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At 350 dollars, most people with any common sense probably wouldn’t even consider purchasing the Bang & Olufsen Earset 2. I had a chance to play with one for a few days and here’s a breakdown of what I think.

Performance

The incoming audio performance is excellent. It’s not leaps and bounds better than your average headset but there is a noticeable difference. Gone is some of the digital harshness. Overall, the audio has a warmer analog quality. On a few calls, I did hear some intermittent static, but nothing serious enough to detract too much from the phone call.

Outgoing audio performance was also excellent. This is first time a caller on the other couldn’t tell I was using a bluetooth headset. They thought I was talking directly into my iPhone. The noise reduction technology also worked well. Callers weren’t complaining when I was outside with cars and buses driving by.

Design

This is one of the nicest looking bluetooth headsets. Some people have commented that it looks like I’m waearing a futuristic hearing aid but I like the overall design. I like how the metal mic arm smoothly swings out and overall design of the black exterior and metal trim.

Bang & Olufsen makes a specific Earset 2 for the left and right ear. You can’t simply snap off the ear clip and attach it to the other side of the unit. So choose wisely before parting with your money.

One complaint I have is the design of the earbud. It’s made out of a hard, sharply edged plastic that’s rather uncomfortable. Included in the package is a foam cover you slip over the earbud. That’s a really crappy solution. This foam cover resembles something you can pick up at your local Radio Shack for 25 cents. Given the price you’re already paying, I can’t believe they decided to go down this path. There are cheaper headsets that use soft, interchangeable rubber earbuds.

Conclusion

From an audio standpoint, the Bang & Olufsen Earset 2 is currently the best bluetooth headset. Is it good enough to warrant the 350 dollar premium? No. The audio is the best I’ve heard. However, it’s not the best by a wide margin.

Comfort is another issue. With the crappy earbud design, my ear would start to hurt after about 20 minutes of usage.

If you’re someone who demands the best and is willing to pay the price, then the Earset 2 is for you. Just make sure the earbud is compatible with your ear. For those looking for a better overall value, look elsewhere. I’ll be reviewing a couple of other bluetooth headsets in the near future.

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