Review: Plantronics Voyager 855 Bluetooth Headset

Posted by: danc on Jul 27 2008

Bluetooth headsets have become commonplace now that an increasing number of US states are (finally) making it illegal to use a cellphone while driving without a hands free device. They have become so commonplace, in fact, that a standout headset is rare.

The Plantronics Voyager 855 Bluetooth headset I have had the opportunity to use over the past few weeks is such a standout.

The headset itself is a familiar form factor. Long and narrow, it is relatively unobtrusive. It does have some of that “Star Trek” thing going on but as those headsets go it is quite good looking IMO. The headset comes with a detachable earbud and a number of different tips. This ensures the right fit and helps seal out noise. With the right bud chosen it is exceptionally comfortable.

Buttons on the device are minimal and well conceived. As a result, the headset is easy to use while wearing. There is a main call button on the body of the device. It is well-placed and easy to activate. It serves as the power button as well. There is a button toward the rear of the headset that immediately mutes the sound that is large enough to easily use but small enough to not accidentally hit. Finally, there is the volume control — your typical rocker-style in which one side increases the volume while the other decreases it.

The headset comes with an ear loop that can be used to ensure a secure fit. If you find the proper fit with the earbud however, the unit will sit relatively securely without it. I have been using the headset with the ear loop because I like not having to worry about the headset shifting too much and I have found it to be quite comfortable. It is so light and comfortably, in fact, that I have all but forgotten I was wearing it a number of times.

Before trying the headset I had heard some mixed reviews regarding sound quality but I found the quality nothing short of terrific. The noise reduction technology used in the headset worked well and the sound quality is very good. Callers told me that it is as good a headset as I have used and on my end it was the same.

A nice feature of the headset is that there is a sliding boom that brings the microphone closer to your mouth. It not only allows you to be heard more clearly than you might otherwise be, but it also serves as a convenient way to answer and end phone calls.

Standby time for the headset is about 160 hours and talk time is rated as up to seven hours.

As a stand-alone headset I highly recommend it.

The great thing about the Voyager 855 headset, however, is that it isn’t a stand-alone headset and that is where this common-place headset morphs into anything but common-place.

When you unplug the ear loop (if you are using one) and plug in an included second one (that is tied to a second ear bud) you get a fully functioning, high quality, stereo Bluetooth headset.

With it you can listen to your music from any Bluetooth enabled device that supports A2DP for streaming stereo music. Unfortunately, my cellphone-of-choice is an iPhone and Apple has not seen fit to include support for stereo Bluetooth. As a result I have not been able to take full advantage of the device’s functionality. I was, however, able to check out the sound quality by pairing it to my laptop and my iPod (with a Bluetooth dongle attached) and the sound quality is excellent. Moreover, the fit and comfort (often an issue for me with stereo bluetooth headsets) was exceptional. The only annoyance was the (requisite) cord connecting the headset to the secondary ear bud.

As a headset the Voyager 855 is very good.
As a stereo bluetooth headset the Voyager 855 is very good.
When used as both with a cell phone that supports stereo Bluetooth it is a terrific, flexible combination.

Pros-
Sound
Design
Comfort

Cons-
Pricey

The Voyager 855 retails for $149.95. The current price on Amazon is $68.95.

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