Jabra BT530 Bluetooth Headset

Bluetooth Headsets are growing in popularity as well as variety. While there have been a few duds amongst the choices out there, fortunately they are far outnumbered by the quality devices. Jabra’s latest offering, the BT530 Bluetooth Headset ($89.95) that incorporates the companies latest audio technology and hopes to join the ranks of quality Bluetooth headset to choose from. It’s a stylish headset but will it rise to the top or sink towards the bottom of the growing sea of Bluetooth Headsets.

Out of the Box

Measuring 1.89 inches long and .79 inches wide, the BT530 weighs in at .35 ounces and out of the box, feels like a quality headset. Jabra packages the headset with a wall charger, an assortment of various sized ear gels and hooks as well as a Quick Start Guide. A eighty page, multi-lingual owner’s manual is available through Jabra’s website. The Quick Start Guide is enough to get you started but some may need to read the full manual to navigate through the headset’s features.

The design of the BT530 includes a dedicated on/off switch, a multi-function button, and two volume keys. I like the dedicated power switch. There is no question whether or not the device is on and it also lightens the load of the multi-function button (which is often used to power on/off the device). Like most devices, the BT530 has an LED light that flashes intermittent to indicate on/off status and to confirm feature activation. However, I would rather glance at a power switch to know whether the device is on or off than stare at the device for a few seconds to see if the LED flashes or not.

The BT530 has a micro-USB port that is used for charging with the wall charger, car charger, or computer via the USB port. The port is tight and it was a little challenging connecting the headset to the wall charger. Not enough to be a concern but due to the small size of the connectors, there is an apprehension of breaking the micro-USB connector by forcing it into place.

The BT530 is packaged with an assortment of ear gels and hooks to allow for a more custom fit. The BT530 can be worn with or without the ear hook but is more secure when the ear hook is used. Either style rides comfortably but choosing the right size ear gel and hook is important.

Pairing was simple and only took a matter of seconds. When you turn on the BT530 for the first time, it automatically sends the headset into pairing mode. From there you have your mobile device locate the headset and you enter the top secret security code (0000). I had no problem pairing the Jabra with my Motorola Q9h.

Performance

While the BT530 rides comfortably, if you can’t hear what the caller is saying or if the caller can’t hear you, all you have is a comfortable ear plug. Jabra uses their Noise Blackout technology (trademarked) to reduce background noise to a minimum. According to Jabra, the BT530 uses two, noise canceling microphones coupled with advanced DSP technology to enhance the voice and obliterate peripheral noise. The headset also has acoustic shock protection to prevent sudden increases in volume from shattering an ear drum.

I have no clue the secrets behind Noise Blackout or DSP Technology but the call quality on the BT530 is amongst the best I’ve experienced. I had no problem hearing calls and the microphones picked up my voice easily when using a normal tone and volume. Background noise was filtered out very well. Everything from a car stereo to traffic noise was filtered out where it was only faintly heard in the background.

The connection between the phone and headset was static free. With respect to using the BT530 as a stereo headset, music came through loud and clear with good audio quality.

Capable of pairing with two devices, the BT530 is loaded with the standard features (some are device dependant) most Bluetooth Headsets have including answering/ending calls, rejecting calls, voice dialing, last number redial, call waiting, call hold, and microphone mute. Additionally, the BT530 can double as a stereo headset allowing you to enjoy your music files while you wait for that all-important call.

Navigation through the various features of the BT530 was easy with activation being controlled by a series of touches, taps, and holds of the multi-function button or volume keys. I like that the redial feature requires a double tap of the multi-function key. It helps distinguish this feature from voice dialing.

Battery life for the BT530 is reported to be approximately 250 hours of standby time and 5.5 hours of talk time. With the ability to charge the headset through the USB port on a computer and with the optional car charger, battery life should not be an issue. You can check the battery level by tapping one of the volume keys and depending on the LED flash color will indicate how much talk time is left on the battery (green: 1-5.5 hours, yellow: 10 minutes to an hour; and red: 10 minutes or less).

Overall Impression

I’ve tested my fair share of Bluetooth headsets and found the Jabra BT530 Bluetooth Headset ($89.95) to be among the top performers. It may not have a lot of bells and whistles but the stylishly designed headset is solid where it counts; performance.

The headset has surprisingly good call quality, a dedicated power switch, comfortable ride, and a strong feature set. I can see this headset appeal to everyone from the power user to those who simply want a hands-free solution for the car.

The only downside I could identify with the BT530 was the micro-USB port. The USB port was noticeably tight and I’m a little concerned that if you tried to force the fit, the connector would break. I’m sure this is more perception than fact but it did stand out when using the headset. Regardless, it didn’t affect the performance at all.