The 975 is a replacement for the white, sparkly 925, which was technologically impressive, but might've gone a little far with the "HOT FASHION" shtick. The 925's main features—including noise cancellation, loopless ear fitting and wind protection—are still present in the 975, though the internal hardware has been moved from the mic stem to the main earpiece, giving the 975 its slimmer profile, and the headset's got a newer dual-mic setup—one for voice pickup, and one for noise canceling.

A Bluetooth headset is a Bluetooth headset, and there aren't a whole lot of ways to improve on the basic concept or performance. The 975, though, trounces the 925 in one of the only ways that really matters: its battery pack/carrying case, which looks the same as before, will now charge the headset twice over, at five hours of talk time per go. If you leave the house with the headset and carrying case juiced, that's a claimed 15 hours of talk time with the standard kit, which'll pretty much get anyone who doesn't run a one-(wo)man adult hotline through even their phoniest workdays.

The Discovery 975 lands today, at a premium-but-not-too-premium pricepoint of $130, with carrying case. [Plantronics]

It's the child of the Voyager 510, and it promises protection against 80dB of noise with AudioIQ2, with three layers of wind protection. Spec-wise, it supports Bluetooth 1.1, 1.2, 2.0 and 2.1 + EDR, and has a talk time of six hours or standby time of five days. And it's $99. I have to admit, Jawbone Prime's lady models are making the extra $30 look worth it.

New Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset with AudioIQ2 Delivers Breakthrough in Sound Quality and Comfort

Advanced Design Combines Superior Noise Cancellation, Wind Reduction and Inbound Audio

SANTA CRUZ, CA – April 23, 2009 – Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) today continued its 47-year legacy of audio expertise and ingenuity with the new Plantronics Voyager® PRO Bluetooth® headset. Plantronics Voyager PRO features AudioIQ2, the next generation of its AudioIQ digital signal processing (DSP) technology, to deliver superior noise and wind cancellation as well as rich, natural inbound audio so you can hear and be heard clearly.

The Plantronics Voyager PRO is the successor to the popular Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth headset, a cult favorite among headset enthusiasts. Like the Voyager 510, the new Plantronics Voyager PRO is designed for mobile professionals who need all-day wearing comfort and excellent audio wherever they are working.

Engineered for Sound Quality
Today's headset users expect great noise cancellation and Plantronics Voyager PRO delivers it with AudioIQ2 and a unique adjustable dual-microphone boom. While other headsets deliver noise cancellation at the expense of overall audio quality, the boom provides the advantage of capturing your voice close to your mouth so the AudioIQ2 technology can more effectively remove ambient noise, while still maintaining the natural sound of your voice.

The headset also effectively minimizes wind noise – a major cause of disruption during calls. Plantronics Voyager PRO features three layers of WindSmart® technology. Dual external stainless steel microphone screens and acoustic fabrics that surround the microphones together provide substantial physical barriers to wind noise. At the same time, the AudioIQ2 DSP algorithms intelligently decipher your voice from the wind to deliver clear sound to your listener.

Finally, Voyager PRO delivers unmatched inbound audio quality to ensure every word is heard on both sides of a conversation. It features a custom speaker that delivers full-spectrum audio so conversations are richer and more vibrant. The adaptive 20-band equalizer delivers distortion-free audio and works with AudioIQ2 to automatically adjust sound levels based on the noise level around you to ensure maximum audibility.

"Plantronics is singularly focused on one thing – the headset perfected. With the Plantronics Voyager PRO we set out to engineer a high-performance headset for today's professional user who not only demands unparalleled sound quality on both sides of call, but also insists on comfort and usability," said Renee Niemi, vice president and general manager of the Plantronics Mobile and Entertainment Division. "Voyager PRO breaks new ground in Bluetooth headsets, and consumers will be delighted by the total experience."

Engineered for Comfort
The Plantronics Voyager PRO endured an extraordinary 24 rounds of human factors testing to perfect the design for all-day wearing comfort and stability. The behind-the-ear wearing style is perfectly counterbalanced so weight is distributed evenly, rendering it virtually weightless when worn. The Voyager PRO ear tip is made of soft silicone for an optimal fit and features a "sound channel" that helps distribute audio evenly to the ear.

Engineered for the Mobile Professional
The Plantronics Voyager PRO was designed for the mobile professional user. It includes easily accessible power, volume and mute buttons. It can seamlessly connect to two different mobile phones with multipoint technology, and it folds up easily for storage. The Voyager PRO also features voice prompts for low battery warnings and mute status. Finally, the lithium polymer battery provides up to six hours of continuous talk time and five days of stand-by time, exceeding the talk and standby times of most mobile phones.

