I'm a simple man with simple tastes. Nothing matches the simplicity of my Palm Centro like Jabra's BT2070 Bluetooth headset. Of all headset manufacturers, Jabra's the one whose product line impresses me most consistently with sturdy build quality, clear sound and understated-yet-modern industrial design. I've given their headsets enough glowing reviews to make readers think that I own stock in the company. Let's see if the BT2070 continues to make their stock worthy of holding.
What's in the box
This is truly a no-frills product, which is somewhat disappointing given the $59.95 price tag. The price has changed to $44.95 since I first wrote the review. Included are:
- The BT2070 headset
- A pair of earhooks: one small, one medium/large
- A mini-USB wall charger
- A quick start manual
Given the glut of mid-priced BT headsets competing for our ears, the lack of a car or USB charger is getting harder to forgive.
Design and Ergonomics
The design and construction of this headset is first rate. Jabra deserves props for giving it a matte black finish rather than their typical glossy treatment. The BT2070 has a contoured rectangle design whose outer surface is convext rather than flat, while the talk/end button is concave. Around this button is an illuminated yellow indicator light that flashes on incoming calls. This ring is also illuminated when the device is charging. The talk time is rate at 5.5 hours, and the standby time is rated at 200 hours. While the headset isn't bulky in the least, the talk time seems rather low compared to smaller products.
The volume buttons are non-protruding; they're simple plus and minus icons embossed on the body at the edge of the indicator light. This button design is very stylish, but it does mean that you have to press inward horizontally, pushing the device further against your ear. Fortunately, it's easy enough to brace the edges with your thumb and ring finger while you adjust the volume, minimizing the inward pressure.
Far and away my favorite "feature" of this headset is the ear cushion, which is absolutely the perfect size (at least for my ear). I'm sensitive to low traction ear cushions, and tend to feel as though most headsets are going to fall out of my ear. This is one of the few that I could wear in confidence without the reinforcement of the earhook. The BT2070 is one of the most comfortable headsets I've worn, and I've been through lots of them.
Sound Quality
There must be an inverse relationship between the comfort factor of the headsets I like and their sound quality. The BT2070 had more hiss than I could tolerate, which was surprising for a Jabra headset. Two callers on the other end told me I was breaking up, and a voice mail test confirmed the poor outgoing sound quality. The same held true for the incoming sound, even when tested with my usual control source, Google Vocal Local Search.
Conclusion
I really wanted to like this headset. The design is stylish without being flashy, the construction is quite robust, and the fit of the headset in the ear was perfect. But the sound quality negated too much of what it got right. For a better-sounding entry-level headset, try Jabra's excellent BT3010. At $29.95, it provides a lot more bang for the buck.
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| Pros |
Attractively simple design
Zero learning curve
Perfectly sized ear cushion provides snug fit
Solid construction
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| Cons |
Low talk time for its size
Volume buttons must be pressed horizontally, toward head
Poor sound quality |
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