Customer Reviews

Plantronics MX505 Windsmart Boom Headset (Tan)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have owned a ton of Plantronics headsets as well as tried many others. I consistently go back to Plantronics simply because of their reliability and all day wearing comfort. I owned (7) M145 headsets which are still the leader for all day wearing comfort, but I was annoyed that the silicone piece would break and there was no replacement. I bought (4) of the M135 which I hated and promptly returned. See Plantronics has faults! I got the MX505 3 weeks ago and I love it. It is so comfortable I am buying 3 more for all of my vehicles. I wear it all day and don't notice it. They are correct in advertising, you can stand outside in a wind storm and the other party has no clue you are outside or in the wind. Downside is that it doesnt have a noise cancelling offset so any background noise around you, the other party can hear it loud and clear. The mute switch is tougher to use than the M145 but has a green/red indicator, OK except in the dark. As for clarity, I dont find myself cramming this thing into my eardrum to hear as I have done with some other headsets. Styling is A+. The ear piece is flippable so either ear wearing is simple. I have had one in each ear already when 2 lines are ringing. I must say that all corded headsets are pains, but this one is a home run.

First, this headset is VERY comfortable. Those who wear glasses (as I do) should note that the design of this headset makes it the best (only?) headset with a boom that does not have an over-the-ear design. Again, don't let the odd design fool you, the fit and comfort is outstanding, but that's not all...

As for sound quality, the MX505 is top notch. I've owned more headsets than I can count, and this is the best I've ever owned. Most headsets (especially the Jabra earwave series) have horrible problems if there's any wind at all because the microphone element is exposed via a pinhole opening on the headset. Not so with the MX505. This one has a clear tubes (of two sizes) that all have a nice windscreen on the end. You can walk around outside, drive the car with the window down, etc., all while talking on this one. That's something you can't say about many other headsets. The sound tube ("boom") fits very snugly in the unit and holds position well.

Also, unlike almost all other headsets, the MX505 has a microphone sensitivity adjustment (it's on the other side of the volume control on the cord). If you find people saying, "I can't hear you on your headset" then use this headset instead. Simply toggle the mic sensitivity switch and you'll increase your volume to the other person by about 50%. This feature allowed me to use it on an LG VX8000 phone after all other headsets proved nearly incompatible due to low mic volume.

This headset is the second with a boom mic that I have tried, and it is by far the best headset I have used. I prefer it to the headset I use at my desktop.

- Sound Quality -
This headset has the highest sound and clarity than any speaker on any cellular phone or headset that I have used to date. The sound is so clear that I turn the phone volume down all the way when using the headset (I use a NexTel i860). The in-ear design does an excellent job of blocking outside noise without blocking sounds entirely.

- Earpiece Fit -
The earpiece is lightweight and fits perfectly, and I agree with other readers' comments about fatigue: I have worn this headset for hours (I'm wearing it now) without really even noticing it, whereas other headsets irritate my ear after a 1 hour conference call.

It is true that getting the earpiece to my ear is a tiny bit more complicated than it was with the earbuds I have used in the past, but it's hardly a deal-breaker.

- Microphone -
First off, you should know that I have a larger-than-average cranium. I wear a XXL motorcycle helmet, which is huge. That said, the longer mic extension (the headset includes 2) goes right to the corner of my mouth, so I don't have to shout to be heard. People on the other end hear me clearly, and due to the voice tube design, there is no wind noise. I can quietly carry on a private conversation while using the headset, which was a mandatory requirement for me.

- In-line Mute & Volume Control -
I was unsure of this feature initially, but I have found that having quick access to "Mute" without having to fumble with the interface on my phone is a great benefit.

I understand the Nokia version of this headset includes an answer button, also. I think both features are great: The less I have to fumble with my handset while driving, the better.

- Summary -
This headset is an incredible value. I am 100% satisfied, and I highly recommend it.

- About me -
I work in the IT field, and I spend greater than half my day on the phone, be it in the car or at my desk.

- Additional -
I have been through 3 headsets with in-line microphones. The wiring on two of them - made by Jabra - failed after 2 months of use. The third, made by Plantronics, lasted nearly 2 years, which is partly why I considered Plantronics headsets in the first place.

