Jawbone Bluetooth Headset with NoiseAssassin-Jawbone 2(Black)[Retail Packaged]

See larger image

Average Customer Rating:	3.0
Release Date:	2008-06-28
Brand:	Jawbone
Model:	Jawbone II
Color:	Black
Format:	CD
Weight:	2.6 pounds
Dimensions:	1 inches x 0.5 inches x 2 inches [Width x Length x Height]

Product Categories

New in Electronics; Hands-Free; Everything Else; Bluetooth; Cellualr Phone Accessories

Product description

The Jawbone 2 is the next step in the integration of best-in-class noise elimination technology with personal design that is both humanistic and minimal. It has powerful noise suppression algorithms for use in the most extreme acoustic noise environments including battlefields and helicopters. The algorithms use Jawbone's two microphones and the VAS (Voice Activity Sensor) to accurately model the noise environment. Jawbone detects when and how a person is speaking, models the noise, and aggressively eliminates it. Conventional "noise eliminating" headsets do not have the VAS and can only estimate when speech is occurring with software-based Voice Activation Detection (VAD) systems. For these systems to work, the speech must be significantly louder or spectrally different from the noise. These systems fail in loud environments or in the presence of other people's speech. Furthermore, because they can't accurately identify the speech signals, they distort the speech in the process of attempting to eliminate the noise. The result of this distortion is a significant degradation in intelligibility and quality in order to achieve a perceptual reduction in noise.

Setting new standards for mobile voice clarity and personal style, the new Jawbone Bluetooth headset by Aliph represents a complete departure from the gadgetry of the mobile headset industry. Originally developed for military use in extreme environments, Jawbone features NoiseAssassin--a proprietary technology that eliminates background noise from mobile phone conversations. Jawbone is the only Bluetooth headset with a Voice Activity Sensor (VAS) that actually feels your speech, which helps Jawbone distinguish your voice from background noise.

The new Jawbone in black.

Widely recognized as the best Bluetooth headset on the market, the new Jawbone is 50 percent smaller than the original, award-winning Jawbone, offer over 4 hours of talk time, and comes with three earbuds and four earloops for a comfortable and personalized fit.

Military-Grade NoiseAssassin Technology
Developed over years of research for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Jawbone's NoiseAssassin eliminates real world noise better than competing headset because it's the only hands free device that accurately separates human speech from ambient noise. Unmatched in its ability to remove noise from loud environments like busy streets, cars, crowded cafes, and airports, NoiseAssassin is comprised of two features unique to Jawbone: a patented Voice Activity Sensor (VAS) and proprietary Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms. Jawbone is the only Bluetooth headset with a VAS that feels the speech vibrations from your jaw. This enables Jawbone to capture the distinct frequencies of your voice. Proprietary DSP algorithms work in concert with two powerful microphones and the VAS to accurately model surrounding noise and aggressively eliminate it from the conversation.

Conventional "noise suppression" headsets do not have a Voice Activity Sensor and can only estimate when speech is occurring. This causes performance issues like voice distortion, especially in the presence background noise.

Not Just a Headset, It's Earwear
Made with premium materials like medical-grade plastic and fine leather, the new Jawbone with NoiseAssassin combines science and beauty in the most unassuming, yet richly detailed product. Every effort has been made to contain best in class noise suppression technology in a miniature form that is 50 percent smaller than the original, award-winning Jawbone.

The new Jawbone accomplishes a clean and sophisticated look thanks to invisible buttons. Touch-surface technology allows the user to operate switches by lightly pressing the outer shield. Curved and rectilinear to follow the face, the outer shield is lightly textured and inspired by three-dimensional noise abatement surfaces. The infer surface, the one touching your face and creating contact with the Voice Activity Sensor, is gently curved to be ergonomic and comfortable on your skin.

Offering a comfortable and personalized fit, the new Jawbone comes with three sizes of earbuds and four earloops--two sizes of leather and two of slim, which are ideal for use with eyeglasses. Jawbone can also be worn on either ear and with or without an earloop.

