Jabra JX-10

Overivew

The JX-10 is very compact small headset with an over the ear loop for stabilization and an ear insert that will hold it in place without the ear loop for some users. It weighs 9 grams making it feather weight and has a very nice design and appearance with its silver body and black stripe. It has digital signal processing (DSP) which is both a blessing and a curse as I will discuss later. Battery life is very good and it paired easily with both my Motorola Q and my BlackBerry 8700.

Specifications

• Less than 1/3 oz

• Size: L: 11/2 x W: 3/4 x D: 3/4 inches

• Digital sound enhancement via DSP technology

• One-touch pairing button

• Optional charging from PC via USB

• Complete with desktop charging cradle and carry pouch

• Up to 6 hours talk time and up to 200 hours standby

• Multi-colored LED light indicator for status on Bluetooth, battery and charging

• 2 different wearing styles – with or without the earhook

• Easy accessible volume control

• Answer/end call

• Voice dial*

• Last-number redial*

• Reject call*

• Call hold/call wait*

• Bluetooth 1.2 supporting headset and hands-free profile

In-the-box

• Jabra JX10 Bluetooth headset • Desktop charging cradle • Carry pouch • USB cable • User manual • AC power supply

Recharging Cradle

It also comes with a USB to very mini usb cable for charging from your computer.

Results

Build and Construction: Build quality appears to be excellent with a solid feel where you would expect it and soft rubber where you need it. The plastic used feels expensive with switches, connectors and buttons all feeling solid. The appearance color is silver and black. The connector for power is along the back of the unit and mates with a small connector in the wall charging adaptor that can also plug into the cradle for when the unit is plugged into the cradle. The user manual calls out figures to show you various aspects of using the headset however the figures are not in the manual.

Comfort: Comfort is always subjective and I must admit that I am biased toward ease of use with glasses since I am always taking them off or putting them on. This headset does only includes a single size rubber ring, though a few creative folks have installed other Jabra ear gels. I found this headset to be a little uncomfortable and I found I needed the ear stabilizer to ensure I wouldn't lose it. I was thinking of modifying one of those super soft and comfortable ear gels from the Plantronics 640 and trying to adapt it. The rubber is a little hard and when I compared it to the Nokia BH-800, I found the Nokia with a slightly softer compound to be more comfortable. For small ears i suspect that this will be an uncomfortable headset for many. I was able to put on or take off glasses without any problem. It is not as comfortable to me as either the Plantronics D640 or the Plantronics V510 though the 510 is not a true in the ear headset. Different ears may have a different experience.

Visual size comparison between JX-10 and AX-2 Pro, Plantronics V510 and Oakley RAZR

Connectivity: Pairing is easy. You put the unit into pairing mode by turning it on and then pressing the very tiny pairing button seen on the bottom of the unit until the LED flashes blue. You then use the code of 0000 in your phone device to establish the pairing. I had no problem pairing it to a BB 8700 and a Moto Q. I have been using it for about a 2 weeks and I have not experienced any pairing issues or disconnects. I have not had it drop a connection while in use and I found in my distance test it had a reasonable range. I have not noticed static whether placed on the same or opposite side from the handset.

Sound Quality: Incoming sound quality is also very good but not as good as either the Plantronics V510, D640 or the AX-2 Pro. Volume appeared to be adequate for noisy environments Outgoing sound quality depended heavily on the environment but even in a quiet environment it has a digital sound to it that I find a little less pleasant than the more analog headsets. During my testing I received a software upgrade that I applied and it helped a little (or I at least imagined that it did).

Quiet Sound Tests using 8700 & Moto Q:

JX-10 with software update

JX-10 outside with Moto Q

JX-10 with Moto Q Outside test 2

nXZEN 5500

Sony Ericsson HBH-610

Flamingo

AX-2 Pro

Nokia BH-800 quiet with Moto Q

Nokia BH-800 BB 8700 Quiet

Noise Cancellation: Noise cancellation is only adequate. In every test you can hear the background noise and at high levels it overpowers the speaker and causes the audio to become choppy. The D510 was clearly superior in this category. I have not yet tested in windy conditions.

Noise Tests using 8700:

JX-10 in car with 8700

JX-10 in Car after Software Update

Plantronics M3000

nXZEN 5500

Sony Ericsson HBH-610

Flamingo

Plantronics D640 in Car

AX2-Pro driving compared to JX-10

Nokia BH-800 using Moto Q in car

Ease of Use: The unit is easy to use with just three buttons, one being a multi function button for connecting, disconnecting, and powering on & off. The two rear switches are for volume. I find the unit easy to use and comfortable. It is small but well designed so you don't have to struggle to find the right button to use when you need it. There is a very small pairing button but since you only use it once to pair it is ok.

Other Comments: If this unit had the ety*com noise canceling mic it would be a substantially better headset. It is the best Jabra so far and they will undoubtedly improve it with the next version. DSP just has not worked as well as it is hyped. It seems to hurt sound quality on both ends. My suggestion is to remove the DSP and add a clear thin noise canceling tube mic like those used by stage performers and a softer ear gel.

Conclusion

In a comparison of all of the characteristics that make for a good headset, this headset has to rank above the midpoint. It isn't the cheapest, but the quality and appearance make it stand out. It works better on some handsets than others as do most of the BT headsets on the market. If it worked as well as the AX-2 Pro in its small package it would be the headset to beat. It does beat out the Nokia BH-800 in sound quality (noise reduction). I'm sure some users will prefer the form factor and fit of the BH-800 while others will prefer the JX-10. In low to moderate noise situations this is a fine headset but when the background noise level increases or in a car, I don't find it acceptable. Bear in mind that I have very high standards and your tolerance may be far greater than mine. It certainly did not compare to the Plantronics V510 for in car use.