Jawbone Jambox (blue wave)
Manufacturer: AliphCom Part number: JAWBOXBLUE
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Jambox is the most stylish portable speaker we've seen, with features and sound quality you won't find in comparable compact designs.
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CNET editors' review
Jawbone Jambox (blue wave) price range: $159.99 - $199.99
- Reviewed by: Donald Bell
- Reviewed on: 11/04/2010
- Released on: 11/16/2010
The good: The Jawbone Jambox is a rechargeable Bluetooth speaker with advanced features, a stunning design, and a balanced sound that defies its small, convenient size.
The bad: The Jambox isn't cheap and the money could buy a larger, wired speaker with superior sound.
The bottom line: The Jambox is the most stylish portable speaker we've seen, with features and sound quality you won't find in comparable compact designs.
User reviews
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Rich, portable sound - even much better when EQ'd!
by SoulMindBody on June 28, 2011
Pros: - Not too heavy for a backpack (great campanion for an MP3 player at work or on the go).
- Solid, full and brilliant (but not grating) sound (which needs just a bit of EQing to meet more audiophile expectations - see below).
- Wired option to save batterCons: - Small gripe: Loud start-up and shut-down sound and voice annoucement of "readiness" rather annoying (but you can turn them off temporarily each time you turn it on or off by pressing the "minus" button at the same time you power up or down). Would be be
Summary: For starters, I'll admit I am VERY fussy about sound. I pay big bucks for great live music equipment and stereo stuff. I bought a Cowon J3 (fantastic MP3 ...
Summary: For starters, I'll admit I am VERY fussy about sound. I pay big bucks for great live music equipment and stereo stuff. I bought a Cowon J3 (fantastic MP3 player for audiophiles) instead of the rather bland-sounding iPod or similar. AND I make avid (but not exaggerated) use of EQ options (presets) to tweak my sound to match whatever earbuds, portable speakers, car stereos or home systems I might be hooking my music up to.
That said, I will also admit I simply LOVE this small, sleek, tonally sexy device!!! It's quickly become part of my standard on-the-go electronic gear, featuring the Cowon J3 and an iPad 2 (also used for music listening). I had previously used the Mobi Wavemaster recharageable speaker at a fraction of the cost of the Jambox, just to be free of using earbuds at work. (Employer blocks audio streaming and Web radio on our network, so you have to BYOM = Bring Your Own Music.)
Enter the JamBox: While nowhere near as insanely loud is the company claims it to be, you CAN tweak the unit's EQ (via your player) to get considerably more drive and hi-fi sound out of it. By my books, there is no better solution for on-the-go use. But you have to do your homework.
Here's how: If you own a Cowon J3 or other MP3 player that features user-configurable EQs (and not just set presets that rarely fit your own musical taste across several genres and properly compensate for specific earbud or speaker downsides), then you're home free! Just hit the sittings, head for the user EQ presets, select individual frequency bands (at least 5 are nice to have) and bandwidths, and use the good ears in your head to judiciously shape the sound of the JamBox to be a little less nasal in the mids, and tweak a bit more sparkle out of the highs and a bit more "oomph" out of the lows.
If you own an iPad (or presumably also an iPod), the first - and only - thing you need to do is stop using the nice-looking but sonically limited iPod app and buy "EQu". I got it for around EUR 2.39 yesterday, and it's got everything I need to shape my sound for a great (and sufficiently loud and undistorted!) listening experience on the JamBox.
Don't like doing ANY tweaking of the sound? Prefer presets? OK, maybe even then you'll be content with the JamBox, but I wasn't quite. Believe me: You can get a MUCH nicer tone out of it with a bit of minor effort. You don't need to keep switching EQs from one style of music to the next; just find the speaker's sweet spots, use them to best advantage, lower the levels in the mid range a bit and leverage the speaker's strong bass reponse in certain frequencies to give it even more foundation.
Too fictitious for you? OK, I'll reveal my current settings if it's helpful for anyone, though ears and musical tastes differ vastly (which is, by the way, why EQ presets called "Rock" or "Jazz" or "Classical" are rubbish). This is just my humble attempt to give you a general direction to go in...
On the iPad 2, using the EQu app: I popped in about 12 "handles" at which to bend the frequency curve. I ended up with just under a "thumb's width" of bass boost around 32 Hz , a bit less than that at about 70 Hz, then only about half a thumb's width at 120 or so, coming right down to zero +/- at about 350. From there, the curve dips BELOW the zero line (important when EQ'ing, since taking something away makes something else stick out better, AND saves you from too much gain leading to digital distortion and a generally overloaded sound). Around 1k, I've got the curve a bit less than an pinky's width below zero. From there, the curve gradually begins to head back up, passing by 2k and - at the zero line - 4k. Then it swings up rather steeply to be about 3/4's of a thumb's width high at around 5.5 k. There it continues with a slight downward slope on to 8k, only to nudge its way up a bit higher, to nearly a full thumb's width, at about 15 k, peaking even a bit higher at 16 k.
