BlueAnt Q2 Review

Introduction and Design:

Potentially establishing itself as the premier, sophisticated, and functional Bluetooth headset out there, the BlueAnt Q2 just might earn its way up to your ear as it features a medley of technology to keep it high on the totem pole. Clearly sitting atop at their high-end offering, it's going to take a lot of outstanding performances in various aspects to keep the $129.99 investment in owning this device a very meaningful one. Regardless, being the successor to the late BlueAnt Q1, the Q2 aims to continue the stellar achievements and marks obtained by its predecessor and catapult itself to new realms. Included with the packaging are 5 ear buds, an ear hook, carrying pouch, microUSB cable, AC adapter, and a quick start guide.


From a cursory glance, the BlueAnt Q2 retains the same form factor and size of its predecessor with its  elongated thin profile that's curved to perfectly hug the contours of your face. In addition, the all black plastic construction of the Q2 is elegantly complemented with two shiny metallic strips racing down its facade. It's simplistic, yet stylish design, utterly cements itself as a reasonable looking Bluetooth headset that's sure to give you some looks.

Now even though we didn't have any problems whatsoever with using the Q2 for long periods of time thanks to its soft ear buds, it doesn't particularly provide a snug fit to make those worries of it falling off go away. Instead, we insist on using the durable feeling metallic ear hook to undeniably keep it clipped onto your ear.


As for dedicated buttons clinging onto the BlueAnt Q2, we find a very thin volume rocker and multi-function button that are prominently raised to offer a distinctive feel. Moreover, they're accompanied with a reasonable amount of tactile feedback when pressed – so there are no questions whether or not you pressed them. However, just like the BlueAnt T1, we find its dedicated power switch to be located in an inconvenient spot near the rear of the device next to its microUSB port. Meanwhile, the wind guard strip encompasses a sizable amount of space on the front of the device – with an LED light indicator embedded on one end and its microphone at the other.

Performance:

Being the high-end offering it is, voice guided instructions quickly aided us in getting the Q2 paired up with a handset – in this case, we connected it with a Samsung Focus. Additionally, it automatically will download your phonebook so that it can announce by name at who is calling you. For its price, the BlueAnt Q2 features a comprehensive set of voice command functionality out of the box – such as text to speech technology, voice recognition command set, SMS readout, Multipoint technology to pair it with two phones simultaneously, and call information for Bing-411. Needless to say that voice control works flawlessly, especially Bing-411, which provides useful local information, but not all devices will have support to other luxuries it offers; like SMS readout.

Naturally, volume control can be easily changed by simply pressing the associated buttons, but at its loudest, audio is more than deafening with its sharp tones. And unlike the Q2, there is no background noise or static present with its output – which makes for an even more satisfying experience.


Combining its Voice Cancellation Technology and Wind Armour Technology, our callers didn't have too much of an issue in comprehending our voices – even in windy and noisy situations. Granted that there is a slight tinge sound to voices initially, it disappears and we're greeted with deep sounding voices that are recognizable. On our end of the line, voices through the Q2's earpiece are more than audible with their sharp and strong tones. Luckily, they're crystal clear and free from any distortion to make the overall experience enjoyable.

Hitting it right at the mark, we managed to achieve a talk time of 5 hours with the BlueAnt Q2 – which is what the manufacturer has it rated for. Clearly offering a decent amount of juice than other headsets out there on the market, it lacks any rapid charging time that's becoming all too consistent with some other modern Bluetooth devices.

Conclusion:

Continuing the trend of producing stellar Bluetooth headsets, BlueAnt once again comes out packing some serious heat with the Q2 as it resonates highly in all aspects of its functionality and design. Additionally, we love the depth of features it provides and the stylish looks to match its superior performance. Furthermore, its built-in Bing-411 implementation opens up a whole new window for the hands-free experience as it can pull up information for local businesses or even get you driving directions. Sure you'll need to pony up $129.99 for it, but it's going to be money well spent as you'll quickly realize its worth in the long haul.