it does allow and is nice if possible. I am hoping that maybe they charge while corded to the phone or ipad. I am not sure. I plan on contact jabra and seeing if maybe I was just sent a plug that is too short. Once I know better I will leave an update.

As you can see the pros outweigh the cons. and for the price amazon is selling them for, you cant beat it.

Pros:
wireless music
Light
Comfortable
Able to connect two devices, ipad n phone ...yeah me.
Amazing sound quality
Nice felt lining
Quick charge time
Awesome design
Comes wiht a soft carrying case.
Usb cables,
Carry case for 1 dollar available wiht amazon.. it is nice as well.

Cons:
shutting off feels like it will wear the material
super short charging cable.

Works perfectly so-far and I have not had any issues with volume and the call quality is very very good, best I ever had with stereo bluethooth headphones, and I own 3 other brands

I really liked the design & look of it. At first it worked ok with my android phone & my mac computer but:

1. The battery charge does not last very long.
2. It doesn't go as loud as I would like.
3. Can't use it at the gym because it falls off. Stays on ok if you are just sitting or walking around.

3. Had it for 4 months then it JUST STOPPED WORKING. Totally died for no reason that I could notice.

Avoid this item.

I got my Halo at a Best Buy about a year ago. The headset has the upper piece that sits on top of the head and two lower pieces with the earphones that are connected to the upper piece by joints that have to be put together with a 'click'. Problem is, these joints are made of plastic and if they don't connect, the headset does not work. I use my headset every day. I like them. They have good sound. The joints have worn out, though, and my headset will not stay together anymore. A piece of plastic on one side cracked two months ago and recently fell off. It's winter now, too, so if I can finally manage to gingerly get the pieces together, after I put my hat on, they come apart. Most of the time you don't even know they've separated until you try to make a phone call or listen to music and realize the headset is not working. What a waste of a Benjamin for a headset to function properly for less than a year. They won't work with the PS3, either.

I have been in the music business for 40 years and have owned just about every headset out there from Bose to Koss, to professional rigs like EE and Sennhaeiser.... and this can hold its own to them and is bluetooth comaptable with any portable music device. I personnally use it with my IPOD touch and IPAD2.... Once you set up your sound source to auto discover, the unit starts playing automatically and within a few seconds after snapping it together ( this is how the unit turns on ). My preference is the Jazz setting in i-tunes and just today used it with Pandora internet radio with Piano for the Genre. Amazing clarity and presence. I was blown away in comparison to listening it on my 30k surround sytem. There was piano riffs that appeared that I didnt hear before. The bass is not extended and precise without coloration. With the volume all the way up on my IPAD2, I could adjust the volume easily by just touching the right side earpiece softly. I had it on for 4 hours today and it was comfortable, not like many others that get burdensome on your ears after a short while. I cranked it up with Prince and it performed flawlessly without boomyness or over extended bass extensions. I would recommend it for light duty . In otherwords, its is a bit fragile compared to earpieces you can throw around. But, for the price it cant be beat in my view... I gave it 5 stars for this reason. The customer service was great when I had a loose connector.. I asked for just the headset to be repaired, and they sent me an entire brand new headset, charger, etc.... I use the charger for some other devices like my l.e.d candles and i-phone Lithium ion battery for extended use of my i-phone3...making my counter less cluttered.

I usually don't leave reviews unless I can remain positive for the most part but I really feel like I need to voice my opinion about this product. I am one of those people who think they can read all the negative reviews and then think it will be better for me because I am really good with this stuff. I was dead wrong.

I have wanted a pair of these for a very long time now but after only a week with these things I have had nothing but problems,

-Half the 'felt' from the headband is already falling off. It's all over my head every night and very annoying and makes the product look terribly cheap.

-The cheesy fold to power off/ power on is a complete joke and the hinges feel extremely fragile to me and likely to last less than a few months at most. This means there is no way to wear them around your neck if out and about with no other way to hold them and wish to have them turned off. And it also means you have to fold them in order to charge with out interfering with your backup bluetooth headset. I found this to be a very annoying problem becuase I wanted to avoid hinging them as much as possible because of the cheap hinge feel.

-The charging indicator works nothing like advised in the manual. You plug it in and the battery blinks red for 2 hours and then just turns off. It never turns to green like it is supposed to and unless it does it wont turn on. The first charge took over 4 hours, 2 hours blinking red and then turned green after another 2 hours of no indication light at all. The second charge I had it plugged in for 5 hours, it blinked red for the first 2 hours and then did nothing for the next 3 hours and when I went to use them the battery was still dead!

-Terrible, uncomfortable fit that will have your ears throbbing within the hour and a design that in no way attempts to stay flat against your ears or stay even remotely positioned on your head in an active environment.

-Constant clicking and static sounds heard during silent periods between songs/during pause time.

-It is not possible to initiate voice commands with the headset. Long pressing the center button only puts it in pairing mode to pair with multiple devices at the same time. Seriously a bluetooth hands free headset that cannot initiate voice commands so I can make a call?

-Jabras customer support declined to respond to my emails or call me despite their *STOP DO NOT RETURN TO STORE* labeling. I gave them a fair chance to support their product and they declined.

+On the bright side when they did work the phone calls were crystal clear and music sounded amazing with deep rich lows and crisp vibrant highs with plenty of volume even when working in noisy environments with power tools. No call complaints what so ever.

+Volume controls worked very well, precise and consistent for me. EVEN with my work gloves on.

Promptly returned. BUYER BEWARE.

The JayBird Sportsband is a far superior product in almost every way. JayBird Sportsband Bluetooth Headphones (Midnight Black)