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Aliph Jawbone II Bluetooth Headset with NoiseAssassin (Black) [Retail Packaging]
From Jawbone

Jawbone II Bluetooth Headset with Noise-Canceling Microphone, v2.0, Blah Blah Black, Jawbone Branded
Amazon Sales Rank: #549 in Cell Phone Accessories Color: Black Brand: Jawbone Model: Jawbone II Released on: 2008-06-28 Format: CD Dimensions: 2.00" h x 1.00" w x .50" l, .62 pounds
Setting new standards for mobile voice clarity and personal style, the new Jawbone Bluetooth headset by Aliph represents a complete departure from the gadgetry of the mobile headset industry. Originally developed for military use in extreme environments, Jawbone features NoiseAssassin--a proprietary technology that eliminates background noise from mobile phone conversations. Jawbone is the only Bluetooth headset with a Voice Activity Sensor (VAS) that actually feels your speech, which helps Jawbone distinguish your voice from background noise. The new Jawbone in black. Widely recognized as the best Bluetooth headset on the market, the new Jawbone is 50 percent smaller than the original, award-winning Jawbone, offer over 4 hours of talk time, and comes with three earbuds and four earloops for a comfortable and personalized fit. Military-Grade NoiseAssassin Technology Developed over years of research for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Jawbone's NoiseAssassin eliminates real world noise better than competing headset because it's the only hands free device that accurately separates human speech from ambient noise. Unmatched in its ability to remove noise from loud environments like busy streets, cars, crowded cafes, and airports, NoiseAssassin is comprised of two features unique to Jawbone: a patented Voice Activity Sensor (VAS) and proprietary Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms. Jawbone is the only Bluetooth headset with a VAS that feels the speech vibrations from your jaw. This enables Jawbone to capture the distinct frequencies of your voice. Proprietary DSP algorithms work in concert with two powerful microphones and the VAS to accurately model surrounding noise and aggressively eliminate it from the conversation. Conventional "noise suppression" headsets do not have a Voice Activity Sensor and can only estimate when speech is occurring. This causes performance issues like voice distortion, especially in the presence background noise. Not Just a Headset, It's Earwear Made with premium materials like medical-grade plastic and fine leather, the new Jawbone with NoiseAssassin combines science and beauty in the most unassuming, yet richly detailed product. Every effort has been made to contain best in class noise suppression technology in a miniature form that is 50 percent smaller than the original, award-winning Jawbone. The new Jawbone accomplishes a clean and sophisticated look thanks to invisible buttons. Touch-surface technology allows the user to operate switches by lightly pressing the outer shield. Curved and rectilinear to follow the face, the outer shield is lightly textured and inspired by three-dimensional noise abatement surfaces. The infer surface, the one touching your face and creating contact with the Voice Activity Sensor, is gently curved to be ergonomic and comfortable on your skin. Offering a comfortable and personalized fit, the new Jawbone comes with three sizes of earbuds and four earloops--two sizes of leather and two of slim, which are ideal for use with eyeglasses. Jawbone can also be worn on either ear and with or without an earloop. Specifications Talk time: Over 4 hours Standby time: Over 8 days Range: Up to 33 feet (10 meters) Weight: 10 grams (0.35 ounces) Supports Bluetooth 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 80 percent charge in 35 minutes (full charge in less than 1 hour) What's in the Box The new Jawbone with NoiseAssassin by Aliph headset, magnetic USB cable and wall charger, 3 earbuds, 2 leather earloops, 2 slim earloops, QuickStart Guide
Fit is crucial The New Jawbone is just what I need for my iPhone and I find its quirks to be easy to get used to in exchange for fabulous sound quality. However, fit is crucial to proper operation and so be sure to buy from a store with very good return policies in case it doesn't fit your ears. Here's the biggest issue: The voice sensor must contact your cheek in order for noise suppression to work properly. If it does not touch your cheek, the people you are talking to will hear echo, hollow sound, clipped words or other distortion. The challenge is to get the earbud far enough into your ear that the sensor is aligned properly. I have what I believe are average ears and the smallest supplied rubber earbud is still a little too big. But as long as I remember to periodically adjust the Jawbone to keep it touching my cheek, it works quite well. I am going to experiment