Jabra STONE Bluetooth headset review
By Richard Lai 
posted Oct 23rd 2009 11:36AM
posted Oct 23rd 2009 11:36AM
Putting on the earpiece is just a matter of sliding it down your ear, and we're pleased that our glasses weren't too much of a problem with its hook. Unlike the symmetrical Jawbones you can only use the STONE with your right ear, but we're pretty sure there are more pressing matters in life than to make a big deal out of this. Once on we found the STONE to be slightly loose, although Jabra assured us that the final retail package will include rubber buds of better fit, and hopefully they will also help isolate noise further. Speaking of which, the STONE is one of the few Jabra headsets that feature the "Noise Blackout Extreme" noise isolation technology, going head to head against Jawbone's "NoiseAssassin 2.0". We did two tests to see how well Jabra's technology performs in a simulated moderately-noisy bar environment (not dissimilar to the noise level of a busy high street in London).
The first test is the audio from the STONE captured by our paired up MacBook, compared to a voice memo taken simultaneously on the iPhone (MP3 file here):
And it only gets worse. The second test compares a phone call made on the HTC Hero with and without the STONE, and the audio is captured via the headphone jack of the iPhone (MP3 file here):
What a tragedy. This is no fluke either -- we had consistent results from three different units and three types of Bluetooth pairing, with the first two units tested in a real bar at Jabra's launch event while the second and third were tested in the above simulations. We were given so much hope by the STONE's unique appearance only to be let down by its actual function. "Noise Blackout Extreme" definitely fails to live up to its name, and no, we can't agree that this is a fair compromise for the compactness of the earpiece -- we want something that works, thank you. Nevertheless, if you have $129.99 (AT&T exclusive) or £99 (Carphone Warehouse exclusive) spare then the Jabra STONE is highly recommended as a Christmas present for someone you despise. Check out their website for specific launch dates around the world.
The first test is the audio from the STONE captured by our paired up MacBook, compared to a voice memo taken simultaneously on the iPhone (MP3 file here):
And it only gets worse. The second test compares a phone call made on the HTC Hero with and without the STONE, and the audio is captured via the headphone jack of the iPhone (MP3 file here):
What a tragedy. This is no fluke either -- we had consistent results from three different units and three types of Bluetooth pairing, with the first two units tested in a real bar at Jabra's launch event while the second and third were tested in the above simulations. We were given so much hope by the STONE's unique appearance only to be let down by its actual function. "Noise Blackout Extreme" definitely fails to live up to its name, and no, we can't agree that this is a fair compromise for the compactness of the earpiece -- we want something that works, thank you. Nevertheless, if you have $129.99 (AT&T exclusive) or £99 (Carphone Warehouse exclusive) spare then the Jabra STONE is highly recommended as a Christmas present for someone you despise. Check out their website for specific launch dates around the world.
Wow burn
will these things ever go away...
Probably not, people generally don't like putting a cellphone up to their ear. I don't like them because i hate having it on my ear all the time and i rather not carry it in my pocket, but for people who use the phone all the time it makes sense.
Poor android, being put under that audio torture. The quality is pretty bad.
I just got into the article when I read STONE, somehow when I read that word I think of Joss Stone - so hot, love her L.O.V.E song :D
I wish the audio quality on this device was as hot as her. :(
dam that sux....
Total let down. Fail!
no, he's just making his guitar talk
Forgot to add, now people will look like they have a leech crawling into their ear canal... I can see the technically incorrect events coming: An old lady confuses the bluetooth device with a leech and knocks the black out of you trying to kill it with her bag :(
KHANNNN!!
@nitromax: LOL
now you can look like a ultra-fashionable crazy person/asshole/brotha in the hood.
@nintendo fanboy hater: You sound really ignorant. Also what is wrong with having something that is functional AND that looks good? This headset isn't the best example I know, but I get the impression you're saying that just because a bluetooth headset looks stylish means that only a$$holes and "brothas in the hood" will wear them, correct? LOL
So I guess if everyone else wants something that works good means they can't have anything that looks good, too. Can't have both.
I personally don't care much for the design of this, but haven't u noticed this is the direction of things to come? Bluetooth headsets will only become more stylish like laptops with designs and other devices today.
So (according to you) if you don't want to look like an ahole or a "brotha", don't buy something stylish. Gotta keep it ugly and plain.
Damn that shit was funny.
Is this truly a head-set or an single ear bud?
I actually expected it to do perform well; reinforces never judging a book by its cover - EPIC FAIL!!!
