LG Tone Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Headset
Manufacturer: LG Part number: SGBS0005201
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The LG HBS-700 is one of the most comfortable stereo Bluetooth headsets we've ever tried, plus it offers good audio quality at an affordable price.
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CNET editors' review
LG Tone Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Headset price range: $50.98 - $79.95
- Reviewed by: Nicole Lee
- Reviewed on: 03/03/2011
The good: The LG HBS-700 headset has an unusual but very comfortable behind-the-neck design. It also has good audio quality, especially for music.
The bad: The LG HBS-700 can't support multiconnection and music streaming at the same time, and call quality suffered in noisier environments.
The bottom line: The LG HBS-700 is one of the most comfortable stereo Bluetooth headsets we've ever tried, plus it offers good audio quality at an affordable price.
LG is no stranger to stereo Bluetooth headsets. From the compact HBS-200 to the more gym-friendly HBS-250, LG has usually stuck to the same behind-the-neck philosophy with its headset design. That continues with its more recent offering, the LG HBS-700. However, the HBS-700 features a number of innovative improvements that set it apart from its predecessors--it's much more comfortable, for example--and because of that, it has earned its spot as one of the better-designed headsets we've ever tried. The LG HBS-700 retails for $69.99.
Design
The HBS-700 certainly looks unusual. It consists of two cylindrical pods connected via an 8.5-inch flexible neckband, with a wired earbud coming out of each pod. Each wired earbud is threaded through two plastic loops that you can slide along the neckband to the spot you find most comfortable. The overall effect is kind of messy-looking, with wires flapping about when you first pick the headset up. However, LG cleverly incorporated magnetic pockets at the end of each cylindrical pod. These pockets are made to house the earbuds so that they don't fly around wildly when not in use.
To wear the HBS-700, simply place the neckband around your neck with the two pods hanging around your shoulders like two ends of a scarf. The neckband is made out of an ultralight shape memory alloy so that it conforms to the shape of your neck. Indeed, it felt very comfortable and lightweight when we tried it on. When you want to use the earbuds, just pop them out of the aforementioned pockets and place them in your ear. The earbuds, clad in soft rubber covers, sit snugly inside the ear. LG has included a couple more earbud covers in case you want different size options.
Because of this configuration, we had no difficulty wearing glasses while using the headset. This is unlike most behind-the-neck headsets, and we were grateful.
As you might expect, the two pods are where the controls are housed. The right pod is home to the play/pause button plus the track shuttle keys, while the left pod houses the call button, the volume rocker, the on/off switch, and the Micro-USB charging jack. On the whole, we found the controls easy to use. The buttons are raised above the surface and easy to find by feel.
Features
The LG HBS-700 provides the usual capability to answer, reject, and end calls. It also has last number redial, call waiting support, and auto reconnect. There's also a Bluetooth ringtone answering function that will play your phone's ringtone for incoming calls through the headset. If you're listening to music when a call comes in, the headset will vibrate on one side. The headset also has multipoint support, meaning you can connect to two devices at once. However, when you're in multipoint mode, you won't be able to use the music streaming function.
Obviously, the HBS-700 also supports Bluetooth streaming music as long as it's from an A2DP-compatible device. It has AVRCP, which lets you play/pause, fast forward, and rewind your music using the headset's controls. You can also change the equalizer or EQ mode from Normal to Bass and vice versa.
Performance
We tested the LG HBS-700 with the Apple iPhone 4. Thanks to the headset's easy pairing mode, we didn't need to enter a PIN to pair and connect. The music's audio quality was very good: songs sounded crisp, clean, and clear, and while the Bass mode isn't the best, it did add a little bit of depth to most songs.
We were also pleased with the call quality. Incoming sound was decent--good volume and clear voices on the whole. We did detect quite a bit of hiss and static at times, however. We also thought the voice quality was slightly harsh and digitized.
Callers too reported decent call quality. It wasn't great--there was a heavy background buzz once in a while, and callers said we sounded more machinelike than natural--but in the end, they could still hear us loud and clear for the most part. The headset didn't perform very well in noisier situations, however.
The LG HBS-700 has a rated battery life of 10 hours of talk time and 15 days of standby time.
User reviews
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Exactly what I was looking for!
by Suppression305 on March 31, 2011
Pros: Overall very good audio quality (music not calls). I have had to fiddle with an equalizer but i am very happy with this item. I have owned the S9 and other similar behind the head designed Bluetooth headsets and found all of them painful after a couple ho
Cons: You may have to fiddle with the equalizer to get the sound you'd like. Without this it sounded a bit off to me.
Summary: If you have had issues with the around the head design causing you lots of pain THIS is the item for you. Great form factor at a great price point.
Summary: If you have had issues with the around the head design causing you lots of pain THIS is the item for you. Great form factor at a great price point.
