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San Francisco-based Aliph’s New Jawbone Bluetooth headset, or Jawbone II, delivers the highest sound quality in Bluetooth headset performance. The first-generation Jawbone and its speaker gave a fuller sound to its user than this second-generation version, but the difference in the New Jawbone’s size, style and comfort may outweigh what really is a minute sound difference. In any event, put the New Jawbone II headset up against a competing device and Aliph’s sound achievement will win – we have no doubt.
The New Jawbone II headset comes with an improved sound technology, called NoiseAssassin, an upgrade from the previous Jawbone’s Noise Shield technology. NoiseAssassin makes it easy for the person you are talking with to hear you whether you’re standing on a noisy street corner or you leave your window open while driving down the expressway.
The New Jawbone II uses the same voice activity sensor of Aliph’s previous version to detect what you're saying by capturing the frequencies of your speech from contact with your face. According to Aliph, the sensor is one reason why Aliph’s Jawbone II beats other devices’ sound quality. Most devices with noise canceling technology use voice activation detection technology that requires a user’s speech to be different than background noise to work. The New Jawbone headset uses new algorithms that work with its voice activity sensor and two microphones to accurately model the noise environment and eliminate all but your voice.
The New Jawbone II technology was originally developed for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, the U.S. Department of Defense’s research and development agency. The headset was designed for use by communicating soldiers in hostile environments, such as battlefields with explosions in the background. The technology in Aliph’s New Jawbone II headset is built ready for construction sites, football games or a NASCAR race.
Sound quality is a must for BlueTomorrow.com, and the New Jawbone II headset exceeds our expectations for a Bluetooth headset. The Jawbone II goes above and beyond that basic requirement, too.
The Jawbone II is 50 percent smaller than it’s predecessor, which some people said was too bulky. Aliph’s Chief Designer Yves Behar put style in the forefront of design for the New Jawbone headset, saying, “products that live on our face need to be designed differently than typical technology wares; we regard them as personal accessories or even jewelry.” The device, which has a stylish fish-scale design, comes with a black, gold or silver exterior.
Like its predecessor, the New Jawbone’s buttons are built into the face of the device. Aliph also used medical-grade plastic and includes optional leather earloops to make the device as comfortable as possible. Two included slim earloops also keep people with glasses in mind; they are designed thinner to prevent interference with the frame.
The New Jawbone II headset also has a function that allows you to turn off the LED indicator on the device. It is clear from this feature that Aliph has been listening to Bluetooth users. BlueTomorrow.com has complained for years about the annoying blinking light of Bluetooth devices. Press the talk button on the New Jawbone five times and the light is gone.
Aliph’s predecessor was more difficult to get in the ear quickly than this new version; this one goes on the ear quickly and it wears well once it is attached. Though 50 percent smaller than the previous version, the New Jawbone headset is only 20 percent lighter at 11.3 grams. Still, 11.3 grams is below average weight for a Bluetooth device and the Jawbone II is barely noticeable on the ear after a few minutes of use.
The New Jawbone II fixes some flaws from the previous version, too. The attachments in the first version were all very flimsy and broke after a few months of use. Aliph seems to have noticed the flaw and makes an earbud four-pack and earloop four-pack for the previous Jawbone available for $9.99 each on its Web site. While accessories for the New Jawbone II appear to be sturdier after the first week of use, the company sells its three earloops for $14.99 and three earbuds for $9.99. Though never a problem in the previous or current Jawbone, Aliph also sells replacement chargers and USB cables for $19.99 for the previous version and $29.99 for the current device.
The New Jawbone II has problems that the first device didn’t. The built-in buttons appear to have too light of a touch for keeping the device in a pocket. The New Jawbone allows you to re-call the last number by clicking its more peripheral Noise Assassin button three times. The same button, when held down for two seconds, instigates voice dialing. During our tests, the device called the last person we had talked with and initiated voice dialing while sitting in a pocket. Though an annoying flaw, it doesn’t detract from the overall quality of the device.
BlueTomorrow.com strongly recommends Aliph’s New Jawbone II Bluetooth headset.
Contrary to the initial plan for its previous device, Aliph seems to have made the New Jawbone available in more retail locations.
What's in the Box?
- Aliph New Jawbone headset
- Wall charger with USB socket
- Magnetic USB charger cable
- 2 slim earloops – medium & large
- 2 fine leather earloops – medium & large
- 3 earbuds – small, medium & large
- New Jawbone Quick Start Guide
- New Jawbone user’s guide
- New Jawbone important safety information
Features
- NoiseAssassin Technology
- More than 4 hours of talk time
- More than 8 days of standby time
- Supports Bluetooth v. 1.1, 1.2, & 2.0
- 33-foot (10 meter) range
- Supported hands-free headset
- Weighs 0.4 ounces (11.3 grams) (with medium earbud only)
- Length 2.1" (5.3 cm), Width: 0.6" (1.5 cm), Height: 0.9" (2.3 cm)
- Operating Temperature: between 32º and 131º Fahrenheit (0º to 45º C)
Keep reading for more detail about how Aliph’s New Jawbone Bluetooth headset performed during our reviewer’s tests.