with other earbuds (Aliph does not sell any sizes other than the S, M & L in the box). Much lesser quirks are that it is impossible to tell whether the headset is on or off when it is in your ear and button action when accepting/initiating/refusing a call is far from easy to control due to the invisible, non-tactile switches. So when you press on it to seat it in your ear properly, it turns off or on, depending. This is easy to work around by starting with the unit off and pressing hard for two seconds to simulateously turn it on and seat it, but the button design is not the smartest. This design also makes it awkward to change call volume, but the default setting is fine, especially because you can adjust it in finer increments anyway on many phones. Overall this is an excellent product, marred only by limited fit options and slightly dumb ergonomics. I plan to keep it. Best testimonial came from my daughter, who when I called her a few minutes ago asked, "Are you still using the Jawbone?" If she has to ask, that means it's working (grin). UPDATE: I tried the Jabra clear gel earbud with the long "tail" and it works quite well. I can use the JB without the ear loop now, though I prefer retaining it for safety. Sound is good and fit is much improved. -dan MiniGels are the key With the included ear hooks and black donut shaped earbuds, this thing just won't stay where it is supposed to for me. Nearly every bad review seems to be about fit or sound, and with the Jawbone, sound depends on fit. If you can't get the New Jawbone to fit right, it is just not going to work correctly. I found Jabra MiniGels at my local Verizon store in a 4-pack for $3. It's actually 2 each of 2 sizes, marked "14" and "83", which the package claims is "two standard and two small". The "83" size is larger and that's what works for me. They fit tight, in place of the black donut earbuds. The angle that worked best for me is about 15 degrees upwards of pointing at the white Voice Sensor. I could angle them almost 45 degrees and then the MiniGel would go really deep into my ear and fit really tight, but after a few hours this was increasingly uncomfortable. For me, a lesser angle is still very secure without being as tight and irritating to my ear. The looser it is, the more it can droop down over time, especially when eating or chewing gum. If it droops down, then it is no longer properly aligned towards the mouth and the white voice sensor loses good contact the face. The best way I found to put it on with the MiniGels is to start with the Jawbone pointing down towards under my chin, and then twisting it upwards into place. I can do it without looking in a mirror now, and holding only onto the sides without going anywhere near the button surfaces. If feel like I need to poke it deeper into my head while pulling on my ear to seat it better, I can poke my finger directly on the gel or the black plastic post that holds it, rather than mashing on the button surfaces of the Jawbone. Even with the Voice Sensor, the New Jawbone is not wind-proof. If you call yourself and listen on a muted phone in your other ear, you can hear how the background dampening algorithms work for things like turning on the kitchen sink -- the water sound comes through full volume briefly and then the jawbone starts to filter it out. If you talk without the white voice sensor properly touching your face, the algorithms will treat your voice as noise and actively try to filter you out. Wind is not a constant noise and so wind sounds will come through to the caller with varying levels of filtering. Callers will hear some of your radio if you leave it on loud enough. At the extreme, I've been able to make myself unintelligible to callers by rolling ALL my car windows down at highway speeds and wearing the Jawbone on the window-side ear, but most convertibles aren't as bad as that, and honestly, car windows do roll up for important phone now calls don't they? Understanding how the noise filter works may help you not rate the Jawbone unfairly... It has to work the way it does or no one would hear you when you start talking with a consonant sound (Like "Sh") because the voice sensor hasn't heard your voice through your face bone yet. After only a few days now, I can't say if the MiniGels will ever split. The "83" I've been using shows no wear or cracks after stretching it off and on many times, and also carefully twisting it around many times (it fits really tight) trying to find the perfect angle, and from switching left-ear and right-ear a few times too. Even if they do eventually crack or split, they were pretty cheap, and after a while I'd want to replace them just for sanitary reasons! I only mention this because other reviews that led me to the MiniGels mentioned that the eargels they tried had split. I think it was in reference to the original Jawbone where you had to actually