Bluetooth Headphones

Even though the device belongs to the cheap bluetooth headsets category of bluetooth headphones, the “cheap” in the Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset refers only to its price, rather than its quality.

In this article, you will learn more about one of the major features of the Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset that make it popular among many consumers around the world: its crisp and clear audio quality.

A combination of two technologies make the audio quality of these cheap bluetooth headsets anything but cheap. The first is called AudioIQ² and the second is called WindSmart. What do these two technologies do to achieve the amazingly clear sound quality for the Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset?

The first technology, called AudioIQ², basically relies on two very small and discreet microphones. Each one is designed to pick up and recognize a specific sound source signal. One of the microphones “listens” to human voice. The other microphones listens to ambient noise (i.e., noise from the environment, such as wind, the rustle of leaves, the music from you car stereo, and so on).

The two microphones capture both sound types, then a microprocessor analyze the sounds to distinguish the human voice from the other sounds. The analysis and processing is done in a microchip designed for this purpose. Once processing is done, the non-voice sounds are eliminated so that only the human voice remains, and then the vocal sound is fed to the earpiece. The result? Crystal quality voice.

The second technology is called WindSmart and is primarily designed to filter out the most common and the most annoying noise experienced by users of bluetooth headphones: wind noise. WindSmart has three layers that screen out wind and other types of noise. The outermost layer is the stainless-steel mic screen. Just right below that is a layer of specially-engineered fabric for filtering wind sounds. The last layer is a microchip that performs electronic sound filtering.

With the powers of AudioIQ² and WindSmart technologies combined, the Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset can practically eliminate up to about 80 percent of ambient sounds and noise, even in locations or circumstances in which such sounds are abundant. For cheap bluetooth headsets such as this one, you probably couldn’t ask for anything more.

If you are looking for a cheap bluetooth headsets that do not skimp on useful features or shortchange you on the sound quality, you will probably want to include the Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset among your possible options.

In spite of being classified among cheap bluetooth headsets (in terms of price, that is), the Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset offers comparable convenience and features to those bluetooth headphones that belong to higher price ranges.

The Voyager PRO is a monoaural type of bluetooth headphone. It is designed to rest on the ear, with much of its bulk sitting behind the ear cup. Much of the bulk is actually the battery pack and most of the electronics and chips that provide the functionalities of the headset.

It does appear bulky. But, don’t be misled by its bulky appearance. Once you try it on, you will find that it actually fits very snugly and comfortably on your ear. It won’t grate at your ear, too, because the Voyager PRO is covered in special gel padding. You can wear it the whole day without tiring your ear, since the headphone is just 17.5 grams—you’d hardly notice that you’re even wearing it.

In addition to these ergonomic features, the Voyager PRO also makes use of an extensible swivel boom mic. This is handy if you want to place the mic nearer to your mouth. The earpiece also is the rotating type, and this can be quite useful if you prefer to transfer the headset to your other ear. For easier control, multifunction buttons are strategically located where they can be conveniently reached.

While the physical design of the bluetooth headphone ensures that you can use it conveniently for long periods, the power design makes sure that the headset will function for long periods, as well. Owing to its 3.5-volt rechargeable Li-ion battery pack, the wireless headphone will operate for up to six (6) full hours of non-stop chit-chat and up to 120 hours (5 days) on idle mode. In direct contrast to the long usage time, the charging time for the battery is actually very short: 1.5 hours only, using either an AC/DC charger or a Micro USB connecting cord.

As far as comfort, convenience, and power requirements are concerned, you can safely say that the Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset is definitely a strong contender among other cheap bluetooth headsets available in the market.

Overview

• Price range: $50 – $58
• Wireless Connectivity
• Wide Range of Coverage
• Crystal Clear Audio
• Comfort and Convenience
• Long Talk Time, Quick Charge Time
• Price and Warranty

A cheap bluetooth headset and excellent quality seem to be a counterintuitive combination. Most bluetooth headphones that are also of exceptional quality are generally never cheap. But, then again, there are exceptions, and they are very few. The Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset is one such exception. Read more about what makes this bluetooth headphone worth more than the price you pay it for.

Wireless Connectivity

Saying that this cheap bluetooth headset uses Bluetooth technology can make one think, “Hey, it must be awesome since it uses Bluetooth!” Not all devices using Bluetooth technology are equal. There are actually different implementations of the technology.

The Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset supports and complies with Version 2.1 + EDR of the Bluetooth Core Specification. The Enhanced Data Rate simply means that data transfer is smoother and faster (about 3 Mbps, as compared to the usual 2.1 Mbps) between the bluetooth headphone and its paired devices. This practically lessens power usage. This version of the core specification makes the bluetooth headphone backwards-compatible with devices using the Bluetooth Core Specification Version 1.2.