Sound complicated? It isn't. It's basically a "bath-tub curve" with a few irregularities, and the middle of the tub below zero a bit. You'll be amazed at how intuitive it is to tweak your sound using this nifty app (and I have no connection with its makers - just read a couple reviews on it and decided to take a chance on it). You can save presets on the fly, numbering them as you go, and swipe-to-delete your previous attempts when you find you're reaching perfection. Oh yeah, and before you dumbly assume that EQu doesn't show cover art like I did, let it be said that those three little colored dots at the lower left of the screen toggle you between the spectral wave view and a cover view.
With the Cowon J3, I found a similarly pleasing sound without an app, since the player has some nice EQ built in. Also switched on a bit of MP3 enhance, BBE and bass boost.
With either solution, you end up with sound you can pump up to a rather loud subjective level without any distortion. Not earth-shattering, but very enjoyable!
This review says less about the JamBox than on how to get the best out of it, and I hope that will help you to decide to buy it, since it's a decision you certainly won't regret if you have audiophile ambitions and bit of patience at EQing.
One more note: The iPad 2 has a rather weak output, compared with the Cowon J3.
Incidentally: All of the above is based on using the JamBox with the supplied cable, as opposed to using Bluetooth. While I also like the Bluetooth sound, there is no comparison, and you may need to tweak your EQs esp. for use with Bluetooth.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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It Does the Job
by Biz101 on April 29, 2011
Pros: Small, Battery life is beyond the 8hrs that Jawbone says, closer to 10 or 11.
Decent Sound, Loud enough for a deck or a room to fill in
Easy to carry from room to room
Blue tooth works beyond the 33 feet
I can go up or down a floor and it still doesCons: Not as loud as they claim
It will "walk" off a shelf or table if you're not carefull!!!!
PriceySummary: Great little box to take with you to the beach, park or deck or even near the pool.
Has some neat upgrades like caller id and different voice tones.Summary: Great little box to take with you to the beach, park or deck or even near the pool.
Has some neat upgrades like caller id and different voice tones.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Game-changing blue tooth speaker + speaker phone
by pauliethethird on March 16, 2011
Pros: I have never seen a more Apple product arrive outside of Apple. Even the packaging that the Jambox comes in is extremely cool (keep it on my shelf). Very simply to connect, uses standard mini-USB for charging/connecting and generates excellent sound from
Cons: If it were a little bit less expensive everyone would have one.
Summary: A must have device for road warriors and/or folks with a home office looking for an excellent speakerphone. An excellent way to play music from any bluetooth device in ...
Summary: A must have device for road warriors and/or folks with a home office looking for an excellent speakerphone. An excellent way to play music from any bluetooth device in a compact, stylish device that delivers on sound quality.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Poor battery, delay in conversation, mediocre sound
by euphorical078 on November 16, 2010
Pros: The Jambox's size is ideal for carrying around from work to home, its integrated speaker is a nice touch, and the design is eye-catching. Connects as easily as stated on Jawbone's website with multiple devices and is easy to use.
Cons: Complaint #1: POOR battery life while in Bluetooth connected mode. Only lasted a mere hour or less when I was listening to music via bluetooth from my ipod touch.
#2: NOT as loud as Jawbone claims it is.
#3: WAY TOO EXPENSIVESummary: Bottom line, I have had this Jambox for 2 days and am returning it now because of the extremely poor battery life while in bluetooth mode and because of the ...
Summary: Bottom line, I have had this Jambox for 2 days and am returning it now because of the extremely poor battery life while in bluetooth mode and because of the sub-par audio output. Don't get me wrong, it puts out decent sound at a desk, but you will have to keep re-charging this device every hour or just leave it connected to a power source in order to fully appreciate it.
I returned my Jambox to Jawbone and am pleasantly surprised with their customer support. EXCELLENT customer service with no complaints. Processed my refund with minimal questions - mostly for R&D purposes.
When paired with my phone, the integrated speaker had a delay of 3-4 seconds when talking with another person on the line, and the clarity of the call was poor; the person on the other line stated that my voice was muffled.
This product is decent, but needless to say, it has to go back. The size is excellent, design flawless, audio output fair, and battery life poor.
The other chief complaint is the outrageous cost for the device: $200. For this price, save another $200 and consider buying a Bose Sounddock (although it doesn't support Bluetooth connectivity).
Ways to improve the product:
1) extended battery life
2) better audio quality (making the product bigger?)