Pricing and Availability
The Plantronics Voyager PRO is available exclusively at Best Buy and www.bestbuy.com for $99.99. The Plantronics Voyager PRO is also available at www.plantronics.com, and will be available in other major consumer retail and wireless carrier stores beginning in late May. Availability in Asia and Europe will follow in late June and late July, respectively. For more information about the Plantronics Voyager PRO, please visit: http://www.plantronics.com/voyagerpro.

[

If it works as advertised, it would beat the hell out of some of the more cumbersome approaches to the headset charging problem. While the patent isn't too revealing, the charging apparatus at least sounds like it could be repurposed in any number of other gadgets, potentially increasing battery life of high-draw products that we tend to move around anyway. [New Scientist]

The sound was clear and, watching the demo DVD, I could actually position things on the screen with the surround simulation. Designed to use during long periods of gaming, the Gamecom 777 is very light and the cushion does a good job to make them extremely comfortable.

The Dolby circuitry that does the sound magic is not in the headphones, but in an add-on dongle that connects directly to the USB port. The speakers are 40mm and the sound they provide is good, with clear bass and high tones. As you can see in the video, it also has a controller for adjusting the volume and muting the sound at any time. Overall, if you are looking for a nice cheap headset for gaming, with good quality sound and convenient design, this may be the ticket.

The long design of the Discovery 925 not only allows for a more powerful antenna but an extended microphone that picks up sound more clearly. The hardware also has DSP technologies that include noise cancellation and voice clarification. Battery life is around 5 hours and the carrying case holds an extra 5 hour charge. The Plantronics Discovery 925 is expected to come in pink, gold and black colors, and will hit stores in April for $150.

Plantronics Unveils New Discovery 925 Bluetooth Earpiece Collection

Blends Distinctive VFrame™ Design with Award-Winning Audio Technology for the Ultimate in Bluetooth Performance

CTIA WIRELESS 2008 - Las Vegas, NV (April 1, 2008) - Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) today presented the Plantronics Discovery® 925 Bluetooth® earpiece collection, a signature line of designer headsets for both men and women. Delivering exceptional audio performance, complemented by bold lines and distinctive finishes, the Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece represents a technical craftsmanship previously unseen in the mobile accessories category.

The revolutionary design of the Plantronics' Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece provides outstanding incoming and outgoing audio clarity in any environment. Central to its performance is the unique VFrame™ design, structured to follow the contours of the face and draw the microphone closer to the mouth for a headset that is as much objet d'art as it is audio ingenuity. The signature elongated design, housing an extended microphone, enhances audio performance and connection range. Plantronics' AudioIQ® noise reduction technology adds to the Discovery 925's performance by removing background noise while simultaneously adjusting the incoming volume - ensuring crystal clear sound on both sides of the conversation.

"When designing a Bluetooth headset, it is critical to fully understand the physical and emotional relationship between the product and the end user," said Darrin Caddes, vice president of Industrial Design at Plantronics, Inc. "Similar to high performance watches or automobiles, our Bluetooth headset is designed to deliver a first-class experience - in this case to permit clear, wireless conversation without the distraction of background noise. It is equally imperative that the product expresses individual taste and style and is comfortable and easy to use."

Plantronics' inaugural collection of Discovery 925 earpieces includes a unique palette of colors for both men and women: Onyx Black, Alchemy Gold and Cerise Pink. Each earpiece is treated with glass beads and fire-blasted for a deep, enamel-like finish.

Each Plantronics Discovery 925 comes with a matching, soft textile carrying case that recharges and stores the earpiece. The Discovery 925 earpiece supports up to five hours of talk time, while the charging case provides an extra five-hour charge on the go. Self-stabilizing, custom-fit eartips create a light, perfectly balanced fit without the need for an earloop. Plantronics QuickPair™ greatly simplifies pairing with most Bluetooth phones.

"From the onset, our vision for the Discovery 925 was to deliver remarkable audio clarity from within a supremely comfortable and distinctive package," said Renee Niemi, general manager and vice president, Mobile and Entertainment at Plantronics, Inc. "Plantronics leveraged the talents of its Industrial Design team to create the Discovery 925 as a true 'tech-cessory,' and bridge the gap between high-grade audio performance and high-fashion - a gap that has previously eluded most headset designs."