modify one of the twist-on earbuds so the eargel would fit in place of the stock rubber, which would lead me to also think that doing this would result in rough edges which could cut and begin cracks. I still have over 20 days left to decide if the New Jawbone is a keeper (I found this one at a local AT&T store). With the MiniGels it fits well without even using an earloop! It doesn't fall off; I can swing (Mosh?) my head clear upside-down and it stays on. Even with the best I could get it to fit with the included Leather earloop and black donut earbud, it would fall off right onto the floor any time I bent over. Why can't Aliph get this right? They must get so many returns just from bad fit; you would think they would figure out something better. The packaging for the MiniGels from Verizon says, "Compatible with EarWave and FreeSpeak". I had to ask for them at the "Tech Support" / Parts counter, they were not on display, and only the Manager knew where they were. I called ahead before I drove there to make sure they even had any. The package says EargelWaveCombo2pk008 100-2303-08 with UPC code 607421730129. I hope this helps you all. For $3, trying the MiniGels is very worth it before you return your New Jawbone. Most of the "fit" problems are due to the lack of instructions Purchased this after a lot of amazon reviews. The sound quality is as described (positives) in most of the reviews, and very happy with mine in all situations (street, wind noise, driving highway speed noise, and even in my convertible top down at city speeds). Jawbone "Fit" problem that most people report could have easily been corrected by treating the ear-loop as an adjustable eye-wear and hand-adjust for a good fit. I had a initial problem also -- the ear-loop wire was too close to the top of my ear and was uncomfortable to wear after a few min. Here is a simple guide. 1. Take the ear-loop off. 2. Find the ear bud that fits your ear, both comfortable and would actually hold the unit on without the ear-loop. That size would provide both the tight enough and comfortable fit. 3. Put a ear-loop on. Start adjusting the top so that there is no to little pressure to the top of your ear. I found that ear-loop sizes makes very little difference (included large, small, etc sizes are too similar to make a difference anyway). 4. Then bend the ear-loop toward to unit so that it provides support on the back -- but no need to go for a exact or tight fit. If you had used wire-frame eye-glasses, you should be familiar with this process. 5. The key steps are the #2 and #3 above. Should not take you more than a few minutes to get the comfortable enough fit you need, and forever to get that perfect fit (just like eye glasses). ======== Not related to "fit" problem, but Quality of my unit ==== - Update after 2+ weeks of use. - Too bad I cannot change the 5 star rating down to some lower # based on this updated experience. The fit (as adjusted above) and sound quality has been great. The Problem with my Unit: My unit shuts down randomly, almost regardless of the battery status (I have hade my unit charged near full, since I was not traveling during this period). Most often during a call, and seldom during standby. Once the unit shuts down, it behaves as if the battery has run down and would not turn back on, for up to 15 mins (did not try after that). But after an hour or two, the unit could be turns on and operates for a few more hours (and for even 1 hour conference call). So this is not clearly run-down battery problem, but something else. Now for the Aliph (the MFGR) Customer Service: Called Jawbone directly, and they insist that the problem is my phone dropping the call. Now I explained that yes, this could happen if you have the phone in your pocket, and some keys could be pressed..., but it does not explain the case when I had the phone on my desk, nor explain why the unit would not turn back on (not just dropping the call, but shutdown), yet operate properly after a ~ few hours. The Customer Service insisted that this is not a problem with their unit -- would not even recognize the logical disagreement in the evidence I provided and their explanation. This problem happened about every other day with normal business use (~ 1 hour talk, ~15~20 calls, 6+ hour standby per day). BTW, I got to a live person to talk to in less than 1 min -- fairly positive and frankly impressive when I now normally expect menus, menus and more phones menus and no live person interaction for 10~20 min. I am returning the unit for replacement -- still like the sound quality and the fit. If the replacement behaves the same way as my current unit, I will be giving up on this unit and seek alternative. ============= Quick update on replacement -- the replacement unit (new) works flawlessly. Perhaps the quality problem discussed on this forum is true for this manufacturer for now...

