Aliph Jawbone Bluetooth headset (silver)

February 5, 2007 03:37

3.0/5
A review from a real end-user:

The new Aliph Jawbone is attractively (expensively) packaged and looks techno-chic, but falls well short on usability.

It is fairly easy to set up and pair with a phone. Slipping the Aliph on is a bit of a chore at first until you get used to guiding the unique ear loop onto your ear. Once it's on, your work is not done. I tried every combination of earloop and ear insert, but none fixed the basic problem with the Jawbone staying in place. The headset is large and heavy by 2007 standards, and much of the weight is set out away from the ear toward the mouth. This causes the headset to easily rotate downward on the ear, which causes two immediate problems: (1) the earpiece that is in the ear pops out and (2)the voice sensor loses contact with your jaw. If you sit still, it's no problem, but if you just walk around a little, the slight jostling from your gait will cause the Jawbone to fall out.

So do you need glue to use the Jawbone? Not quite. I was about to return it, but gave it another shot by taking one of the earloops and bending the embedded metal loop . Being well versed in adjusting wire eyeglass temples, I managed to get the Jawbone to stay put even as I walked around the room.

Next, I tried out the voice and calling quality for a couple weeks in various environments: in the office, in the car, at the coffee shop. There is no doubt it is one of the best, if not the best, voice quality for those listening to you talk. "Sounds like you are on speakerphone in a quiet room." said one listener while I was speaking to them from a noisy airport. In addition, the range was very good, one of the first headsets I've used with a true 30' range.

However, I found the sound quality on my end to be average to poor. Everyone sounded tinny and small compared to the quality of very average bluetooth headsets. Workable? Yes. Ideal? No.

Also, in day to day use, the tiny button used to answer and end calls is very hard to use. I found that I had to grab my phone and answer from there, otherwise I risked missing calls.

Finally, the pairing logic is just fair. When either the phone or the headset has been turned off or disconnected (which happens when the Jawbone is charging, for instance). They re-pair only about 80% of the time. The rest of the time you have to manually reconnect via the phone menu. In comparison, the Motorola and Jabra models I've used recently worked great, and the paired devices always re-paired without user intervention.

A keeper? Well, that depends on whether you work in demolition . . .

- dkshim

February 6, 2007 08:43

3.5/5
I have used a variety of bluetooth headphones in the past, including those from Jabra and Logitech, and generally been satisfied with them, but since I was shopping for a new one (the old one got stepped on) I was hoping for something that would be an upgrade. This isn't a first generation technology any more so as I shopped around my expectations were kind of high. Other than Jawbone, however, no one seemed to be offering anything other than smaller, or "cooler" looking (neither of which was a draw for me). So I gave the Jawbone a shot.

My biggest problems with all the headsets I have ever used is not background noise. While I do live in NYC and frequently use it in loud environments people have always been able to hear me, if not perfectly. What always defeats my calls is wind, and it's no different with this headset. A mime doing the "walking into the wind" bit nearby is practically enough to make me incomprehensible to the person on the other end. As for the general noise cancelling ability that is supposed to be this headsets big selling point, I thought it worked well, but it didn't "wow" me. It's evolutionary, not revolutionary which is really what I was hoping for, especially for the price.

I agree with some of the other reviewers that the volume is kind of low and the voice quality is somewhat tinny, but to be honest the earbud doesn't fit me very well so that could be part of the problem. This of course brings me to the next problem. No matter what bud I use it doesn't actually fit into my ear. It seems the general shape of the headset is designed to keep it in contact with the users jaw, however in doing so it keeps the earbud from reaching far enough into my ear. I never had this problem with other headsets so I don't think my face/ear structure is so statistically odd as to make my problem unique. At any rate for my optimal use they would need to either include a greater variety of earbuds or perhaps attach the earbud to some sort of adjustable stem.

My final problem is the buttons. I don't know who can use that itty bitty stud that serves as the answer button. Besides being tiny, it also offers no tactile feedback, or even an audible beep to let you know when you have sucessfully activated it. On many occasions I have accidentally hung up on calls since I was unaware of having sucessfully triggered it to answer in the first place. The same is true when hanging up. At times I have tried repeatedly to hang up on a finished call, and after unknowingly doing so, continue to press the button at which point the phone dials the last number that called me. It means I'm forced to use the handset to answer and end calls. Frustrating.

Still, despite these disadvantages the phone generally works well. It paired easily with my Sony-Ericsson, the range is superior to any other headset I've ever used, and so far the battery life is good as well. It's very comfortable and lightweight, and I frequently forget it's even on. I think it's also true that it has an very sharp and unique design that sets it appart from all other headsets. If the cost is not prohibitive I'd recommend it to anyone who prizes style as much as substance.

- terraph

March 2, 2007 06:39

4.5/5
I tried two other bluetooth headsets with my ppc-6700 and they both let me down. I needed one that worked flawlessly with Microsoft Voice Command because its a pain to answer the phone while driving.

A friend recommended the Jawbone but I was skeptical to pay that much for a headset...man was it ever worth it.

The sound quality is superb. I can hear crystal clear and the ppl on the other end can hardly hear when im outside or even in the car with music.

The only real problem with it is the earbuds. They give u 4 different ones but they all werent the right fit and would make the headset fall off with ease. The remedy to this owever is to get a set of Jabra eargels. i found them on ebay for $4 and they work perfectly. The earpiece is really solid once its on.

Again def best one out on the market..especially if u have a ppc or mda with MS voice command.

P.S. heres a tip: if u have a ppc or mda with ms voice command, look for a program called buetooth ID transfer and with it installed voice command will say what name is calling, read u new text messages and even new email over the headset. to me its better than the beep that u hear from the headset. the program also comes with an audio program that allows u to listen music or even slingpayer through the headset.