This is a terrific way to use the technology to share the testing results -- way more impressive than traditional descriptions written in a printed review. I'm disappointed with the Stone's performance, but expect that "Stone 2" won't be long in coming. In the meantime, I hope to see more "demo reviews." Kudos to you.
this is a better alternative.
Every other review I have seen talks about terrible battery life as well. Yet Engadget didn't discuss battery life at all. Kind of an important thing to know for a bluetooth headset...
In this case I think poor battery performance would be a benefit.
Audio quality of this nature isn't acceptable for 20 minutes nor 20 hours.
Why can't someone use tech like this and pair two of these up to give us a cordless headset and mic for gaming,skyping and whatnot.
I use my Jawbone for Ventrilo all the time....there are lots of stereo sets that work well too. Just buy a bluetooth dongle and you're set.
I never knew that, thanks!
All you need is a bluetooth adapter on your machine. Then, you use control ponel to pair it with the machine. Then you choose it from the options of Mic/Speaker of your chosen software.
If you're specifically looking for a headset with stereo, you should be searching for "A2DP" profile support. If you are wondering if a set of A2DP headphones also work as a headset (most do), the features should also say that it supports Handsfree or Headset Bluetooth profiles.
@NOCknock: if you mean stereo Bluetooth headsets without a wire between the two speakers/earbuds, CSR is working on this technology: http://www.csr.com/pr/show_pr.php?prID=CSR090106&lang=English
Great review, I've always wondered why more bluetooth headphone reviews don't include audio demo's paired to recording devices (like the mac book) so you can eliminate any uncertainty about the cell connection.
Can you (or have you and I missed it) do a similar evaluation of the other high end noise canceling techs? NA2 on the Jawbone, WindSmart of the VoyagerPro and 975, Moto CrystalTalk? A shoot-out would be awesome.
Personally, I've owned dozens of high end headsets. The Jawbone Prime works great but is too dependent on fit, and it's propriety charger bugs me, the Moto HX1 is overpriced and uncomfortable since you'd never turn the bone induction on you might as well buy one of their cheaper/more comfortable options, I loved the Plano 925 for universally easy/good fit and decent sound, and expect I'd like the 975 more due to audio upgrades but haven't tried it yet, but the one I keep going back to is the Voyager Pro. Easy put on/take off, comfy, long battery, micro USB charging, high end noise reduction with no modes to worry about, and I just don't care it's lack of style.
Thanks!
WindSmart of the VoyagerPro - not very good.
I was using to record a speech and there was a constant hiss and also some static interference.
I *LOVE* my Voyager Pro. I use it in the EXTREMELY noisy head end of the local cable operation I work for. The person on the other end can actually hear what I'm saying, unlike all the other headsets I've tried.
Even better, I can hear the other person through my earpiece more clearly than if I had the phone on my ear.
"You see, their young enter through the ears and wrap themselves around the cerebral cortex. This has the effect of rendering the victim extremely susceptible to suggestion. Later, as they grow, follows madness and death..."
Thanks EnG for "live" audio which provides "all the details".
Well this sure made my decision easy on whether to go with the STONE or the Plantronics Discovery 975. Thanks!
Heh - great review. This should set the standard for all so-called fancypants noise reduction units. I like Jabra's designs and my venerable BT-200 is still the most comfortable headset I've owned. But the only reason to wear a headset is if it actually works. Thanks for saving me the cash. :)
Sorry, no amount of DSP can ever compete with simply getting the mic closer to your mouth. Form factors like this usually fail.
http://www.heymister.net/storage/MOTOROLA.jpg
I'm holding out for a BT head implant. I will insist on the blinky blue light being incorporated to let people know how important I am. Perhaps a blue blinky ring of light around my pupils would work. I am so ready to be a robot.....with the strength of ten gorillas!!!
Ich bin wichtig, gibt mir ein handy!!!
Good thing for Jabra that no one will check below the jump and just think: "So cool!" without bothering to watch the actual review. Engadget - stop burying the lead - skewer this crapgadget!
this design will only fit 1% of users.......the part that goes in your ear is way to big which is why that design on headphones never took off....
How is this suppose to go on your LEFT ear :-O?
"Unlike the symmetrical Jawbones you can only use the STONE with your right ear"
I think I'll hold on to my 5yo Plantronics Voyager 510. When it dies, I'll replace it with a Voyager Pro.
You can still find the Plantronics 510 on ebay and other online stores. I use it for my office earpiece then carry it around with me. I am on my 4th one. I'll never use anything else unless i can't find them anymore.
Jabra has the best looking BT earpieces, as far as I'm concerned. I got on board with the BT200 paired to my Sony Ericsson T616 way back in summer of 2004. Everyone asked "what is that thing in your ear?". Some thought it was a hearing aid.
