The Bottom Line
Pros
- Works with the iPhone 3GS
- Easy to use
- Delivers great sound quality
- Available in a variety of bright, fun colors, such as lime green and purple
Cons
- Expensive
- No true volume controls
Description
- The Jawbone Prime is available in a range of colors, called "Earcandy" editions. Colors include lime green and bright yellow.
- Like past Jawbone headsets, the Prime features the excellent NoiseAssassin noise-cancelling technology.
- The Jawbone Prime can be worn with or without an earhook, the attachment that slides over your ear to secure it in place.
Guide Review - Jawbone Prime Bluetooth Headset
The Jawbone Prime replaces the Jawbone 2 in Aliph's line of bluetooth headsets. The Prime is the same size as the Jawbone 2, though it's decorated in a different pattern and the headset itself is now available in a range of brighter colors.
Like past Jawbones, the Prime can be worn with or without an earhook, the attachment that slides over your ear to hold it in place. The package includes a variety of earbuds earhooks in varying sizes and thicknesses, which make it easier to find a comfortable fit.
I chose the smallest earbud-only option, and found that the Jawbone Prime very comfortable. The headset stayed firmly in place, without weighing me down.
Like past Jawbones, the Prime does not have any visible buttons, but you can feel them with your finger. The main button on the side of the headset answers and ends calls and turns the headset on or off. A second button at the end of the headset controls the volume and the NoiseAssassin feature. My biggest complaint with the Jawbone Prime: Its lack of a true volume button. It only allows you to move through its various preset volume levels.
Overall, though, voice quality was excellent. I heard my callers loud and clear, and vice versa. The NoiseAssassin feature, also works great. My callers heard little background noise, even when I was driving in a car with the radio on and two very loud kids in the backseat.
Aliph says the Prime boasts better wind noise reduction than past headsets, and this headset did a reasonably good job at blocking out background noise caused by an overactive breeze. I stood in front of a high-powered air conditioner to test this feature, and my caller reported hearing only a faint noise on his end.
The Jawbone Prime sells for about $120. That's more than you'll pay for most Bluetooth headsets. But you'll get a first-rate product in return.