The Price

$US180 (technically $US200, but Amazon sells ‘em cheaper)

The History

Read our X4 review if you’ve never heard of these products before. This article will make a lot more sense once you’ve read that.

The Improvements

• 2.4GHz RF instead of IR audio transmission
• USB powered instead of wall jack
• Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound instead of Dolby 5.1

I was sceptical that the Ear Force X41 would be any better than the Ear Force X4. But after using the headset for a week, I’m remiss to return to the X4s I bought last year.

Quite simply, the audio is more consistently clear with the new RF transmission, now that line-of-site and ambient light has become a non-factor. And I think that overall audio quality, while the speaker components themselves remain unchanged, has seen a bump because of this cleaner signal. (For those concerned, I was able to use the headset without interfering with my Xbox’s Wi-Fi adaptor or my home network — the primary potential hiccup with using RF instead of IR. Results may vary, I’m sure.)

As for the jump from Dolby 5.1 to 7.1 support, you probably won’t ever notice. Playing Modern Warfare 2, missiles fly by your head with impressive panning, but the sound localisation is no better than it was in the X4s…though to be fair, that’s not necessarily a knock, even if the audio lacks the shining moments you’ll enjoy in the best surround sound headphones offered by companies like Sony.

Oh, and the headset still requires AAAs as opposed to bundling a rechargeable lithium ion. I will say, however, that the batteries I tested with have broken the 10-hour barrier by a decent margin, and they’re still operational.

As a wireless, surround sound headset for the Xbox 360, the X41 is at the top of its class (at least partially because it’s still the only product in its class). If you’re willing to go wired, you can save about $US100+ on a cheaper version of the Ear Force, or you can take a look at the even more expensive but lauded Astro A40s.

In fact, if you guys are interested, let me know in the comments. I may try to call in a pair of those Astros in to hear for myself.

Comfortable

Superb chat quality

RF offers smooth audio transmission

Highly specialised but useful product

Overall audio quality is OK, not stellar

AAA batteries? C’mon!

The example they gave was for people who happen to drive Porsches. What they foresee as the future of the technology is that a Porsche driver will be able to go to a dedicated portal and download the noise cancellation frequencies for his model of porsche. That way, whenever he (or she) is driving along, roof down on their fancy-pants car and Bluetooth headset sticking from their ear, the device will be able to almost pre-cancel out the car’s engine.

It’s an interesting idea, even if it’s one that will probably take a while to implement and has lots of question marks surrounding it. What do you think?

They come in a range of colours with incredibly bad puns for names, like “Drop me a Lime” (green), “Lilac you mean it” (purple), “Yello!” (yellow) and “Frankly Scarlet” (pink). There’s also black and silver. They’ll set you back $159 each, but they work a treat – the demo they showed us today demonstrated the military-grade noise-cancellation tech by pretty much silencing a blender right next to the guy using the Prime.

[Force Technology]

This DIY Star Trek Bluetooth Communicator, instantly reminded me of a my Star Trek fantasy. Bluetooth is the ruin of Star Trek. But this is a fun quick-n-dirty project.

Basically you’re cramming a Bluetooth module and a micro-controller into a toy Communicator and then pairing everything with your phone. As long as you’ve got voice-dialling, you can leave your phone out of sight and be the snazziest Trekkie on the streets. Just don’t come crying to me if someone stuffs you into a locker, rubbish bin or wormhole. [Make]

I don’t even know why this iPod thingie—which includes microphone, headphone, memory, display and media player—is also a wireless headset. Would this be paired to an iPhone? It doesn’t make sense, since the iPhone is already a media player. Why would I want to have a second one on the headset itself? Maybe to connect to another non-media-playing mobile phone? Do those exist anymore? Does Steve know about this, per chance? [Baltimore Sun via 9to5]

The 3-button remote can be used to easily control music and video playback, adjust volume, record voice memos and answer or end calls. The original Shure SE115 headset had a great reputation, so this should be a welcome upgrade for iPhone users. Expect to see the Shure SE115m+ headset on store shelves by the end of the month for $US120. [Pitch Engine]

About a month ago, Jabra sent a little bag out to its regular reviewers. Inside was a stone—a literal, polished stone—and that was it. It was a cheesy PR stunt, the kind we see all the time, but when I got the headset itself, it made sense. The Jabra Stone, when docked, is a near-seamless pebble, broken only underneath, at the headset’s hollowed-out ejection point. It’s a stunning headset, actually, which sounds weird coming out of my mouth. (Or fingers! Who’s counting.)

