Magic Jack Plus vs Magic Jack Plus 2014

[Mayo]

So I thought I would make this writeup as I couldnt find a tested source on the newest 2014 version of magic jack.

Now the physical differences on the 2014 magic jack compared to the magic jack plus.

1) 2014 MJ+ is much larger.
2) 2014 MJ+ has 2 usb dongles on one side.
3) 2014 MJ+ has a spot for a micro sd card.
4) 2014 MJ+ says wireless on the side.

Pictures Can been seen here of magic Jack plus and Magic jAck plus 2014 side by side.
http://www.phoneservicesupport.com/unbo ... 13120.html


Basically thats all the major physical differences between the MJ+ and MJ+ 2014, but the real question is is the sound quality any better.

I ended up buying the new 2014 as i did like the old MJ+ but the biggest issues I had was sound quality was at best a 6/10. It had the occasional little disconnects that would cut out half of a word and i would regularly be saying ? "Sorry what did you say there" or "Could you repeat that, i didn't hear you" It would sometimes sound sort of muffled.(like your hand was over the phone)

Before all you MJ+ owners say weel u need to set your router up ect. I did I had the MJ+ Mac set as priority as well as DMZ. I also used a very high quality cat 6.1 cable to connect to my router. I also was using very good high end Panasonic phones.And had the magic firmware fully updated.

Anyways with that all set up the sound quality was the biggest issue for me. Its was choppy and sometimes I would get random BEEPS and BOOPS while talking to people.Its wasnt terrible it just wasnt good either. I didnt really like it but I never have been a phone guy anyways so i lived through it for 8 months. I heard about the the new Magic jack plus 2014 version through the email im sure we all got. The one and only reason I decided to try it out is it said the sound chip was updated.. I figured I would roll the dice on the new 2014 version of magic jack to test if it actually does have better voice quality.

Well i received my Magic jack plus 2014 in the mail a few days back , and I jumped on to a live operator and got my old number switched over to the new Magic Jack 2014.

I will be quite honest here I have only made 1 phone call so more In depth testing is required. I called my mom to test it out. Before I even had a chance to say i am speaking on the new magic jack 2014, she said "You sound clear as a bell?" I then explained to her about the new magic jack. We "tested" the new magic jack 2014 for about an hour and i must say the sound quality is much much better. I wasn't expecting much when i bought the new Magic jack 2014, but i was pleasantly surprised on how much better the sound quality really is. Like i said I haven't tested it that much but from what i have personally experienced its a much much better product. The muffled sound is gone, I did not hear any "beeps" or "boops". Was it perfect no, but it was much, much better sound quality.

DO you lose your current subscription? Yes if you choose to take the 6 months free, or you hold on to your old subscription and lose the 6 months free. They will not ADD the 6 months to your current subscription..

Do you have to pay 50$ for you new Magic Jack, yes.
(In Canada shipping costs alot more, if your curious why i said 50$)

Is it worth it, in my opinion with the better sound quality, yes.

I will add a more indepth review once i have tested, this new magic jack more.

[SteveHC]

Do you lose your current subscription yes. Do you have to pay 50$ for you new Magic Jack, yes. Is it worth it, in my opinion with the better sound quality, yes.

1. Current MJ customers can get the new MJ+ as an "upgrade" for only about $30.

2. When upgrading to the new MJ+, if you do it properly you do not lose what's left on your current subscription.

Glad your new MJ+ works better than your old one did; sounds like your old one just happened to be a "lemon." MOST current MJ+ (old ones) users don't have the audio problems that you did, and most of them who "upgrade" to the new 2014 MJ+ report hearing no noticeable difference.

[stevereno]

... When upgrading to the new MJ+, if you do it properly you do not lose what's left on your current subscription.

So, how does one do it "properly", and not lose their current subscription?

[SteveHC]

... When upgrading to the new MJ+, if you do it properly you do not lose what's left on your current subscription.

So, how does one do it "properly", and not lose their current subscription?

