Jabra JX20 review

The technology industry moves at a breakneck pace. What is an industry benchmark one year is inevitably surpassed the next. Jabra's JX10 Bluetooth headset was just such a device, a miracle of engineering when it was released in 2006 but it has since been surpassed in terms of portability, call quality and cost. So long awaited successor the 'JX20' has its work cut out.

First impressions are excellent. The JX20 is a beautifully designed headset with titanium finish and a svelte tapered design which fits both securely and comfortably in the ear. Style conscious techophiles should be immediately attracted.

The attention to detail doesn't end there since just switching the JX20 on is an interesting experience. Unlike other headsets Jabra's design features no power button but instead turns on and off courtesy of a rotating earbud. Furthermore, volume controls are neatly positioned at the rear of the headset with the answer/end call button sensibly located along the top. It is worth noting however that users who prefer to wear their headsets in the left ear will find the volume controls reversed so this isn't an ideal layout for them.

More practically, the JX20 comes well stocked out the box with a desktop stand, wall charger, USB cable, ear loops and neck cord. Of these the desktop stand is particularly impressive with a neat V-shaped design that allows the headset to be easily connected via its micro USB port and a vertical line of white lights indicates the charge level at all times.

So far so good, but sadly we now hit a major snag. As I mentioned, technology advances quickly and while the JX20 set new standards for style and call quality the bar has been lifted substantially since. Most notably I would draw attention to the Aliph Jawbone Noise Assassin which not only gives you exceptional call quality in quiet environments but also filters remarkably high levels of background noise making it useable even in busy bars and crowded stadiums.

By contrast the JX20 is no more than adequate. In quiet environments call quality is sharp and clear but we rarely take calls surrounded by perfect conditions and when background noise increases the JX20 falls a long way short of Aliph's masterpiece with voices sounding tinny and hollow.

This is a hammer blow for the JX20 because its high quality design comes with a premium price of nearly £100 - far more than the Jawbone Noise Assassin. Next time Jabra try to remember what is on the inside is just as important as what is on the outside.