Aliph Jawbone Era

Sound Quality

Military-grade noise-cancellation technology. The Jawbone Era is the only Bluetooth headset to use the latest version of a military-grade noise- and wind-canceling technology originally developed for use in military tanks. The Era uses Noise Assassin 3.0 while the Icon utilizes version 2.5. Reviewers from CNET, PC World and PCMag.com praise the Era's sound quality, especially the A2DP audio streaming. PCMag.com's analyst describes his test as the "best single-ear Bluetooth music experience I've ever had."

The volume auto adjust works well in both quiet indoor spaces and outdoors; audio is available in HD, with a speaker that's 25 percent larger than on previous Jawbone models. PCMag.com states that the call quality of the Era isn't quite as clear as with the Plantronics Voyager Pro Plus, but it's close. One drawback identified by expert feedback is that the Era's adaptive volume is sometimes too loud indoors. Reviewers from CNET and PCMag.com also dislike the single volume button, instead preferring a volume rocker switch.

Comfort

Snug, secure fit. With eight different sets of earbuds included, the Era is designed to be comfortable for most users, no matter the size and shape of their faces. Four of the earbuds are suitable for those who prefer not to use the ear-loop. Some reviewers say it took some time to find the right ear bud and to fit it properly, but the Era headset was "snug and secure" even when walking without using the ear-loop. For those with larger ears, the ear-loop may be too small.

Usability

Shake, tap, and talk. Called the "most advanced headset of the lot," and "a potential audio computing platform" by CNET, the Aliph Jawbone Era is still easy to use. Its most innovative technology is motion-sensing software and built-in accelerometer. Users can direct the Era to perform certain actions by tapping or shaking it: Double-tapping the surface of the headset allows you to answer, end or switch calls, and shaking it twice answers calls when you're not wearing it. The associated software is smart enough to determine whether the shaking and tapping are intentional or accidental.

Aliph's MyTalk integrated web service offers customizable audio and dial apps, and is also available for the Jawbone Icon. Users download software updates and applications from the MyTalk website, and Aliph Jawbone plans to develop apps beyond the standard ones now available. A new MyTalk feature for the Era can upload your phone's address book to the MyTalk website so your headset can read out a caller's name in a human-sounding voice. Reviewers identify one usability problem -- the Jawbone Era's lack of a dedicated volume control -- and users say the auto volume adjustment doesn't meet their needs.

Appearance

Tradition in design. The discreet Jawbone Era shares the fashion-forward style of its predecessor, the Jawbone Icon. The Era has a three-paneled textured front and is available in four low-key colors, all with a metallic grid overlay. Its case is slightly larger than the Icon's, and curves to better fit the face and to ensure that the Voice Activity sensor touches the cheek. TechRadar.com's reviewer sums up the Jawbone Era as "the only [headset] that you can look at and believe that someone made an effort to create something nice to look at."

The bottom line

Fashion-forward style and stellar sound quality allows the Aliph Jawbone Era to consistently appear in the top five of comparative Bluetooth headset reviews. Technology allows the handset to respond to kinetic cues (think, tapping and shaking) to perform a variety of tasks, as well as cancel noise and wind. The only drawback: the adaptive volume is sometimes too loud.