- By paying VERY close attention to what you're doing when you "register" it online, most importantly immediately "attaching" it to your pre-existing AND PAID-FOR MJ phone number... just keep in mind that they will not exactly add 6 months to whatever you've already got on that number, the details are posted on their website.

[Mayo]

1. Current MJ customers can get the new MJ+ as an "upgrade" for only about $30.

Maybe in USA but Im from Canada Here is my exact bill.

1 magicJack Express Tracking Mail $ 3.95
1 magicJack PLUS/EasyPay - SALE Price! $29.95
1 Canadian Shipping & Handling $11.95
1 REGULATORYFEES $3.58

ORDER TOTAL: 49.43

$49.43 is alot closer to 50$ as i stated than the 30$ you claim.

2. When upgrading to the new MJ+, if you do it properly you do not lose what's left on your current subscription.

You lose either your old subscription or the new one... its your choice. but either way you do in fact lose a part of a subscription period...there's no magical way to save both your current subscription and your free 6 months subscription. Thanks though for coming to my thread to just ramble a bunch of useless information.

Glad your new MJ+ works better than your old one did; sounds like your old one just happened to be a "lemon."

Have you read the Huge thread on the audio issues of magic jack posted on this websight ? Its actually alot more common than you make it out to seem. Just because you dont have audio issues dont exaggerate and say nobody does its a fact that many have had issues. Here it is if you missed this 30 page sticky.
http://www.phoneservicesupport.com/offi ... t6439.html

most of them who "upgrade" to the new 2014 MJ+ report hearing no noticeable difference.

Whos them? I found many that contradict exact what you just said. Here are a few on the magic jack 2014.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOKYoz9nZH8
I also find the new magic jack 2014 better sounding lol that why i wrote this in the first place.

Please just stay out of my thread your a troll obviously.

[SteveHC]

Hey "Mayo" - Don't blame *me* for your having said that your new MJ+ had cost you $50 without having mentioned that about $20 of that was due to your being a Canadian (not that I'd ever heard before that Canadians are charged some sort of telecom fee).

As far as any difference in audio quality between the "old" MJ+ and this newer one goes, I stand 100% by what I said. Current owners of the original MJ+ who are satisfied with the overall audio quality of their MJ service should NOT waste their money "upgrading" to the newer one, as most likely they will not see any improvement and the new device does *not* produce a louder volume. But those who experience a LOT of "dropouts" *might* see some improvement in that regard with the new device - but not likely. My conclusions are based on the overwhelming number of comments from consumers posted throughout the web, not from watching someone's YouTube home video.

And your original claim that you somehow "lost" ANY part of your prior prepaid service subscription by buying the new device is ABSURD - if you had less than 6 months remaining you received more time and if you had more than 6 months remaining you kept all of it. You "lost" *no* subscription time whatsoever, not one minute.

By the way - The fact that you posted a comment here which inadvertently started a small thread doesn't make you some sort of "owner" of the thread. EVERYONE'S free to post here as long as it's not too far off topic, spam, or insulting. If you choose to post here you do so with the understanding that others with opposing views will post responses. And if you insult you get ignored (at best). Sorry, "dude," that's life. You don't like that reality? Then pay to operate your own private website. In the meantime just accept the fact that the adults here who have been here a LOT longer than you have expect adult behavior from *everybody* - including you.

[greenman]

Actually, you can have your pie and eat it too. I set it up so that I retain both devices. They have the same phone number, but I can add a new free phone number to the new device at any time while I still have two devices. I can make and receive calls from either line at the same time. I have 105 days left on the original device and 184 days left on the new device. At some point before the middle of November, I have to decide whether I want to keep both devices or decommission one of them.

Here's an article on how I did it.

You don't have to transfer the old device. You can keep both devices. You just have to be vigilant to remember to uncheck "AutoRenew" for whichever device you intend to let lapse. Like Steve, I'm hearing no additional voice quality with the new device. I'm still curious how they'll get us to use the USB ports.

