CNET Editor's rating: 8.0 out of 10
Reviewed by
Nicole Lee
Review date: 08/02/07
The good: The LG Bluetooth Stereo Headset HBS-200 is really comfortable to wear, with easy-to-use controls and decent sound quality.
The bad: The LG Bluetooth Stereo Headset HBS-200 has skinny Play/Pause and volume buttons, and call quality diminished a little in windier environments. It's also a little on the expensive side.
The bottom line: Despite a few minor quibbles, the LG Bluetooth Stereo Headset HBS-200 is a pretty good behind-the-neck headset for use with stereo Bluetooth-enabled phones and music players.
LG has plenty of music phones in its stable; the LG Muziq and the LG VX8550 Chocolate being two of the most recent ones. Most of them now come equipped with stereo Bluetooth, a profile that lets you stream music wirelessly from one device to another. So it makes sense then that LG has started to come out with stereo Bluetooth accessories of its own. The LG Bluetooth Stereo Headset HBS-200 is one such device, and it is a simple behind-the-neck headset that is surprisingly compact, comfortable, with great sound quality to boot. The HBS-200 is a little pricey at $129.99 each. You can also get it as part of a Music Essentials Kit from Verizon for $199.99 per kit, but at least you'll get a 4GB microSD card and a software CD out of it.
The HBS-200 has a similar design to other behind-the-neck headsets such as the Cardo S-2. It can fold down to a more compact size, thanks to hinges above each earpiece. A sturdy yet flexible rubber band connects the two earpieces, and it can also stretch out to accommodate most head sizes quite comfortably. The earpieces measure about 2 inches wide, which fit nicely on our ears, especially with the help of the foam cover cushions. A rubberized grip above each earpiece provides a more secure fit.
All controls on the HBS-200 sit on the right earpiece. The multifunction and Play/Pause buttons sit in the middle of the circle while the surrounding circular border can be slid to and fro as track shuttle controls. Two volume buttons are on top of the earpiece, while the hold switch and charger jack are on the bottom. A blue-and-red LED is hidden underneath the Play/Pause button and lights up depending on what mode the headset is in. Though the multifunction button is a little small, it has a slight bump so we could press it easily. We did find the Play/Pause and volume buttons a little too skinny for our tastes, but they were raised enough above the surface so they were easy to press as well. The track shuttle slider was easy to slide back and forth, but we wished there was a grip of some kind for better control.
We paired the LG Bluetooth Stereo HBS-200 with the LG VX8550 Chocolate successfully. The pairing process was a breeze; within seconds we were able to listen to music and answer phone calls. Call quality was quite good, with little to no background noise on our end. Callers, however, did report some static and a slight hissing sound, especially in windier environments. Of course, the real test came when we tried out the HBS-200 with some music. The sound quality of the music was great--the songs sounded fantastic, with rich full sound and decent bass.
Other features of the HBS-200 include voice dialing, last number redial, call transfers from the phone to the headset and vice versa, call mute, and a low battery indicator. The HBS-200 has a rated talk time of 8 hours and a rated standby time of 10.4 days.
8 out of 10 - Excellent SAVE YOUR RECEIPT!
Headphones were paired (simultaneously) with Sony TMR-BT8iP (iPod Bluetooth Adapter)and HTC Kaiser (AT&T Tilt).
I was able ...
Headphones were paired (simultaneously) with Sony TMR-BT8iP (iPod Bluetooth Adapter)and HTC Kaiser (AT&T Tilt).
I was able to listen to music via iPod and swap to a call with no effort. Connection lag is almost nonexistent.
Music quality seemed excellent on high-bitrate (e.g., high-quality) MP3 and AAC files.
Callers reported my voice to clear and easily heard with the exception of noisy background (seriously, do we really expect to be heard over loud background noises?)
The headphones *do* take 3 hours to fully charge. Every time.
However, I could use them for more than an entire work day (10 hours) without re-charging. (I estimate a bit more than 2/3 empty)
HOWEVER: The plastic construction from the hinge to the earpieces is the flimsiest piece of plastic I've seen in recent years. I'm not joking, this plastic is seriously brittle. It **BEGS** to be broken.
I have been taking great care with these headphones, wearing them only while at work (programmer: I don't exactly have an "active" job) and yet, have managed to break 3 pairs of these in **EXACTLY** the same place within 30 days.
My first pair was purchased on 10/27, broken less than 1 week later.
I was able to exchange.
The second pair was exchanged on 11/8.
I will be returning the third pair tonight. The beauty of these headphones is COMPLETELY overshadowed by their inability to stay in one piece.
Just for a side note: the location where it breaks is also quite sharp and tends to stab into my head right above my right ear.
Available at Verizon Wireless for $79.99!
(no, you don't have to be a customer, but why would you wait around otherwise?!)
Read more
by nolsen311 (see profile) -
November 19, 2007
28 out of 28 users found this user opinion helpful.
3 out of 10 - Poor Worksfor Music, NOT for Voice Dialing
I am on my second headset and will return it and exchange it for something else! I was hoping the ...
I am on my second headset and will return it and exchange it for something else! I was hoping the problems I had with my first one were a fluke, but they weren't. Call me crazy but I believe something should do what it says it does. The LG HBS 200 for me has had sporadic performance at best. Sometimes when I turn it on, it works well with music and voice dialing. Other times, It it won't do voice dialing at all! Also, sometimes when I turn it on, it pairs with my phone eaisly. Other times, I have to turn it off and turn it on again for it to work (and hold the headset and my phone close together!)
The reason I got this headset was not only did it offer wireless music listening, but also allow me to use the voice navigation features of my LG VX 8300.
