The basic design is a clever one -- pair this noise-reduction-savvy headset with a mobile phone app that allows more control over setting one's current sound/noise environment.  Problem is, the headset, as shipped, doesn't have the proper firmware to function with the Jabra SUPREME mobile app.  A series of instructions in the app tells you to go to the website, download new firmware to a PC, and install it to make the headset compatible with the app.  Unfortunately, the firmware installation software is useless -- it repeatedly locked up my Win7 computer, and then I tried it on an older XP computer to see if that would work, and it actually crashed that computer.  What are these folks thinking?

The app appears quite useful, though it doesn't always recognize that its own Jabra SUPREME headset is connected, and it's completely dysfunctional without the new firmware that can't be installed.  The app allows 3 "coarse" adjustments to environments -- "Office," "Outside," and "Car," and there is a slider to allow the user to self-configure the noise-reduction to "Off, "Medium," and "High."  Of course, all of these options are disabled because the app is incompatible with the outdated firmware.  Quite a shame.

Even without the firmware upgrade and app integration, this is a solid unit.  Sound quality and noise-reduction are good, but without the calibration options, it seems to opt for rather heavy-handed noise-reduction, and the result is a very thin, tinny, disembodied voice that just isn't up to par with the tech available here.  Add that to the incredibly clunky ergonomics (the thing always feels as if it's falling off one's head), and it's uncomfortable with mediocre sound quality, though speech is very understandable with it.

Three stars because it just doesn't deliver what it advertises, and I'm honestly sick and tired of buggy firmware/software/etc. that hasn't been properly beta-tested.  These companies need to get off of their collective behinds and make sure their hardware AND software works before foisting it onto an unsuspecting public at high cost.  It's a shame because this could be a fantastic unit, and shame on them for ruining their own product.

Perhaps you'd think I should have filed a service ticket to get some help (and I may do that yet), but after receiving absolutely useless "tech support" before I filed my review of the vastly inferior&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Jabra-EXTREME2-Bluetooth-Headset-Retail-Packaging-Black/dp/B005G2U80O/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Jabra EXTREME2 Bluetooth Headset - Retail Packaging - Black</a>, I didn't figure it was worth the effort and 2-5 day wait time before filing this review.  If I learn anything new, I'll amend this review.

My suggestion -- if you don't wear glasses (and that's a big drawback on that unit), go with the&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Jabra-WAVE-Bluetooth-Headset-Black-Retail-Packaging/dp/B004MCJBJI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Jabra WAVE Bluetooth Headset- Black [Retail Packaging</a>&nbsp;-- better sound quality (at least through my phone) at a significantly lower cost.
The basic design is a clever one -- pair this noise-reduction-savvy headset with a mobile phone app that allows more control over setting one's current sound/noise environment. Problem is, the headset, as shipped, doesn't have the proper firmware to function with the Jabra SUPREME mobile app. A series of instructions in the app tells you to go to the website, download new firmware to a PC, and install it to make the headset compatible with the app. Unfortunately, the firmware installation software is useless -- it repeatedly locked up my Win7 computer, and then I tried it on an older XP computer to see if that would work, and it actually crashed that computer. What are these folks thinking? The app appears quite useful, though it doesn't always recognize that its own Jabra SUPREME headset is connected, and it's completely dysfunctional without the new firmware that can't be installed. The app allows 3 "coarse" adjustments to environments -- "Office," "Outside," and "Car," and there is a slider to allow the user to self-configure the noise-reduction to "Off, "Medium," and "High. "  Of course, all of these options are disabled because the app is incompatible with the outdated firmware. Quite a shame. Even without the firmware upgrade and app integration, this is a solid unit. Sound quality and noise-reduction are good, but without the calibration options, it seems to opt for rather heavy-handed noise-reduction, and the result is a very thin, tinny, disembodied voice that just isn't up to par with the tech available here. Add that to the incredibly clunky ergonomics (the thing always feels as if it's falling off one's head), and it's uncomfortable with mediocre sound quality, though speech is very understandable with it. Three stars because it just doesn't deliver what it advertises, and I'm honestly sick and tired of buggy firmware/software/etc. that hasn't been properly beta-tested. These companies need to get off of their collective behinds and make sure their hardware AND software works before foisting it onto an unsuspecting public at high cost. It's a shame because this could be a fantastic unit, and shame on them for ruining their own product. Perhaps you'd think I should have filed a service ticket to get some help (and I may do that yet), but after receiving absolutely useless "tech support" before I filed my review of the vastly inferior&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Jabra-EXTREME2-Bluetooth-Headset-Retail-Packaging-Black/dp/B005G2U80O/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt? ie=UTF8">Jabra EXTREME2 Bluetooth Headset - Retail Packaging - Black</a>, I didn't figure it was worth the effort and 2-5 day wait time before filing this review. If I learn anything new, I'll amend this review. My suggestion -- if you don't wear glasses (and that's a big drawback on that unit), go with the&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Jabra-WAVE-Bluetooth-Headset-Black-Retail-Packaging/dp/B004MCJBJI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt? ie=UTF8">Jabra WAVE Bluetooth Headset- Black [Retail Packaging</a>&nbsp;-- better sound quality (at least through my phone) at a significantly lower cost.