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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One of the best headsets I have EVER owned. Hands down
by Raousha on December 2, 2011
Pros: Phone calls are clear, but you can still hear everything around you while both buds are in your ears. Many compliments on the look. Headset button to play music on your phone as well.
Cons: More difficult to adjust in a business setting, having to locate a place to put them or put them under your jacket collar. The charge port is inside the headset itself, just a minor inconvenience.
Summary: I have had at least 10-12 different headsets, including Jawbone, motorola, you name it. I love these, both for the sound quality, and I don't hear issues from my ...
Summary: I have had at least 10-12 different headsets, including Jawbone, motorola, you name it. I love these, both for the sound quality, and I don't hear issues from my callers about not being able to hear me. I was initially concerned with the appearance (I'm a suit and tie guy), but surprisingly I have received many compliments on the look of the head set. This is personally my favorite headset I have ever purchased. It started me in the habit of listening to music on my phone which I never used to do. I highly recommend this set (This is the first review of a headset I have ever posted).
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great for use at school and home
by markis117 on March 14, 2011
Pros: -Magnets help keep the ear buds in place when not in use
-Easy buttons (very simple to keep track of what each button does)
-Very comfortable, sometimes I forget I even have the headset on.
-Great quality sound.Cons: -Wires sometime get in the way but you will get used to it.
-Feels like its always going to break
-Buttons are small for someone who has big fingerSummary: I use this at school and its great. It keeps me free from any cords that may get caught on something. The sound quality is also perfect and crisp. I ...
Summary: I use this at school and its great. It keeps me free from any cords that may get caught on something. The sound quality is also perfect and crisp. I mostly use this for music but i have also used it as a headset to make calls. It has great notifications when someone has sent you a text or a call. It will pause all music and then ring/vibrate. I would not recommend this to someone who travels a lot because it is hard to hear calls in nosier environments. I would recommend this to anyone that just wants to listen to music.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent product for the price! Great gift!
by Premsrirath on December 2, 2011
Pros: • easy to use
• lightweight and comfortable
• great sound quality
• wireless
• answer calls, listen to text messages and music while on the go
• 10 hours of talk time
• excellentCons: • can bounce while running (but not a huge issue for me)
Can't think of anything else!Summary: I was recently selected to test the new LG TONE wireless bluetooth stereo headset and I love it!
• Ease of use: It uses the same charger as my ...Summary: I was recently selected to test the new LG TONE wireless bluetooth stereo headset and I love it!
• Ease of use: It uses the same charger as my cell phone (HTC EVO) and that is very convenient. One charger for two devices. It has an easy on/off switch, buttons for answering calls, volume buttons and play/pause buttons.
• Comfort: I have had other bluetooth devices but have always given up on them because they're uncomfortable in my ear or lose its connection with my phone. I somehow always revert back to the regular earpiece that doesn't need to be charged, despite the annoyance of wires. But I love how comfortable this device is! I don't even feel it around my neck. The earpiece stays in just fine. In the weeks that I have been testing the device, I haven't yet lost my connection with my phone.
• Battery Life: With 10 hours of talk time, I haven't yet had to worry about making sure the LG Tone is charged. I have gone from commuting to work, using it after work to going on a run to running errands and using it around the house over the span of many days on one charge.
• Sound quality: It sounds great while on a call and while listening to music. The sound quality is clear and blocks out background noises.
All in all, I love this device! I am a runner and I don't normally run with music because the buds usually come out while running or the wires get in the way. But with this device, I can play music from my phone which I'm carrying anyway and listen to music (in one ear only, of course!) The device bounces a little but I didn't even notice it and it didn't bother me. As a text message comes in, the device beeps to alert you. If a phone call comes in, the device vibrates and beeps. I downloaded the LG Bluetooth Reader and I now love the device even more! As text messages come in, the messages are read. So now as I'm running or driving, I can just listen to the message and not have to look at my phone at all.
The LG Tone is great for an active, multi-tasking person. We are always on the go, and this device is one you shouldn't leave home without!1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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It is really comfortable, stylish unit.
by Toniacbc on April 10, 2012
Pros: Vibrating feature when phone rings. Water proof. Long batery life even while playing music. No looding ur bluetooth because it feel out of ur ear. All 1 piece. Teenagers love it.
Cons: It's soooo comfortable, u forget ur wearing it and when it vibrates to incomming calls....it scares u.
Summary: Bought mine at Best Buy for $ 70.00 and 2 year extended warrentee for $12.00!
Summary: Bought mine at Best Buy for $ 70.00 and 2 year extended warrentee for $12.00!
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Best so far!
by CoZmicShReddeR on April 4, 2012
Pros: No bulky parts behind your ear or dangling from your ears.. They go deep inside your ears so you get 90% better noise cancellation and they won't fall out or pop out like the Motorola branded Stereo Bluetooth Ear bud style headsets...
Cons: Nothing yet...
