Customer Reviews

Plantronics MX500C Under The Ear Headset For Headset Ready Cordless Phones

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I've bought almost a dozen of these for personal use and for friends. Don't worry about the odd (non-over-the-ear) design, it's very comfortable, especially if you wear glasses. The sound quality is good, in fact better than any cordless (i.e., Bluetooth) headset I've used -- and I've used many.

However, what keeps me coming back is the incredible windscreen this unit has! I'm a cyclist and I can use this headset while riding! Other than breathing harder, no one can tell I'm zipping along with a 20 mph wind in my face. This is the ONLY headset I've ever set that works in full wind. I'm sure runners and other outdoor sports users would enjoy it just as much. Since it works so well with glasses, you can wear the MX-500 and MX-510 with your sunglasses, too.

The only downside is build quality is just so-so. Specifically, three problems:
1.) the ear piece swivel can snap. This can be fixed with glue, but the unit can then only be used in one ear.
2.) the two-piece housing for the ear piece can split, rendering the unit useless.
3.) the rubber facing that goes in the ear can separate from the earpiece by peeling back, which can be trimmed.
Be aware that the above quality issues came up during heavy use while cycling, so more gentle and occasional use may never see this issues.

Other than some build issues, this is likely the best non-professional corded headset ever made (the stalwart Plantronics "StarSet" holds that title in the professional category).

I don't work for Plantronics or anything (my review would be better if I did!) but I used to sell telecom equipment about a decade ago, so I'm picky on my components' performance and quality.

I looked at more than a dozen different headsets, and read hundreds of reviews. In the end I was convinced that there were not any spectacular headsets on the market. I operate under the idea that I typically get what I pay for, and the reviews seemed to follow that trend as well. I was disappointed when reading reviews that every headset was plaugued with either poor construction or poor sound quality.

My criteria were:
1) Good sound quality and volume
2) good construction (something that would last more than a year)
3) a reasonable price for the above criteria

I choose the Plantronics MX500C because I have had a good experience with their other products.

The Good:
There is a volume control, mute switch, and microphone sensitivity switch on the headset cord.
+ The volume control is fairly useless to me, but can be handy.
+ The mute switch is invaluable! I am on a lot of conference calls and having a mute switch is a blessing (my phone has no mute function).
+ The microphone sensitivity switch is the best part of this headset. It is important that the person on the other end of the phone call can hear me clearly. I use the headset with both a cell phone and a cordless phone. With all other headsets, the microphone volume and clarity sounded great with one phone, but horrible on the other phone. The MX500C is the only headset that sounded great with both, because I can flip the little microphone sensitivity switch.
+ It looks cool.

The Bad:
- After a few weeks of use, the little microphone sensitivity switch broke off. I guess Plantronics expects people to use it once during setup, and then never switch it again. My mutiple-times-per-day use of the switch was more than it could handle and it broke. Since I need to use the switch between phones, I have started using a safety pin to switch the setting now. Very inconvenience. Very cheaply made. I would be willing to pay a little more for a better switch.
- The earbud is extremely uncomfortable for me. I know that everyone's ears are shaped differently, so it is nearly impossible to design an earbud that is universally comfortbale. However, I cannot wear this thing for more than 5 minutes without experiencing great ear discomfort. It's not the volume or sound, it's that the shape and material of the earbud puts a lot pressure on one spot of my outer ear. It's oblong in shape and made out of hard plastic and rubber - it's not flexible at all. Sometimes I can move it around until I find a more comfortable spot, but not always.

Overall:
5 stars for sound quality and features
2 stars for construction quality
1 star for comfort

We bought and returned 4 different phone headsets before we finally found the MX500C. We started with one of those bluetooth earpieces with the microphone right next to your ear. The problem with those is that the microphone is too far from the mouth to pick up your voice without also picking up all the annoying background noise. It also cuts in and out all the time. Most people only care what their earpiece sounds in their own ear, but nobody tells them that they sound terrible on the other end. The MX500C is great because the microphone comes down right by your mouth. It has a wind screen to cut down on wind or A/C noise in your car. It fits on different sized ears and is very comfortable to wear. The only drawback is that it's not wireless, we can sacrifice having a wire for comfort and sound quality.

I have used a headset for my home for many years. In the past, I have always chosen a over the head style of headset because I know that it will always fit and be comfortable. I chose this style for a different perspective and I am very pleased. It is easy to put on and there is hardly any adjusting needed once in place. I am also very pleased with the audio quality on my end as well as on the receiving end.

I've owned 4 of these headsets now. It's very comfortable and the sound quality is outstanding. It could stand to be a little bit louder but it's louder than other headsets I've owned. I love the inline mute/volume control.

The bad:
The earpiece breaks. Every single one that's gone bad on my has been the result of the swivel earpiece breaking. Every time.

I use this headset a LOT. I work home office and am on the phone about 2/3 of the day. Each one I've purchased has lasted around 8 months before breaking. I'm not hard on these things but they do get a lot of use.

I am currently looking for another model/type of headset to replace the one that just broke today again. It's really too bad because I really love these things for the comfort and sound quality.

I recently purchased this product from my local Staples store ($39.99 plus tax). I needed one ASAP since my job requires me to use a headset 8-10 hours a day. Later the same day I got online and found this deal. So for $6 more I get two of them delivered to me. Guess what I'm taking back to staples in a few days? As far as the product itself it does not get much better. I owned one of these a few years back and when it finally failed(at the switch) I replaced it with a less expensive model and missed the quality of this model. Now when it was time to get another, I did not hesitate to go back to the MX500. By far the best sounding and the microphone will not pickup almost anything except you. Highly recommended.

Have had this earpiece for about a month. Very impressed with how comfortable it is, and how quickly I can get it on and off.

I use the earpiece with my Panasonic land-line phone (2.5mm jack) and it works great. People don't know (or have not complained about) any difference in voice quality between the Plantronics vs. the Panasonic handset. I also use this with a 2.5mm-to-3.5mm adapter and plug it into my MacBook Pro for my Skype calls. Again, the sound quality on the calls is great on both ends. This is in sharp contrast to the three other headphones I've tried to use for these purposes - each one resulting in comments like 'you sound like you are in a tunnel' or 'it is really hard to hear you'.

The earpiece is comfortable enough that I keep it on after my Skype calls and just switch to iTunes and listen to music. No, they are not on-par with my Bose headphones, but still good enough for work.

I use the headset everyday, as I tend to take calls, conduct interviews and type notes of those discussions while on the calls.

This is an excellent headset, and a great value.

bought this for use with phone appointments. Sound quality on both side is very good. Absolutely no complaints! I recommend purchasing.

This is the fifth time I'm buying this particular wired headset. Hey, they either wear out or break eventually - snagging the wire on a door handle or the wire wears out from rolling it up when not in use. It's not made of steel, so that's expected after months of use.

Hands down the most comfortable fit and sound quality for the money of any wired headset. Since my business phone is my wireless phone, I want to get the best audio quality possible out of my phone communication. Wired is still better than bluetooth for sound quality, so most of the time I'm using my cell phone I'm using this headset. This headset has been a winner for me.

Nice idea, and I like the simplicity. The earpiece is akward, though, and doesn't fit well in my ear. I've found it hard to hear some conversations even on the highest volume setting. And thus, I continue my quest for a headset that just f-ing works...