In the search for a quality stereo Bluetooth headset, there are tons of options out there. We’ve reviewed a few of them here, such as the Nokia BH-604 and the smaller Jabra BT8040. The Nokia, you’ll recall, is an actual pair of headphones, while the Jabra is actually a single earpiece that happens to stream in stereo to one ear. What about people who want to use a single headset sometimes, but have the better overall music experience of 2 earpieces? Is there a solution?

Absolutely! The Plantronics Voyager 855 is a medium-sized Bluetooth headset with an innovative solution to the desire to go stereo. By day, the Voyager 855 is a regular old single-ear Bluetooth headset. It offers a removable over-the-ear loop in 2 different sizes, as well as an array of eargels that nudge comfortably in your ear. However, when you’re ready to jam, this headset offers a plug-in 2nd earpiece and streams music wirelessly through the magic of A2DP stereo Bluetooth support!

The Plantronics Voyager 855 looks stylish, clad in silver and a shiny piano black color scheme. It is larger than most headsets I would like, and with the slide-out boom microphone, it’s alot longer, as well. In the sales package you get the headset, a wall charger, 2 over-the-ear loops (small and large), 4 different sized pairs of eargels, and the 2nd removable tethered earpiece. There’s also a handy little black drawstring pouch to keep all the earpieces in. The headset charges via a standard microUSB port, which means you can charge it off your computer, if you’ve got a cable handy.

The headset itself is very lightweight and solidly built, weighing in at 15g (.5oz). The top of the Voyager 855 features the multifunction button, and the front 2/3rds is actually a slide-out boom microphone. The side of the headset is where you’ll find the volume rocker and a handy mute key. The microUSB charging port is on the backend, and there is a loop to attach the over-the-ear loops on the underside of the headset.

This slide-out boom microphone not only contributes to the call quality by bringing the microphone closer to your mouth, but also allows you to answer and end phone calls by sliding it out or in, respectively. Very handy, and alot easier than feeling around for the button. However, with the slick piano black finish, it can be slightly difficult to use one or two fingers to slide the boom out. I would suggest taking a bit of sandpaper to it, to provide a better grip. Hopefully future versions would feature a small strip of rubber.

There is a multi-color notification light that outlines the multifunction key, which gives you a visual indicator of the current status of the headset. You can answer calls, reject them, activate voice dial, and mute the call, all from the headset itself, which is pretty handy.

When you’re ready to jam out to your music, just plugin the extra earloop with the tethered 2nd earpiece, and stick it in your other ear. Instantly you have beautiful stereo surround sound, in the same small package. Using the Plantronics Voyager with my N95-3 was a very pleasant listening experience, with great quality, loud audio. In music mode, the buttons change to offer music control options, and the music will automatically pause when you receive a call, very nice.

The only complaints I could come up with on the Plantronics Voyager 855 is that the 2nd earpiece is permanently attached to a large-sized earloop. Since I use the small ones, this gave me trouble keeping the headset on securely. That’s really about the only thing I could come up with against the Voyager 855. Overall it’s a phenomenal headset, specially for the price.

Categories: Accessories
Tags: a2dp, bluetooth, features, plantronics, voyager 855