Jawbone, Jawbone 2 or Bluant z9i?

[thenewguy821]

I've read a lot of great reviews on the Jawbones, but conflicting arguments over which is better. Other than the size difference, is there really a noticable improvement over the original? I can't see paying almost double, just for a decrease in size.

Just as I thought I had my choices narrowed down to 2, I hear about the Bluant z9i. Seems to be similar to the JB2 in size, with similar features at a much lower price.

Which one seems to be the better buy?

[drgoodtymes]

I have never tried the Blue Ant, I have owned both Jawbones, the original since its release date and the Jawbone 2 since its release date and they are the only headsets I ever use. Jawbone 2 is my daily with the original as backup incase my battery dies.

[justajason]

I second the jawbone... I can run my equipment and the client on the phone can only hear me. IT ROCKS.....

[davidlleroy]

I was at the gym tonight and I noticed that the owners both have Blackberrys with Jawbone headsets. I asked about the Jawbone headset and they said they have been through multiple bluetooths and swear by the Jawbone. I also have a friend who own's a Verizon store and has been through roughly 15 bluetooths. He also swears by the Jawbone.


So my Jawbone 2 should be here shortly!

[thenewguy821]

Thanks for the info. Is the Noise canceling of the JB2 THAT much better than the original, to justify an extra $50? Or is it more about the comfort and size?

[infernox]

I also own the original Jawbone and thinking about buying v2. Can you still use the Jabra mini-gels on the earpiece like you can with the original?

[Sparkomatic]

Gotta say I love the Jawbone 2 so far. I bought the first version when it came out and promptly returned it because I thought it was way to big. Since, I've gone through a ton of BT headsets and have never seemed to find one that I get good consistency out of.

I also tried the Plantronics Discovery 925 and really liked the fit. However, background noise sounds like screeching to the caller and it's horrible. I work by the airport and planes fly over our building. I did some test calls on both the 925 and Jawbone 2. Every time a plane flew overhead, the 925 would spew this screeching noise into the callers ear and they had to pull the phone away. They heard some noise with the Jawbone but it wasn't nearly as bad.

I've been using the JB 2 for a few days now (since we're now handsfree in CA) and no complaints at all. The fit isn't as comfortable as the 925 but it's decent.

[drgoodtymes]

I personally find that the JB2 does have better noise cancellation than the first.

Case in point, in Las Vegas, in the middle of the Monte Carlo Casino, had a conversation and the person never knew I was in a casino.

[Stinsonddog]

If you are only using the device in a car, I recommend the Blueant Supertooth speakerphone instead of the headset.

[003402]

I have the z9 and like the form and fit. Function could be a bit better in that the noise reduction could work a bit better.

As an aside, I bought a motorola H375 as an emergency back up when I was on travel. Had low expectations, but man, has it delivered. very pleased with it.

Also, looked at the jawbone (i think it was the original) at Best buy and they seemed rather price $130.

[Knocka]

I had the original Jawbone for about a year and was very happy with it. I did get complaints from time to time from people who claimed my voice was muffled. I then got both the Jawbone II and the Blueant Z9i to try. I used both, and called my own voicemail to record a call using both. The Jawbone II was definitely a bit muffled. The Blueant was crystal clear. It may be that the tone of my voice (somewhat deep), is not picked up well on some microphones. I often get the same complaints from friends when I am skiing and talking into Motorola two-way radios. I am not sure about which cancels noise better, but I have been using the Blueant for 4 weeks (maybe a little more), and I am very happy with it. I returned the Jawbone II. Both, by the way, are very comfortable. One other thing I like about the Blueant is the standard mini-USB charger. All manufacturers should agree on mini-USB as the charging port. Finally, I think the incoming sound quality is slightly better on the Blueant, which also has volume buttons (the Jawbone does not). Knocka

[thenewguy821]

Wow, Thanks for all the great replies.... Sounds like the Blueant would be more up my alley, since I also have a deep voice.

[Taigert]

I just got the Jawbone 2 after going through 5 Motorola H-12's what piece of JUNK that is. I love the way I can hear conversations and am no longer getting complaints like I can't be understood or being drowned out by background noise.
I'm just having problems placing calls through the JB 2, I touch the talk button for 2 secs. and no prompts? I keep having to go through handset?
What am I doing wrong?

[twn2]

I had problems with the Jawbone 1 with my 8120. I could hear other people but they couldn't hear me. I'm looking at the Jawbone 2, but not sure if I'm going to have the same problem. Anyone using it with an 8120?

[david9962000]

I like my Jabra 8040 it has a great sound and it's comfortable.

[gandalf2041]

I just got the Jawbone 2 after going through 5 Motorola H-12's what piece of JUNK that is. I love the way I can hear conversations and am no longer getting complaints like I can't be understood or being drowned out by background noise.
I'm just having problems placing calls through the JB 2, I touch the talk button for 2 secs. and no prompts? I keep having to go through handset?
What am I doing wrong?

