Customer Reviews

Plantronics Discovery 655 DSP Ultimate Bluetooth Headset with DSP [Retail Packaging]

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(50)
3 star:		(36)
2 star:		(28)
1 star:		(35)

 

 

Summary: I've had the Discovery 655 for two weeks now and I'm very happy with its audio, microphone, and wearability, particularly relative to the the Nextlink BlueSpoon product (now badged as a Radio Shack VoiceStar product), which is the other "in-ear" bluetooth I've had. The in-ear models are preferable to me because I wear glasses. I recommend the 655 to anyone, with only significant drawbacks in battery life and unnecessary complexity in recharging. Detail follows...

Wearability: (4/5) It stayed in my ear securely walking through the airport, getting into and out of the car, etc. -- all without the optional ear loop. Comfortable enough and light enough that I often forget it is in my ear. The mid-size ear bud worked for me. The BlueSpoon product is slightly better and more secure, but the 655 works fine. Great for people with glasses.

Audio quality: (5/5) Both the incoming and outgoing audio quality are far superior to Nextlink/VoiceStar. The VoiceStar (and to a lesser extent the BlueSpoon) incoming audio was constantly crackling to the extent that it was unbearable. 655 is very good. My wife tells me that I sound very close to handset quality when I use the 655, and it even works in mild wind. The DSP drowns out some background airport/airplane noise, but not a lot. The audio from the headset was plenty loud, and I rarely have to turn my BlackBerry volume up over halfway when using the 655. With the BlueSpoon, I was at max volume or one away from max volume all the time, rendering the BlueSpoon useless in loud environments like the airport or in the wind walking from the office to the car.

Cost/Value: (5/5) If you get the good deal through Amazon (around $70) it is well worth the price and functionality you get. BlueSpoon/ VoiceStar was close to the same price with audio only half as good as the 655. I wouldn't pay the $120-150 that some retail sites are asking for this product.

Buttons: (5/5) Yes, they are more difficult to push than the BlueSpoon or other over the ear Bluetooth headsets, but it doesn't bother me at all or knock the headset out of my ear when I push them.

Battery life: (3/5) Doesn't last nearly as long, both in talk time and standby time than the BlueSpoon. I didn't rate it lower because it is a known trade-off for getting DSP. The 655 also offers you the option to turn off the DSP to save battery life. Haven't tried it yet.

Charging: (4/5) The ability to charge via a USB cable is a big plus, but the BlueSpoon USB charging was so much more simple. The 655 requires that you carry around the extra charging "sleeve," and to use the USB charger, you have to snap on an extra extension to be able to plug in the small USB end of th cable. The BlueSpoon headset simply had the small USB plug built directly into the headset, so no extra parts necessary. However, the sleeve does allow for the extra functionality of being able to recharge via the AAA battery snap on attachment. The 655 sleeve also seems to have fixed the loose fit problems that plague the 640/645 based on the 640/645 reviews I've read.

Looks: (5/5) Much less bulky than over the ear headsets and it looks very sleek and modern. Very nice.

Misc:
- The 655 will blink a different number of times when you turn it on to let you know approx. how much battery life is left -- very handy.
- There is a slight delay between when you place your call and when the 655 starts transmitting audio to your ear -- usually about one ring. Nearly all calls end up ringing a couple times, so this didn't create any issues for me.

I've tried a bunch of Bluetooth headsets, mostly about a year or so back when I first got a Bluetooth phone. Went through the Moto HS-820, which had horrible battery life, then the Logitech Mobile Freedom (which was pretty good! but w/o DSP allowed too much noise through), Logitech Mobile Traveller (which I got for free from Logitech because an in-warranty headset broke -- this thing felt like it was making my ear bleed it was so uncomfortable), and finally the Gennum nxZen Plus. The nxZen is a sweetheart, a lovely headset that I had no complaints against.

But, well, I started a new job and could expense a headset, and I liked the idea of being able to charge my headset using a Nokia adapter (which you can get separately with the 655, and comes with the 645). So I got the 655.

Ugh.