Bit of an UK-based test to simulate a bar, when the background noise is tons of people talking in a bar any technology obviously would have trouble knowing what voice sound is the one it needs, I'm guessing the noise canceler is for non-human voice noise, so the test should be repeated in a car or plane or traffic or some noise that isn't talking.
Not that I have much confidence in it, and not that the sound wasn't poor even before the added noise, but let's be real.
Actually I think the simulation probably failed for another reason. These headsets have 2 mics so they can determine roughly where the sound is coming from and cancel it out. So if the simulated bar sounds were played through a single point source, the headset would "hear" that sound as coming form a single source rather than multiple sources as in a real bar....
Obviously I'm no expert.
Do bear in mind that the phones had little problem with the same noise though. In a sense the small mics or the noise-canceling made things worse.
That's a good point slarty.tj.
It just wasn't a test up to standards.
Nice!
I think i'll stick with the DX bananaphone
The rule of thumb I have found with bluetooth headsets is the "the closer the mic is to your mouth the better the mic levels and noise canceling". Noise canceling is a technology that is proximity sensitive so the closer it is to the audio source the better it works. The best Jabra headset I have ever tested (no longer made) is the BT500 (or BT250) but after that the headsets became worse and worse with each new model.
For a comparison with sound clips see my review of the Bang & Olufsen EarSet 2. I have both simulated and real wrold tests clips that can be downloaded. It is a rather long review as it was performed in real time over several days.
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1578767
I sat in front of my iMac and played their background bar noise test while I recorded the clip which you can download here to compare the two using the same background noise scenario. I had the volume up very high to simulate the noisy environment. Note that the B&O EarSet 2 does not attempt to remove the background sound completely but rather to ensure that your voice always come through clearly above the background sound. Here is a link http://public.me.com/barjohn1 and download the file "Test with iMac & B&O Earset 2.wav"
I think you will notice 2 things. My voice comes through clearly over the noise and it is natural sounding without that computer choppiness you hear in many DSP type headsets. It has two mics but it also has a small boom and the headset is, I think, good looking and comfortable to wear. Here is a link to info on the headset http://www.bang-olufsen.com/page.asp?id=183 By the way I have no affiliation with ANY headset manufacturer but I have been testing Bluetooth headsets for many years as you can see on my web site www.barjohn.com
Thanks for the audio reply. :) One concern: you played the audio through the iMac speakers which I assume would filter out a good part of the bass, plus that's a simulation in a simulation.
What we'd like to do is to compare the Jabra with the Jawbone (which you don't appear to have reviewed yet). I've seen a pretty impressive video demonstration but will need our own hands-on to believe it.
My blue ANT Z9i blows too! the noise canceling seems to also cancel you!!
It looks like that thing Kahn put in Chekov's ear.
I think the blueant bluetooth headsets are the best
I'm sorry, but those "bugs" still look hideous.
I bought my first Jawbone earpiece early last year and it turned out to be a piece of shit! The quality of Jabra's stuff is nasty as fuck. The changeable ear pieces have this plastic ring that just crumbles after a while. Poor poor quality all up the ass man.And the sound was shit. They are a fraud company/ the guys that started it use to work for Apple. Go figure. They got a nice design but too bad they couldn't copy the quality of Apple's swag. fuck Jabra. I'm never buying a wireless earpiece again. sennheiser has a cool wired wrap around unit with a mic. I'll be getting that.
Jabra's older headsets also claimed noise reduction, what bull***t.
Good to see some actual recordings in a headset review. However I am sorry to say that your means of comparison are totally off. Putting the microphone 5 inches closer to your mouth will be MUCH better than any dual mic headset. Also don't think that the iPhone or any other phone for that matter doesn't use noise cancelling DSP, because they do AND they have the distance-to-the-mouth advantage too. Regarding the Hero comparison, I have a Hero and the BT implementation is horrible, most HTC phones are (don't get me wrong I love my Hero, but they ain't good at BT). I have tried it out with my Moto 710, H17, Plx VPro, Nokia BH-606 and Jawbone Prime and they more or less all suck with this phone but they work great with my old Nokia phone. Sorry but you test is not really valid.
What I don't get is why the sound on the "clean" Hero (without headset) is so crunshy and bad.....are you sure it's not a Beta unit or something. I would send it in for repair.
I am getting myself a STONE for sure. Best looking headset ever, bar NONE!
Later
SlimP
I bought one of these and the sound quality was horrible and the earpiece hurt my ear badly. It was by far the worst Bluetooth device I have ever owned. I returned it after 2 days.