Review of Samsung’s WEP700 Bluetooth headset
Choosing one Bluetooth headset from the hundreds currently available on the market can often be a challenge. In many states, however, they have become a mandatory traveling accessory deserving a second look. Though our Samsung WEP700 used in this review was black, the headset is also available in silver. I’ll admit I was surprised that the device only came with an ear hook, a charger, and a manual. The WEP700 measures 0.7 by 1.8 by 0.4 inches and weighs 0.4 ounces.
When in pairing mode, the headset emits a solid blue color. The device was easy to pair and synced to both of my BlackBerry smartphones with ease. The call button is located on the top center of the device, and the volume adjustment buttons are located on the top and bottom of the headset. The device offers an automatic volume control that proved to be useful in various environments (more below). The headset offers a very wide earpiece for better in-ear volume. The biggest challenge came in adjusting the headset to fit. Those with small ears, such as myself, should look twice at the headset before committing to a purchase. I found this to be the primary challenge as I was continually adjusting and pushing the headset back into my ear. After a few minutes, I was aware that the headset was there.
In call tests, results were mixed. Quality on my end was top notch, and I was impressed with Samsung’s automatic volume control. The headset performed successfully on my end in various environments: my home, a busy restaurant, a park, and a car. Call quality adjusted depending on the environment, offering a very consistent performance across the board. Quality on the other end was decent, although callers complained of being unable to hear us in our louder environments. While driving audio was perfect; callers could hear me perfectly only until I opened my window. When I was in a restaurant, however, callers told me that the background noise was overpowering, and they asked us to call them back from a quieter environment. Occasionally, they complained of an echo, but nothing out of the ordinary.
In talk time the headset lasted approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes, just short of the manufacturer’s 6 hour estimate. The device had a strong range; I was able to walk through two small rooms (approximately 20 feet) before I heard any distortion. The quality diminished as walls were placed between the phone and the headset, but that is to be expected.
Although the packaging didn’t offer any surprises, the WEP700 is a decent headset and a good performer particularly on the user’s end. The few quirks that we had in regards to noisy environments isn’t uncommon for any Bluetooth headset. The best advice that we can offer is to make sure it fits your ear prior to purchase as those with smaller ear canals may experience some discomfort based on the shape of the earpiece. In today’s large Bluetooth market, the Samsung WEP700 doesn’t disappoint, and we give it a “Recommended” rating.
Pros: Easy pairing, great automatic volume control
Cons: Some difficulties with background noise, hard to fit in smaller ears
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