Comments on: Gennum nXZEN Plus 5500 Bluetooth Headset http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/03/16/gennum_nxzen_plus_5500_bluetooth_headset/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:27:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: SQLDba http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/03/16/gennum_nxzen_plus_5500_bluetooth_headset/comment-page-1/#comment-20666 SQLDba Fri, 17 Mar 2006 23:10:04 +0000 #comment-20666 I just bought this headset 2 days before you posted the review - figures. I would agree that it's not the best headset I have tried and it's going back to CompUSA. I expected a lot more from the noise reduction - I drive an hour commute twice a day and rely on a good headset - and noise reduction was the primary reason I bought it. My own testing on my company voicemail, as well as feedback from my callers suggests that when the NR kicks in - my voice quality changes to an almost unacceptable tinny sound. I had it connected to a Cingular 8125 and also a 2125 and had the same feedback from both - so it isn't the phone. That said, I do think that the Treo 650 is a little more bluetooth finicky than some phones out there. At least Palm's list of "certified" BT headsets is fairly short. My next purchase is the Plantronics Discovery 640. About $129 at CompUSA / Cingular stores - but Amazon has it for under $100. Very small w/ a charger that the unit sits in - complete w/ a pentype pocket clip. A lot of other features I won't describe here. But cNet calls it one of their best. I just bought this headset 2 days before you posted the review – figures.

I would agree that it’s not the best headset I have tried and it’s going back to CompUSA. I expected a lot more from the noise reduction – I drive an hour commute twice a day and rely on a good headset – and noise reduction was the primary reason I bought it. My own testing on my company voicemail, as well as feedback from my callers suggests that when the NR kicks in – my voice quality changes to an almost unacceptable tinny sound.

I had it connected to a Cingular 8125 and also a 2125 and had the same feedback from both – so it isn’t the phone. That said, I do think that the Treo 650 is a little more bluetooth finicky than some phones out there. At least Palm’s list of “certified” BT headsets is fairly short.

My next purchase is the Plantronics Discovery 640. About $129 at CompUSA / Cingular stores – but Amazon has it for under $100. Very small w/ a charger that the unit sits in – complete w/ a pentype pocket clip. A lot of other features I won’t describe here. But cNet calls it one of their best.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/03/16/gennum_nxzen_plus_5500_bluetooth_headset/comment-page-1/#comment-20665 Julie Fri, 17 Mar 2006 16:05:39 +0000 #comment-20665 Matt: I'm glad you posted those comments! It makes me feel better that you had the same experiences with phones other than the Treo. :) Matt:
I’m glad you posted those comments! It makes me feel better that you had the same experiences with phones other than the Treo. :)

]]> By: palmsolo http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/03/16/gennum_nxzen_plus_5500_bluetooth_headset/comment-page-1/#comment-20664 palmsolo Fri, 17 Mar 2006 14:44:39 +0000 #comment-20664 Julie, I was sent this headset several months ago and gave the company lots of feedback that very closely matches exactly what you said (very poor button placement and ergonomics, can't tell if it is paired, etc.). I also thought the wrap around earpiece was very cheap and mine actually broke (the plastic attaching to the headset) after only trying to remove and flip it twice. The earplugs protrude way too far into your ear and without the wrap around earpiece the headset falls out too easily. I tried it with the Treo 650, HTC Wizard, Nokia S60 devices, and WM Smartphones and saw the same performance in all cases so I don't think it is your Treo. This headset needs some serious work and I don't understand the high price. The Cardo Scala 500 is actually my favorite headset and works very well with the Treo, i-mate SP5m, and Nokia Nseries devices. It is the LOUDEST headset I have ever tried and you can also find it online for less than $40. I was also able to use the Scala 500 to listen to podcasts and music with the HTC Wizard and use Voice Command with this headset. Julie,

I was sent this headset several months ago and gave the company lots of feedback that very closely matches exactly what you said (very poor button placement and ergonomics, can’t tell if it is paired, etc.). I also thought the wrap around earpiece was very cheap and mine actually broke (the plastic attaching to the headset) after only trying to remove and flip it twice. The earplugs protrude way too far into your ear and without the wrap around earpiece the headset falls out too easily. I tried it with the Treo 650, HTC Wizard, Nokia S60 devices, and WM Smartphones and saw the same performance in all cases so I don’t think it is your Treo. This headset needs some serious work and I don’t understand the high price.