The Stone’s specs are appropriate to its pricepoint: it’ll pair in regular and A2DP modes for voice or music listening, respectively, has a minimalist status display, a noise-cancelling mic, volume controls—though here they’re managed with a touch-sensitive shell rather than buttons—and a charging dock. The claimed talk time is two hours per charge, and the dock is good for three extra charges. Standby time is a respectable, though not spectacular, 12 hours.

And to be honest, aside from eking out a little extra battery life over competitors’ products, there’s not a whole lot a company can do to make a Bluetooth headset technologically interesting. What they can do, and what Jabra has done with the Stone, is focus on style and feel. Bluetooth headsets look dumb, and they’re awkward to wear. The Stone is a headset designed with these thoughts in mind—it looks as not-dumb as a headset can; it feels as not-awkward as a piece of plastic in your ear conceivably could. It’s self-conscious, almost embarrassed for what it is.

Long-term testing might bear out some initial concerns about battery life and the practical convenience of carrying around a slippery little battery rock, but my first impressions were uniformly positive. The Stone paired almost instantly with an iPhone, a Pre and a Hero right out of the box, sound quality was clear, and three ears of varying shapes and sizes found the angled earpiece plenty comfortable.

The Stone will be available at AT&T stores from November 8th, priced at $US130 right alongside the Platronics Voyager. From the looks of it the Voyager edges out a win on battery life, but the fact that Jabra’s put even the tiniest bit of sex into their newest piece goes a long, long way. [Jabra]

Launching sometime between September 1 and November 30 (the press release says “Spring”), the Endeavor HX1 will cost $219. Sure, that’s a good chunk of your weekly wage right there, but this is military-grade technology we’re talking about, and you don’t get to play like Sam Fisher if you don’t pony up the big bucks…

Motorola Endeavor HX1 Takes Calls Where No Headset
Has Gone Before

Global Headset Leader Introduces a Revolutionary Audio Experience with a Stealth Mode that Activates True Bone Conduction Technology

SYDNEY – 06 October 2009 – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), the world leader in Bluetooth headsets, today unveils Motorola Endeavor HX1, the first headset to combine Motorola’s CrystalTalk™ noise cancellation technology with a stealth mode so you can hear and be heard in the fiercest environments. When the stealth mode is activated, true bone conduction technology relays only your voice while knocking out the most extreme noise and wind for a revolutionary premium headset experience. This experience makes Motorola Endeavor the only Bluetooth1 headset to use true bone conduction technology, all without compromising comfort.
“Motorola Endeavor HX1 adds a new level of audio superiority to our industry leading portfolio and is made for people who want the freedom to take hands-free calls despite extreme noise and wind environments,” said Angela Menabue, business manager, Motorola Companion Products ANZ. “Whether you are driving in a convertible, attending a concert or standing on a busy street, Motorola Endeavor allows you to hear and be heard.”

The Truth about Bone Conduction Technology
Created with the same bone conduction technology that special military forces around the world use, Motorola Endeavor is not your average headset. Activated with a touch of a button, the stealth mode instantly triggers bone conduction technology. This technology uses an in-ear sensor to seal off outside noise, rather than relying on an exposed exterior microphone. As you speak, the sensor taps your vocal vibrations and seamlessly converts them to speech so the listener hears your voice and only your voice.

Every Word Will be Heard
Whether you find yourself battling everyday noise nuisances or extreme sound environments, Motorola Endeavor helps you fight back with the power and technology to make hands-free calls wherever you roam. Motorola’s award-winning CrystalTalk™ noise cancellation technology is always-on to reduce everyday background noise, and the stealth mode is easily activated with the press of a button, so you can be confident that you are being heard when the noise around you becomes too disruptive.

Power Up
Motorola’s Multipoint technology allows you to connect to more than one device, and you can talk more and charge less with up to seven hours of talk time. With voice prompts that instruct you on how to activate the stealth mode and how to pair with handsets, getting started has never been easier.

Availability
Motorola Endeavor HX1 will be available in spring 2009, RRP $219 including GST. To experience Motorola Endeavor HX1, please visit www.motorola.com/endeavor-hx1. For more information please visit http://www.motorola.com/bluetooth or call 1300 138 823.

[Motorola]

Our tipster also said that the headset fits directly into the charger, and when docked, the two look like a stone. Hence, Jabra Stone. The ultimate test, of course, is how well the Stone fits onto your ear, since that’s where it counts. [Thanks tipster!]

Update: Here’s a second pic from another tipster. Thanks guys!

Electric Pig says that the headset will have noise cancellation (as does many of the headsets out now), and it won’t need a boom mic (again, same as a bunch of other Bluetooth units you can buy now). So what’s special? Besides the “soft rubber padding”, we have no idea until the 20th. [Jabra Stone via Electric Pig]