Review: Plantronics Voyager 520 Bluetooth Headset

Plantronics Voyager 520

Plantronics Voyager 520

Plantronics Voyager 520

Plantronics Voyager 520
Weight	16g (0.56 oz)
Body Size	66mm x 19mm x 12mm (2.6" x 0.7" x 0.5")
Talk Time(1)	Up to 8 hours
Ear Loop	Over Ear
Left/Right Ear?	Both
LEDs	1, Red and Blue
Pairings	Multiple
Headset Sound	Excellent
Mic Sound	Excellent. Noise reduction and wind shield performed well.
Included Accessories	Desktop cradle with AC charger

On todays review docket is a sleek new over-the-ear Bluetooth headset from Plantronics, the Voyager 520. Plantronics is renowned for its audio and build quality in the headset arena and almost always makes a very usable and comfortable headset for users. The 520 comes on the heels of its predecessor, the Voyager 510. Bearing a new and more compact design, will this new model make the cut?

The Voyager 520 is designed with the mobile business user in mind. With its great noise canceling microphone and wind noise reducer, users shouldn't ever be afraid to take a call while on the go. The 520's slim body is decked out in a glossy black paint scheme, and its draped in chrome accents. This Bluetooth headset weighs in at 16g (0.56oz), which is about average for an over-the-ear headset these days. The ear loop is made of soft and pliable silicone for comfort, and its arm can be easily swiveled for different ear positions. The ear bud has a rubber surface that also is soft and comfortable - even with extended periods of use.

The Voyager's slender exterior is very modern and sharp looking. The headset measures up at 66mm x 19mm x 12mm (2.6" x 0.7" x 0.5"). Plantronics located the device's noise canceling microphone at the lower end of the boom, and placed the device's call control button at the opposite end. The call control button also acts as the headset's volume and pairing control. Near the base of the 520 sits the half moon shaped LED that will glow blue or red depending upon usage. On the backside of the 520 is where the main microphone is located, as well as the headset's charging port.

Our Voyager 520 review unit came with a desktop charging cradle that worked well enough. While charging, the headset's LED will glow red. Once the battery is fully charged, the LED indicator will turn off. Plantronics claims that the Voyager 520's lithium polymer battery can provide up to 8 hours of chat time or 7.5 days of standby on a single charge.

The 520's headset functions are all controlled by the main call control button and are quite easy to use. The call button sticks out enough to be easily found with a fingertip. With a combination of presses, users are able to power the headset on and off, answer and make calls, transfer and reject calls, and adjust the volume. Pressing the control button does not cause any discomfort in or on the ear since the design of the headset does a great job of distributing the any ear pressure. With a press and hold of the control button, the 520 will power up and glow blue. Likewise, another long press will power the headset off. This multifunction button is also responsible for redial and voice activated dialing functions. Controlling the volume was easy enough by pushing the control button to the right or to the left for increasing and decreasing the volume on the headset. The headset also gives great feedback when doing these actions by providing a low sounding tone to indicate a volume change.