Official PS3 Bluetooth Headset 2.0 Review

The official Bluetooth® Headset for the PS3 system has been re-designed to be 30% smaller in size compared to the original model. It is sleek, compact, and functional for both gaming and mobile phone use.

The Bluetooth®Headset is a must have for intense online multiplayer games. This device offers many features which enhance the gaming experience such as: an in-game headset status indicator, an easily accessible microphone mute button, and a charging cradle which also functions as a desktop microphone. It is also the only headset to offer High-Quality (HQ) mode* which delivers crystal clear voice quality.

In addition to being a great headset for gaming, it is also a perfect headset for mobile phones. A dual microphone design and noise cancellation technology have been built directly into the headset which helps filter ambient noise when talking, leading to pristine sound for both the speaker and listener. Options such as 3-way calling and call waiting can be easily engaged using this headset.

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Packaging: The headset comes packaged in your standard clear plastic display, the kind that you need to cut with scissors to get into. The headset is showcased while the rest of the items (charging base, cable, instructions) are discreetly hidden in the back behind the cardboard covering. There’s really not a whole lot to say other than I hate packaging like this. It’s always such a pain in the butt to get into. I wish companies would come up with something easier to open.

Installation/Setup: There really is nothing to install and the setup is easy as pie. The first thing I did was snap the ear clip to the main headset. This took all of 2 seconds to do. The next thing I did was put the headset into the charging cradle and connected the supplied USB cable to the cradle. I then plugged it into the PS3 and let the headset and PS3 pair up, which only took a few seconds as well to complete. I left it plugged in for about an hour to make sure it was fully charged and that was about it really. Pretty simple and painless which is a plus, especially for me. I suck at tech stuff, as I imagine a lot of others do as well.

Usability: To turn it on, simply press the power button. There are also buttons enabling  you to mute the mic, adjust the speaker volume, and connect to a paired cell phone. The mute button is conveniently located for easy access when you need to shut your mic off in a hurry (sneezes, coughs, burps, and other vulgar noises apply here). The volume button is a “+ or -” setup. Push one side of the button to turn it up and the other side to turn it down. The phone button is located near the volume button (which are both on the top-side if you have the headset in your right ear) and is used when answering a paired up cell phone. As far as the actual uses of the headset, you can use it for online chatting with your PS3 as well as any other Bluetooth enabled device. One really cool feature that I need to mention about this headset was the ability to keep on talking while the headset was being recharged. Just plug the headset into the cradle (same as how I mentioned in the setup) and you are set. The mic will still continue to pick up your voice and you can hear your friends/team mates through the TV. Very slick, Sony.

Quality: From my usage of the headset so far, I believe that it is a very high quality headset. This is both in physical construction and the sound. The actual headset is pretty solid and seems like it should last for as long as the battery life will. The quality of the speaker was awesome. People’s voices were crystal clear and this is due to the High Quality mode. This mode enables “better radio-frequency interference rejection”. In layman’s terms, it sounds great! The mic is very responsive as well. It was picking up everything I said without any hitches or hiccups. The only issue I have with the quality of this headset is with the ear clip. For some very odd reason, the ear clip seems really cheap and flimsy. It just doesn’t seem to be the same caliber of the rest of the headset. It’s a minor complaint, but still should be addressed in the future.

Brian’s Final Say: This headset is sleek and smooth. Coupled with the glossy black finish, it gives it the appearance of a new Ferrari or Porsche. It fits snug as a bug into your ear as well. I experienced no discomfort whatsoever during any of my playing sessions. Once it was latched onto my ear and I was in the heat of the battle, I barely noticed I was even wearing it. The voices came through crystal clear and nobody had any trouble hearing me either. Sony’s official headset is a no-brainer purchase for anybody that wants to play online with their PS3. I highly recommend this headset!

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