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Aliph Jawbone Noise Shield Bluetooth Headset (Red) | 
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| Brand: Aliph
Category: Wireless
List Price: $149.99
Buy New: $79.99
You Save: $70.00 (47%)
New (2) from $79.99
Rating:  139 reviews
Sales Rank: 551
Color: Red
Media: Wireless Phone Accessory
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 0.9 x 0.4 x 2.4
MPN: JAWBONE-RED
Model: CT725LAU5775
UPC: 802029019526
EAN: 0802029019526
ASIN: B000RZCI80
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Advanced, military-grade noise-canceling system continuously adapts adapts to your environment | | • | Award-winning modern industrial design by Yves Behar | | • | Can be worn on either ear; includes four earloops and five earbuds for custom fit | | • | Charges via proprietary USB cable | | • | Jawbone's ergonomic design enhances the acoustic performance and keeps the device lightweight, stable and comfortable |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Review
These days, it seems that wireless Bluetooth headsets are a dime a dozen, but Aliph's Jawbone stands apart from the pack not only due to its unique looks but also thanks to 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 red, but it's also available in black 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
There are cell-phone headsets that appear, well, like cell headsets. Bulky things that hang off the ear like some grotesque jewelry. Others fit directly into the ear, almost invisible. Jawbone Bluetooth Headset Cellular Phone Edition is a statement of refined art. There's something exciting and unique about the striking design. So sleek and elegant, it was featured in an exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. It manifests more than contemporary sensuality for mobile professionals and socialites whose lives are immersed in wireless technology. The Jawbone headset represents the fine balance of form and function. Within the mass market of phone headsets, the Jawbone represents excellent sound, conscious energy efficiency, and personable beauty. It earmarks your individuality - subtle yet prominent. Jawbone - People will talk about it, but most of all, they'll love using it as their exclusive headset for mobile communication.
The Jawbone Bluetooth headset virtually eliminates background noise so your calls are clearer. The device's Noise Shield technology uses an advanced, military-grade noise-canceling system that continuously adapts to the users' changing environment to deliver and receive unparalleled audio quality. Combined with its award-winning design, the Jawbone headset is perfect for those on the go and for those who need the convenience of Bluetooth in challenging environments. Embark to delightful new destinations in mobile communication with Jawbone from Aliph. Package includes wall charger & USB cable Compatible with any Bluetooth equipped device including Blackberry - 7130c , 8700c; Cingular - 3125 , 8125; LG - CG300 , CU500; Motorola - L2 , RAZRV3 , L2 , RAZRV3I , L7 , RAZRV3; Nokia - E62 , 6102i; Samsung - C417 , D807 , SGH-ZX20 , C417; Sony Ericsson - Z525a
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| Customer Reviews: Read 134 more reviews...
 Jawbone August 10, 2007
67 out of 71 found this review helpful
T. Tom obviously doesn't own a Jawbone or he would be giving it a better rating. The cheap plastic is actually military grade composit material, and it is usable in either ear, you simply must read the owners instruction guide if you are not smart enough to realise that those spare ear loops that are included with the Jawbone are to replace dirty or worn out ear loops and all you have to do to switch ears and insert the loop from the opposite side (now you can use it in the other ear). The noise cancelling is the best in the world. I work in the marine industry and always receive calls - no complains about noisy engines with my Jawbone.
Best headset, period! August 28, 2007
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
I talk while driving and California law just imposed a hefty fine if not talking hands free. I'm frugal about gadgets and the jawbone is expensive, but the jawbone is hardly a gadget. It's remarkably easy to set up and equally easy to use. But the noise filters are something truly space age. Just push a a button, hidden below the noise shield and viola' your caller hears only your voice. How'd they do that? I don't know, but I do know several people that have been using hands free headsets and they've all switched to the jawbone. Another great feature is the tiny, super directional microphone which rests against your jaw. It enables you to talk in whispers and still be heard clearly by the person you're on the phone with. I don't know what the guy who says it's cheap is complaining about, it's light, rugged, compact, crystal clear send and reception, the ear pieces switch in a flash. This is a great tool, one that speaks of your courtesy for others when talking on your phone in public places, and the safety of yourself and those around you while driving.
Best Bluetooth headset ever January 3, 2008
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I'm sure I'm not going to be adding a lot of info to what is already being said about the Jawbone. I'm just writing to weigh in. I've tried several Bluetooth headsets, all Motorolas, and although they work fine, they don't even come close to the noise cancellation abilities of the Jawbone.
Sometimes I try a test while I'm driving: I turn on some music at about conversation level, meaning that if somebody else were in the car with me, we may have to raise our voices just slightly to be clearly heard over the music playing in the car. Then, I call somebody while using the Jawbone. I ask them "How do I sound?" The answer is always positive. I then ask "What do you hear in the background?" Usually, the answer is "Nothing", or sometimes they'll say they can hear something but can't tell what it is. I then raise the volume until it's a little tough for me to hear the callee while the music is playing, and I ask again "What do you hear in the background?" Finally, the person will usually say that they hear some kind of music, but it has to get pretty loud before they can tell what music it is.