Specifications

Talk time: Over 4 hours
Standby time: Over 8 days
Range: Up to 33 feet (10 meters)
Weight: 10 grams (0.35 ounces)
Supports Bluetooth 1.0, 1.1, 2.0
80 percent charge in 35 minutes (full charge in less than 1 hour)

What's in the Box
The new Jawbone with NoiseAssassin by Aliph headset, magnetic USB cable and wall charger, 3 earbuds, 2 leather earloops, 2 slim earloops, QuickStart Guide

Features

Bluetooth headset in gold with military-grade noise elimination technology and invisible touch controls

Patented Voice Activity Sensor that feels your speech

Includes 3 earbuds, 2 leather earloops, and 2 slim earloops for a personalized fit

Magnetic USB cable and wall charger delivers 80 percent charge in 35 minutes (full charge in less than 1 hour)

Over 4 hours of talk time and 8 days of standby time

Customer reviews

« good tech, bad fit and finish »

The packaging wasn't as nice as the original one. I know it's not important, but it doesn't seem like they put as much effort into this as before. None of the ear loop pieces were as secure as the original version, so I end up taking the loop from the original jawbone. The unit itself is lighter so it feels better. At the same time, the ear bud is not as comfortable for some reason also. I did a test by recording a voice mail while driving with the windows down. Everything I said was clear, but it's not like the commercial where the background noise is completely gone. The background seems to get louder if I'm not talking, when I'm in between words. But it does a better job than the original one. I don't know how I can live without the original ear loop tho.

Rating: (4 out of 5) @ 2008-12-03

« In a nutshell.... »

A terrific headset and also at a great price!! Best Buy sells it for $140. You get it on Amazon for $50 less.

I like the reception and range and also appreciate the fact that it fits more into the ear instead of hanging onto it. My Motorola always feel like its hanging on for dear life.

Jawbone2 came with both leather and plastic earloop. For now, I am going with plastic as its presence is less felt and less noticeable.

Rating: (4 out of 5) @ 2008-12-03

« Ear plugs can be a problem »

The audio quality is arguably one of the best. However, the ear plugs provided do not really fit well. This is the one issue that prevents me from giving the Jawbone 2 a higher mark.

It does take some getting used to in order to make sure the tip of the unit touches your cheek. Perhaps this is related to the fitting problems with the stock ear plugs. I have not been able to consistently use it without the tip being disconnected from my cheek.

Jawbone 2 is simple and elegant in its design. This is one thing that I give high marks on. There are only two buttons to access all the functions on the unit. I wished they had a mute option as well.

Rating: (3 out of 5) @ 2008-12-02

« Best headset with the correct mods »

I have the jawbone II and am very happy with it. The trick is to get a ear impression made and then have an ear piece made for it. Do a google search and you can find a place that will do the final cast but have an audiologist do the impression for the best result. The Jabra ones aren't even close. I tried every single version with limited results.
Now I frequently am on the lowest volume setting and have no issues with background noise as well.
Funny thing it I also tried with the Planatronics 925 and it didn't work very well. I couldn't turn the volume down enough and I had issues with the sound quality. My only complaints on the Jawbone II is the battery life could be better and I don't care for the buttons. Also it may not work as well with long sideburns.

Rating: (4 out of 5) @ 2008-12-01

« improved but not perfect just yet! »

i have had my jawbone II a little over 2 months now and i must say, the smaller size and improved ear loop are very good upgrades. Works great with my blackberry curve. The new size makes it so you can put it in your pocket when not in use (a big deal when wearing dress pants) unlike the larger original jawbone. The noise cancellation system works great just like the original (even with the roof open in the car). Unfortunately, you still have limited volume control, so even though the other person can hear me with the roof open, i usually have to close it to hear them. The click button cycle to raise and lower the volume is still a PITA and if your not careful it's easy to hang up on someone, so your better off adjusting with the volume control on the phone. A slider or small wheel would be more functional, if my ipod headphones can have one i can't see why this unit couldn't. But even so, well worth the C note investment, should you be on the phone a lot while driving. I use my jawbone for about 1 to 3 hours daily during the week and it hardly ever runs out of juice! "buy it"