Plantronics .Audio 910 Bluetooth Headset

Plantronics .Audio 910 Bluetooth Headset

Published August 25, 2008 at 01:16:05 PM, by Raymond So

Overview

These days, you can easily pick up a generic Bluetooth headset for your cell phone, but while we have many choices out there to cut the clutter on wires, these headsets are still either very uncomfortable to wear or their paltry battery life makes them only a temporary wireless solution. Bluetooth technology just simply hasn't provided us with the true wireless freedom we expect.

Another thing is most Bluetooth headsets are only designed for cell phones only, and not for the ever-growing use of VOIP telephone calls from a computer. Plantronics has designed the .Audio 910 Bluetooth Handset (MSRP: $149.95) for Internet VOIP (Voice Over IP) calls in mind. That's right, this is a device aimed at the Skype crowd first, and doubles as a headset for Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones second.

So wouldn't it be nice if there were a device that can be used conveniently to make wireless calls on both mobile phones and computers? Wouldn't it be nice if this device also had good battery life and was comfortable to wear?

Lucky you because Plantronics just might have come out with the perfect headset we've all been waiting for. It has the features we'd expect in a Bluetooth headset and also the convenience we want. Read on and find out what we think.

Design

From the get go, the Plantronics .Audio 910 can best be described as sleek. Its curvy and stylish exterior is designed around comfort and fits snugly around the ear. One thing that did stand out the moment I looked at the packaging was the size of the unit. This thing isn't as small as I imagined and when putting it on, I felt like I was wearing a huge hearing aid, especially behind my ear where the battery resides.

The .Audio's top and speaker boom swivel to adjust the headset for use on the right or left ear. The swivel function allows for the user to fold up the headset for easier storage too. When worn over the ear, the volume and power controls are located just to the top and behind the ear. A single answer/redial button is located to the side of the earpiece. A cool blue LED status light blinks around the speaker piece during idle activity and red when low on battery.

All this is built around solid and smooth plastic that make this device a quality product. Contrasting the plastic are rubber pieces for wrapping around the ear and gives off a sexy two-tone appearance. That said, Plantronics' has delivered a portable and very sexy looking device that weighs only half an ounce!

Portability

When it comes to size, the Plantronics is rather average. It's small, yes, but compared to other handsets on the market, the .Audio 910 feels like a giant. At least it's smaller and lighter than Jabras of similar design. With its flexible and moving parts, the Voyager makes it difficult for me to throw into my pocket without fearing I'll crush the swiveling boom. But when one considers that it is intended more for computer usage, it's far more compact than those high-end professional use headsets.

Features

"WindSmart" technology

Plantronics claims that their WindSmart technology helps improve incoming and outgoing Internet calls with superior audio quality. It eliminates sound artifacts and wind noise when outside. While I cannot verify for myself if the system actually works, audio conversations were very clear.

Noise-Canceling microphone

The handset benefits from a noise-canceling microphone that eliminates outside ambient noises from interfering in your calls.

Bluetooth 2.0 Wireless

The benefit of having a wireless headset is to obviously avoid having a wire hindering your freedom to move as you talk. Bluetooth 2.0 wireless technology allows you to roam up to 30 feet away from the receiver or phone. Bluetooth 2.0 also supports headset profiling. The .Audio comes with a USB Bluetooth receiver to work with your Mac or PC.

Multipoint switching technology

For those who can chat on the phone and on the computer at the same time, the .Audio has the ability to switch between calls seamlessly with a simple push of a button.

USB Charging

The headset comes packaged with a USB charging cable when recharging is necessary.

Performance

Battery Life

Here is where the .Audio 910 truly outclasses the competition for a wireless headset. Bluetooth technology, while convenient in cutting out the clutter of wires, has been hampered by the inability to sustain lasting performance on a single charge. Not so with the .Audio 910. In field tests, the .Audio managed to function at an impressive 6 hours of talk time on a single charge, and a claimed 100 hours of standby time. That means no charging for a couple days thanks to its lithium polymer battery! Battery life is absolutely amazing. If we had to do an endurance test of all Bluetooth headsets on the market, I wouldn't be surprised if the .Audio took the gold.

When it comes to charging, you just plug the included USB charging cable into a computer or laptop. The cable is small and lightweight for convenience. Charging via USB can also be an annoyance if you use your headset primarily with a mobile phone as you must have a computer around to do so. If you're on-the-go often and use the handset a lot, make sure to bring a laptop if you need to recharge. Otherwise, you're going to have to spring for the optional AC adapter. Fortunately, the long battery life means you won't have to charge quite so often.

Setup

Setup couldn't be easier. On a computer, just plug in the included Bluetooth USB micro receiver and Windows (or OS X) should auto-detect and install the necessary drivers. Next, just pair the headset and receiver by pushing the sync button on the receiver; then choose your handset device from within the Skype preferences menu (or any other VOIP software) and you're ready to make and receive calls.

On a cell phone, it's pretty standard fare too. Holding the power and call buttons down for 5 seconds will set the .Audio into Discover mode. Have your phone's Bluetooth capability powered on and set it to search for Bluetooth devices. Pair the unit up and you're on your way!

Comfort and Performance

In field tests, I was surprised at how remarkably comfortable the headset is to wear, probably one of the more comfortable headsets I've worn as of late. The rubber piece curves to the contour of my ear without any strain after prolonged use. The three different sized ear caps allow you to find the right fit. Weighing half an ounce, the headset is very light, but you'll still know you're wearing it with the heft of it behind your ear.

Putting on the unit was another story. I had an annoyingly difficult time putting the headset on and it took a couple of tries with two hands. I usually put on my headset as calls come in and remove it when I finish my call, but with the .Audio I just left it on so I wouldn't have to fumble around with it again.

Calls with the .Audio were very good and the device connects fast. Audio was clear and loud when the volume is turned up. There is some sound distortion when turned up, but everything can be heard clearly. The noise-canceling microphone appeared to do its job just fine although I'm not quite sure about that WindSmart technology...

For those who use the popular Skype client, the device has the ability to remote ring when an incoming call arrives, and also answers or ends the call from the handset, which is a nice touch.

Controls couldn't be simpler with four basic buttons - power, volume control, mute, and call answer/end. I have a minor quibble with the volume and power buttons as they are very tiny and hard to find and push down. It's hard to get a feel for where they are even though you know they're there.

Conclusion

Pros:

• Exceptional comfort
• Plug-and-Play use
• Looks good - sleek, sexy and compact
• Long battery life
• Works great on the computer and on the phone
• Seamlessly switch between Bluetooth-enabled Internet calls and mobile calls with a touch of a button
• USB Charge Cable

Cons:

• Difficult to put on
• Tiny and hard to find buttons
• Expensive ($149.95)
• USB Charge Cable

Recommendation

While a great handset, I'm not sure if the Plantronics .Audio 910 is a worthy buy for the average person looking for a headset for their cell phone. For one thing, it's very expensive and big for its class. You can find cheaper and smaller units that do the job just fine.

But to their credit, the .Audio is a very comfortable headset with simple to use controls and excellent battery life. Sound quality is very good too. It's versatile so you can use it to work with your favorite VOIP client (especially Skype) and seamlessly switch between cell phone and Internet calls.

So if you talk on the phone a lot and also like to make Internet calls, this device will have you covered on both fronts. Otherwise, save the money and look elsewhere.

Availability/Warranty

Suggested retail price of $149.95 with 1 year warranty.

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Technical Specifications

No specifications are available.