   

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Arena Surround USB Gaming Headset
From Creative Labs

Creative Labs brings you the Sound Blaster Arena USB Gaming Headset, an all in one sound system for the ultimate gaming audio experience powered by award winning Sound Blaster technology. Laptop or desktop? The100% digital USB connection delivers hassle-free, crystal clear audio whatever your system choice is. Powerful built in Sound Blaster X-Fi technology with EAX support gives you unrivaled 3D positional surround sound so effective it’s like being able to see in the dark. Combined with VoiceFX to cloak your voice and Silencer technology to suppress background noise, it’s the clear weapon of choice for the demanding gamer. Designed for extended gaming sessions, its light, flexible headband and soft earpads ensure maximum comfort, Precision Full Spectrum drivers deliver unparalleled sonic accuracy, while the detachable noise-canceling microphone and handy in-line volume control, ensure optimum performance. Sound Blaster Arena – a sensory advantage that’s so good, they’ll say it’s unfair.
Brand: Creative Labs Model: 51EF0180AA001 Dimensions: 10.43" h x 2.60" w x 8.19" l, 1.20 pounds
The Sound Blaster Arena USB Gaming Headset from Creative Labs brings a fully immersive gaming audio experience to any computer. Thanks to Sound Blaster X-Fi technology with EAX support integrated into the headset, you'll get 3D positional surround sound experience regardless of the computer you're using,. And with a comfortable design and detachable noise-canceling microphone, you'll be ready to dominate all-night gaming sessions. Sound Blaster Arena Features Amazing Gaming Audio X-Fi and EAX gaming effects technology gives you 3D surround sound and an unrivaled sense of realism. Suppress Background Noise Silencer technology suppresses noise so teammates can hear you in noisy gaming environments. Disguise Your Voice With VoiceFX, you can alter your voice to disguise yourself or take on different personas. "We have been reaping the benefits of Sound Blaster X-Fi audio for years and can't imagine playing without it. Now with the addition of Silencer, we have the most advanced audio arsenal in competitive gaming. And because it's USB, it's easy to take out on the road to tournaments."–Jason Lake, Founder and CEO of Team Complexity, the premiere competitive gaming brand in North America Features inline volume control and USB connectivity. View larger. Built-in X-Fi Technology for 3D Positional Surround Sound The Sound Blaster Arena is designed to be an all-in-one gaming sound system that will bring an amazing audio experience to your system of choice. Whether connected to a desktop or laptop, the USB connection provides a 100% digital connection for superb audio. And since Sound Blaster X-Fi technology with EAX support is built into the headset, you will be armed with all the power of a Sound Blaster sound card with the portability and convenience of a USB headset. The Sound Blaster Arena will deliver unrivaled 3D positional surround sound no matter what system you're using. With X-Fi technology and EAX gaming effects, you'll even be able to hear the soft footsteps of your enemies walking towards you--no matter where they are in game. Bring the Same Sound Everywhere The ear cups are reversible for compact storage, letting you take the headset wherever you go so you'll enjoy the same, consistent surround sound and gaming audio no matter where you're playing. Noise-Canceling Microphone Can Disguise Your Voice Gain an advantage on the competition with the Arena's built-in microphone featuring Silencer and VoiceFX technology. Silencer uses an intelligent noise-canceling technology, so when you're giving orders to your teammates, they'll hear you loud and clear even in a noisy gaming environment. And with VoiceFX, you can alter your voice to sound like different characters, whether as a strategic ploy or for fun and amusement. And when your gaming is over, you can remove the microphone boom and use the headset to enjoy some high-quality music. Designed with the Gamer in Mind The Arena headset is designed to meet the needs of even the most competitive gamer. It features a lightweight, flexible headband that reduces fatigue, and ergonomic, cushioned ear pads that remain comfortable even during extended gaming sessions. The contoured ear cups also provide great sound isolation, so you can concentrate on your gaming. An inline volume control pod provides added convenience, letting you quickly change the volume and mute the microphone when needed. The Sound Blaster Arena USB Gaming Headset is backed by a one-year limited warranty. What's in the Box USB Headset with detachable microphone and in-line volume control, and X-Fi Installation CD. With X-Fi and EAX surround effects, you'll have such a gaming advantage over others, it'd be almost unfair. Gaming Headsets HS-980 Fatal1ty Professional Series MKII Gaming Headset HS-800 Fatal1ty Gaming Headset (Analog) HS-1000 Fatal1ty USB Gaming Headset Sound Blaster Arena Surround USB Gaming Headset Headphone Quality Ergonomic ear cups with sound isolation Velvet Padding Velvet Padding Ergonomic ear cups with sound isolation Audio Speaker Size 40mm Drivers (Full-Spectrum) 40mm Drivers 40mm Drivers 40mm Drivers (Full-Spectrum) Removable Microphone? Yes Yes Yes Yes Connection Type 3.5mm jack 3.5mm jack USB 2.0 USB 2.0 Inline Volume / Mute Yes Yes Yes Yes Sound Control Location Along the cable Along the cable Along the cable Along the cable Sound Control Volume control / Mute on and off Volume control / Mute on and off Volume control / Mute on and off Volume control / Mute on and off Silencer Tech Enabled Yes(with Sound Blaster Titanium Series Sound Card) No No Yes Voice FX Enabled Yes No No Yes X-Fi Enabled Yes(When used with an X-Fi Sound Card) No Yes Yes Ideal For FPS Desktop Gamer / MMO (Recommend Sound Blaster TI Series Sound Card) Everyday Desktop Gamer/ MMO (Recommend Sound Blaster Sound Card) Everyday Desktop or Laptop Gaming / VOIP MMO / FPS / Competitive LAN Gamer
Compared to the Logitech G35's I also have the Logitech G35 headset so this will be a comparison between the two. The Arena headset is nicely made, though not as heavily over-engineered as the G35 in my opinion. The Arena have the advantage of lighter weight and probably more comfort for most people. The mic boom on the Arena is springy and you really can't control the distance between the mic and your mouth as a result. On Ventrilo, people reports that I sounded better on the Arena than on the G35, so on outgoing sound quality the Arena wins. I didn't notice a significant difference on received sound quality on either when using them for gaming. I tried the Arena on two computers, and had some issues with Ventrilo on each, once with incoming and once with outgoing voice. In each case the sound would break up and become distorted and unintelligible. I did not have this problem with the G35. I was unable to isolate the cause of the problem so I can't say for sure that the Arena headset was at fault. The Arena headset is relatively light weight, quite comfortable, and definitely in the premium headset category. It does not quite feel as serious as the