The LG HBS-700 Bluetooth Headset is an impressive, yet odd looking, headset option for your Windows Phone. While the design catches your attention, the headset's performance makes a very good first impression that lasts.
The HBS-700 is comfortable to wear, has really nice sound quality, is water resistant, and has multipoint capability. While we had reservations on the LG HBS-700, it turns out to be an exceptional wireless headset for your Windows Phone and any other Bluetooth device you may have.
The HBS-700 is basically a horse collar that has controls on either end of the collar and earbuds that are held magnetically in place at the collar's tips.
On the left end of the headset you'll find the power switch, phone button, micro-USB charging port and volume rocker switch. To the right you will find the play/pause button and forward /reverse rocker switch.
The HBS-700 will enter pairing mode when you first turn the headset on. After that you'll need to press and hold the phone button while turning on the headset to get it to pair to additional devices. The ring around the phone button will flash blue. Which makes things a little challenging in that your finger will cover the lighted ring when you're pressing down. Just tilt your fingertip a little.
For audio playback, the HBS-700 controls volume, playlist forward/backwards, audio fast forward/reverse and pause/play controls. For call control, the HBS-700 controls answer/end calls, last number redial, voice dial (device dependent), call reject and call waiting (again, device dependent). The headset will vibrate on incoming calls as well as sound an audible ringtone.
When you're not listening to tunes or on a call, the earbuds lock into place nicely, magnetically, on the ends of the headset. The overall design of the HBS-700 is nice and convenient.
I was first concerned that the headset itself could feel weighty around the neck and grow uncomfortable quickly. I was pleasantly surprised how comfortable the HBS-700 was. I could easily wear it to listen to music or videos for hours without feeling any discomfort. The earbuds are also rather comfortable as well. However, after about an hour you'll need to give your ears a break.
But what's a well designed, wireless headset if the sound quality sucks wind? No need to fret, the HBS-700's sound quality is rather nice. Volume levels were respectable, stereo quality was very stereophonic and overall everything from calls to Metallica came through the earbuds nicely.
The HBS-700's microphone picked up my voice just as nice using a normal tone and volume. Battery life wasn't too shabby either. LG rates the HBS-700 as having 360 hours of standby time and 10 hours of talk/music playing time. I won't argue with those ratings being able to listen to music, videos and calls for about ten hours before having to charge the LG headset. While battery life was nice, the LG HBS-700 is charged through a micro-USB port. That means your Windows Phone car and wall charger will work on the headset.
Whether using the LG HBS-700 to listen to music from my laptop or as a hands-free headset while driving it performed really well. The headset is water resistant so if I ever decide to wipe the cob webs off the treadmill in the basement, the LG can handle workouts as well.
If you're looking for a wireless headset, the LG HBS-700 is well worth considering. The headset is packaged with an AC Adapter and multi-sized ear bud gels to help get just the right fit. The headset is currently running $59.95 and you can find the LG HBS-700 here at the Windows Phone Central Accessory Store.