After realizing I usually talk while holding the microphone near my mouth, I decided to go the route of a headset with a boom mic.

Problem is, the boom mics on 99% of the headsets out there today come nowhere near my mouth, requiring me to talk loudly when using the phone.

The first headset I tried (not made by Plantronics) had a mic that was too short, and included noise cancellation for the mic. Even if you don't go with the Plantronics in this review, I recommend avoiding this feature. I found I had to speak VERY loudly to activate the mic, and I had frequent issues with being cut off by the mic.

Basically worthless. You can hear the caller very well,which was truly exciting, BUT have any of these folks with raves asked anyone if they can HEAR THEM? I asked everyone for the first 2 hours. My work is recruiting and I am on the phone 24/7. EVERYONE complained, usually without my asking because we deal with some of the same folks frequently. Two people asked me if I had food in my mouth, the tunnel-syndrome, just unable to hear, on and on and on. Other than that it is impossible to answer your phone and put the headpiece on at the same time. Very "cumbersome" was a true description. I have worn headsets since the late seventies B4 the everyday user did. If you buy this you will hear a loud sucking sound as your money leaves your pocket. It went back before the day was out. My boss put it on, took it off, the end.

Overall the Platronics 505 is wonderful. The sound quality is better than when I am listening to my cell phone normally and people at the other end cannot tell I am using a headset. The earpiece fits comfortable and doesn't give the feeling that it will fall off. The unique design makes it sunglass compatible but difficult with hoop earrings. The only real downfall of the design is the size and colour of the volume and mute controller-at about 2 inches x 3/4 inch x 3/8 inch (in bone colour), you must clip the wire to some piece of clothing to stop the drag from this hugely oversized element-could it not have been made smaller? The quality of the piece is there-rubberized wire coating and a well put together piece otherwise.

I am very pleased with this headset. Despite the odd appearance, it is very comfortable to wear -- once you can get it into place. This is not the easiest headset to get on and get positioned, but once it is on it stays put very well.

Good sound quality on both hearing and speaking but the volumn in the ear piece could be a bit louder.

Overall, I'm pleased with the product and would buy the product again.

To the customer who wrote: "The volume using the headset is less than 40% of what the phone microphone does by itself." You may want to try turning up the volume other than using the dial. Look on the other side of the control where the icon of the microphones are and you will see a slit where you can put a pen tip in and slide the slider over to the right or left. This will increase the volume greatly. This is in the instructions that came with the headset. I do agree it is not the easiest thing to put on quickly. Sound quality on both ends is pretty good.

Gave the "4-star" score because it is not that easy to put on quickly. . .at least the first few times I've done it. Maybe I will get used to it later.

I recently purchased both the MX505 and the MX150. According to the people I was talking to, the 505 had more "running water" sound in the background, making it harder to understand me. Keep in mind I'm a truckdriver often talking to other truckdrivers in noisy environments. At home in a quiet environment, it worked great attached to either my cell or my cordless phone.

My husband's car has a glass-pack muffler and it is so loud I can't think when I ride in it. He can talk to me while driving his car using this headset on his cell phone and I can't hear any background noise what-so-ever! He never has any trouble hearing me either. He says it's very comfortable to wear. As the person on the other end of the headset, I would definitely recommend this headset if background noise is an issue.

I got a traffic ticket last week after opening up my cellphone in my car. I had a really cheap headset, that I never used, so that was my wakeup call to go and get a better headset that had all the features that I wanted.
I research and research every product before I buy. I was really looking for 3 things when researching for a new headset.
1) Ease and comfort of the ear bud. THIS HAD IT
2) Good sound quality. THIS HAD IT
3) In line answer/end button which you can hold down to activate voice commands. DOES NOT HAVE IT

I was very happy with the comfort of the unit, and the sound quality I think is excellent.
BUT - I purchased this product because in the product descrition it says it has Inline pod features call answer/end and voice dialing (if supported by phone or service), volume control and mute.

This item does not have that feature, and that is the main reason I ordered this item. There is no call answer/end button on this item, and on the instructions, it says model #MX510 has this feature. After investigating, the model #MX510 is only for Nokia phones, so I cant use it anyway. In the end, I decided to keep it anyway becasue the sound quality is great. I wanted a totally hands free device, but I will have to open my phone to operate it though.