Customer Reviews

Bang & Olufsen EarSet 3 Stereo Headset with Built-In Microphone (iPhone Compatible)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have to say, I simultaneously expected more and less from B&O here. I expected a better quality (build & design) and feel, and worse sound. In actuality, the Earset 3 sounds pretty good. They're very easy to drive, and I can get ample volume directly from my iPhone without a headphone amp. Bass is lacking, even for a headset of this size. I'm not great with flowery audiophile-talk, but overall, I'm pleasantly surprised by the sound quality. However, it's a bit fiddly to get the best-possible fit (which isn't necessarily great) when you put them on. I believe it's the poor'ish fit that is responsible for the lacking bass. They also have no isolation whatsoever, which is great if you want to hear everything going on around you, but not so great on an airplane or train. The mic works quite well, but I did experience a couple of glitchy-sounding-noises over the course of a 1.5hr call. The fit and finish, however, is nothing spectacular at all. The cord is extremely thin, and inspires no confidence whatsoever. Indeed, there are many reports of people with cord issues, although so far B&O seems to be taking care of it when it pops up. Holding the Earset isn't particularly impressive, nor does it look all that cool on your head.

Overall, the Earset 3 is pretty good, but I'm not satisfied considering the price-tag. A lower pricetag would mitigate some of my complaints, but at $200 MSRP, the issues in wearing them and in fit & finish aren't particularly acceptable.

Bang & Olufsen Earset3 Headphones

By far the best quality headset I have ever owned. The only problem I had was a spilt in the wire and I was able to replace the entire unit through a Chicago Retail Bang & Olufsen store downtown.

I've had a B&O Earset 1 for several years and it has been outstanding, so when I changed over from a BlackBerry to iPhone the natural choice was to get the B&O Earset 3. While the basic quality of the product was unchanged B&O have made a single dreadful error that transforms the product from outstanding to hopeless.

The wire used to link the mic (round button in the picture) to the earpieces is totally unsuited to the job. It is a much samaller gauge than the main wire from mic to phone jack, which should be a good thing and out of the box it is OK, but after a couple of weeks of use the plastic insulation hardens and becomes increasing less flexible. So after a couple of weeks it stops hanging loosely around the neck and starts to twist and stick out at odd angles. This may not sound like a big deal, but after a couple of hours of use it becomes very irritating. Far worse, the way that these wires exit the mic button means that the wire kinks rather than the rubber strain relief piece flexing. After a 3 months I can see that the insulation is starting to fail and it will soon be time to return it for replacement.

I'm on my third set, as the first two have broken and been replaced under warranty. While they are being covered under warranty it has taken almost 2.5 months each swap to get them back.

The first repair the cord stripped down, and became exposed next to the mic. On the 2nd set the wire stripped down, and exposed at the jack. Eventually the left ear piece stopped working.

When they are new and working, they feel good, and sound great. It should be noted that they are extremely hard to wear with sunglasses or glasses.

I think I'll be giving this 3rd set to a friend and moving on to something else.

Bang & Olufsen prides itself on it cutting edge technology and design and this stereo headset is no different. I also own the previous model, without the microphone and like them a lot as well. One can custom fit these to the ears as they adjust in several ways, look very cool and stay in place. People stop me on the street and want to know who makes them. They are an indulgence as one can buy less expensive ear buds, etc. that do the job just as well. The sound quality is average and quite frankly I expected it to be better. I can live with that but what make them clunky and not deserving of the highest star rating is the way the microphone is integrated into the set. It is a large disc that hangs in an uncomfortable and unattractive way, far from the sleek nature associated with B & O products. It works well, however, and does have a clip to hold it in place. Hopefully the next generation of this headset will be better in it's design.

I've never had a headset for my phone that the party on the other end didn't complain about until I got these. Now no one can tell I'm on a mic. My music sounds so much better than the earbuds that came with my ipod or other electronics, that I can't use anything else. Earbuds fall out of my ears, but these stay in place. I break a pair of these about once a year (which isn't bad considering how hard I am on them, use them every day, and don't put them away nicely); I've broken every other headphones I've tried much quicker. I got so frustrated being without them for even a few days, that I just bought a back-up set. They have a 3 year warranty so when they break, I bring them into the store and they give me a new pair. I'm on the third pair now in 3 years, and I may be a customer for life. Be careful not to buy the fakes that are out there. One year, I accidentally purchased a pair that were rip-offs and I wonder if that's where some of the lesser reviews come from. I'll only buy them now if they are coming from Bang & Olufsen.

I purchased a pair here on Amazon for my iphone thinking that like most other headphones, the connection is due to break after a year. These had a three year warranty and if it happened again, they could be replaced. Well, three months later, it happened, the insert to the iphone broke, faster than the 100 models out there and I have waited near a month to get a replacement. I drove to the store as instructed, since Bang headquarters will not service you, and received nothing after numerous trips and phone calls, and lies and confusion. I took in my receipt, my on line warranty replacement email response verification and the Rancho Mirage store only comes up with one excuse after another such as we sent them in, they will send them, they sent them to us, we will send them, we dont have them any more, they are on back order, etc etc. I have to wait for bang headquarters to reply to my ongoing desire for a replacement, or happily a refund so that I dont have to deal with this company any more. My advice, dont spend so much, the warranty sucks and you can get the same for half price and not have to deal with the headache of going to an Bang store that doesnt want to service you unless your buying something from them!!

I received these as a Xmas gift in Dec 2009. It is now May 2010 and they just broke for the second time. The first time, one of the channels stopped working. This time, the button on the cord to stop/start the music no longer works. They replace them at the store within warranty BUT for $200, that's ridiculous. Also, the warranty is only 1 year. I figure they will break 2 more times before the warranty is out but next December when they break for the 5th time, I'll go back to my cheap headset that never broke. Not happy.

This product is an overall disappointment. The sound is ok, not nearly as good as the Bose headphones. The sound quality is tinny at times and the earpieces do not always fit well.

The worst part of this product is the design of the wires. The main chord is fine, but when that wire reaches the microphone, it splits off into two VERY THIN wires attached to the earpieces, one of which is supposed to go around the back of your neck to the right earpiece. The issue with this is that after the first use, the wire becomes EXTREMELY stiff to the point where it does not hang loose and instead kinks and twists sometimes to the point where the stress on the wire pulls the earpieces out of your ear. It's very awkward and annoying and looks horrible.

I'll probably be switching to the Bose or Shure headsets pretty soon...

I really do adore my new Bang & Olufsen Earset3. . .I was expecting something great, but when it arrived and I started using it, I WAS ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY!!! The sound quality is unrivaled. The adjustable earpieces are far more comfortable than I had hoped. Including the GREAT DEAL I got here, I must say my experience in the quality, comfort and price have all far exceeded my expectations! I recommend the B&O Earset 3 to everyone--and be sure to get it on sale thru Amazon.com/Infinite-Surplus for the best price anywhere!