Problems with it:

1. It occasionally makes a three-tone sound that is completely undocumented in the book. I *think* it means the phone is re-establishing connectivity with the headset, but it looks like it's already connected. It's just disconcerting;

2. The button to answer/end calls is so stiff that you have two options -- you either hold the headset between two fingers and press the button, or you press the button, mashing the headset into your ear. Neither is a particularly pleasant option;

3. Most importantly, callers complained about poor sound quality -- especially as compared with the Gennum nxZen Plus. That basically killed it for me.

I'll be returning this headset on Monday.

-roy

I bought this for around $70 here on amazon after reading the reviews on cnet, etc. It was their highest-rated bluetooth headset. It works, but it could be much much better.
First, I think technology still has a long way to go with regards to bluetooth/wireless headsets. Sound quality on this thing, while loud enough, made everyone sound like they were talking through several layers of tshirts. Everyone I've spoken to on this says they can tell I'm "on something" but that I sound "fine." Fine isn't good enough for me.
Let's talk design: It absolutely excels in the "Cool" department - it looks slick and isn't some chubby ear thing. But, with that cool looking factor comes a lose and ill-fitting earpiece. Yes, it comes with 3 replacable earpieces, but none fit me quite right. I would like to offer this suggestion to all who own/consider owning this: When you are trying to insert this into your ear, take your hand opposite the side of the ear you are putting this in, grab the top of your earlobe and pull up while twisting this thing into your ear canal. I got it to fit OK but walking around with it - it feels like it's going to fall out any second.
The buttons: Yes they are small but we are all aware that as technology shrinks, so are the buttons. Yes, they are difficult to use, but I'm used to it and you should be too. Main problem: Is that you really have to press down for the buttons to click, and this thing is already ready to fall out of your ear, so trying to slam on a button isn't helping. Why someone doesn't put a nice little trackwheel for volume on one of these things is beyond me.
You can walk around with this but you'll want to keep your phone nearby - I walked into the next room not more than 10 feet from the phone and it got static, etc. Pretty weak if you ask me.
It works OK. It paired up with my Motorolla KRZR just fine and works no problem. I wonder if the Motorolla headsets work better with Motorola phones.
The main reason I got it is for when I drive because I don't like being on my cell while driving and everyone seems to want to call me when I'm driving. For that purpose it is acceptable. I guess my expectations are too high for this technology... again.

I've been a fan of Bluetooth headsets since they've arrived. Not having to worry about a draw-pull or gear-shift yanking my headset out is reason enough to make the switch from corded.

I have owned Jabra, Motorola, and until now only corded Plantronics. The Plantronics Discovery 655 is the first Bluetooth headset that meets all the criteria I've added over the years for a great headset:
- Has to be lightweight and "vanish" on/in your ear... You shouldn't know it's there until a call comes in. =The 655 sits perfectly on my ear with just the gel earpiece. For those wanting/needing the extra assurance that it won't literally vanish, an ear-loop is included.
- Must have just the required buttons. Volume, and on/off, are the only requisites for a headset. Anything else is a frill I'd rather not pay for or have to worry about. =The 655 keeps it simple.
- My transmitted voice must sound like a corded land-line on the other end. =My callers are suprised I'm on a wireless headset.
- Reception must be crystal. =It definitely is.
- Must use standard USB charging. =The 655 gives you an option of proprietary outlet charging, battery, or USB charging. This is not "too many charging parts" as someone mentioned... rather Plantronics offers a multitude of charging options. Only one is required at a time -- your choice.
- It must hold a charge. =The 655 doesn't quite last as long as my Jabra, perhaps due to the DSP functionality (which uses power), however, there is a power-save mode to extend uptime if necessary, as well as an included emergency battery option for a quick charge, if no other options are available (such as no laptop or no outlet).
- Price must be right. =If the 655 was more than $70, I would have paid it.

Bottom line, it's well worth the price, and then some. I am continually looking for newer/better technology to simplify my life. The 655 does that... (until I find something better).

I purchased the 655 after reading a glowing review on cnet. I had read a lot of reviews on multiple sites that indicated that a lot of bluetooth headsets didn't provide a clear signal. Based on the cnet review I assumed the 655 was different.