Here'a a flow chart of the process. (Click on the image to enlarge it.)

[retiredfpl]

What is the current (ampere) rating of the USB power adaptor for the new MJ+ 2014?

Is it still 5V @ 1A or has it been raised to accommodate the future plug-ins?

[Pilot]

What is the current (ampere) rating of the USB power adaptor for the new MJ+ 2014?

Is it still 5V @ 1A or has it been raised to accommodate the future plug-ins?

Here you see it: http://mjcheck.low.li/2013/08/the-unbox ... jack-plus/

Image 12

[greenman]

What is the current (ampere) rating of the USB power adaptor for the new MJ+ 2014?

Is it still 5V @ 1A or has it been raised to accommodate the future plug-ins?

Yes, it is still rated 5V @ 1A
The device draws 100 to 120mA. 5 watts.
The usb ac adapter itself provides a little over 5 volts (5.13 to 5.15V).
The two usb ports on the side provide just under 5 volts (4.93 to 4.95V).

[retiredfpl]

Thanks for your quick response.

[Mayo]

. Current owners of the original MJ+ who are satisfied with the overall audio quality of their MJ service should NOT waste their money "upgrading" to the newer one, as most likely they will not see any improvement and the new device does *not* produce a louder volume....My conclusions are based on the overwhelming number of comments from consumers posted throughout the web, not from watching someone's YouTube home video.

I have had the 2014 new magic jack plus for a week now.It has noticeably less noise/static compared to the old plus..

Also read the comment made by the person who did this review on youtube, he states the magic jack plus 2014 is better quality that previous versions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOKYoz9nZH8

I also find the quality better.


I am only interested in people that actually own BOTH magic jack plus and Magic jack plus 2014. since that's what I'm making my comparisons on.

Please show me some URLs, Im not saying they don't exist I just cant find them. Just asking for you to back up your claim, I cant seem to find the "overwhelming" amount of people that you state that the quality is the same as the old Magic jack plus.

[greenman]

Also read the comment made by the person who did this review on youtube, he states the magic jack plus 2014 is better quality that previous versions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOKYoz9nZH8

I also find the quality better.


I am only interested in people that actually own BOTH magic jack plus and Magic jack plus 2014. since that's what I'm making my comparisons on.

I own both. In my Audio Smackdown post, I compare the two. There's also a video.

I frankly cannot tell the difference with regards to audio quality. Neither can family or friends with whom I talk on the phone. (I've been randomly swapping them out to see if anyone can tell the difference.) The mJ+2014 is not as loud as the 2012 when connected to the router. (See the video for proof.) Both still have a firmware bug in that volume settings made when attached via USB to the computer do not stick when either device is thereafter booted up in the router.

[Mayo]

I own both. In my Audio Smackdown post, I compare the two. There's also a video.

I frankly cannot tell the difference with regards to audio quality. Neither can family or friends with whom I talk on the phone. (I've been randomly swapping them out to see if anyone can tell the difference.) The mJ+2014 is not as loud as the 2012 when connected to the router. (See the video for proof.) Both still have a firmware bug in that volume settings made when attached via USB to the computer do not stick when either device is thereafter booted up in the router.

Well your video shows a picture of a "magic jack original" vs a "magic jack plus 2014", not a magic jack plus vs a magic jack 2014. Nice video though.

Even if that was a mistake on your end, that's one person that disagrees I'm still looking for the "overwhelming" amount of people that think this.

[greenman]

Well your video shows a picture of a "magic jack original" vs a "magic jack plus 2014", not a magic jack plus vs a magic jack 2014. Nice video though.

Even if that was a mistake on your end, that's one person that disagrees I'm still looking for the "overwhelming" amount of people that think this.

Apologies if it was not clear.
I don't own the USB-only version of magicJack.
I own the magicJack plus (original 2012) version and the magicJack plus 2014 version.
Again - I do not own the USB-only version.

[alanf]

I more or less had a similar experience as Mayo.

