Bang & Olufsen Earset 3: iPhone/iPod Accessory Review

Posted by Cyprian on October 11th, 2009 at 05:16pm Comments

iPhone/iPod Accessory Review: Bang & Olufsen Earset 3
Reviewed by: Cyprian Peters
-Official website
Price: $199.95

Bang & Olufsen make a variety of loudspeakers, audio and video products, and headsets. I’ve got a hold of one of the latter to review. It is the Earset 3 and it is certainly a unique product. The question is, as for all expensive headsets, is it worth $200?

As soon as I got this headset I saw right away that it was very different. Instead of the plastic that you see around most earphones, the Earset 3 is made almost entirely of metal. This gives it a very sleek and expensive look. There is a hinge at the top of each earpiece that is connected to a metal hook that has rubber around it. This hook goes behind your ear and is what holds each earpiece on.

If there’s one thing about earphones, it is that everybody has different ears. Earphones that are comfortable on one person might make someone else’s ears hurt right away. When I have my headphones in, sometimes it can be for hours, and I need something in my ears that doesn’t irritate them. That being said, the Earset 3 hurts my ears after around half an hour. Not sure what it is but I know the metal is not comfortable on the ear. They are also a decent amount heavier than other earphones.

Now, the Earset 3 is listed under ‘Telephones’ on Bang & Olufsen’s website, so I’m assuming that is the prime use for it. If that is the case then it performs very well. Telephone conversations I had on it were very clear for both myself and the person on the receiving end. I also really like the button design. It’s not a tiny little one that you have to search for. Instead it’s a large circle, very easy to find and push. It also provides you with play/pause, next, and back controls while listening to music.

Unfortunately, where the Earset 3 fails miserable is in the listening to music department. There is absolutely no bass to be found and at higher volumes, they distort. I would expect more out of something that costs $200. There is a carrying case provided as well that has two slots in which to put each earpiece. I found it difficult to fit all the cabling in the remaining case space. It does have a harder exterior though, which will protect the Earset 3.

If your primary use for these is to talk on the phone all day, then the Earset 3 will be good for that. Don’t plan on high quality music listening with it though. You can find better headphones for $200.

Score:
6.5/10

 

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