Sony Ericsson HBH-GV435 Bluetooth Headset Review
We are testing an extravagant wireless Bluetooth headset of Sony Ericsson signified by the ‘easy-to-remember’ model code HBH-GV 435. This headphone uses a Bluetooth v2.0 technology and sports DSP (Digital Signal Processing) for better sound quality thru filtering of unwanted noises and echoes. We consider this device to be extravagantly looking because of its interesting shape – it differs from other models of the same manufacturer (most of them equipped with comparatively long boom microphones) – it is placed behind and in the ear but lacks a microphone stretching forward to the mouth. Putting a stress upon comfort and appearance while being worn, the 435 has been designed as an all-and-everyday device not to be an obstacle to your work, since it does not cover the ear and may be worn during a conventional conversation.
The set of the device includes:
Design:
GV435 does not differ from other similar devices in size and workmanship, being made entirely of plastic (black and silver) and rubber - for the small arm connecting the front and rear parts. It weighs 18 grams (0.6 oz.), but thanks to its good balance and weight distribution one can hardly feel its presence on the ear – like headsets that are twice lighter.
The rear and front parts are connected by rubber, which is easily bent within small limits while placing the set on the ear. The end of the front arm ends with an ear piece that is easily inserted into the ear thanks to its small size, but without blocking the otic channel and therefore – the incoming outside noise. It can be rotated to 180 degrees thus making it easy to change the ear to use. There are the manufacturer’s logo and name on the front. On the back, beneath a semi-transparent black plastic, there is a small LED, which ‘is hiding’ while not lit. Its color is either yellow-green or red.
All in all 435 has four buttons: power, call key, and a pair of sound buttons. The former two are situated on the upper part whereas the sound controls are on the rear. Only the call button can be felt really easy in view of the fact that it is placed in a groove and the finger simply ‘lies’ upon it. Being slightly elevated, the sound buttons are more easily found by touch, but their small size makes it difficult to understand if you are pressing ‘up’ or ‘down’; it is quite likely that the manufacturer relies too much upon its automatic volume control system…
1-SE PV705, 2-SE GV435, 3-Jabra BT350, 4-Nokia BH-900, 5-SE IV835, 6-Plantronics 655
Functionality:
Before using theheadset to talk via the telephone, one has to ‘introduce’ the twodevices to each other. That is done by a standard pairing procedure. Inorder to switch the set to this mode, one has to hold the power buttonfor 8 to 10 seconds while the set is not operating. Success in doing sowill be signaled by flashing red-green-red-green of the diode. Havingfinished the above procedure, the user has to search the device fromtelephone and to pair both sets, entering the standard 0000 code.
HBH-435supports the AutoPairing technology, so in case your telephone alsosupports it (as in most of the recent Sony Ericsson models), it will beasked whether to connect after the headset has been switched to theabove mode. Thus one can avoid the need to search and enter codes.
Working with the device is standard and its options do not exceed the regular ones. Operations are carried out mainly thru the only convenient button – the call key. A simple push answers an incoming call when the phone is ringing or terminates an active conversation. In order to reject a call one must press the same button for 2 seconds. Pressing it once in stand-by mode will start the voice commands and two fast clicks - dial the last number. There is one rare option – a master reset. It can be carried out by simultaneously holding the power and call keys for about 8 seconds.
Performance:
The headset left us with mixed feelings regarding its merits during conversation. An unpleasant effect that is instantly noted is the sharp and grating ‘chainsaw’ sound on the other side when answering thru the headset. Your voice is heard clearly and nicely, but the bad news is – very weakly. The sound in your ear is comparatively normal and clear, but once again – not very strong, which may cause trouble in a noisy environment.
The DSP system is strongly effective against wind noise interference – it filters well even at strong wind and you can talk intelligibly and trouble-free. However it is not equally good at sounds like music and you will have difficulty if it is louder.
Comfort:
HBH-GV435 is clamp-shaped and is ‘mounted’ round the ear, enfolding it on the top and leaving it between the front and rear parts of the set. There is no other way of adjustment apart from bending the slightly flexible rubber at the top, so people with a smaller cochlea might feel it unstable and playing on the ear. Though covering the cochlea from above, there is no problem to wear glasses while using the 435, which came as a bit of surprise to us.
A few times of putting suffice to make one used to doing so correctly and it can be easily mounted by one hand on either ear. A little discomfort can be caused by the non-sufficient flexibility of the rubber and after inserting the earpiece into the ear, one must ‘push the whole clamp’ slightly forward, squeeze the cochlea in the middle and lower the rear arm behind it. Despite being difficult to describe in words, it is done almost automatically.
While lying upon the ear the headphone does not feel disturbing and its weight is well distributed – not pressing the cartilage and tiring it, reminding of itself all the time. The small earpiece is not a nuisance either and will not induce pain after a prolonged usage. You can use 435 hours on end without encountering any problem whatsoever.
Sony Ericsson HBH-GV435 looks extravagant but not ridiculous. Despite its considerable size it is hard to notice – obviously due to the fact that it lies behind the ear and therefore remains unnoticeable and unobtrusive. The lack of any microphone bulge whatsoever sharply reduces our ‘cyborg-like’ appearance, frequently caused by wearing other Bluetooth headphones; its overall vision is one of a modern and futuristic accessory.
