Jawbone Noise Shield Bluetooth Headset (Black) [Retail Packaged]

by Jawbone

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 0.9 x 0.4 x 2.4 inches ; 12.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000RUPEOA
• Item model number: CT722LAS2348
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (632 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,809 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)

Product Description

Amazon.com

These days, it seems that wireless Bluetooth headsets are a dime a dozen, but Aliph's Jawbone stands apart from the pack due to its unique look and 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. This version comes in black, but it's also available in red and gray.

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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

105 of 106 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great headset. Awesome noise reduction June 27, 2007

By Steven M. Godlewski

I have had this headset for about 3 months now. The noise reduction is remarkable. I can be in a airport and no one even knows I am out of my office.

Wind is a problem with this headset as with any other headset. The noise reduction does not reduce wind noise. If it's a windy day you are out of luck but I don't know of any headset that works that way.

Sound - The sound is a little tinny but you get used to it pretty quickly.

Comfort - I have owned at least a dozen Bluetooth headsets and this is by far the most comfortable. There are different clips and ear pieces that come with the headset. I have worn it for over 8 hours straight and don't even know it's there.

Charging - Propriety USB charger that plugs into the back of the phone. They also supply a plug for an outlet so you can charge it without your computer. I bought 2 chargers one for home and one for my laptop bag.

Battery - Very good battery life. I cannot remember exact times but I use it often every day and have not run out of charge yet.

Storage - This is the one thing that is a pain. It does not come in a case and putting it in your pocket is a real pain. I know this is trivial but I wish there was a case for it when I am not wearing it.

Overall I really like this headset and can honestly say this is the best one I have owned.

145 of 158 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent Sound Quality, But ... September 17, 2007

By Christopher M. Adams

All the reviews and marketing I've heard for Jawbone, including the Demo on their website, tout how great the sound quality is. What they don't tell you is that it's only great for the person to whom the Jawbone user is speaking. But the sound is no different to the Jawbone user than any other Bluetooth headset.

The charger attachment is cumbersome, and although I've only owned my Jawbone for 4 months, is already coming loose.

Also, the Earloop is terrible. It's difficult to put it on, very uncomfortable, and breaks monthly. In the 4 months I've owned my Jawbone, I've had 4 Earloops break. And Jawbone doesn't allow you to buy just the replacement part that is right for you. Instead, you have to buy their full 4-pack, which has 2 different sizes for each ear. So to get the size that is right for you, you have to either buy a full 4-pack monthly (very expensive over time), or suffer as I have with Earloops that are not right, thus not confortable for you, for 3 of the 4 months, until you're forced to purchase yet another 4-pack. This may be great for their balance sheet, but it's unnecessarily expensive and very frustrating for the user.

This product is great if your main concern is how well the person to whom you're speaking can hear you. But for yourself, there are better products out there -- like the Jabra headset I used to have.

93 of 102 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Decent sound, horrible fit December 2, 2007

By magicker71

After using the Jawbone for several months all I can say is I completely regret ever buying it. The sound quality is good, but nothing particularly special either despite all of their claims. The sound quality is a bit better than my previous $50 Motorola bluetooth headset.

The main problem with the Jawbone, as many others have said, is the terrible fit. I typically wear the Jawbone for both legs of a 30 minute commute to work and at least half the time the Jawbone begins falling out of my ear requiring constant adjustment. When talking I usually have to hold the Jawbone into my ear with one hand so it works properly. Kinda defeats the purpose of a wireless headset.I've tried various combinations of the included earpieces and ear loops with no luck in finding a good fit.

Not recommended.