G35 with their fabric wrapped cord and additional bulk, but many people will probably prefer the light weight of the Arena. Do not game without these! At the current price, you absolutely cannot go wrong with this headset. I admit, this headset is my husband's as I currently use Logitech G35 7.1-Channel Surround Sound Headset which I had received a few months prior. Due to the constant jealous glares and pouty faces I endured while my husband gamed without a quality headset, I decided it was time for him to have his own! I have tested it quite thoroughly and compared it with it's much more expensive counterpart and I have good news. The Sound Blaster Arena headset is almost as awesome as my aforementioned Logitech headset and it's currently half the price. We game online a lot and so the mic is a necessity. After lots of surprise tests with both headsets, my friends and guildmates could not tell a difference when I was using either of the headsets. My voice was heard loud and clear on both and I had no complaints. The silencing feature present on both headsets is also very important to game immersion and I will admit, I didn't feel quite as immersed with the Sound Blaster Arena. The ear cups fit my head perfectly and very comfortably, but for some reason I could hear more background noise with this headset on than with my Logitech headset. The difference was minor and I don't think one would notice if they weren't directly comparing the two. One thing this headset lacks are the extra "G" buttons that the Logitech headset has on the left side. I have never used these buttons so it's not really a loss, in my opinion. I do believe they control the voice changer (which is good for a few laughs and then your friends will tire of it quickly!) and can also be customized to other tasks as well, such as controlling your media player. Handy, but again, I don't use them so I can't really fault this headset for not having them. Volume control is handled differently on both. The Sound Blaster Arena has a small piece of plastic right on the cord itself where you adjust the volume. It works fine, but I do prefer my volume control on my Logitech where it is right on the headset. I like to tuck the cord out of the way and with this headset you kind of have to have it present in your lap at all times. Not really a drawback, but I do kind of tend to think the volume control on this headset will wear out more quickly. The Sound Blaster Arena headset also lacks the heavy duty braided cord. One thing I don't like about that, aside from it lacking some durability, is on these cold winter nights when we're gaming, I get cold and like to keep a blanket on my lap. When this cord rubs against that blanket, I get shocks sent straight to my EARS! Ouch! But if you're careful and don't like blankets, you won't really miss the braided cord of the Logitech headset. Overall, both are very similar and if you're simply going for sound quality without all the fancy extras, you will not be disappointed with this great headset. If you're willing to pay $50 more for above mentioned features, then Logitech won't let you down. At this current price, however, this awesome headset is a steal. Very comfortable, durable and lightweight. And has one very unique feature that causes me to often steal these from my husband: The mic is removable and can be used as normal headphones. Awesome since we don't have any quality headsets just for listening to music. Every gamer and music lover should have these! Impressive technology, but the packaging could use some polish Creative Labs Sound Blaster Computer Headset / B002J9HCV0 Pros + Crisp surround sound + Clear voice mic + Comfortable headset (padded ears and crown) Cons - Discrete volume control - Limited headset adjustability - Limited mic adjustability - USB only (limits to computer use only) - Software mildly irritating I received this gaming headset through Amazon Vine and was excited to set it up with Lord of the Rings Online to try out the headset and voice chat. On a positive note, the sound technology in this headset is really impressive. I'm not usually one to be blown away by surround sound technology, but this headset pulls it off very nicely. When I accidentally put the headset on backwards at one point, I could tell instantly because the battle sounds that I was *hearing* to my left were actually occurring on screen off to my right. The voice chat is also very well done - speaking into the mic on my computer, I could hear my voice crisp and clear coming from my fiancé's computer on the other end. The headset is padded nicely on the ears and the crown of the head, and the super-squishy padding is something you'll really appreciate after several hours of gaming. These aren't noise-canceling, so you'll still hear what's going on in the real world around you, for better or worse. As impressive as the technology in this headset is, I can't help but feel that the overall packaging and design could have used a little more spit and polish. The volume control is a discrete clicker, not a continuous knob, and there's more difference between each volume level than I would expect from headphones this expensive. It was never really a problem for me, but it just surprised me. Aside from the usual discrete headset size adjustment, there's no other customizable adjustments available - you can't, for instance, adjust the top crown bar to rest behind your head or at the base of your neck, and I can't even find a way to switch which is the left ear and which is the right ear - which means that the cord and mic will *always* be connected to your left ear, regardless of whether or not that's convenient. The cord, too, is USB only, which means that you can only ever use the headphones with your computer, and it takes up what is rapidly becoming prime USB real-estate property these days. The cord is fairly long, several feet long, but with no built in method for shortening it. The volume control is about a foot or so down the cord from the headset. A note about the software that comes with these - I never really touch on software, but this was a particularly annoying case. The installation software, by default, offers to install about a dozen or more driver updates and ancillary programs, with no indication of what, exactly, is required and necessary for using these headphones and what is just 'extra'. I gave up trying to figure that out and just let it install/update everything it wanted, only to find out that (a) that meant I had to click through license agreements for *everything*, one after another, which took forever, and (b) halfway through the final set-up, the program announced that it had *just now* ascertained that I had more up-to-date versions of half of the stuff I was installing, and did I really want to continue? No, I do not want to downgrade my software, and it would have been nice for you to check for that a little earlier. Geez. In all seriousness, if you'd like a solid gaming headset and don't care about adjustability, then you could probably do a lot worse than this headset - it does have superb surround sound and crisp voice quality. But if you need any kind of specialization, then these may not be for you. ~ Ana Mardoll

