Bang & Olufsen EarSet 2 Bluetooth Mobile Device (Right Ear) Review

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(More customer reviews)Over the years I have tried a whole bunch of bluetooth headsets, from Motorola to Plantronics to Jawbone, and now the Bang & Olufsen EarSet 2. In short, in terms of functionality and fit/finish, the B&O beats them all hands down. In terms of cost, the B&A is by far the most expensive, at $350. Just an additional AC charger from B&O costs more ($135) than the entire headset kit from other headset manufacturers. However, if you look long-term, the high initial cost of the Earset 2 might - MIGHT - be worth it because it works better than any other headset, and might last longer (see below).
The good points in detail:
1. Incoming sound quality - Every other headset I have used has had mediocre, tinny, incoming sound. The Earset 2 has a rich natural incoming sound. Low frequency tones are pronounced, accentuating the spoken voice.
2. Outgoing sound quality - With every other headset I have used, people complained about poor sound quality. Tinniness, echoing, and sounding I was talking inside a well. The Aliph Jawbone was the worst offender. With the Earset 2, people do not have those issues. To them, I sound natural, like on a land line.
3. Build quality - Every other headset I have used was cheaply built. Part of this was for lightness of weight. But the bottom line is that they looked and felt cheap. One of the worst offenders was the Jawbone. That cheap earhook was constantly breaking due to the cheap quality metal used (see my Jawbone review here on Amazon). The Earset is made of aircraft quality aluminum and high-impact plastic. The feel of the unit is very solid, and of high quality. And it looks kind of cool.
4. Bluetooth signal - The Jawbone's signal is weak. Walk away 20 ft and put a wall between the phone and the headset, and the headset becomes almost unusable. When I put my phone inside my waterproof neoprene drybag waistpouch, the Jawbone becomes almost unusable. No such problems with the Earset 2. I have walked 20 feet away and put 2 walls in between, and the headset works just fine. A minimal amount of crackling, but no serious deficits.
5. Comfort - The Earset 2 is light, and once you get used to the unusual design and ergonomics, it works. For hours. No problems.
6. Guarantee - 3 years. And it better last that long considering the purchase cost.
Now for the bad points, for which I took away one point:
1. Traveling - The design could have been made a lot more traveler friendly. The charger holder is clumsy, and there is no way to charge the headset from a computer's USB port. FOR SHAME!!
2. Interface button - There is a single button controlling conversations and volume. The button is too loose, and it is easy to do one thing while you are thinking you were doing another. B&O should either use two buttons, or redesign the existing button for more tactile response and stiffness.
3. On/Off - The unit is turned on by swinging out the mike boom. Unfortunately, if you get a call while the headset is turned off and the mike boom is in closed position, you will likely lose the call. I would love it if the unit could be in off position and immediately engage the phone as soon as the mike boom was moved out into ready position, but alas, that is not to be. So I usually keep the unit in On mode, which is unfortunate. Annoying, but not fatal.
4. Cost, Cost, Cost - This thing costs a fortune. However, over the last 2 years I have spent over $300 on a multitude of other bluetooh models that have either sucked in terms of functionality, or have failed. The Aliph Jawbone is guilty of both sucking and failing. I had x2 Jawbones, and neither lasted more than 6 months.
I think I will keep the B&O Earset 2. I hope it will be worth it. I'll let you know in 3 years. If I do not lose it first.

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Bang & Olufsen, the world-renown leader in audio reproduction and conceptual design raises the bar for Bluetooth headsets with the new Earset 2. Designed with Bang & Olufsen audio technology, all the benefits of a cordless headset come together. This is the difference between merely talking on the phone and really having a conversation.

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