Aliph Jawbone headset

CNET editors' rating: 4.0 stars Excellent
Detailed editors' rating
Overall score: 8.6 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 38 reviews
• See all user reviews

Product summary

CNET Editors' ChoiceNov 04

CNET editors' review

• Reviewed by: Kent German
• Edited by: Bonnie Cha
• Reviewed on: 11/22/2004

In the world of cell phone headsets, many users stay with the simple earbud models that come with their phone. While this may save you some bucks, you're usually stuck with poor sound quality. Fortunately, there are alternatives, and while Bluetooth headsets claim a monopoly on cool, they needn't get all the glory. Offering an outstanding mix of comfort, style, and performance, the Aliph Jawbone is far superior to competing wired models. As this is no ordinary headset, you'll pay a premium. That said, for $145, you do get what you pay for. As of press time, the Jawbone works only with Motorola, Sony Ericsson, and Nokia handsets, but compatibility for more mobiles is in the works.

The Jawbone has a striking design--in fact, it recently was featured in an exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The basic form factor consists of two rectangles connected to the phone jack and each other by a thick wire. The first rectangle holds the ear loop, the earpiece, the microphones, and the voice-activity sensor (see below). Measuring 2 by 0.7 inches and outfitted in sleek silver, it has a highly flexible ear loop that swivels effortlessly for use on both ears and a smooth earpiece that protrudes only slightly into the ear. The overall result was an extremely comfortable fit, and the Jawbone slides on and off with ease.

The second rectangle holds the belt clip and the user-friendly control buttons. Slightly larger at 2 by 0.8 inches, it's styled in the same silver and has a ring-shaped light that glows green when the headset is activated and red when a call is on mute. A power switch turns the headset on and off, and an action button mutes calls on Motorola phones and answers and ends calls on Sony Ericsson and Nokia handsets. We had small complaints with the cord and the phone jack, however. While the cord is exceptionally strong, it's stiff and difficult to wrap up for traveling (a small bag is included). It was also quite long, which made the overall setup a bit cumbersome when on the go. Also, the fit of the phone plug was loose. We had to check it a couple of times while on a call to make sure it was secure.

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User reviews

• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 38 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars Write review

• Showing 3 of 38 user reviewsSee all 38 user reviews

• 3.0 stars

  7 out of 9 people found this review helpful

  "Too Big. No Volume Control"

  on December 5, 2004

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• 5.0 stars

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

  "Works on Chicago's "EL" trains perfect!"

  on January 12, 2005

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• 4.0 stars

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

  "Amazing Sound Quality"

  on January 12, 2005

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• See all 38 user reviews Write review

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