The Cardo Scala 500 is actually my favorite headset and works very well with the Treo, i-mate SP5m, and Nokia Nseries devices. It is the LOUDEST headset I have ever tried and you can also find it online for less than $40. I was also able to use the Scala 500 to listen to podcasts and music with the HTC Wizard and use Voice Command with this headset.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/03/16/gennum_nxzen_plus_5500_bluetooth_headset/comment-page-1/#comment-20663 Julie Fri, 17 Mar 2006 12:52:29 +0000 #comment-20663 Falcon: I'll have to find a way to do the tests you're requesting with a Mac. I'll look into it for the next headset review. I'm going to see if I can get the Scala500. I think I also need to get another Bluetooth capable phone. After posting last night's review, I found some other reviews that mention how crappy the Treo is as far as Bluetooth. Maybe I'm faulting the nXZEN headset where I should be faulting the Treo instead. Falcon:

I’ll have to find a way to do the tests you’re requesting with a Mac. I’ll look into it for the next headset review. I’m going to see if I can get the Scala500. I think I also need to get another Bluetooth capable phone. After posting last night’s review, I found some other reviews that mention how crappy the Treo is as far as Bluetooth. Maybe I’m faulting the nXZEN headset where I should be faulting the Treo instead.

]]> By: Falcon http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/03/16/gennum_nxzen_plus_5500_bluetooth_headset/comment-page-1/#comment-20662 Falcon Fri, 17 Mar 2006 03:44:36 +0000 #comment-20662 Hey there, Always enjoy your detailed reviews - excellent work and keep up the good stuff! Just wanted to feed back a general comment RE reviews of Bluetooth headsets - one application never considered is the use of such for PC-based voice recognition applications. Whereas Bluetooth V1.1 clearly did not allow any adequate provisions for this, V1.2 has the profiles/potential to expand in this direction and I'm watching this space keenly. Bluetooth headsets are pretty cool for phone applications, but my Nirvana will be a headset I can not only use for telephony but also use to listen to my emails read to me from my tablet PC and to be able to dictate replies too. All the Bluetooth headsets I've trialled to date have been found to be wholly inadequate as significant parts of the audible range are just omitted/compressed such as to make them unfit for purpose. I'd very much appreciate it if in future reviews you could include some consideration/commentary regarding this particular application (PC-based speech recognition) as to me this would be a "killer feature" (esp. when you consider that any PC with either XP Tablet Edition and/or Office 2003 supports speech recognition out of the box and any PC/notebook with Bluetooth could exploit appropriate hardware and deliver wireless dictation... Awaiting the right, innovative product with eager anticipation! Best! F. Hey there,
Always enjoy your detailed reviews – excellent work and keep up the good stuff!
Just wanted to feed back a general comment RE reviews of Bluetooth headsets – one application never considered is the use of such for PC-based voice recognition applications.
Whereas Bluetooth V1.1 clearly did not allow any adequate provisions for this, V1.2 has the profiles/potential to expand in this direction and I’m watching this space keenly.
Bluetooth headsets are pretty cool for phone applications, but my Nirvana will be a headset I can not only use for telephony but also use to listen to my emails read to me from my tablet PC and to be able to dictate replies too.
All the Bluetooth headsets I’ve trialled to date have been found to be wholly inadequate as significant parts of the audible range are just omitted/compressed such as to make them unfit for purpose.
I’d very much appreciate it if in future reviews you could include some consideration/commentary regarding this particular application (PC-based speech recognition) as to me this would be a “killer feature” (esp. when you consider that any PC with either XP Tablet Edition and/or Office 2003 supports speech recognition out of the box and any PC/notebook with Bluetooth could exploit appropriate hardware and deliver wireless dictation…
Awaiting the right, innovative product with eager anticipation!
Best!
F.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/03/16/gennum_nxzen_plus_5500_bluetooth_headset/comment-page-1/#comment-20661 Julie Fri, 17 Mar 2006 02:26:17 +0000 #comment-20661 Post your comments on the Gennum nXZEN Plus 5500 Bluetooth Headset review. <a href="http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/gennum_nxzen_plus_5500_bluetooth_headset">http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/gennum_nxzen_plus_5500_bluetooth_headset</a> Just click the POST REPLY button on this page. Post your comments on the Gennum nXZEN Plus 5500 Bluetooth Headset review.

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