Introduced at an exclusive showing during the Spring 2008 New York Fashion Week, the Plantronics Discovery 925 has received rave reviews among fashion press, stylists and celebrities.

Pricing and Availability:

The new Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece in Black Onyx (MSRP $149.99) will be available at major consumer electronics retailers, www.amazon.com and www.plantronics.com in April 2008. The Plantronics Discovery 925 in Alchemy Gold and Cerise Pink will be available in May 2008.

As for regular call functionality, there's AudioIQ noise reduction on board, as well as a few custom earbuds sizes and additional hooks for customizaiton. It lasts up to 7 hours talk time, 5 hours of music listening time, 120 hours of standby, and weighs 10 grams (15 grams with the stereo cable). Price? $149 in October.

This is actually a pretty good idea, allowing you to look somewhat normal with the standard headset, but plug in when you want to rock out to music. Best of both worlds, you could say (if you wanted to be a dork and work in a reference to how Bluetooth headsets are Borg-like). [Plantronics]

But what (almost) makes it worth the $330 price tag is that with the touch of a button it lifts the phone off of the cradle to answer it and routes the call to the headset, so you don't have to be anywhere near your desk to answer the phone. Push the button again and it sets the phone down. Extended coffee break anyone? Shot of the phone lifter after the jump.

– Matt Buchanan

Product Page [Plantronics]

Plantronics Puts Bluetooth into Quiksilver/Roxy Apparel [MobileWhack]

You'll probably feel like a tool wearing this in the car—not to mention that it may be illegal and unsafe to cover up both your ears while driving—but the headset is useful at home or in the office.

Available later in August for $139.95.– Jason Chen

Product Page [Plantronics]

Press Release [PR Newswire]

All five headsets after the jump.

The Discovery 655 is their top of the line headset at $149.95. It has DSP, weighs 9 grams, and gets 10 hours of talk time. One of the main problems with headsets is remembering it to charge it along with your phone, but with 10 hours of talk time, the headset's quite forgiving after a drunken night of not charging.

The Discovery 640E improves on the old 640 and gets 15 hours of talk time with its AAA pocket charger.

The thriftier Explorer 330, 340 and 350 all get 8 hours of talk time, have a on-headset controls and go over your ear with a hook, instead of in it like their big brothers. Other features like last-number redial, voice activate dialing, and volume control probably depend on how well these work with your particular cellphone, but good to have nonetheless.– Jason Chen

Product Page [Plantronics]

Press Release [Yahoo News]

Femme Headset Design [Techiediva]

Is that hypnotizing glare for that girl freaking anyone else out? Must...buy...Plantronics.

Palm repackaged the Plantronics 645 bluetooth headset, which like this, has a measly three hours of talk time. After a few months of usage, the thing will be down to an hour and a half and you'll be cursing as your Bluetooth headset dies yet again. Good thing there's a pocket AAA charger that you can use to charge between calls to push this up to "9" hours of talk time.

The price of the Plantronics Discovery 645 is actually $40 more at $169 compared to the Palm $129, so it's actually a fairly good deal. If you're looking for more talk time though, go for the Plantronics Discovery 640 which boasts five hours talk time (fifteen with the charger). – Jason Chen

Palm® Ultralight Wireless Headset [Palm]

The Voyager 510-USB is the first 100% plug and play solution Bluetooth headset. One of the nice features is the ability to switch between VoIP connectivity, cellphone connectivity and desk phone connectivity seamlessly with a push of a button. The Voyager 510-USB supports all leading VoIP software such as Avaya, Cisco, Nortel and Skype. It also supports the popular Internet telephony services such as AOL, MSN and Yahoo! This headset will be available in June for $199.

Press Release [Plantronics]

The MX200 ($19.95) and MX250 ($24.95) each have a noise-canceling microphone that uses technology the company calls WindSmart, keeping that voice loud and clear when it gets windy or you're taking a ride with the top down.

Plantronics adds MP3-phone headsets to lineup [MobileMag]

Cebit 2006: Plantronics' .Audio headsets [Tech Digest]

Best prices on Plantronics headsets [Shopping.com]

Plantronics Bluetooth Stereo Headset [Bios Magazine]

Pricing for Plantronics Bluetooth Stereo Headset [Amazon]

Update: One & Co actually created the third generation Nike Triax. The original is from none other than Astro Studios.

Plantronics Versa [One & Company (via Core77)]