Plantronics Voyager 520 Bluetooth Headset [Retail Packaging]

In the car, at the airport, or on the job, the Plantronics Voyager 520 delivers business quality audio performance, while its versatile design provides a secure fit for all day wearing comfort wherever your meetings take you. The noise-canceling microphone filters distracting background noise so you can be easily heard while the innovative wind screen minimizes wind noise. This user-friendly headset offers convenient one-touch call controls and a desktop charging cradle. And if you use two Bluetooth phones, the integrated multipoint technology lets you easily switch between them with the same headset. The battery provides up to eight hours of talk time and 180 hours of standby when fully charged.
In my search for the perfect bluetooth headset, they ALL require compromises... it sounds great, but it's uncomfortable to wear for extended periods... it's lightweight, but the person on the other end can't always hear me... works great, but the batteries die in the middle of an average day or the volume can't be raised loud enough... you get the idea.

Well, Plantronics has come out with the Voyager 520, and it requires, for me, the minimum amount of compromise of any headset I've tried, and I've tried a LOT!

First, it utilizes a soft rubber ear bud which is cone shaped to fit in your ear canal, but is soft enough to not irritate your ears. The hook is made of firm plastic near the head set, then transitions into a soft, clear rubber for the portion of the hook that rests on your ear, so that the hook conforms to your ear, rather then forcing your ear to conform to it! The ear bud directs the sound of the person you're speaking with into your ear, providing sufficiently loud volume while blocking out external noise! You'll actually need to lower the volume on this headset, if you're using it in a quiet environment! Now that's a nice change.

First compromise... (yeah, there are still compromises, even on this head set!), it's larger then many other bt head sets. BUT... it's lightweight, and it's size allows for battery life that goes on and on and on. While I'd prefer a smaller size (think Samsung WEP 200, Nokia BH 800), I'll take the moderately larger form factor, if it delivers better sound quality in both directions, and longer battery life, and the 520 delivers on both counts (again, compromise...)

Second compromise... noise cancellation. Yes, the Voyager 520 DOES have noise cancellation, but frankly, it's not as strong as, or as good as the Aliph Jawbone, or the BlueAnt Z9, but it does work. Will it eliminate the thunder of a roaring 747, while you're standing on the runway at LAX? No. Will you look like you have a cheese grater stuck to the side of your face while using it? Again, NO!

Compromise.

The 520 also brings with it a desk charging cradle (cheap plastic), offers the user to connect to two bt devices, displays battery level each time you turn it on, etc. etc. Go to Plantronics site, if you really need/want all of the minutia.

Bottom line... If you don't mind it's conservative looks and slightly larger size, and you want EXCELLENT sound quality, great comfort and long battery life from your Bluetooth head set, check this one out.

You just may find it's worth the compromise!