You have to push the Noise Assassin button on the end for voice dial.

[gandalf2041]

I also own the original Jawbone and thinking about buying v2. Can you still use the Jabra mini-gels on the earpiece like you can with the original?

I haven't tried the mini-gels (don't really know the difference...I use the standard gels) but, I've read that they fit. I think I'm going to try them b/c the originals aren't bad but they don't fit as snug as I'd like on the Jawbone 2

[PKIronMan]

This probably applies to < 1% of the population but those of us with full bears find the Jawbone/II doesn't work so well. Including myself I have three data points with the same experience. Clean shaven, works great. Keep a full beard, fuggedabouit.

[Iamah2oskier]

Someone gave me a Motorola H385 when I was looking at the Jawbones and people told me they could hear me more clearly on the H385 over the Jawbone. I was very surprised at this given the cost and hype differences.

[takeshi]

If you are only using the device in a car, I recommend the Blueant Supertooth speakerphone instead of the headset.
Have you used it in a convertible?

Nevermind -- found your thread on it. ;-)

I then got both the Jawbone II and the Blueant Z9i to try. I used both, and called my own voicemail to record a call using both.
Thanks! Good to hear test results of this type with both of these headsets. Most people neglect to consider what it sounds like to callers on the other end and only focus on fit and audio quality on their end.

I was very surprised at this given the cost and hype differences.
Cost is an absolutely worthless indicator of performance. I recall spending nearly $100 on the Moto HS810 and finding it to perform worse than the Plantronics M3500 that only cost about $30 at the time. Granted, the M3500 is a bulky and really old model that I wouldn't recommend today (there are far better options these days).

When comparing you really have to test them out or at least start with reviews where others have actually tested them.

[souvy32]

I've had all three (jawbone, jawbone 2, and just got the blueant z9i) and for me, the blueant is far and away the best. I've also heard great things about the jawbone headsets and the jawbone 2 is a much improved design over the original (way easier to get on and off and less bulky) which led me to try them. With the original jawbone, I wasn't able to get it to fit, and therefore work, properly. The jawbone 2 was great, but the incoming volume when paired with my curve 8320 was way too low to ever use with any practicality. If I was in a totally silent room, it may have been usable, but that's really about it and sort of defeats the purpose of noise cancellation. I've only had the blueant for a few days, but so far I love it. I'd say if you're going to go with the jawbone, definitely go with the jawbone 2, but from my personal experience the blueant z9i is the best of the three.

[shlep]

I love my jawbone 2.....wins hands down

[RoadRider]

Just got Jawbone 2. Only complaint so far is that compared to all of the others I have had, incoming audio sounds tinny.

[PrissyPJ]

Amazon has the Jawbone for $59.00 in bulk packaging. It comes in grey and black.

[roots_natty75]

After reading through some of the reviews on all the different headsets out there, I decided to settle for the Jawbone2 a couple of weeks ago. This is the first bluetooth headset I will ever use with my curve,and so far, I have not had any disappointments with the performance.

[bpnaquin]

Jawbone is awesome for noise cancelling. One thing that I found is the ear piece is not the most comfortable. I finally went to a source that make ear pieces for airline pilot radios. Avery Sound on the internet will make you a custom molded ear piece that does not need to fit around your ear.

Since I got this done, the ear piece is much more comfortable to wear, not to mention letting you hear much better.

[MrPandaInc]

Yea I love this thread I have been contemplating for a longgg time on which headset to get going to go look up prices on the blueant and JB2 now :-). Thanks for starting this thread and all the replies.

[kwsmithphoto]

See my review of of the VXI BlueParrot B250 in this section.

I've tried almost all of the earbud things you guys are discussing and none of them work as advertised. The most common word I heard from people I was talking to is "what?"

The B250 in an order of magnitude better in terms of audio quality, input and output. In noisy environments, nothing else is even remotely close. "What?" isn't a word used very much in my conversations anymore, and the incoming audio is so good that even people with crappy headsets (pretty much all of them) are still mostly audible because it adds some ear pleasing-warmth to to their lousy outgoing audio quality.

[harryzuluberries]

This probably applies to < 1% of the population but those of us with full bears find the Jawbone/II doesn't work so well. Including myself I have three data points with the same experience. Clean shaven, works great. Keep a full beard, fuggedabouit.

Anyone else experience this situation? I generally keep a beard (either low, or full) and this would be a deal breaker for me.

[takeshi]

I suggest reading about how the Jawbones work. They have a voice activity sensor that needs to rest on your cheek. It's the white dot in this photo:
http://us.jawbone.com/images/club/gallery/gold_back_large.png

A beard will certainly impede the Jawbone's ability to determine when you're talking.