Everybody I know who has a Jawbone has similar experiences with the noise-cancellation feature. It's just a great product, and well worth the price.
Very pleased... October 2, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I have gone through several Bluetooth devices and this is my favorite by far. I did some research prior and found that if you replace the ear bud with a Jabra ear gel (not the minis) it has a much better fit and sound quality. Some even claim that they are able to go without the earwire (I am not able to do that). My only complaint is the volume control...you must increase the volume in preset increments and then it drops back down to the lowest volume. As for customer service, I found them to be quite accomodating even though I did not purchase the product directly from them.
Reliable Bluetooth headset with fantastic noise reduction capabilities! July 25, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Quite simply, the Aliph Jawbone Noise Shield Bluetooth Headset totally rocks! Believe me, I've gone through quite a few Bluetooth headsets in the last couple of years, and so I have quite a few to compare this one to.
First off, the design of it looks a bit off-putting. It uses military-grade noise reduction technology and the look of the headset makes me believe that this particular headset may have been originally intended for such use. It's not exactly the most attractive headset out there - definitely not the most feminine.
But to be completely honest with you, after trying a number of `prettier' headsets that either break easily, lose their pairing with the phone frequently, or just plain don't work as well I am all for sacrificing form for function.
All that said, while it may not be the most aesthetically pleasing Bluetooth headset, it is not the ugliest either. It is interesting to note the design differences in the newer Jawbone model that Aliph just released, however. They've presented a much more attractive version with a sleeker, less obtrusive style, seemingly proving that the manufacturer recognizes the customer's desire, frivolous though we may be, for a headset that is pleasing to the eye.
Now for the important part: how it works. The Jawbone was simple to pair with my cell phone (HP iPaq 6945 Unlocked Cell Phone with Wi-fi, GPS, MP3/Video Player, SD--U.S. Version with Warranty (Silver)), as most Bluetooth headsets are. More importantly, I've paired it once and it has maintained that pairing without issue ever since, unlike the previous headset I owned which lost its pairing at least once a week, usually while mid-conversation. This is annoying, certainly, but for a user that won't use their cell phone while driving without a hands-free device, this is very unsettling. If I wanted/needed to continue a call while on the road, I disconnected the call, pulled over to re-pair the two devices, and then started my call and my trip again. This is a major issue for me, so I am extremely appreciative of Jawbone's reliability.
Next feature: Noise Reduction. Aliph makes a big deal about their noise reduction technology, and having now used it with amazing results, I understand why. They DESERVE to tout their success in this arena. Yeah, it is that good. Watching the videos they have on their website demonstrating the quality made me curious, but I admit to having my doubts that it could really eliminate background noise to the extent that they promised.
I've purposely stress-tested it in some pretty noisy situations. First of all, my own vehicle. I have an older car, and it seems to pick up all of the outside noise there is, even with my windows up. If it is raining, my callers could hear the rain on the windshield when using other headsets. When a semi drove alongside my car, the noise of the big truck distracted my callers from our conversation.
Aliph's Jawbone headset changed all that. My friends and family no longer even suspect I'm in the car when I use it. If they call me while I'm in a grocery store or department store, they hear neither the hubbub of the store nor the announcements over the building intercom. Then I went to my favorite wing restaurant, which keeps the music pretty loud. I stood directly under one of their speakers and asked my friend if she could hear it. She thought she heard some people speaking faintly in the background. She had no idea I was standing under a speaker with music blaring at me.
As for the fit of the headset, it is very secure on my ear. Like most others, it hooks over the ear, which makes it fit a bit oddly with sunglasses or eyeglasses, but it isn't uncomfortable. When I get a new headset/earpiece, one of the first things I do is to put it on and shake my head around a bit to test how securely it fits my ear. This one didn't budge. For me, this is a very important factor. If I can't move my head naturally as needed while driving, then the headset impedes my ability to drive and I won't have that.
Some of you probably want to know about how it charges. I use mine quite a bit for both personal and business, and it isn't rare for me to wear out the charge before the day is out. I've only managed to drain my Jawbone twice, and it charges so quickly that I was able to use it again within an hour or so. It comes with a cable that can charge through an electrical outlet or a USB port on a PC. It does not have a car charger, but since I have a power inverter for my car, I can simply use it to charge it while driving should the need arise, so this isn't a deal breaker for me.
All in all, I highly recommend the Aliph Jawbone Noise Shield Bluetooth Headset. When I finally break or lose this one, I will look at replacing it with another Aliph model before any other manufacturer.
Most recent Headsets I've used:
Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth Headset - Black
Jabra BT250v Bluetooth Headset with Vibrating Alert [Retail Packaged]
Logitech Mobile Freedom Bluetooth Headset
Motorola H300 Bluetooth Headset
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