Plantronics .Audio 920 Bluetooth Headset Review

Like theJabra GN9350, the Plantronics .Audio 920 is best for mobile multitaskers:A Bluetooth headset, it lets users simultaneously sync with a PC and Bluetooth phone. Although it provides the best combination of style and versatility, this headset delivers the weakest sound quality.

The .Audio 920 has a sleek, narrow shape with a toggle on the front that doubles as an Answer/End button and volume control. It's black with silver details and a gray hologram graphic running down the front. At just 0.6 ounces and 2.6 inches long, it won't weigh down your ear, and the soft rubber in-ear piece and swiveling silicon ear loop are comfortable as well.

To use the .Audio 920 with clients such as Skype, you must install the included PerSonoCall software, which is compatible with both Macs and PCs. Once you do, Skype will automatically adjust its audio settings when you plug in the USB transceiver and turn on the headset.

Despite the noise-canceling mic, all of our callers described the sound quality as tinny and complained about the distortion. From our perspective, our callers sounded clear.

The .Audio 920 claims a wireless range of 33 feet. Although we could hear our caller at that distance, the sound quality started to break up as soon as we started to walk away from our desk. At about 17 feet the connection became unacceptably garbled. The headset also has a wind screen for use with a Bluetooth cell phone outdoors. Although we sounded loud and our caller understood everything we said, we were told our voice sounded slightly scratchy nonetheless.

The tinny sound quality is an important reason to think twice about buying the Plantronics .Audio 920. But with its small over-the-ear design, it'sa versatile model: You can use it at your computer or pair it with a mobile phone.