[drgoodtymes]

I have a blueant z9i now and my only complaint is the bluetooth range. If I don't have the phone and the headset on the same side and very close I get static, does anyone experience this? Blackberry 8330 from Sprint. I don't have this range issue with the Jawbone II

[FF2]

Just yesterday I had the end cap pull come off when I removed the charger from my Jawbone 1. I had to use pliers to pull it out. It appears that the Jawbone still works but now the end cap will come off each time I charge the unit. I do wish they had gone with a standard usb charger plug.

Edited to add: Jawbone is sending me a new unit.

[jeremyckitching]

I am now using the BlueAnt Z9i and it works great so far. Very comfortable.

[DallasFlier]

I just got the Plantronics 925 a few days ago, and have to strongly disagree with the previous negative post in this thread (based on my own personal experience - not arguing with the other poster.) I bought it from Amazon, and my first test was to call someone while here at home, then during the call I walked out, got into my car and left. I was still in the middle of the conversation at 60MPH on the highway (top-up convertible, but still relatively noisy) and when I mentioned to the person on the other end where I was, they were shocked, hadn't realized that I had left and was driving. Said they could always tell easily with my old headset (Plantronics/Blackberry 655.)

The other thing that's interesting, if you look on Amazon, the 925, JB and JB2 all have LOTS of reviews, and the prevailing opinion on the 925 is significantly better than either of the Jawbone's, by the preponderence of many reviews. Everyone's experience differs, but don't count out the Plantronics 925, I'm very happy with mine!

[Sparkomatic]

I just got the Plantronics 925 a few days ago, and have to strongly disagree with the previous negative post in this thread (based on my own personal experience - not arguing with the other poster.) I bought it from Amazon, and my first test was to call someone while here at home, then during the call I walked out, got into my car and left. I was still in the middle of the conversation at 60MPH on the highway (top-up convertible, but still relatively noisy) and when I mentioned to the person on the other end where I was, they were shocked, hadn't realized that I had left and was driving. Said they could always tell easily with my old headset (Plantronics/Blackberry 655.)

The other thing that's interesting, if you look on Amazon, the 925, JB and JB2 all have LOTS of reviews, and the prevailing opinion on the 925 is significantly better than either of the Jawbone's, by the preponderence of many reviews. Everyone's experience differs, but don't count out the Plantronics 925, I'm very happy with mine!

I could very well have gotten a bad headset. But it was so bad, I wasn't willing to give another one a try. I did see those reviews on Amazon as well and was very surprised that the one I got sounded so bad. The whole reason for getting it in the first place was because there were more positive reviews of the Plantronics than the Jabra. Oh well....glad yours is working well for you.

Since purchasing my Jawbone 2, I've been very happy with it thus far. Although, I just saw the new Jabra JX20 that's coming out....ooooh... I'm a bluetooth obsessed freak! lol

[DallasFlier]

Hey Brandon, glad you're enjoying your Jawbone 2. Again, wanted to make clear I wasn't trying to argue with you, just had a different experience. Sounds like maybe you did get a bad one, but I'd probably have done the same as you did and went to something else! By the way, I do love how comfortable it is in my ear, and the battery life is great too.

[JLeny]

I use a Blue Ant X3 Micro headset and lt works very well. I can say that their customer service area is excellent. On two occasions the earpiece broke off and on both occasions a new headset was sent to me. I still use the headset today.

Never tried the jawbone but I hear very good things about it.

[Sparkomatic]

Hey Brandon, glad you're enjoying your Jawbone 2. Again, wanted to make clear I wasn't trying to argue with you, just had a different experience. Sounds like maybe you did get a bad one, but I'd probably have done the same as you did and went to something else! By the way, I do love how comfortable it is in my ear, and the battery life is great too.

Oh, I know you weren't trying to argue. That's the beauty of these forums...different opinions from different people :)

I do agree with you...the fit of the 925 was much better than the Jawbone 2. I have to agree with you there. The Jawbone's nice but not quite as comfy.

[Rancho Gordo]

I thought my Jawbone was a waste but with the new Calif laws, I was forced to find it and use it again. I played around with different combos for the ear holder and bud and wow, what a difference it made. You need to first try all the holders and see what's easy to come off and on and then find the ear canal bud piece that works. It's plenty loud now and comfortable.

[jfkeith]

I have had my Jawbone for the last six months or so, and I have to say that I am somewhat disappointed with it. I think it's a stury piece, but I'm not able to find a good fit for my ear. I took the ear hook off, and have a jabra eargel which keeps the Jawbone in my ear quite well. I haven't really investigated the Jawbone 2 yet, but I would imagine that it is a good piece above and beyond the original Jawbone.

Either way, with each state enacting hands-free laws, it's a good investment to get any bluetooth piece. I would say that Jawbone is a reliable and good piece of equipment, it's just really tough to get it to fit as snug as I'd like, but that's what I've read from most reviews on the forum.