Depending where you are, the laws may dictate that you cannot use a handheld mobile phone, forcing drivers to use some sort of handsfree solution. There are several cars these days that come with built-in Bluetooth functionality, but not all of us have these kinds of cars and we may need to have our hands free at other times as well. For times like those, a Bluetooth headset is absolute must-have.
There are countless units available from big boys like Motorola and Sony Ericsson. Of course, Plantronics is also up there too as we’ve reviewed one of their headsets (Plantronics Discovery 655) and gave it an Editors Choice. However, a little company based out of San Francisco has a headset that just might have all of them beat. You may not recognize the Aliph name, but you’ve surely heard about their Jawbone Bluetooth headset. After using the headset for a couple of days, I’m inclined to say that the Jawbone is the best Bluetooth headset I have ever used. Yes, ever.
Look At All ‘Dem Accessories!
Aliph wanted to ensure that you have the absolute most comfortable fit with their Jawbone headset, so the product comes packaged with no fewer than four ear loops and four ear buds. There’s also a USB charging cable, an adapter to plug the charging cable into a regular wall outlet, an instruction manual, and a handy pouch.
Of the ear loops, there are two for each ear: one is slightly wider than the other. I found the bigger right ear loop to be the most comfortable. I should also note that each ear loop has a rubber band-like mechanism for a secure fit. Wearing the Jawbone, you’ll find that it’s not flimsy at all, no matter how much you shake your head.
The rubber ear buds also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but I opted for a regular old circle for the best comfort. There are a couple that are designed to fit the inner contour of your ear canal, but I found these to be too “pokey”, so to speak.
Jawbone Earwear Eliminates Noise
Having all these accessories does you no good if the headset doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to. If you ask anyone at Aliph about the single greatest feature that sets the Jawbone apart from the competition, they’ll likely cite the noise elimination technology developed for DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).
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This technology is comprised of the noise shield as well as a small rubber nub on the inside of the headset that makes contact with your cheek. The idea is that the person on the other end of the phone should hear your voice and your voice only. When you speak, you cheek will vibrate slightly and this rubber nub acts as a sensor. The microphone is also multi-directional, separating your voice from background noise. This cancellation technology works very well, making conversations much easier in noisy environments.
Voice Clarity is a Little Robotic
From both ends of the conversation, the sound quality was crystal clear, regardless of the ambient noise level. On a side note, the Jawbone automatically adjusts the volume of the earpiece based on the surrounding noise level, similar to the AudioIQ technology from Plantronics. This is a very handy feature. The trouble is that when you speak into a Jawbone headset, the person on the other end hears a voice that sounds a little robotic.
It’s a little hard to explain, but I’d prefer a little robotic over a lack of clarity. The strange sound of a robotic voice can probably be explained by the noise cancellation and cheek vibration-sensing technology at work. It may not be music to your ears, but at least you can hear what the other person is saying.
Stylish, Bulky and Lightweight
Although the Jawbone looks like it could be made from aircraft-grade aluminum, the entire construction is from plastic. That’s not to say it feels cheap! In fact, it’s probably one of the slickest Bluetooth headsets available on the market today. The shiny noise shield, particularly in black, is quite attractive.
On the downside, the Aliph Jawbone is definitely on the bulkier side of things. It’s got a fairly substantial footprint and it’s got some thickness to it. Despite its larger size, the Jawbone is surprisingly light and can be easily worn on your ear for hours at a time. At least it’s not as big as certain Jabra offerings.
For a size comparison, that’s a Motorola H500 Bluetooth headset on the right, next to the Aliph Jawbone on the left.
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Quirky Complaints
You knew that this headset couldn’t be perfect, right? There are a couple of main quirks that irked me a little about the Jawbone. First, the buttons are a little awkward to access. There’s one button on the noise shield itself and the other is near the top of the headset; the latter is particularly hard to press, especially since it’s the one used for volume adjustment. I guess that’s the price you pay for sleekness.
Second, there is a small rubber covering for the battery connector. This falls off far too easily and it would have been better if they used some sort of other mechanism either for the charger or for the battery connector cover. If the rubber cover was actually attached on one end, that would even work.
Conclusion
There’s a reason why everyone seems to love the Jawbone Bluetooth headset from Aliph. I can easily say that it is the best headset that I have ever used, largely because of its customized (and comfortable) fit and its noise blocking features. The rubber band-like mechanism included in the earloop, as well as the snug fit of the ear bod, ensure that the Jawbone won’t be flopping all over the place as you turn your head. This can be an issue with other headsets.
The robotic voice and larger form factor may be a bit of a turnoff for some people, but these are easily overcome by exceptional call clarity and stylish looks. The Jawbone easily earns the Futurelooks Editors’ Choice Award. The only (mono) Bluetooth headset that may rival the Jawbone is the Blueant Z9, which I have not used yet, but would love to give it a whirl. Are you listening Blueant?
Pros
- Great noise blocking and voice clarity
- Very comfortable design, rubber ear loop piece is great
- Highly attractive and shiny
- Included interchangeable earloops and earbuds
Cons
- Not as compact as other headsets
- Robotic voice quality
- Buttons are difficult to use
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