Summary: All the other wireless headsets would pop out from my ears but these have no weight yanking on them or and crap that makes your ears stick out like Dumbo ...
Summary: All the other wireless headsets would pop out from my ears but these have no weight yanking on them or and crap that makes your ears stick out like Dumbo the bulk rests around the bottom of your neck...
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Best bluetooth stero headset out there!
by Ginfro on March 23, 2012
Pros: Lightweight, durable, out of this world battery life, good audio for music, can wear the ear buds all day and still comfortable
Cons: Multi-connection is lacking and disappointing
Summary: 4+ years in the wireless industry and 15+ headsets owned and this one tops them all. You simply cannot beat the price of this headset for all of the benefits ...
Summary: 4+ years in the wireless industry and 15+ headsets owned and this one tops them all. You simply cannot beat the price of this headset for all of the benefits the customer receives.
The battery life has always been a pet peeve of mine, but not with the LG Tone. 6 solid, constant hours of streaming Netflix and 30+ minutes of talk time and the battery was still going. I have only been able to completely drain the battery once in a single day.
The comfort is really the best feature. I used the Motorola S9 and S10 headsets and it felt like my ears were bleeding after 2 hours of use, not to mention that you cannot hear anything even when the volume is turned down. LG made more than one behind the head headsets over the last few years, but the standard "head can" design doesn't lend itself to an active lifestyle. I can wear these earbuds in my ears for half a day and still find it tolerable, and they don't come out of your ears unlike other earbuds.
The only let down for me is the lack of a proper multiconnection feature. You can connect the headset to two different devices as long as one is connected for "Phone" and the other is for "Media". I own two phones and a tablet, and its inconveinent to have to be playing musical bluetooths.
You can't buy a better headset for the money. I think the price could match the Motorola S10 and I would still think its a bargin. I use this headset for phone calls every bit as much as media. Plus you can receive your calls in stero, not just mono.
To restate, best bluetooth stereo headset I've ever owned. -
Was NOT expecting such an incredible product!
by ChemKneazle on March 1, 2012
Pros: Unbelievably light, maneuverability is so pro, magnetic earbuds are genius, comfortable.
Cons: Sound quality is meh, but this one con doesn't hold a candle to the pros!
Summary: Just...wow! I was so blown away by this headset. I bought it thinking it would be just another mundane piece of necessary mobile equipment that I'd use but ...
Summary: Just...wow! I was so blown away by this headset. I bought it thinking it would be just another mundane piece of necessary mobile equipment that I'd use but not really love. I am so blown away, though. I am actually excited about it instead of bored with it like I thought I'd be! I can't wait to put it back on every time I take it off. The design is just so well-thought-out. I can't remember the last time I appreciated a product design as much as I appreciate this one. Man oh man am I ever pleased.
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the worst headphones I have ever used
by autodoors on February 22, 2012
Pros: Comfortable, fast syncing, easy controls
Cons: with a Motorola Droid Razr Maxx - extremely poor audio, volume level too low to use when working out or just about anything. LG tech support did not have a clue. I paid Newegg a 15% restock and I had to pay return shipping for a defective product.
Summary: I tried regular cheapie earbuds and they were much better volume and average audio. I reverted to my Motorola S9 bluetooth headset and audio & volume were spectacular. The S9s ...
Summary: I tried regular cheapie earbuds and they were much better volume and average audio. I reverted to my Motorola S9 bluetooth headset and audio & volume were spectacular. The S9s are just god awful uncomfortable
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Excellent headset. Convenient, lightweight.
by xmdp on February 2, 2012
Pros: Great sound quality
Easy to use
Comfortable
Solves the 'flashing ear' lookCons: I don't like when it vibrates but I've always found that feature on any device to be annoying.
Summary: Easily the best bluetooth headset I've ever owned. I'd recommend this to my grandmother.
I'd give it 5 stars if not for the vibrating issue.Summary: Easily the best bluetooth headset I've ever owned. I'd recommend this to my grandmother.
I'd give it 5 stars if not for the vibrating issue.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: LG
- Part number: SGBS0005201
- Description: The LG HBS-700 is a wireless Bluetooth headset that features unique design that is both lightweight and comfortable. Intuitive talk and music controls allow users to answer calls, skip songs and take control of all their features with a press of a button. A unit integrated battery status check allows users to keep their headsets fully charged and ready for the road. With the LG HBS-700, you can stay better connected to your connected device.
General
- Product Type Headset - Bluetooth 2.1
- Recommended Use Cellular phone
- Additional Features Bluetooth 2.1
Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
- Headphones Form Factor Behind-the-neck
- Connectivity Technology Wireless - Bluetooth 2.1
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
Microphone
- Type Built-in
Wireless Link
- Transmission Range 33 ft
Connections
- Connector Type Bluetooth
Power
- Battery Headset battery - Rechargeable
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse LG products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:LG
- Address:
1000 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