Also, the multi-function button is awkard, as sometimes, instead of activating voice dialing, I'd re-dial. And Also the switch to change tracks I felt was flimsy . I'm disappointed and annoyed that 2 headsets have done this to me.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Best Bluetooth Stereo Headset Available
I have tried several bluetooth stereo headsets (Motorola, Plantronics Voyager) and the LG is the best available to date.
First, ...
I have tried several bluetooth stereo headsets (Motorola, Plantronics Voyager) and the LG is the best available to date.
First, I don't like to have my ears clogged up with headphones that plug in your ear. The "echo" inside the head is too bothersome, you can loudly hear yourself chew gum, cough, and breather. I call it the "Darth Vador" effect. Both the Motorla and the Plantronics clog up your ear, so I was impressed with a headset that goes over the ear. However, they are clearly more visible than the smaller Motorola and Plantronics.
The sound quality of these headphones is 1000% better than the Plantronics and Motorola. Both of the other units sounded extremely tinny. This was the first Blutooth headset with some bass and better quality sound.
The voice (handsfree) is pretty clear, however, the Plantronics did sound better. I'm mostly concerned with music, so that isn't a big concern for me.
Quality isn't as bad as everyone is stating here. I purchased these in Feb 08, so maybe they changed the earpiece? It's rubber and I can't see how anyone can break it. The FWD/RWD button is a bit flimsy.
Overall, I'm very satisfied with these headsets, specially since I've tried other ones and was very disapointed.
Read more
by itham2002 (see profile) -
February 13, 2008
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
6 out of 10 - Good Great unit but it has problems
Poor design on the plastic going from the headband transitioning to the ear piece. Called customer service, thay are aware ...
Poor design on the plastic going from the headband transitioning to the ear piece. Called customer service, thay are aware of the problem but have not come up with a replacement as yet. Really great unit otherwise.
Read more
by bigbare5 (see profile) -
October 28, 2007
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
4 out of 10 - Mediocre Poor Call Quality...Great Music Quality
I had high hopes for this product because I had such great luck with my last LG stero headset. Unfortunatly, ...
I had high hopes for this product because I had such great luck with my last LG stero headset. Unfortunatly, I had the set for an hour and 4 calls and had too many complaints from callers...I took the thing back.
I will not deny that the MUSIC sounded amazing in the unit...but, It is for my phone and call quality is priority 1. I wish I could recomend this (because I love LG) but this unit falls short.
Updated After all is said and done...I got this unit because it is the best option on the market. Unfortunately, I have had to replace this twice already because it continues to break on the arm near the speaker (LG is worthless on the warrantee). It seems that normal use will cause this to break from torque. Once again, I get to renew my disappointment and direct consumers to another option in STERO BLUETOOTH needs.
2 out of 10 - Terrible broke in two days
i was happy to get rid of wires and used this set to listen to music and talk on the ...
i was happy to get rid of wires and used this set to listen to music and talk on the phone for work for a day and was happy. on the second day i pulled a bit too hard putting them on and the plastic broken on the headband. the top is flexible but the part below the hinge is cheap and fragile rigid plastic. make sure what you buy is completely flexible or has better constructed headband.
Read more
by matjan99 (see profile) -
October 1, 2007
6 out of 10 - Good Not bad, kind of pricey
Maybe it is just something wrong with this headset but the first day I had them there was nothing but ...
Maybe it is just something wrong with this headset but the first day I had them there was nothing but static in the left ear of the headset, today is fine. The volume doesnt go loud enough for me, but maybe I am just use to the regular headphones that go really loud. This is my first pair of bluetooth headphones so maybe I am expecting to much from the. I do however like not having any wires around and accidentally snagging them and throwing my phone half way across the room.
Read more
by dbridle (see profile) -
August 30, 2007
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
2 out of 10 - Terrible Started off Okay, but failed Miserably
I was in a search to add a stereo headset for my LG Chocolate. I tried a corded option first ...
I was in a search to add a stereo headset for my LG Chocolate. I tried a corded option first that didn't allow me to charge my phone and listen at the same time, then I tried the Motorola Soundpilot, but no one could hear me on calls and was still fighting with cords. I then tried this one. It was great in that the people on the other end of the call could hear me. However, it was very bulky and ugly when wearing it. I purchased the Motorola S9, and kept this one as a fall-back in case the S9 didn't work out. The S9 was awesome, so I went to return this one and found that it was cracked. I had only used it for 4 days and it was already falling apart. I noticed that the forward and rewind function was also very cheaply made.
I would not recommend this for anyone that would be seen wearing it in public and wanted to use it more than a few times.
Read more
by jamorford (see profile) -
September 24, 2007
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular exactly what I wanted
I actually bought my set on ebay for $20. It works paired up with my LG enV and my computer. ...
I actually bought my set on ebay for $20. It works paired up with my LG enV and my computer. I can use the toggle to skip forward and backward on both the enV and windows media player. being wirelessly connected to the computer is great! I am in the military stationed overseas and use yahoo messenger to make phone calls. I can link up the headset to YM, but people tell me that my voice is very faint, so I'll use the wired headset for computer calls. I have not used it to make calls on the mobile phone yet. next month maybe. Overall I love it. It is great for commuting because the phone can be put back into the pocket, but I get lots of weird looks if I walk around wearing the headset, probably because of the size.
Read more
by wilrycar (see profile) -
June 25, 2008
3 out of 10 - Poor Poorly designed piece of junk
As other have noted, the cheap plastic that holds the headphones on the ear broke. The Salesperson said he has ...
As other have noted, the cheap plastic that holds the headphones on the ear broke. The Salesperson said he has replaced his 3 times. Don't waste ur time.
Read more
by iankemp (see profile) -
June 19, 2008
Hide
More stores below
Show
Print friendly version
Email to a friend
del.icio.us
NEW Dell Studio Laptop Deal!