   

Motorola H710 Bluetooth Mono Headset
From Motorola, INC

For Consumers who demand high performance and quality with uncompromising style. Audio Excellence. Enhanced noise/echo reduction package improves 4dB over H700. Get more done. Added features for the busy consumer, battery meter, easypair, and multipoint. Classic Update. New design details and updated color schemes improving a classic design. Boom Flip. Business demands a quick response, H710 continues the signature boom flip with Rapid Connect on/off flip.
Amazon Sales Rank: #549 in Cell Phone Accessories Brand: Motorola Model: H710 Dimensions: .3 pounds

The best Bluetooth I have ever owned. In my lifetime of cell phones and accessories, I have used almost every type of Bluetooth headset. Without a doubt there two that stand out in my mind and my ear that rank as the most comfortable to wear, the most efficient to use, and the MOST DEPENDABLE. One is a "trucker's model" over-the-head headset with a full boom mic and noise-canceling, needless to say this is the one I use in a high-noise area either inside or outside. It is the one that people on the other end like the most also for the noise canceling effect. The other Bluetooth headset is the Motorola H710. My hearing is very good and this is the first over-the-ear earpiece that I can NOT turn up all the way, it is not necessary. The unit is comfortable to wear for long periods of time, stays charged forever it seems, has good sound, a very efficient short boom mic, great noise canceling, easy to operate, and easy to maintain. In short, it is the perfect earpiece. When I find a product that I like and it works well for me, I have a tendency to buy some for gifts for others. I think that so far I have purchased about ten. motorola H710 headset=awesome This is my first bluetooth headset... I have been using it with my LG dare and it works great with this phone.no probs pairing the device, was quick and simple. The signal and clarity are great most of the time. a few times while driving,I have had a few staticy(is that a word?)moments in some areas.(might be signal interference from outside sources)Other than that I have an awesome signal and people that I talk to can't tell that I'm using it,or at least they never say that it sounds bad.It seems to knock out most background noise pretty well,I have talked in some loud areas and the person on the other end can hear me just fine. Talk time seems to be good. I don't spend a lot of time talking on it but a fair amount and I can go a week or so and then it needs a charge. As far as distance from my phone: I can leave my phone on the table and walk 15 to 20 feet away and still have a good signal. any further than that and it starts to break up a bit. Overall I believe this is on of the best out there for the price.I did a ton of research on bluetooth headsets and this unit kept coming up as one of the best bang for the buck. comfort and excellent audio, finally I have tried other bluetooth devices and always had ear pain resulting in little use. This device, the Motorola H710 Bluetooth Mono headset,is comfortable,no ear bud to cause canal pain, and very good audio.For those reasons, I use the product most of the time. I highly recommend this for all that have problems with the ear insertion.

   

