Aliph Jawbone Icon vs. Plantronics Discovery 975 Video

Aliph Jawbone Icon vs. Plantronics Discovery 975 Video Transcript

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>> Brian Tong: What's up Prize Fight fans? I'm Brian Tong, and we're here for a head-to-head bluetooth battle. It's a Prize Fight between two editor's choice headsets, the Aliph Jawbone Icon and the Plantronics Discovery 975. Everyone's mobile. You'll need a headset if you want to be a cool kid. We're bringing in Senior Editor Kent German, Associate Editor Nicole Lee, and myself to do the judging honors. We'll take all three judges' scores and average them out to the nearest tenth each round. The final Prize Fight score will be an average of all rounds in the same decimal system. It's already bad enough that people wear these things when they're not talking to anyone, so you better look good doing it. [ Applause ] First round is design. [ Bell ringing ] Aliph has always been known for their high level of design. We love the compact size of the Icon, but its six different designs, including this shiny jewel style, really isn't for everyone. Now, the Discovery 975 has super clean lines. I like its sleek and slim design, but Kent and Nicole weren't really fans of its "1-800 Dentist" boom mic. These headsets are two of the sexist on the market, [ Bell ringing ] but style is subjective. We're calling this round even at 4. Next round is comfort [ Bell ringing ] The Icon is small and brings so many different ear buds in an ear loop option, that you're sure to find one that works for you. But it really takes a little practice to get the right fit. The Discovery 975 has three ear bud sizes and its softer rubber tends to feel more comfortable. But it's biggest drawback, the function button is centered on the device and that means you'll be pressing directly on your ear hole every time you use it. I guess I'm the only one who didn't like it [ Bell ringing ] because after tallying the judges' scores, this round is another tie at 4. Up to two rounds, we're even at 4 apiece. Next round is features and technology. [ Bell ringing ] The Icon's ability to install specific voices for alerts --

>> Four hours of talk time remain.

>> Brian Tong: -- and customize apps on the headset itself through their My Talk website, plus spoken updates and an iPhone battery meter when it's synched makes this the most innovative headset on the market. Plantronics brings a physical volume control, even if it's a little awkwardly placed, but its carrying case that also doubles as a charging station for reserve power is handy. The judges all agree and the Jawbone Icon gets [ Bell ringing ] a 5, and the Discovery 975 gets a 4. [ Bell ringing ] Round four is audio quality. Aliph's Noise Assassin Technology is great both indoors and outdoors, both sides of the line sounding clear but there were times where I wanted to bump up the volume manually. Overall the performance was excellent. Plantronics has a rep for bringing the best bluetooth audio quality, and it's no different here. We felt the Discovery sounded more natural on both sides of the line with their stellar noise canceling and wind reduction tech. [ Bell ringing ] The 975 gets a perfect 5, and the Icon gets a 4.3. So after averaging four rounds, we're tied at 4.3 a piece. The final round that decides it all [ Bell ringing ] is value. Neither of these headsets are cheap, but the Icon breaks the mental $100 barrier with a $99 MSRP. For that price you're getting one of the smallest and most innovative headsets on the market. Now, the Discovery 975 has a $129 MSRP. It still brings us top notch sound, and even though the carrying case that charges is included, 129 is a little pricy, especially if I won't use it that much. [ Bell ringing ] Aliph throws a blow and takes this round 4.3 to 3.3. So let's average out all three rounds. And after tying the first two, and remaining tied through four rounds, Aliph's Jawbone Icon lands the punch that counts in the final round with a 4.3 to 4.1 victory, and is your [ Bell ringing ] Prize Fight winner. This was really an even battle between the two best bluetooth headsets. You can't go wrong with either of them. But just picture you only wear them when you're talking. We're really trying to help you guys out here. I'm Brian Tong. Thanks for watching. We'll catch you guys next time on another Prize Fight [ Making sound ] [ Applause ] ^M00:04:10 [ Music ]