- mrbonner

February 1, 2007 01:41
Excellent
2.0/5
I bought the Jawbone the day it came out in December at Cingular. I really wanted to like it as I'm constantly searching for the bluetooth holy grail of fit and sound quality. Unfortunately, I found that the Jawbone underdelivered on both fronts.

On fit, despite the multitude of loops and earpieces, I could just never get the device to sit well on my ear. Beyond comfort, this had two significant negative effects.

First, I had a hard time maintaining adequate volume when the ear insert started to slip. Given the quirky volume control, it was hard to adjust the level back to something sufficiently loud.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, the unit MUST fit well against your face in order for the sound cancellation technology to work appropriately. There is a little rubberized nub that is supposed to sit against your cheekbone to pick up the vibrations. Since I could never get a good solid fit, I was constantly losing the benefit of the special technology.

One additional issue: the device did not pair well with my Motorola Q (which has the latest software). It would randomly switch between hands free on and off, even when I tried to initiate a call from the device itself.

As such, I've decided for now to stick with my less than ideal, but better fitting Plantronics 510, which at $50 from Amazon, is a much better deal than this device for $120. Even at equal prices, I'd still pick the Plantronics. The Jawbone has gone back to Cingular...

If you try it, I hope you have better luck than I did!

- gadgetfreak98

February 4, 2007 09:16
Good
1.5/5
My brother and I both have the Motorola Q and purchased the Jawbone Bluetooth due to its reported ability to block the backround noise we got on other Bluetooth headsets. With regard to noise it was for all intent non existant. The problem is that it frequently disconnects from the Q every hour or so. You hear three beeps and it is gone. At times when you initiate a call using the Jawbone, you don't hear the other party. Then you realize that the call has jumped onto the Q. You can turn it back to the Jawbone but who wants to go through all that. My brother and I both experience the problems. I plan to contact Ailph tomorrow to discuss the problem.

- golfcraz

February 6, 2007 09:18

4.5/5
I've purchased several bluetooth headsets in the past. The Jawbone is by far and away the best when it comes to noise cancellation...often times, it can be downright amazing.

I live in a metro area, and I walk or take public transportation just about everywhere. So background noise had always been an issue for people I call...not any longer with the Jawbone. Nonetheless, some sounds will still get through. As the CNET review said, wind will often (but not always) get past the noise cancellation technology, I think it all seems to depend on the frequency of the noise.

I don't particularly find the headset that attractive, nor is it particularly small to me...but I guess that's a personal taste issue. The fit is adequate, and I think if you're willing to spend the time to try out the different ear loops and covers, you can make it fairly comfortable.

The biggest con for me is that the speaker volume isn't always enough. I often have a hard time hearing the caller in noisy environments (even though they can hear me crystal clear...ironic).

I do not, however, have any problems with the volume rocker as I don't find rockers that's useful to me really. Nor do I find the "hidden" buttons a problem either. I have no difficulties accessing them or pressing them. In fact, the buttons have been the easiest for me to use.

Connectivity with the Jawbone is excellent. Will all my previous headsets, I always had problems reconnecting my headset if i walked too far away from my phone...but the Jawbone reconnects flawlessly. It's ability to stay connected through walls and around corners seems to be better than all my previous headsets as well.

- lovellpcl

February 6, 2007 02:02

4.5/5
Works just fine with my LG 8600 with Verizon.

Like some other reviewers I originally had problems with it fitting too loosely. Finally got brave and bent the standard metal ear clip just a tiny bit, and I then had a perfect fit.

The only thing to remember when watching the Jawbone demo at the Jawbone site is that it's demonstrating the sound on both sides that's being generated through the headset. Don't forget that you do have an extra ear where sound is also being generated.

Finally, I'm still tending to give in to the all too easy temptation of speaking too loudly when I'm in a crowd. I'm still learning to trust the headset and speak normally.

- tonypena

February 3, 2007 11:16

4.5/5
I have owned numerous ear pieces. The jawbone has the best sound of any product on the market today. Callers are amazed at the quality of my voice. Very little background noise is heard by caller.
The ear piece is a high quality constructed product. It can be adjusted by bending the outer metal piece open or closed.
It will fit any ear comfortably once adjusted.

Buy it and throw everything else away!!!

- Izzy1000

May 15, 2007 06:05

5.0/5
I found a way to fit the jawbone perfectly in your ear Without having to use the ear loop, you can take the Jawbone on and off your ear fast.
You just have to buy silicone earplugs. I bought some at CVS. Cost me only $2.99 for 4. Take the ear loop off the jawbone. now take about 1/3 of a silicone earplug and mold it on the back part of the teardrop shaped earpiece. Be careful not to cover the small hole or you will not hear your call too well. Put Jawbone in your ear facing the Jawbone down at first, then twist it up. the jawbone should now fit very well. If not,
try using more or less silicone or change the
shape of the earpiece. When it fits it will stay put and the little sensor will still touch your jaw.
Now, when you press the call button, it will not hurt anymore. The Jawbone will feel more snug instead.
I have used mine all day like this and it works great.
Hopes this
Helps.
I was going to rate this a 9 but now with this fix the jawbone is a perfect 10.

- thegate55

February 4, 2007 11:45

5.0/5
I've had a jawbone headset for about two weeks and it is, by far, the best bluetooth (or even wired) headset I've ever used. I broke an earloop (completely my fault) and their customer service sent me one for free. I've never had a company be so understanding and take care of me.

Finally, someone has made a bluetooth headset worth every penny!

- legelsegel