Another important highlight of the Bluetooth specification supported by this cheap bluetooth headset is the improved and streamlined, yet still secure, bonding between the bluetooth headphone and its paired device. This is made possible through a feature of the core specification called Secure Simple Pairing (SSP). In addition to this, Version 2.1 + EDR also enables the bluetooth headset to filter devices much better during the process of inquiring for information about the devices that it will connect to.

The Voyager PRO uses the QuickPair feature, which makes the process of device bonding faster and easier. Basically, the function puts the bluetooth headphone into a one-time discoverable mode immediately after you power it on, which kicks the linking or bonding process into action. Once you have paired the device for the first time, you can link to one other bluetooth-enabled device, as the Voyager PRO supports multipoint connections of up to two active devices.

Wide Range of Coverage

With wired headphones, you will be tied to your device like a dog on a leash. But, with the wireless convenience of bluetooth technology, you can discard the wires. In the case of the Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset, you can get a clear and steady connection up to about 10 meters (33 feet) of the paired device. Talk about a cheap bluetooth headset that is not exactly cheap in quality!

The huge signal radius afforded by this cheap bluetooth headset simply gives you the chance to maximize your use of the headphone’s Hands-Free Profile (HFP) and Headset Profile (HSP). Both profiles enable the device to be used with mobile phones. Essentially, the Headset Profile provides the interconnectivity between the bluetooth headphone and the paired mobile device, while the Hands-Free Profile provides additional hands-free and convenient features such as accepting voice calls, terminating voice calls, voice-dictated dialing, call waiting, volume adjustments, and redialing the last number called—all these without touching your cell phone at all.

Crystal-Clear Audio

Price-wise, the Voyager PRO may be a cheap bluetooth headset, but its noise-cancellation abilities are worth more than its cost. Using a combo of its own AudioIQ² and WindSmart technologies, the Voyager PRO can effectively screen out up to 80 percent of environmental noise. What does this mean for you? This means clearer and crisper sound quality for you and for those you talk to.

AudioIQ², in essence, brings together two ultrasensitive and tiny microphones that pick up vocal sound quite easily. The feature makes it possible for your voice to be easily captured by the audio device even in the noisiest of environments. One microphone actually captures just your voice, while the other one captures the ambient sounds. The audio coming from both microphones are fed through a tiny processor, which compares the audio, detects which one is noise and which one is voice, and then discards the noise.

WindSmart technology, on the other hand, consists of three layers of noise-drowning filters. The first layer is the mic screen made of stainless steel, followed by a fabric specially engineered for acoustic screening, and finally a hardwired electronic filter. All three block out the outside noise, especially that coming from wind.

With these two technologies that produce crisp and clear audio for you, you can safely say that this cheap bluetooth headset is definitely not cheap on the technology side.

Comfort and Convenience

On first look, you may think that the Voyager PRO would be bulky to wear. After all, it is a behind-the-ear type of cheap bluetooth headset, with its battery pack positioned right behind the ear. The Voyager PRO’s looks can be very deceptive. It is actually very light—just a measly 17.5 grams. The design has ben carefully crafted for ergonomic use, safety, comfort to the ear, and longevity. So many people will testify to the light weight of this cheap bluetooth headset and even go as far as saying that they hardly notice wearing a headset at all.

Another convenient feature of the Voyager PRO is its swivel-type boom microphone, which means you can extend it closer to your mouth. It also comes with a revolving earpiece, which you can conveniently rotate in case you want to use the device with your other ear. The multifunction control buttons are also easily accessible.

Long Talk Time, Quick Charge Time

Though a cheap bluetooth headset when it comes to price, this product from Plantronics uses a 3.5-volt lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Through either a micro-USB connector or an AC/DC charger (100 to 240 V), you can fully replenish the battery’s power within just an hour and a half. On full power, the device can sustain up to 360 minutes (6 hours) of non-stop talk and can run on standby mode for up to about 5 days (120 hours).

Price and Warranty

Would a price range of $50 to $58 for a Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset burn a hole in your pocket? Surely not, eh? The best price deal you can get for this cheap bluetooth headset is on Amazon, so make sure you check it out and compare with your other online finds. The product comes with a 1-year limited warranty, too.

The Plantronics Voyager PRO is definitely worth more than each cent that you spend on it in terms of its wireless connectivity, wide range of coverage, crystal clear audio, comfort and convenience, and talk and charge times. If you want to find out more customer reviews, great price deals, and more information about the Plantronics Voyager PRO, the best place to visit is Amazon. Click here to visit its product page on Amazon.