Noise cancellation in Bluetooth headsets is something that manufacturers have thrown all kinds of technology and techniques at, with mixed results. For high end headsets like the Jawbone Icon or the Plantronics Voyager Pro, noise cancellation is a top priority.
Motorola is one of those electronics companies that seem to have their fingers in every aspect of the industry. I’ve reviewed several of Motorola’s Bluetooth offerings in the past, and have met with generally favorable results. The Motorola Finiti is the follow-on to the HX1 Endeavor, which uses bone conduction technology to achieve the highest possible sound quality.
The full review follows the break.
Comfort/Usability
As with its predecessor, the HX1 Endeavor, the Finiti relies on bone conduction within the ear to provide high quality noise cancellation. The down side of this technique is that the Finiti is designed primarily for performance, not comfort. The earpiece fits down inside the ear farther than most headsets, and applies pressure in such a way that it can cause discomfort with extended use.
From a usability standpoint, the Finiti provides voice prompts for easy setup. The Finiti also allows you to respond to incoming phone calls by simply saying “answer” or “ignore”. I will say that I’m not particularly thrilled with the design of the Finiti’s buttons. Volume controls are placed along the top edge of the headset and the call button is on the back edge, with the charge port in the center of the call button (which is somewhat awkward).
Sound Quality
Motorola went all out to make the Finiti’s sound quality competitive with the best headsets on the market. CrystalTalk, three separate microphones, and bone conduction each contribute toward noise cancellation. Stealth mode can be activated at the touch of a button; converting the vibrations inside your ear to sound, allowing the Finiti to be used in extreme wind, where traditional noise cancellation techniques would be completely worthless.
Another upgrade of the Finiti over the HX1 Endeavor is support for A2DP, or Bluetooth stereo audio. Though you’re not going to get the full audio experience from a single earpiece as you would a pair of headphones, there are a few scenarios where A2DP in a single headset is handy.
Conclusion
Motorola has made great strides in the Bluetooth headset market. The Finiti is in the top two or three headsets that I’ve tested when it comes to noise cancellation and sound quality. If high-end noise cancellation is a requirement for you, the Finiti should be on your short list.
The Motorola Finiti can be purchased from a number of sources, including AT&T ($97.99) and Motorola directly ($97.49 with a 25% discount).