Logitech G35 7.1-Channel Surround Sound Headset
From Logitech

The Logitech G35 headset. Game-changing immersion with 7.1 surround sound powered by Dolby technology for a detailed soundfield. Featuring three swappable headband pads; three customizable G keys; on-ear audio controls; and an adjustable, noise-canceling microphone.
Brand: Logitech Model: 981-000116 Original language: English Dimensions: 4.50" h x 10.00" w x 10.70" l, 1.90 pounds
For game-changing immersion, the Logitech G35 Surround Sound Headset is the first Logitech headset to offer 7.1 surround sound – a perfect complement to the growing number of action games and high-definition movies that support 7.1-channel surround sound. Immersive Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound. Powered by second-generation Dolby Headphone technology, the G35 simulates the complex acoustics of a listening room, creating a detailed, outside-the-head sound field. Plus, with its proprietary ear-enclosing design, the G35 headset greatly reduces ambient noise from interfering with your entertainment, while an adjustable, noise-canceling microphone focuses on your voice and reduces background noise. Victory never sounded so good. Play with the best. Key Features 7.1 Surround Sound Powered by Dolby technology Delivers a detailed soundfield – hear your enemies before they see you. Dolby Pro Logic II is used in conjunction with Dolby Headphone technology to create an expanded stereo sound for files recorded in traditional format. 3 Swappable Headband Pads To ensure your headset remains comfortable during long gaming sessions, the G35 headset features three swappable headbands – thin, thick and contoured designs – so you can select the style that fits you best. 3 Customizable G Keys If you use popular chat clients such as Ventrilo or Team Speak, the G35 headset includes three G-keys on the left earpiece for one-touch command over voice morphing. If you want to sound like your World of Warcraft character or disguise your voice when gaming, you can install the included software to enjoy six voice-morphing options, including cyborg, giant, mutant, space squirrel, troll and alien. On-Ear Audio Controls For quick access to volume, microphone mute and surround sound adjustments. Adjustable, Noise-Canceling Microphone Focuses on your voice and reduces background noise. Full-Speed, All-Digital USB Connection For clean, clear audio. 10-foot braided cable With cable management wrap to keep excess cable out of the way. Microphone Mute Light So you always know if you're on or off mute. 2 Ways to Mute Press the microphone mute botton or rotate the microphone boom into the upright position. Suggested games for the Logitech G35 Surround Sound Headset: World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Left 4 Dead Call of Duty: World at War Crysis Warhead Fallout 3 Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 Check out the G-SERIES from Logitech:       Logitech G13 Advanced Gameboard The G13 advanced gameboard gives you game-changing comfort and control. Naturally contoured design follows the natural shape of your hand and fingers for increased comfort during long sessions. Logitech G19 Keyboard for Gaming Giving you an arsenal of advanced gaming technology, the Logitech G19 keyboard for gaming features a color GamePanel LCD to display game stats, VOIP communication data, and many other items. Logitech G25 Racing Wheel With simulator-grade force feedback, 900° of wheel rotation, and a true six-speed stick, this high-performance racing wheel lets you feel every inch of the road for maximum control. Logitech G51 Surround Sound Speaker System Bring your games to life with 360° surround sound – for amazing audio clarity that lets you hear your enemies sneaking up behind you. What's in the Box Package Contents Logitech G35 Surround Sound Headset 3 headband pads Quick-start guide Software CD 2-year limited hardware warranty System Requirements PC with 32-bit or 64-bit Windows XP or Windows Vista 30 MB available hard drive space CD-ROM drive USB port
Genuine Fun. These headphones are a lot of fun. I'm not a gamer - can't play many games because I get dizzy, but I am sort of a collector of headphones. Frankly, I expected these to be awful and was more than pleasantly surprised to find that they are really quite good. OK, so they look like some kind of boy toy science fiction gizmo. For me, I could do without all the buttons. But having a volume button on the headphone and a mute for the mic is very useful. Most headphones depend upon the right combination of source and headphone to get a good sound. If you plug most high end headphones directly into your ipod or computer soundcard the sound quality is atrocious. The right mate of source and sound can mean that the right $20 headphone in your ipod can give surprisingly good sound if it is a good match. The good (and the bad) of a USB headset is that it bypasses the amp in your computer soundcard. Instead, the digital to audio processing occurs through USB. This approach can allow very high quality sound, and in the case of this headset, it succeeds. As to sound quality. I am impressed with the surround sound where normally I find surround unbearably processed and artificial, the software does a good job. With the surround sound turned off, and these headphones are in pure stereo mode, forget it, it's awful. But that isn't what these headphones are for. Bass is excellent with good low extension and not even the slightest touch of boominess. Artifical bass enhancement is one of the things I hate about most processed sound, and I was delighted to find that none was present. Logitech is to be commended for making that choice in the design because most people equate sloppy boomy bass with high quality (think car stereo woofer). The mid range is outstanding. That's where the sound really excels. I have a few very high end headphones where the midrange is weak. With these headphones subtleties of tone and shading in human voices are easy to hear. The high end of the sound spectrum is the weakness of the sound signature. Lost highs are the big price for processed sound. Imagine a bell ringing. After the bell rings the sound hangs in the air and slowly fades. When the highest highs are lost, and the sound is processed, the sound gets artifically cut off and the "air" is gone from the sound. At the present state of technology this seems to be unavoidable in all processed sound. The good news with this headset is