scoobysnack00's Full Review: Plantronics Voyager 855 Bluetooth Headset
We are a people who love anything with a dual function. You can slap together a product that has multiple gizmos and you are guaranteed there is someone out there who will buy it. Some of these products are good and some are bad but none-the-less we like our multi-functioning devices.
After the purchase of my new cell phone, LG Chocolate Vx8550, I was in the market for a new bluetooth headset. Since my new phone was able to play mp3s, I wanted a headset that I could use for calls and for listening to music. After some research my choices were between the Plantronics Voyager 855 and the Jabra BT8010. Both mono/stereo headsets and both relatively the same price. The Jabra BT8010 had more functions and I was actually leaning towards buying it. However its size and a couple of poor reviews led me to buy the Plantronics Voyager 855.
Features
* Easy pairing with Plantronics QuickPair™ technology
* AudioIQ® technology digitally enhances sound
quality on both sides of a call
* Seamlessly switch between calls and music listening
* Sliding boom lets you be heard clearly
* Sliding boom conveniently answers and ends calls
* Seal out the noise, seal in the sound with
innovative ear buds
* Full-spectrum stereo sound with rich, balanced bass
* Easily convert mono headset to stereo listening
with detachable cable
* Dedicated call and music controls at your fingertips
* Up to 7 hours talk time from a single charge
* Ready, willing and able with 160 hours
standby time from a single charge
* Compact and discreet comfort at only 15 grams
Features taken from Plantronics' website.
In The Box
* Stereo bluetooth headset
* Stereo plug-in cable
* Ear loop stabilizer
* Sound isolating ear buds (S,M,L)
* AC charger
Price
I could only find this headset at one brick and mortar store, Radio Shack, and they were selling it for $120.00. The Plantronics website was selling it for $149.95. The last spot I checked was Amazon.com and they had it listed at a staggering $68.90. I couldn't believe the disparity among the different stores. I decided to purchase it at Amazon.com (duh) and upon checkout I discovered my wife had some coupons associated with our account. After using all coupons and discounts at hand my total came to another staggering price of $35.00 with free shipping. It pays to shop around!
My Experience
Out of the box I was a little unimpressed with the look of the headset. With all the new sleek looking headsets on the market this one left a little to be desired. However, this has been out for almost a year hopefully the next version will be a little sexier.
The Fit
There are two options for wearing the headset, with or without the ear loop stabilizer. However, to use it for stereo you need the ear loop stabilizer. With the ear buds given I couldn't get a good fit when not using the ear loop. Even with the ear loop in I find the headset is a little loose in my ear. I also have the Motorola H9 which doesn't offer an earl loop and stays in my ear just fine. I think the difference is the size of the headsets and the contour of the ear buds. The ear buds on the Motorola come to a slight point on the end, compared to Plantronics' buds which are flat on the end. For driving in the car this isn't a real big deal but at work a while doing projects around the house I don't want my headset falling out. Currently I only wear the Plantronics headset with the ear loop and haven't had any problems with it falling off my ear. From time to time I find myself pushing in the headset trying to get a better connection with the ear bud.
Like I said before when using the stereo function you have to wear the ear loop. However, they don't offer a ear loop for the secondary ear bud. So far I haven't had any problems with this secondary ear bud staying in my ear. Since the ear bud is smaller than the headset it stays in the ear just fine without an ear loop.
The Buttons
There are four buttons and they are very very small. You have the basic on/off button that you also use to make/receive calls. There is also a mute button and a volume toggle button. The headset is also equipped with a sliding boom mic. This mic can be slid out to receive calls and pushed back in to end calls. The boom mic works well however I hardly use it, I would rather just push the button to receive the call. The function I use the most is the voice command call. The instructions for the headset say to push the button for 2 seconds to use this function. This works about 75% of the time; which isn't the annoying part. The button has to be pushed in fairly hard to activate it; which in turn jams the ear bud into the ear. I have to hold the headset out with my pointer finger and push the button with my thumb. I wish the button was bigger and more responsive. I haven't had any problems with the mute or volume buttons. They are located on the bottom of the headset and controlled with the thumb. Even though they are small I haven't had any problems finding or controlling them.
Using It For Calls
I haven't had many problems using the headset for calls. From time to time I have to adjust it because of its loose fitting but besides that its fine. I have used it outside while working and in the car, it worked good in both environments. I haven't seen a need for the sliding boom mic it seems to pickup my voice without it open. The incoming voice is loud and clear and I haven't had any complaints from people I am talking to.
Using It For Music
This function sets the Voyager 855 from other headsets. Like I said before to use the headset in stereo you need to attach the second ear bud via detachable ear loop. The secondary ear bud is attached to the ear loop with a 18in. long nylon cord. The cord long enough to fit around my neck with plenty of slack leftover.
The sound in stereo mode is really good. I have read some articles that say the headset doesn't provide enough base while listening to music. I'm not a music junkie and find the base to be perfectly adequate for my needs. I was actually surprised how high I could get the volume on the headset.
Controlling the music can be a little clunky at times. If I just let the music play the headset works perfect. When receiving a call the music pauses and when the call ends the music starts right where it left off. I can also pause the music using the headset's mute button. The headset offers the option to switch tracks using the volume toggle button. The button must be pushed for 2 seconds to switch tracks. Using the button to control tracks is a pain to use. I have to use the edge of my thumb nail to apply enough pressure to hold it down for 2 seconds. Then it may or may not change tracks. When using the volume button to control the volume I have no problem at all just when using it to control tracks. I just change tracks on the phone itself.
Overall the Plantronics Voyager 855 Bluetooth Headset has left a little bit to be desired. I would say the problems with the fit and small buttons makes this a below average headset for calling. However, the bluetooth stereo function bumps it up to an average headset. I would recommend this product to someone looking for a bluetooth mono/stereo headset. If you are a music junkie I wold probably pass on this and find one that is primarily used for music that can also take calls. If you don't really care about the bluetooth function there are plenty of corded headsets that are cheaper and work just as good. At the price I got it for I can't really complain.
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