3) decreased price - this should be in the range of $80 - $120, not $199.99
Updated on Nov 24, 2010
Update: i charged the Jambox for a full 3 hours and the Jambox gave me 8+ hours of playing time via Bluetooth. However, the sound is still not to my liking. This Jambox is good for a single room or a small room, NOT for a large space as advertised in Jambox's advertisement video. Good for small rooms, etc.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Meh! Is about the best I can say.
by Bikelady5000 on May 15, 2013
Pros: At close range it sounds ok
Cons: I get as much pop and hiss as I did on my 1970s LPs! Constantly get the message that there has been a blue tooth error. The annoying blooping sound when start up or shut down.
Summary: This is my SECOND Jambox and only because the first one I bought essentially didn't work or if it did, only sporadically. The worst part was the hassle I ...
Summary: This is my SECOND Jambox and only because the first one I bought essentially didn't work or if it did, only sporadically. The worst part was the hassle I had to go through to get it replaced. Yes, Jambox did finally send me a new one but said that I would have no guarantee on it, because I refused to pay for the postage to California (from BC) - - heck, why should I when I'd spent $200 on a 'Jambox guaranteed' device that didn't work?
The 2nd one, while better, still has issues: pop and hiss like our old LPs for crying out loud! Blue tooth failure? I don't know why this happens everyday several times a day in mid-stream. Then, the delay to get it to connect with its annoying blooping noise.
On the positive side, when it's working properly, in a small space, it can sound good (not loads of volume but certainly adequate for the size). Packing up is easy: you can throw it in a backpack or purse and off you go.
In the end I would not buy another Jambox: too expensive for the hassle. -
Lowered self-standards might be needed.
by keano12 on January 29, 2013
Pros: - Has SURPRISINGLY LOUD sound when connected via Audio Cable.
- Great Battery Life. 8 Hours battery life is true, but actually, depends on your usage and connection type.
- Handy, Portable, Capable, and a stylish little piece of Boombox technology.Cons: You'd probably use the Bluetooth connection if you only had to really carry your music player with you for convenience.
Bluetooth volume could use some boost and Live Audio too!
Leaves you wanting for more firmware upgrade, hoping it would improve.Summary: Actually, it's a really fun, amazing little device, as much as I want to make that sound less biased to justify the amount of money I paid for it. ...
Summary: Actually, it's a really fun, amazing little device, as much as I want to make that sound less biased to justify the amount of money I paid for it. It is very handy if you have trips or hangouts that would make you want some music along. It isn't that loud when connected via bluetooth, which makes you wanting for more like somehow the volume would magically get louder. Live Audio really has its benefits if your listening to your Jambox up close and personal (1 meter max?). Live Audio gives you the sense that your music suddenly sounds better because it does have that effect of Binaural sounds but it really dampens the volume. Used most often while showering due to echoing inside the room. If you really wanted the Volume to go way up, you would have to connect to it via Audio jack! You might be surprised how much sound can come from such a small speaker, albeit, it is still not that loud but considering the size, woah!? Seriously though, update the firmware ASAP if there's a new one! Also, don't forget to turn on Audio Clarity or whatever they call it. If you're connected to the Jambox using the Audio Jack and you turned up the Volume to the max, you would have serious distortion unless you turn on the Audio Clarity option. It would lessen the hell out of that distortion, but still distorted. Also, the durability, as for me when the Volume is maxed, feels damaging, as if in the long run the tweeters are going to blow off and the Bass to explode. Also, it has that dancing sickness when the music is too "fun". Overall, this review would not sound professional, but I am giving this review as an extremely Picky Consumer when it comes to sound. P.S. I don't use the EQ settings considering I only have an iPod Nano 7th Gen but you can probably live with the sound the speaker outputs. I would like to edit the EQ though if I had a chance...
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Awesome speakers, suitable for travels.
by junkkyyie on January 11, 2013
Pros: - It is small, compact but produces a very loud sound
- can also be used as a speakerphone if it is connected by bluetooth to the iPhone.
- very good battery lifeCons: - price is quite pricey.
Summary: I bought the Jambox for my business travels. I was getting tired of listening to internet radio through the tinny laptop speakers. Other than that, my requirements are quite basic ...
Summary: I bought the Jambox for my business travels. I was getting tired of listening to internet radio through the tinny laptop speakers. Other than that, my requirements are quite basic i.e. it has to be small, compact but produces a loud enough sound.
The Jambox met my requirements and the battery life is very good.
You can check out unboxing photos of this device from my blog:
http://partsandpc.blogspot.sg/2013/01/sitex-2012-jambox-bluetooth-speakers.html -
Great little package !
by dlestes1 on July 2, 2012
Pros: Great sound, performance, and battery life! Customizable voices and speakerphone makes this a fantastic purchase !
Cons: The bass is so heavy, it moves the product. I had this jamming and it vibrated itself until it tipped over and chipped the paint off the front grill. I had to color it back in with a sharpie. Gets dirty very easy because of the rubberized surface.
