10 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Reasonably good headset, but not outstanding
Date of Review: Jun 27, 2006
The Bottom Line: See the conclusion!
I decided to take the plunge and buy a new headset, after losing my SonyEricsson HBH-65 a few months ago. I was very happy with the HBH-60 and 65, which I believe SE over-engineered in the early-ish days of Bluetooth, and approached the HBH-610 looking for an improvement.
Noise Reduction / DSP
Of course, the one problem with the HBH-60/65 is background noise pick-up, and this is something the HBH-610 tackles with DSP Noise reduction. Effectively, it does this by sampling the noise in periods when you're not talking, and then removing this from the background when you do talk.
How does this work in practice? Well - I've not heard myself much on it, but I can get an idea from people's responses. In situations where there's moderate noise - on a train, for example - people would often complain of not being able to hear me on the HBH-65. On the 610, the DSP seemed to work enough that I didn't receive the same complaint, and could continue talking as normal. Generally, it's meant that I can now use the headset outside, and when mobile, or if moderately windy, rather than only being able to reliably use it in a quiet room, which was the case with the -65. Thus I suspect the 610 is OK in cars as well.
The cost of this, is 'tinnyness'. Basically, in removing the background noise, the DSP also removes certain frequencies of your voice. So, if there is noise, you start to sound metallic and tinny. If there isn't, then DSP isn't required, and you'll sound as normal.
The other cost is ramp-up; since the microphone constantly adjusts it's sensitivity, it means that you might sound very quiet for the first second or two when you talk, until the DSP recognises that you're speaking. I've had complaints of that.
So - let's be honest; with the DSP, you are able to use the headset in fairly noisy environments and sound *intelligable*. Not crystal clear, just intelligable. So for important calls, or really noisy places, you'll be switching back to your phone again.
Comfort
I read that the headset became uncomfortable after long periods. Since it's slightly longer than the -60/65, I was expecting to find the same, but it's been fine. I guess sensitivity of people's ears varies, but I can wear mine for 3-4 hours and actually forget it's there. No problems at all here.
Styling
The -610 is designed to be seen to be sleek. It has a shiny finish, which I actually dislike since I want to be able to carry it in a pocket without worrying about scratches. However, it's also hard-wearing, since it hasn't picked up any in a month of use (although I am careful).
One thing to note, is that the -610 is targeted at frequent users who don't mind having their headset on show; meaning that instead of a belt pouch or pocket case, as with the -60/65, the -610 has a necklace loop instead. I prefer to be able to carry the headset discretely, but with these accessories (and the slight extra length), it's not an easy option. It still fits easily in any pocket, but not as easily as the shorter, matt-finished, pouch-supplied -60/65.
Battery Life
With use of an hour or so a day, it lasted 5 days on a first charge; pretty much as per specs.
Range
A possible reason for the extended battery life, is that the range is decreased from earlier headsets. I had managed to comfortably use an HBH-65 from the other side of my flat (with clear line of sight), but the -610 is only really comfortable up to around 5m, it seems. Carrying my phone in my left trouser pocket, and headset on right ear, leads to crackling; it's best to keep headset and phone on the same side.
Voice dialling
Doesn't exist; actually a reduction from the -65's capabilities. I don't miss this too much, since you normally had to have a perfectly silent room in order for the recognition to actually work, and in practice it meant voice dialling was only genuinely useful around 20% of the time.
Overall
The HBH-610 isn't bad. It isn't wonderful either. The DSP is just about useful, making usability better in everyday life, but actually providing lesser quality in 'ideal' situations (quiet offices).
It's still easy to slip over your ear, take a call, and then either leave there until the next call, or slip in your pocket - but it's much more at home dangling from your neck than in a pocket, whether you like it or not.
Performance is enough to do the job - not outstanding, but good enough.
Overall, I'm happy to keep hold of the HBH-610 for now. I wasn't convinced it was the right headset for me, and now I have it, I feel I was correct in that analysis; hopefully the newer SE headsets will refine this a little. But of course, if you have a SonyEricsson phone, then you can share the charger, which avoids having to carry around yet another cable - and to be honest, that's what sold it to me.
