Jabra Stone

No need to introduce Jabra, the other big Bluetooth brand alongside Plantronics. Known for its high-end (but not necessarily aesthetic) headsets, the Norwegian manufacturer has recently taken a high-design turning to relaunch itself on a market that has been lacking a bit of liveliness.

Design and build: nice to look at, but also comfortable

With three differently sized silicon fittings, the Stone adapts relatively well to the user's ear. Entirely supple, it shouldn't cause any particular pains even after long usage, but in any case it hasn't been designed to be worn all the time. Its default position is in its charger (see inset).

Although you can't see it, there is a physical button for taking calls at the end of the ear. A touch area allows you to regulate volume by sliding the finger in one direction or another.

Audio: imperfect noise cancellation

The Stone is a headset for regular but not intensive users. This is born out with usage. Although sound comes through nice and clear and is a good deal better than the majority of phone manufacturer branded products (also, in fact, often made by Jabra), Plantronics does better.

The same goes for the (good) microphone: the very standard noise blackout system - which consists in using two microphones, the first for the voice, the second for surrounding noise; the second signal is then subtracted from the first - doesn't match the quality of the best headsets made by the competition, which use, it's true, a length of plastic to get the microphone closer to the mouth.

You'll have guessed by now, if you go for the Jabra Stone, it won't be for the best in comfort and sound but rather to have a relatively high-end, confidently designed product which does nevertheless give decent quality. And it's a success.