Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth Headset Review: Functions, Sound Quality, Range...

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Functions

The Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth headset’s package reads, “Ingeniously Simple,” and it’s true. The headset’s three-button interface is easy to use, but in this iteration of the Discovery, the buttons don’t do everything they should. One call-control button will connect the device with the mobile phone its paired with, answer calls, end calls, redial calls and switch an active call from the headset to the mobile phone or vise versa. However, this reviewer could not find a way to actually make a call or connect to voice-activated dialing by exclusively using the headset. That means users have to dig into their pockets or purses and grab their phone to make a phone call. Granted, the device automatically connects when a user makes a call, but Plantronics should make it easy to engage voice-activating dialing from the headset.

Besides its obvious function, the volume-up button will mute a call when pressed for a second. A volume-down button is also available. Top volume on the Discovery 975 Bluetooth headset still sounds good, but not quite as good as the volume one level below that.

Plantronic Discovery 975 Side View
If the device is in its charging case when a call is received, a user should be able to answer the call by removing the device from the case. However, this did not occur during all of this reviewer’s tests. It did, if I got to the device quickly enough, but most of the time, the headset automatically answered phone calls even if I did not do anything. This is OK if I had the device on me and intended to answer a call, but it was not OK if I had set the device and phone aside and did not want to be bothered. I lost several voice mail messages due to this malfunction. However, by simply keeping the headset in my ear while driving or turning the Discovery 975 off when I had no plans to use it, the problem was alleviated. While BlueTomorrow.com contends this is an issue that Plantronics must address, the problem is not troublesome enough to recommend against the product. The workaround is easy to implement and it works.The Discovery 975 and the charging case otherwise work well and as explained in previous sections.

Sound Quality

Back of Plantronics Discovery 975 Sound quality is the number one concern any Bluetooth headset user should have with an expensive device of this nature, and the Plantronics Discovery 975 passes this test.

The Discovery 975 uses dual microphones with AudioIQ2 technology to remove background noise, and WindSmart technology; namely, grooved vents, GORE acoustic fabric and electronic filters, to alleviate any wind noise for the user on the other end of the phone. I tested both technologies by driving down the highway with the window down while speaking on the phone. The person on the other end of the phone could barely notice a difference in the conversation when I had the window down and when I had the window up. I also successfully cooked dinner and drilled holes in a kitchen drawer I was fixing without interruption to my conversation. Such technology alone makes this device worth buying. In addition, the headset conveniently adjusts headset volume automatically to each specific conversation, so users should only have to select a custom volume once.

However, the Discovery 975 has something wrong with its echo cancellation software. While it works well for the user and the user’s voice on the other end of the phone, the person the user is speaking with may hear an echo of his or her own voice that this reviewer found to be caused by the device. To test whether the echo was caused by my phone or the Discovery 975 Bluetooth headset, I switched the call over to my phone in the middle of the conversation and the echo disappeared. When I returned the conversation to the headset, the echo returned. However, when I turned the headset off and then turned it back on again, the person on the other end of the phone reported that the echo was gone. Subsequent callers also did not experience an echo. A few days later when the echo had returned, I tried my workaround again and it worked again. Thus, turning the headset off and then back on again does seem to eliminate the echo. Because of the workaround, I feel confident that this device is worth the money and sounds excellent for both the user and the person on the other end of the phone.

Range

The Discovery 975 Bluetooth headset is a fantastic device in general, but its range is not truly as long as the 33-feet advertised. While the device does not disconnect within the 33-foot range, which I suppose gives it the statistic, phone conversations become impossible due to severe static and sound distortion when I walked any farther than 15 feet away from my phone. Plantronics must work on range for future devices.

Conclusion

With only a few minor problems that have solutions, the Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth headset is an excellent device that sounds great for its user and the person on the other end of the phone due to its AudioIQ2 noise cancellation and WindSmart technologies. It is easy to use and intuitive, stylish and comfortable. An innovative charging case that extends talk and standby time three times makes this device a contender as one of the best Bluetooth headsets on the market. I can strongly recommend the Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth headset to anyone seeking a wireless headset to work with his or her Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone.

Pros