Conclusion:
What we do not like about the 435 are the inconvenient sound buttons – small and therefore difficult to press. The headphone is placed comparatively easily and worn comfortably, meanwhile looking quite good. The DSP system is a huge ‘plus’, but, unfortunately, despite its presence the sound is not first-rate, even echoing at times.
The set of the device includes:
- Sony Ericsson HBH-GV435;
- AC charger;
- User manual;
- Neck strap.
GV435 does not differ from other similar devices in size and workmanship, being made entirely of plastic (black and silver) and rubber - for the small arm connecting the front and rear parts. It weighs 18 grams (0.6 oz.), but thanks to its good balance and weight distribution one can hardly feel its presence on the ear – like headsets that are twice lighter.
The rear and front parts are connected by rubber, which is easily bent within small limits while placing the set on the ear. The end of the front arm ends with an ear piece that is easily inserted into the ear thanks to its small size, but without blocking the otic channel and therefore – the incoming outside noise. It can be rotated to 180 degrees thus making it easy to change the ear to use. There are the manufacturer’s logo and name on the front. On the back, beneath a semi-transparent black plastic, there is a small LED, which ‘is hiding’ while not lit. Its color is either yellow-green or red.
All in all 435 has four buttons: power, call key, and a pair of sound buttons. The former two are situated on the upper part whereas the sound controls are on the rear. Only the call button can be felt really easy in view of the fact that it is placed in a groove and the finger simply ‘lies’ upon it. Being slightly elevated, the sound buttons are more easily found by touch, but their small size makes it difficult to understand if you are pressing ‘up’ or ‘down’; it is quite likely that the manufacturer relies too much upon its automatic volume control system…
1-SE PV705, 2-SE GV435, 3-Jabra BT350, 4-Nokia BH-900, 5-SE IV835, 6-Plantronics 655
Functionality:
Before using theheadset to talk via the telephone, one has to ‘introduce’ the twodevices to each other. That is done by a standard pairing procedure. Inorder to switch the set to this mode, one has to hold the power buttonfor 8 to 10 seconds while the set is not operating. Success in doing sowill be signaled by flashing red-green-red-green of the diode. Havingfinished the above procedure, the user has to search the device fromtelephone and to pair both sets, entering the standard 0000 code.
HBH-435supports the AutoPairing technology, so in case your telephone alsosupports it (as in most of the recent Sony Ericsson models), it will beasked whether to connect after the headset has been switched to theabove mode. Thus one can avoid the need to search and enter codes.
Working with the device is standard and its options do not exceed the regular ones. Operations are carried out mainly thru the only convenient button – the call key. A simple push answers an incoming call when the phone is ringing or terminates an active conversation. In order to reject a call one must press the same button for 2 seconds. Pressing it once in stand-by mode will start the voice commands and two fast clicks - dial the last number. There is one rare option – a master reset. It can be carried out by simultaneously holding the power and call keys for about 8 seconds.
Performance:
The headset left us with mixed feelings regarding its merits during conversation. An unpleasant effect that is instantly noted is the sharp and grating ‘chainsaw’ sound on the other side when answering thru the headset. Your voice is heard clearly and nicely, but the bad news is – very weakly. The sound in your ear is comparatively normal and clear, but once again – not very strong, which may cause trouble in a noisy environment.
The DSP system is strongly effective against wind noise interference – it filters well even at strong wind and you can talk intelligibly and trouble-free. However it is not equally good at sounds like music and you will have difficulty if it is louder.
HBH-GV435 is clamp-shaped and is ‘mounted’ round the ear, enfolding it on the top and leaving it between the front and rear parts of the set. There is no other way of adjustment apart from bending the slightly flexible rubber at the top, so people with a smaller cochlea might feel it unstable and playing on the ear. Though covering the cochlea from above, there is no problem to wear glasses while using the 435, which came as a bit of surprise to us.
A few times of putting suffice to make one used to doing so correctly and it can be easily mounted by one hand on either ear. A little discomfort can be caused by the non-sufficient flexibility of the rubber and after inserting the earpiece into the ear, one must ‘push the whole clamp’ slightly forward, squeeze the cochlea in the middle and lower the rear arm behind it. Despite being difficult to describe in words, it is done almost automatically.
While lying upon the ear the headphone does not feel disturbing and its weight is well distributed – not pressing the cartilage and tiring it, reminding of itself all the time. The small earpiece is not a nuisance either and will not induce pain after a prolonged usage. You can use 435 hours on end without encountering any problem whatsoever.
Sony Ericsson HBH-GV435 looks extravagant but not ridiculous. Despite its considerable size it is hard to notice – obviously due to the fact that it lies behind the ear and therefore remains unnoticeable and unobtrusive. The lack of any microphone bulge whatsoever sharply reduces our ‘cyborg-like’ appearance, frequently caused by wearing other Bluetooth headphones; its overall vision is one of a modern and futuristic accessory.
What we do not like about the 435 are the inconvenient sound buttons – small and therefore difficult to press. The headphone is placed comparatively easily and worn comfortably, meanwhile looking quite good. The DSP system is a huge ‘plus’, but, unfortunately, despite its presence the sound is not first-rate, even echoing at times.
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