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IF money were no option for a BT headset... B&O, Jawbone, or Apple?

K

keithos27

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 17, 2006
131
0
Hey everyone. Posted this in the accessories forum but not really getting any traffic over there and I want to make a quick purchase today probably so.... IF money were no option, what is the BEST bluetooth headset on the market for the iPhone (I know the Apple one isn't out yet).

I've read some great reviews on the Jawbone although there seem to be some complaints that the Jawbone does not isolate wind noise well, and that it does not fit some user's ears well (but that's a personal thing, not a technology thing).

I've read only a few comments on the Bang & Olufsen Earset 2 headset and it sounded like it's a great headset (even better than the Jawbone, no?) but just too epensive for most people.

I'm definitely intrigued by the Apple headset and know that no one can comment on it yet, as it has not been released but I like the size, charging dock and cable. It could be aesthetically pleasing but horrible in sound quality though so who knows.

So what is the end all be all BT headset out there right now??? Any cons to whichever the winner is (price aside)?

Thanks,
Keith
 
If the Apple one gets good reviews I may give that a go - the fact that it pairs automatically with no setup and has the in-dock charger is nice. My only concern is the earbud style - I have a hard enough time keeping the white earbuds in.
 
B&O for Me

I tried the Jawbone and B&O for 7 days. I called my voice-mail at work from both in various situations, and talked to my mom on the loud streets of Midtown Manhattan.

Jawbone
Pros: Truly does reduce the background noise. Several online reviews including video reviews at YouTube.
Cons: Hollow voice sound. Buttons for volume are tedious, and I could never tell when the sound blocking was 'on' unless I asked the person on the other line. Cosmetically ugly.

B&O EarSet2
Pros: Fantastic sound quality. Easy to operate volume switch. 2 mics. No need to push a button to block noise. Carrying case. Wall mount. Cosmetically compliments the iPhone.

Cons: Most results under a review search render the same generic description. I only found ONE review, and most comments were about how B&O sells overpriced products. Can't wear glasses w/it. Only one ear side (right or left), and packaging is over the top.

After my tests, I went with B&O due to the in and outgoing sound quality.
 
Jawbone. It just works. It's not ugly, quite the opposite, IMO. It does exactly what it says it will do. And you're not paying for the B&O mystique. :D
 
sunday888 said:
Jawbone. It just works. It's not ugly, quite the opposite, IMO. It does exactly what it says it will do. And you're not paying for the B&O mystique. :D
Click to expand...

No, I'm paying for B&O quality. To each his/her own.
 
I like the style of the Ear Set 1 from B&O. But I would be weary of getting one. I had a B&O A8 and I didn't really like them that much. I found the sound quality was tinnie (SP?).
 
alright guys, thanks for the input... i guess i'm really looking for concrete pros/cons from an objective point of view, not subjective... i can decide for myself if something is pretty/ugly/cheap/overpriced/etc.... just want to know more about the features and if they are true/bs/etc and if maybe there is some product out there that i'm not even considering that i should be.
 
sunday888 said:
Sure. My personal experience with B&O products is that they have great industrial design (if you like that Scandinavian vibe), lousy ergonomics, and mediocre technology.
Click to expand...

Cool. Many comments I read echoed your opinion. Mine differs.

I tried B&O and the Jawbone for a week. I certainly would have preferred to pay $119 instead of $350, believe me. I bought the B&O planning to return it. I'd never heard of this company before and just wanted to see what the hype was for myself. An Apple rep really played it up.

But after doing several tests for noise and clarity of sound, I found B&O to work best for me. The sound is fantastic. People on the other end of the call were impressed with sound quality of both, so it came down to voice quality for me.

The samples on YouTube of the Jawbone sound as if the voice is coming through a speakerphone whereas the B&O sounded like I was speaking on a LAN line. Maybe it's the "amplification" of voice that's caused this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thul4aU_l_M

If the B&O technology proves to be "mediocre" as you say, I will have made an expensive error in judgment. To date, I haven't found that to be the case.

And yes, on the shallow side of things, I do feel it's more attractive. The Jawbone looks masculine to me.
 
keithos27 said:
alright guys, thanks for the input... i guess i'm really looking for concrete pros/cons from an objective point of view, not subjective... i can decide for myself if something is pretty/ugly/cheap/overpriced/etc.... just want to know more about the features and if they are true/bs/etc and if maybe there is some product out there that i'm not even considering that i should be.
Click to expand...

Sorry, Keith. My response to sunday888 is more in-depth.

I believe the best way to decide though is to TRY it for yourself. Try all 3. I have not read anything about Apple's BT's technology, sound quality or fit. Although it's not out yet, right?

There are several positive reviews on the Jawbone, and I have contributed my .02 on B&O. I don't have extra money lying around, so I didn't select the B&O for "mystique" as someone suggested :). I talk to my mom via BT daily as I walk to and from work (43rd St. West side of NYC to 44th Times Square), so quality sound was my priority. I spoke with 2 Apple employees. One swore by the Jawbone. The other swore by B&O based on customer feedback.

Here's a page with a BT Comparison Chart!

http://store.myitablet.com/content/accessories/9.htm
 
If money is no object, then B&O is simply the best.

Noise-cancelling is almost jawbone level (but with much less voice distortion), and incoming audio quality is improved a great amount.

Personally I find it to be the most comfortable, even with glasses that have thick temples.

I don't mind the one-sidedness of it either, since I always wear my BT headset on my right ear.

I personally like the design better, but that was the least of my concerns. The audio quality both in and out blow away anything on the markey.
 
akushlan said:
If money is no object, then B&O is simply the best.

Noise-cancelling is almost jawbone level (but with much less voice distortion), and incoming audio quality is improved a great amount.

Personally I find it to be the most comfortable, even with glasses that have thick temples.

I don't mind the one-sidedness of it either, since I always wear my BT headset on my right ear.

I personally like the design better, but that was the least of my concerns. The audio quality both in and out blow away anything on the markey.
Click to expand...

Finally, another person who favors B&O. I also find it very comfortable. I put it on a few hours ago and forgot that I still had it on until I read your post.
 
okay good to know, thanks. i will try out the b&o and see for myself. the local store here in atlanta does not allow returns but apple started selling the b&o headset and they have a 14 day return policy so it can't hurt!
 
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