that this loss of highs is not too horribly bad. I could listen to music (which is not what these are for) and it was not too distracting. The offset was the beautiful mids and the realistic sound stage. Listening to movies, other than gaming, is where this headset excels. This is where location of sound can make a huge difference, and the ambiant sounds contribute to the experience. Watching a movie with these headset while sitting right in front of my computer screen is immersive and exciting. I can imagine that in games, where location of sounds is critical, that these would greatly enhance the experience and give the player an extra edge. Finally, they are pretty comfortable. The choice of cushioning is very appreciated. My partner and I both want to use them. I was given these to review but I might have to buy another set. The price, when you consider that it includes the digital audio converter and amplification, is very reasonable for a headset of this quality. Finest USB headset I have ever used. Logitech's G35 really sets a mark for gaming headsets. Other surround sound headsets that I have used have been large and uncomfortable after sustained use, however the G35 has an adjustable headband and comes with three different cushions for whatever shape head you may have. The cups are padded rather nicely and do a pretty decent job of blocking out ambient sound. The USB cord is sleeved and the whole thing really feels well crafted. Features like the microphone automuting when you put it in the upright position make you wonder why this hasn't been done with every headset on the market. The software is simple and easy to use, however i found it somewhat limited. The only balance controls are for bass and treble, with no presets or anything like that for types of music. Their is no control over the surround sound to balance your own levels or test it; the only thing you can do is turn the surround sound on and off using the manual switch on the back of the left cup. The customizable buttons are a great concept and comes with custom actions for programs like Itunes, Windows Media Player and Ventrilo, however it lacks Teamspeak support. The voice morphing is fun, but superfluous. For the price of this headset I would like a little bit more technical features and control over the sound. Note: the program uses 19MB of memory when you are using the headset, but on my laptop (Intel core 2 duo 2.2ghz, 2 gigs of ram) I haven't noticed a performance decrease. The sound quality is superb for a USB headset. It doesn't sound as good as my Creative X-Fi sound card, but it definitely gets the job done. I haven't heard any distortions or crackling while gaming, and the directionality of the sound is very distinct and enhances gaming for sure. The low end is undistorted and you can actually feel explosions and things of the sort. The microphone records crisp and clear, and while the microphone is advertised as noise canceling, it occasionally picks up some background noise. 130$ is a lot for a headset, but these things deliver. I'd prefer some more control over the more technical aspects of the sound, but I am satisfied and have enjoyed using this device. If money isn't an object, go ahead and pick yourself up a pair. Great audio positioning, lackluster quality For the past half-year, I've been using a Creative X-Fi Xtreme Gamer sound card and a pair of Sony MDR-NC40 headphones. The combination provides wonderful control over sound quality, whether in music, media, or gaming. However, the CMSS Headphone "Virtual Surround" technology that the Creative cards use isn't particularly impressive to me. It works incredibly well for some people, but it doesn't "cut it" in my case. Today, I purchased a G35. I was incredibly eager to try it out because, wherever I looked, the headset got positively glowing reviews, praising the clarity of the headset and the impressiveness of the Dolby 7.1 Virtual Surround soundfield. Driver installation was simple enough; I downloaded the proper driver from the Logitech website and installed it. I didn't have to restart my computer, which I always find to be a plus. I plugged in the phones, fired up a DTS demo, and... it sounded terrible. I went into the drivers and tried playing with the provided settings. Unfortunately, the "equalizer" consisted of simply main volume, bass, treble, and mic volume. This was pretty disappointing to me. Every sound card I had ever used had had at the very least a 10-band equalizer, if not 12- or 24-band. In short, I couldn't customize the G35 to have anywhere near the audio quality of what I had before. I will say this; the Virtual Surround positioning is indeed excellent. It's the best virtualization of a 7.1 surround sound system that I've ever heard. That said, I can't sacrifice quality sound for "more" sound. If you don't use a discrete sound card with your PC, then you'll probably think that the G35 sounds like audio heaven. If you have used a discrete sound card and a decent pair of headphones, you probably won't be particularly impressed. If you do end up getting a G35, I'd suggest purchasing a pair from a location with a no-questions-asked return policy, just in case it's not what you thought it'd be.

   

LTB Q-BEAN-UO Audio Systems Wireless Headphone USB PnP (Orange)
From LTB

LTB Q BEAN UO USB Orange Wireless Headphone Link. The LTB QBean Wireless 2.0 Headphone link system lets you move in your world so your music and media can follow. Non Compressed Audio streams wirelessly to you through an innovative link that allows duplex voice and data control. 2.4GHz digital radio transmission /absolutely noise free. USB Transmitter provides non compressed streaming audio so you move and play. Fully interfaces with Windows Media Player functions. Stereo Model Can be battery operated for portable use.
Brand: LTB Model: Q-BEAN-UO Dimensions: 1.74" h x .98" w x 3.00" l, 2.00 pounds

Great Idea, lousy battery I have this item. The battery charge started out lasting only 3-4 hours, and now is down to 2 hours. It should have a better battery or take rechargeable AAA's. I wouldn't buy another. Very good wireless system for music and Skype I have the Q-Bean with USB connection at work, I use it for listening to music and for Skype. The installation was a piece of cake, it was plug-and-play on my Windows XP system and the sound quality is very good. Wireless range is pretty good too, I can get about 30 feet from my cube at work before there's any signal glitches.