This being my first bluetooth headset, I'm not exactly sure what the standard is. However, the Plantronics literature for this model clearly states that users will have "33 feet to roam." In my experience, using a Blackberry 8700g, this is just false. I get a clear signal 8 to 10 feet away from my phone. After that the static kicks in and and increases dramatically as the distance increases. Maybe Plantronics is just copying the hyperbole of other manufactuers. Nonetheless,I'm not sure if I would have purchased this model if I had known that I was limited to 10 feet at most.

With that said, I do find that reception is very clear within the 8 foot range. Also, the volume control is excellent. I found it easier to hear voices with the 955 than anything I'd experienced with a dozen corded headsets.

The accessories are probably the biggest selling point. The 955 comes with three earpieces and can be recharged via a AAA battery, USB or with a provided electrical adapter.

If you're looking for a bluetooth set that provides clear reception beyond 10 feet (like they claim they're supposed to) then I wish you luck. As of late 2006, based on reviews I've read, I wasn't able to find a single headset that gave that kind of reception. It seems that bluetooth headsets are not yet ready for prime time.

I needed a new bluetooth after accidentally leaving my HS850 in my shirt pocket just before the wash cycle began. The device I had before that, was the Cardo Scala 500. I'd bought that one from Amazon and wound up returning it due to low volume. The HS850 suffered the same symptom. I found myself constantly pressing the headset to my ear while I was listening and turning up the volume which caused a distracting echo for the person I was talking to.

So, one of the features I was looking for was a device in which the microphone was not too close to the earpiece. The Discovery 655 seemed to fit the bill. I also read some good reviews on it. I was pleased when I first tried it on and found that it went right into my ear for a perfect fit. This is important for two reasons: 1) I wear glasses so, it's nice not to have to deal with a loop, 2) I think having the earpiece so close to my inner ear precludes me from having to turn up the volume. In fact, I haven't touched the volume at all. This is the first bluetooth device that I've been happy with right out of the box. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great, comfortable, good-sounding bluetooth.

I thought the product was 'okay' but not as good as the plantronics Voyager 510. I have both and will now continue to use only the voyager, or simply get another voyager. The voyager is more comfortable, at least to me, and most importantly it offers better clarity on the call from both ends.

Come on, plantronics, you can do better than this.

jim g

I got this headset and loved it right away. The look was so sleek, and it was light and comfortable, easy to use. HOWEVER, the battery life was just awful. I would use it for 45 mins in the morning, and maybe 30mins throughout the day, and by afternoon, it was dead. The travel/pen charger is not very practical if you need the piece on your ear all the time. And a AAA battery doesn't seem to charge it very well. A shame - it's a great headset and I would have loved to keep it. But it just didn't cut it. I ended up returning this headset. Amazon was great with the RMA process - that's why I shop Amazon - they'll take care of the consumer.

Using this headset with my Nokia 6126, the other party hears my voice just as clearly as when I speak directly into my phone. They can't tell any difference and I can hear the other party, even better. There's no static, hissing or buzzing as long as the phone is within a couple of feet of the headset and mostly unobstructed (desk or shirt pocket: good, pants pocket: not so good).

The gel earpiece is comfortable and snug. Sometimes I don't even use the removable ear hook (unless I'm moving around a lot).

All the charging options (AC adapter, USB power, or AA battery sleeve) are great but I normally just keep my headset in the AC adapter sleeve when not in use. I spoke with Plantronics tech support and they said it was OK to do that because there's an automatic shutoff feature that prevents over-charging. Tech support spoke English as a primary language (at least the person I spoke with). They were friendly, knowledgeable, and didn't keep me waiting.

I don't write many reviews but this product is exceptional. I highly recommend it.

I use my phone constantly while driving AND have a moderate high frequency hearing loss. The 655 DSP is perfect for both. It works seamlessly as it is advertised to do. It fits my ear without the wire hook and stays all day. It is so light I totally forget I have it in. The earmold design is very efficient in delivering sound to the audio canal. I usually push it in as I recieve a call but that is not really necessary. The sound quality it delivers is VERY GOOD. I understand as well as with my $1800 hearing aid (that I remove in favor of the 655 DSP). Battery charge life is excellent. The controls work just fine (I had to get used to them). I totall recommend this unit. It surpasses the other 2 units I have used by around 250% or more.