I have a MJ PLus and I do have sound quality issues, pretty much exactly as Mayo said. I have called them a number of times and have downloaded a number of fixes. The last one messed up my internet wifi connection. I spent a week figuring it out.

My friend on the other side of Canada had exactly the same problems and he just ditched the MJPlus because the tel. co. offered him a deal @ 5 dollars a month. Wasn't worth the aggravation to keep MJ.

I have the original MJ and a MJ Plus and the new 2014 one. It cost me the same as Mayo @ 50. as I am a Canadian and I am sure that I must be in the computer as a Canadian, so the original email was fraudulent.

When I tried to have my original MJ contract switched over to the new one and have the 6 months added there was no way to do it. I contacted MJ and they said "too bad, no can do". They said I could not transfer the new device to my old one's contract and have the 6 months added. I either have one or the other.

So now I have a desk weight as I cannot even switch my new one to the phone # of the original one. Go figure.

Additionally and I suppose this should be another thread but I am trying to get a local # here in Comox, British Columbia, Canada, since early in the year and no luck.

I could have had a bunch of people switch to MJ, but it looks like I will using the tel co soon also.

[greenman]

I more or less had a similar experience as Mayo.

...The last one messed up my internet wifi connection. I spent a week figuring it out.

My friend ... just ditched the MJPlus because the tel. co. offered him a deal @ 5 dollars a month. Wasn't worth the aggravation to keep MJ.

When I tried to have my original MJ contract switched over to the new one and have the 6 months added there was no way to do it....

... I cannot even switch my new one to the phone # of the original one. ...

... I am trying to get a local # here in Comox, British Columbia, Canada...

Various responses below.

You would not be the first person to suggest that magicJack messed up either a computer or a router/ethernet connection by trying to step people through settings on both computer and router via chat support. It would be interesting to find out whether the chat reps are trained using the actual device in a real world situation so they know what they are dealing with, or if they're just stuck reading a script that they may or may not fully comprehend. Since chat support is located in the Philippines, I have to guess it's the latter.

Other people have also ditched magicJack. At $5/month, I have to wonder if you're talking about phone through cable, because I know of no land line phone service that would sell phone service at $5/month, Canadian dollars or American. It would be great if you could clarify whether you're talking about a local land line or a digital service through something like vonage, etc. Regardless, your time is valuable. Sometimes the hassle just isn't worth the extra few dollars you might spend for a more reliable support system from a different phone service provider.

The only time you can transfer service from one magicJack device to another one is during the registration/activation time for the new device. Once the device is activated, you can no longer transfer service. They don't exactly make this clear at any time during the registration.

The closest exchanges available on Vancouver Island are 778-403-XXXX and 778-404-XXXX. There are no other exchanges available on Vancouver Island. All the other exchanges seem to be close to Vancouver metro area on the mainland. There are no exchanges available in the BC interior. According to wikipedia, Vancouver has a population of 600K people. Prince George has a population of 71K people. Comox has a population of almost 14K people. Victoria has a population of 80K. It looks like the cut-off population for area-code consideration by magicJack in Canada is 80K. You're two and a half hours away from Victoria. Could you go with a Victoria phone number?

If you own a magicJack with an existing phone number you like and you want to use it on another device you have on the same account, it shouldn't be too hard to set up the new device to use the number from the old device. on my.magicjack.com, click the "phone numbers" tab. In the "Number" column, for the device you're interested in, just switch the device number. Any device can use any number you currently hold. You can even set it up so that several devices use the same number.

[alanf]

Thanks Greenman,
I wasn't aware you replied. I forgot to check the box re sending me replies.

Funny I guessed support was in Mexico. I find it is hit or miss, sometimes you get a very bright one and then a dull one.

It's actually a pain because whatever he got me to do, now when I turn on the wifi for a brief period the computer uses it and when I disconnect it I cannot get the wired internet.

