Digital Trends

Aliph Jawbone May 29th, 2007 | by Brandon King

Use and Sound Quality

Operating the Jawbone is straightforward. The Noise Shield button pairs the unit when the power is off. The Noise Shield function can be turned on and off while the unit is in use without disconnecting. (The May 22nd Digital Trends Podcast contains a sample of the sound quality with and without Noise Shield for those curious about the difference in sound quality.) We got mixed results on outgoing sound quality. Some people we talked to thought the Noise Shield made us sound far away, while others thought the clarity was exceptional. The most likely cause of this was improper placement. We used the headset as an average, everyday person would, which means that unless you pay particular attention to each use of the Jawbone, expect mixed results. There is no way for the wearer to know if the headset is properly placed, unless someone at the other end complains. Incoming sound quality was exceptional, both in clarity and volume. Volume is adjusted by tapping the Noise Shield button. 

Conclusion 

The Aliph Jawbone is an excellent headset that uses some interesting techniques to minimize background noise. While the results can be somewhat inconsistent, the overall quality of incoming and outgoing calls is exceptional when fit properly. The Jawbone stands out as a stylish headset that’s sure to turn heads, and it competes handily with other premium headsets.

Pros: 

• Stylish design
• Clear voice quality
• Customizable fit

Lows: 

• Large size
• Slightly inconsistent voice pickup