[ Music ] ^M00:00:06. >> 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 ]
