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"Solid Bluetooth Headset" on by msenske
Pros: Great noise canceling capability, very comfortable fit, sleek design
Cons: Incoming audio quality isn't outstanding
Summary: I have used several bluetooth headsets over the past few years and the new Aliph Jawbone 2 is right at the top of the list. That being said there are a few minor complaints.
I purchased the new Jawbone 2 to replace my Bang & Olufsen EarSet 2, which is an absolutely fantastic headset with the exception that it is bulky and its noise canceling features are middle of the road. I could never get the original Jawbone to fit snugly and comfortably, so I was never able to use it despite desperately wanting the noise canceling features that it offered.
The B&O has been a very solid compromise and it delivers absolutely amazing incoming audio quality. In fact, I have never used a bluetooth headset that has the incoming audio quality of the B&O.
When I saw that the Jawbone 2 was being released in a new form factor, I was very excited to give it a try. I can say that the sleek new Jawbone 2 is extremely comfortable and stylish as far as headsets go.
In order to test the Jawbone 2's noise canceling capabilities, I left my office voicemail several messages from different environments (e.g., outside, busy street, driving at highway speeds, in a crowded environment, etc.) The noise canceling capabilites of the Jawbone 2 are absolutely amazing. I could hardly hear any background noise and several of my coworkers and friends have commented on how good a job the new Jawbone does in terms of noise cancellation.
My biggest complaint is that incoming audio quality is only fair at best. It falls well short of the B&O, but it is on par with most other bluetooth headsets. Frankly, I was expecting better performance in this area.
Another gripe is that the headset doesn't seem to automatically adjust the incoming audio volume as effectively as advertised when the Audio Assassin feature is turned on. I find myself having to turn the volume up on my phone in order to adjust the volume to an acceptable level.
I think that I'll stick with the Jawbone 2 given the fact that my main reasons for puchasing it were for its noise canceling capabilties and its improved form factor. I guess I'll just have to put up with average incoming audio quality. -
"Still Assessing - Some good and some bad" on by arhdc
Pros: A nice size, good outgoing sound quality
Cons: still having fitting issues, not loud enough for me, spare charging cables are too expensive
Summary: I have am a somewhat outdated blue tooth headset user, that is I tried almost everything that was readily available in mid 2005 (I bought and took back every bluetooth headset that I could find in my local retailers), found that I really liked the bluespoon ax2. I bought and proceeded to break 4 of them in short order so much to my dismay. As a side note the bluespoon, they worked great for me but they were totally breakable, my last one died after a single fall to the floor. My next foray into bluetooth tech in mid 2006 with a Motorola H700 that I liked a lot (and still like - a solid performer and IT TURNS OFF EASILY). Spilled coffee on the H700 and replaced it with a Motorola H500 because I was still a bit skittish with fragile looking headsets and the H500 was inexpensive and durable looking. Couldn't stand the H500 for too long (it didn't turn off easily and was thus hard to carry, poor sound quality for me) and I was back to an H700 that lasted me until now (more than a year on this last one, the best I have done yet). All of this to say that I have never used the original jawbone or any of the currently hot and high end bluetooth headsets that are on the market but I am a longtime user that is lost without one. I am a bit nervous plopping down $130 for a new and as yet untested headset but I am giving it a try.
This is my first Jawbone and it is of course the New Jawbone (Wouldn't Jawbone II have been better - a search for "new jawbone" gives a lot of ebay hits for "new" rather than "used" jawbones) and I am sill in the love hate phase.
I have large ears and can't seem to get the darn thing to fit both comfortably and with good sound quality. It really needs the ability to go louder for those of us who can't get the earpeice to set correctly in our ear canals. Yes, I have been at this long enough to know to try all possible combinations and I have even attempted to go without the earloop in pursuit of the best fit. I do also have a beard and the cheek sensor seems to be able to reach my cheek without difficulty for any of you bearded men out there who are wondering. I have not given up yet but if this proves unfixable I will be returning it to my AT&T (oops now it's the New at&t) store.
The outgoing audio is seems good overall but I am still having trouble assessing that as well as some people have more trouble understanding me in relatively quiet environments than I had with my plain old H700. In loud environments others are able to hear me fairly well BUT I can't always hear them, defeating the intend.
