A few weeks ago I ranted and raved about the Jawbone Bluetooth headset. I know some society feel the ear fit is firm to work out but it works really well for me and I thought the sound was amazing.

After publishing the review, I was contacted by someone representing the Gennum NX6000 Bluetooth Headset. He had read my Jawbone review and asked whether I would consider examining out that headset as a comparison.

Being one who always enjoys a little head to head showdown I agreed. Having just completed my checking and review of the Jawbone a few weeks ago, I decided to give the NX6000 a try.

I decided, based on reader complaints of the Jawbone that there were 2 main areas of consideration when comparing the 2: comfort and sound quality. I tested the NX6000 while driving home from work with my beloved Red Sox on the radio and the windows rolled down. My buddy on the other side of the signal seemed to invent out me well abundant as I motored down the highway. He had no complaints. I did not tell him which one I was using at the instance (sort of a Pepsi challenge). I kept it a secret considering he had already voiced his dislike for the styling of the Jawbone. But when I soon after switched back to my Jawbone, and he actually said, “wow, that sounds better, which one is that?”

I next decided to really analysis out these headsets out using the ol’ roll only one window down so that the vibration of air makes you feel like your head will blow up.  My conversation with the Jawbone in was met with the following quote, “Hey, why is Manny hurt again?” that of course is referring to Manny Ramirez whose oblique strain may sideline the leftfielder for 10 days. That’s irrelevant other than that

when I switched to the NX6000 in the midst of the head exploding air sound, I received no response as my buddy hung up on me as the sound was “too annoying”.

2 things to note here: Do not try switching headsets while driving down the highway. Use a partner. And, even though the NX6000 has a better feature in that the noise cancellation is engaged at all times (you need to physically turn on the Noise Shield on the Jawbone) it is not as effective.

The NX6000 has the following line in their User’s Manual: “ For optimum results, face away from the loudest or closest noise sources when practical.” Most of the times I need my headset, it is not practical.

Now for the comfort. Many readers complained about the fit of the Jawbone around their ears. I personally had no issues after i found the right ear loop and ear nubbin thingy. The NX6000 comes with an additional earloop and 2 ear nips and I again, had no trouble getting it to fit. The unit is light and is compact sufficient to not feel like you have a super computer on your head.

Now for the price. The NX6000 sells for $140 and can be purchased here. The Jawbone is a few bucks cheaper.

The verdict? Although there was a sound difference, I feel the basic difference for users comes down to style. Many folks are turned off by the styling of the Jawbone. My feeling is you aren’t hiding the fact you have something jammed in your ear, it might as well look cool not a black blob in your ear. Both units fit my ear fine but I have heard and read complaints from other readers that the ear fit is difficult in both units. 

Original post by Chris