Summary: Great purchase, albeit a little pricy. Be sure to brace it so it doesn't move from the heavy bass.
Summary: Great purchase, albeit a little pricy. Be sure to brace it so it doesn't move from the heavy bass.
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Great sound for such a small device
by wizetony on May 23, 2012
Pros: Amazing quality sound
Goes pretty loud
Battery is better than my iphoneCons: Stay away from software updates. They are just more hassle than they're worth, and messed up the sound for a while.
Summary: I love this little box. It is sleek, sounds great, and is perfect for a trip to the park or beach. The sound quality is amazing, and, though I do ...
Summary: I love this little box. It is sleek, sounds great, and is perfect for a trip to the park or beach. The sound quality is amazing, and, though I do wish it went louder, for its size, it is unrivaled. Additionally, the overall build quality of the speaker is flawless. It looks great, and feels very very sturdy when you hold it in your hand.
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NOT LOUD ENOUGH TO CALL ITS SELF A SPEAKER
by jcalo17 on March 6, 2012
Pros: LOOKS VERY PRETTY,WELT BUILD
Cons: AS LOUD AS IPHONE OR YOUR IPAD, DOESNOT ENHANCE YOUR EQUIPMENT
Summary: NEEDS IMPROVEMENT ON VOLUME FELL SHORT
Summary: NEEDS IMPROVEMENT ON VOLUME FELL SHORT
Specifications
- Manufacturer: AliphCom
- Part number: JAWBOXBLUE
- Description: The world's smallest, best-sounding wireless speaker and speakerphone. Fill even the largest rooms with stunning audio, share conference calls while on the go, and plug into MYTALK for the latest apps and updates. Jambox delivers stunning Hi-Fi audio in a portable wireless speaker so compact you won't believe it when you hear it. It's loud. Jambox fills even the largest rooms. Unlike other portable speakers, Jambox is powered by a pair of proprietary, highly sophisticated acoustic drivers, unmatched in their ability to produce extreme high (tweeter) and low (woofer) frequencies from a single, ultra-small dome speaker. They work in concert with an innovative moving-wall passive bass radiator and airtight enclosure to deliver shimmering highs and thumping lows that you can literally feel - the richest sound all in the palm of your hand. Jambox gives you the freedom to bring pristine wireless audio to whatever you are doing, wherever you want. Carry it from room to room or just throw it in your bag - it's always ready to go. No more cords, docks or hassles. With Jambox, you can also enjoy streaming music, podcasts and sporting events while using your phone to do other things like email, post to Facebook or browse the web.
General
- Speaker type Portable speaker
- Speaker quantity 1 x Speaker
- Dimensions (WxDxH) 2.2 in x 6.1 in x 1.6 in
- Weight 12.2 oz
- Color Blue
- Available colors Black,
Blue,
Red,
Grey Features
- Speaker Type Active
- Response bandwidth 60 - 20000 Hz
- -3dB frequency response 60 - 20000 Hz
- Output level (SPL) 85 dB
- Sensitivity 85 dB
- Audio amplifier Integrated
- Connectivity technology Bluetooth 2.1 EDR
- Bluetooth profiles Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP),
Hands Free Profile (HFP),
Headset Profile (HSP) - Transmission range 33 ft
- Controls Volume,
Power on/off - Additional features Bluetooth 2.1,
Multi-point technology,
Compact design Connections
- Connector type 1 x Audio line-in ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
Compatibility | Accessories
- Included accessories Power adapter,
Audio cable,
Carrying case,
USB cable - Cables included 1 x Audio cable - 3 ft,
1 x USB cable - 1 ft,
1 x USB cable - 5 ft Power
- Power device Power adapter - External
- Run time (up to) 10 hour(s)
Battery
- Type Speaker battery - Rechargeable - Lithium polymer
Product series
-

Manufacturer: AliphCom
Specs: Speakers,
Portable speaker,
Bluetooth 2.1 EDR,
Active,
85 dB,
Blue -

Manufacturer: AliphCom
Specs: Speakers,
Portable speaker,
Wireless - Bluetooth 2.1 EDR,
Wired,
Active,
85 dB,
Red -

Jawbone Jambox (black diamond)
Manufacturer: AliphCom
Specs: Speakers,
Portable speaker,
Wireless - Bluetooth 2.1 EDR,
Wired,
Active,
85 dB,
Black -

Manufacturer: AliphCom
Specs: Speakers,
Portable speaker,
Wireless - Bluetooth 2.1 EDR,
Wired,
Active,
85 dB,
Grey
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse AliphCom products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:AliphCom
- Address:
8000 Marina Boulevard, Brisbane, CA 94005 - Phone: 1-866-529-2663
- Email: info@aliph.com