My final gripe is that they have used a proprietary plug for the charger and if I want a second charger for the car I need to buy a $30 cable plus a usb to auto charging adapter (I have one of those but that is beside the point). Why not a mini USB plug, I have tons of mini usb chargers and they are not that big even as board mounted solder on modules, I have had enough headaches re-soldering them on busted devices to know this for certain.
So here is my summery:
-Overall decent quality outgoing sound that would be great if I could hear the darn thing on my end. The jury is still out for me on this point.
-Poor fitting, for me at the least. It needs better rubber earpeice options that are able to give a better seal OR have the ability to go louder.
-Magnetic charger cable is neat but I would rather have a mini usb plug for compatibility (maybe an inexpensive, short, mini usb to magnetic new jawbone adapter would be nice).
-Nicely put together, nice size and great packaging.
-Seems to be Beard Computable.
-Please add an easy to use OFF SWITCH to the New New Jawbone (that would be Jawbone III for the rest of us).
My final advice, buy one locally (an at&t store for next couple of months) if you want to try it but keep everything to be able to take it back if it is not up to par for you. -
""Great for iPhone!! One Complaint."" on by computergeek1971
Pros: Small; light; great sound quality; great fit
Cons: Makes a crunchy noise when pushing the talk button
Summary: I have owned 10 different Bluetooth headsets over the years. This is the best one I have used so far. I also owned the original jawbone headset, but this is much improved.
The original jawbone was horrible when outside with ANY wind. This one has improved wind noise with a dual microphone system. The original was also huge compared to this one and heavier.
The worst thing about the original one was the earpiece. The only way I got the original jawbone to fit was by superglueing an "ear gel" on the headset and removing the hook. The Jawbone 2 fits perfect with the original earpiece. You don't even need to use the hook it fits so well and is so light.
The sound is very loud on this headset. I keep the volume turned all the way down on most calls. People on the other end hear me very well even though I am a "low talker".
The Jawbone 2 syncs up with the iPhone more quickly than the original or other headsets I have used. It also keeps a lock when near my radioactive microwave.
I only have one complaint about the Jawbone 2. When you push the talk button (or anywhere near it) it makes a cheap crunchy sound. It is almost as if the top plastic piece is not properly attached. I just got off the phone with customer service at Jawbone and the representative advised me this is normal and it makes the same crunchy sound on his Jawbone 2. He advised it may get better over time, but I kinda doubt that. The original Jawbone had a clean precise click when you pushed the talk button while you are left uncertain if you pushed the button or not on the Jawbone 2.
I ordered mine directly from Jawbone and it shipped out the same day. The packaging is very elaborate and over the top. I would rather get a plan white box and shave $10 off the cost. Happy bluetoothing!! -
"Disappointing" on by joeldwright
Pros: Small size, elegant design, fast recharge,
Cons: poor outgoing sound quality
Summary: I used the original Jawbone for nearly a year before purchasing the new Jawbone last Friday.
My only complaint with the old Jawbone was that it wasn't that great in the wind, but was excellent everywhere else.
With the new Jawbone, about half my callers are complaining about the sound quality, even when I am inside. I can hear them just fine, but they don't seem to hear me very well --they complain they only get every other word, or that it sounds like I'm inside a tin can. I've tried adjusting it every which way, and it doesn't seem to be improving, even when I push the VAS (or "Voice Activity Sensor" - that little rubber thing) into my cheek.
Just disappointing. -
"Simply SUPERB!" on by RadicalNow
Pros: Crystal clear sound, sexy smaller look, and state of the art technology all in one dynamic package!
Cons: Absolutely NONE! Version 2 corrected all the cons in my book!
Summary: Jawbone did it even better this time around--clearly they listened to their critics and make the needed changes. The sound between my first Jawbone and this one is MUCH better...I actually hear some bass response in my callers voice. Yes, the tin-edge is much better! Buttons depress much easier now as well. What can I say, this version, IMHO, simply redefines the bluetooth headset world. Good luck improving on this one. My one suggestion to any long-term users of this headset is to spend the $60 and get a custom earpiece for this headset from www.averysound.com. They send you the impression kit and turnaround time is about 2 weeks. My 1st generation Jawbone earpiece works perfectly on the 2nd generation one. With that custom earpiece, your sound will be taken to a new level and you can wear it forever. It is more than worth it to "perfect" your Jawbone 2 experience.
By the way, I've owned ALL of the best/expensive headsets...this one is "it on a stick!"
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