Comparison Q-Sound Voyager V8 vs Poly Voyager Legend

The design of the earpiece used in a Bluetooth headset.

— Earbuds. A small earpiece located in the auricle outside the auditory canal (as opposed to in-ear). The unequivocal advantages of inserts are simplicity and low cost. The sound insulation of such devices turns out to be rather weak, which can be both a minus and a plus: the earbud is not suitable for a noisy environment, but it almost does not interfere with hearing. But the sound quality of the earbuds is somewhat lower than that of the in-channel counterparts. In addition, such an earpiece is less securely held in the ear and is more difficult to adjust to the individual biological nuances of a person (although interchangeable nozzles of different sizes are available for the earbuds).

— In-ear. An earpiece that, during use, is inserted deep into the ear canal and held there by a soft cap made of silicone or other similar material. These headphones are considered more advanced than earbuds: at lower volume (and less power consumption), they provide more powerful and rich sound. The unequivocal disadvantages of in-ear models include a higher cost. In addition, a high degree of sound insulation can create inconvenience: when using such headsets, ear is almost completely closed. On the other hand, it allows you to hear the sound well even in a rather noisy environment.

— Mini-Jack (3.5 mm). Mini-Jack is one of the most popular wired connectors. However, it is not used in Bluetooth headsets, and it is extremely rare in other specialized accessories and predominantly is an auxiliary feature. So, in speakerphones, mini-Jack is usually responsible for connecting several devices to each other, and in car kits, for outputting sound to the radio or standard car acoustics. Note that in this case, the headphone jack is not considered a 3.5 mm jack, although it is most often performed in this format.

— USB A. The classic USB A computer connector, which is gradually being replaced by the USB-C connector. The meaning and application of this connection depends on the type of device. So, USB in speakerphones is a standard port for wired connection — both to computers and to specialized communication systems. And in Bluetooth headsets, this means that it is equipped with a USB adapter for connecting to a PC without a Bluetooth module.

— USB-C. A port similar in purpose to the one described above, but with a different, more modern, symmetrical shape that does not require specific connection, and correspondingly increased speeds.

— Bluetooth. Nowadays, Bluetooth is actually the standard interface for wirelessly connecting headsets and other audio accessories to gadgets. This technology is not only well suited for audio tra...nsmission, but can also be used for additional functions such as remote control. Features vary by version, the latest being Bluetooth v5. The communication range in this case can reach 10 m, and built-in Bluetooth modules are available in all modern smartphones, most phones, tablets and laptops, they can also be used in PCs and many other types of gadgets.

The maximum distance from the headset to the signal source at which it can be used normally.

Note that this indicator is stated for optimal conditions; the actual communication range is often lower than the claimed one due to obstacles in the signal path and extraneous interference. However, the minimum range for Bluetooth accessories is actually 10 m, which in fact, usually, gives at least 5 – 6 m — and this is quite enough for comfortable use. There are also more "long-range" solutions, with a range of up to 50 m or even more. However, it is worth remembering that Bluetooth is a two-way communication, and the range claimed in the specs must be supported not only by the headset itself, but also by the device with which it is used.

Also note that a long range means not only the ability to communicate over a long distance, but also a good ability to work through obstacles such as thick walls. Therefore, a powerful Bluetooth device may be necessary even at a short distance — if there are obstacles at this distance.

The type of connector used to charge the built-in battery of Bluetooth headsets, more precisely, to connect an external charger. The role of such a device can be played by a network or car adapter, a power bank, or even a USB port on a PC or laptop (if you have the appropriate cable).

— microUSB. A smaller version of the USB connector designed for portable devices. It appeared quite a long time ago, but it does not lose popularity nowadays, despite the active implementation of the USB-C port.

— USB-C. A miniature USB connector, positioned, among other things, as a potential successor to microUSB. Unlike its predecessor, it has a double-sided design, thanks to which the plug can be inserted into the socket in either direction. It is still relatively rare, but the situation is likely to change in the coming years.

Housing protected from dust and moisture. This feature is relevant when the device is often used outdoors and in other difficult conditions — with high humidity (for example, in some types of workshops), dustiness (in construction), etc. Therefore, only Bluetooth headsets are made dust and moisture resistant (see "Device ”) — car kits and speakerphones are not intended to work in an such environment.

Note that the specific degree of protection can be different — from resistance to rain to the ability to endure immersion under water. This point should be clarified according to the official documentation.

Replaceable silicone tips that come in a box with with the Bluetooth headset (see "Device").

Modern headsets are traditionally equipped with in-ear headphones or earbuds (see "Design"); both of them are held in the ear by a soft attachment, usually made of silicone. The size of such a tip may not be suitable for the user — in this case, the ability to change it to another, more convenient one, will be essential. Most often, there are three replaceable tip in the kit — large, regular and small.