That 5 per month for my friend in N.B. was through Roger's and it was part of a bundle with TV but when I lived in Ottawa, I called to disconnect Bell's tel service and when they found out it was because of MJ they said "Oh gee a new deal shows up on my screen for local tel @ 5 mo."

The area I live in is called Comox Valley which includes my town. It has a population of 65,000. It's a twin city situation.

http://www.comoxvalleychamber.com/live- ... facts.aspx

RE: the devices and same tel #, can I swap out my older MJ Plus and transfer the account and # to my new 2014 Plus device now? Free of charge? That way I can at least use the newer device till the contract is finished. It would even be better to be able to use both plus devices but it is not really important for now.

Looks like I will have to go to the local company as I am getting heat from the other person in the house (understandably) re a local #

[greenman]

...RE: the devices and same tel #, can I swap out my older MJ Plus and transfer the account and # to my new 2014 Plus device now? Free of charge? That way I can at least use the newer device till the contract is finished. It would even be better to be able to use both plus devices but it is not really important for now. ...

Say you have one account with magicJack using a specific email and credit card. On that account, you can have one or more devices, each with it's own unique number, or some of the devices can share a number. For any activated device, you cannot transfer days left from one activated device to another activated device. You can only transfer days-left upon registration of a new device. Say you had an old USB-only magicJack, and you want the new ethernet-enabled magicJack, but you have three years left on the USB-only device. You can buy the new device, and then during registration, before activation, you can transfer your existing magicJack phone number and three years of time from the old device to the new device. Once you activate that new device and the years are transferred, the old device becomes a paperweight and your new device has three years of time left on it, transferred from your old device. Your new device also keeps the existing phone number from the old device.
If you have already registered and activated both devices, but you didn't transfer days from your old device to your new device, you should be able to use both devices until their individual contracts run out. If you set them to not renew automatically, they'll lapse and become paperweights only after they lapse. If you leave them set to autorenew (default), you'll get charged for each device automatically on the anniversary of their first registration.

[alanf]

...RE: the devices and same tel #, can I swap out my older MJ Plus and transfer the account and # to my new 2014 Plus device now? Free of charge? That way I can at least use the newer device till the contract is finished. It would even be better to be able to use both plus devices but it is not really important for now. ...

Say you have one account with magicJack using a specific email and credit card. On that account, you can have one or more devices, each with it's own unique number, or some of the devices can share a number. For any activated device, you cannot transfer days left from one activated device to another activated device. You can only transfer days-left upon registration of a new device. Say you had an old USB-only magicJack, and you want the new ethernet-enabled magicJack, but you have three years left on the USB-only device. You can buy the new device, and then during registration, before activation, you can transfer your existing magicJack phone number and three years of time from the old device to the new device. Once you activate that new device and the years are transferred, the old device becomes a paperweight and your new device has three years of time left on it, transferred from your old device. Your new device also keeps the existing phone number from the old device.
If you have already registered and activated both devices, but you didn't transfer days from your old device to your new device, you should be able to use both devices until their individual contracts run out. If you set them to not renew automatically, they'll lapse and become paperweights only after they lapse. If you leave them set to autorenew (default), you'll get charged for each device automatically on the anniversary of their first registration.

Hmmm OK I'll check that out.

[Mayo]

I will add a few other things I have noticed with the new 2014 Magic Jack plus..

I live in an apartment building so i need to buzz people into my building using my magic jack plus. I found that the Magic Jack 2014 version would sometimes, just not end up working to buzz people in. I would have to go down and let them in.(i would have to unplug and replug it in to fix it)

I also noticed with the 2014 version sometimes it would just randomly stop working. I would pick up my phone and it would say "error 3004" and I would have to unplug the magic jack and replug it in to get it to work properly.

Those 2 problems I did not have with the older magic jack plus.

So i ended up using the older version because I could not deal with those 2 issues, as having to "check if the phone was working daily" and not actually buzzing people in was more of a pain than anything..

I have no idea if these problems have been fixed yet with the 2014 version because i have been using the older magic jack plus as i had less problems with it.